TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys will be erased. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to reset a vehicle Immobilizer or Smart Key system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Toyota Avalon electrical problems
moderate Owners of the 2005 Toyota Avalon have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 38,000 miles at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 Avalon (this page) | 11 |
| 2006 Avalon | 12 |
| 2007 Avalon | 14 |
| 2008 Avalon | 44 |
| 2009 Avalon | 9 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections have been updated. October 30, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0012-13. Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0012-13 is obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded. Be sure to review the entire content of this bulletin before proceeding. Flash reprogramming allows the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) software to be updated
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: REVISION NOTICE November 22, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2014 ? 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. In the event that a Toyota vehicle becomes submerged in water, many components may be physically damaged. Electrical and electronic components, including wiring harnesses, are particularly susceptible to corrosion and subsequent malfunction. Although any flooding can be damaging, salt water flooding elevates the potential for abnormal conditions and may increase risks due to its highly corrosive and conductive nature. Salt residue also continues to corrode and remain conductive even after a vehicle dries.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Warranty Policy Bulletin POL14-11: Rev Toyota has received reports where some vehicles may exhibit cracked and/or sticky/melting dashboards as a result of heat or humidity.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Dealer Daily: Voluntary Extension of Warranty Coverage for Cracked and/or Sticky/Melting Dashboards (Instrument Panels) as a Result of Heat or Humidity.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2005 Avalon's electrical system shows consistent failure patterns across multiple subsystems. Keyless entry FOB fails intermittently within the first year, particularly at certain locations or times of day; owners report dealers cannot reproduce the issue, and battery replacements don't fix it. Ignition coils fail at low and higher mileage (one owner replaced two coils 800 miles and 3 months apart; another at 75,000 miles). Horn contact issues recur every 12 months despite dealer repairs including lubrication and spring replacement; manual steering wheel adjustment temporarily restores function, suggesting poor electrical contact in the steering column.
Early electrical shorts occur with less than 5,000 miles: brake light switches, engine control units, and fuse boxes short out, preventing starts or causing stalls at highway speeds. Water intrusion from the windshield leaks into the cabin, shorting the stereo system and affecting electrical components. Toyota issued TSBs for these leaks but limited warranty to 36,000 miles/36 months. One vehicle's instrument cluster cracked from sun exposure at 165,000 miles; manufacturer acknowledged the defect but offered no repair coverage. Dealers frequently state they cannot identify root causes or claim defects are normal for the model.
Same Toyota Avalon electrical reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Keyless Entry FOB Malfunction
Handle-sensor keyless entry fails to unlock doors when fob is near handle, as designed. Problem intermittent and location-dependent; occurs at same time of day or location, then resolves, then recurs. Does not repeat for service techs. Battery replacements do not fix it. Vehicle engine also won't start with fob at ignition switch during malfunction periods.
When: Within 6 months of purchase; recurred after ~1 year hiatus; owner reports lasted ~3 months at most recent incident
Symptoms owners cite: FOB won't unlock doors when held near handle per owner manual specification; Problem intermittent; varies by location and time of day; On rare occasion requires 6+ handle attempts before doors open; Engine won't start via keyless fob during malfunction periods; Battery tested fine after multiple replacements
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealer visits; service adviser stated problem could not be fixed. Multiple fob batteries replaced with no resolution. Toyota 'technical expert' blamed RF interference and low battery; neither diagnosis supported by owner's testing or pattern of failures.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota sent technical expert who could not recreate problem; blamed RF interference and battery.
Parasitic Battery Drain / Trunk Lock Failure
Battery goes completely dead overnight after ignition left on. Trunk cannot be manually unlocked and is inaccessible until battery restored. Dealer advised installing manual key lock as workaround; second dealer did not respond to complaint escalation.
When: At 22,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Battery completely dead after overnight ignition left on; Trunk inaccessible; cannot be manually unlocked when powered down
Repairs/costs cited: First dealer advised installing locksmith key-operated lock on trunk. Second dealer promised escalation but did not respond.
Horn Contact Failure
Horn becomes inoperable intermittently. Dealer replaced contact pads, lubricated contact points, and replaced SOPS lock spring assembly. Each fix lasted ~1 year before failure recurred. Dealer could not identify root cause. Owner discovered manual adjustment of steering wheel position restored horn function, suggesting electrical contact issue in steering column.
When: First failure ~38,000 miles; recurrences after ~1 year intervals
Symptoms owners cite: Horn inoperable; Failure recurs after repair attempts; Manual steering wheel adjustment temporarily restores function
Repairs/costs cited: Contact pads replaced. Contact points lubricated. SOPS lock spring assembly replaced. Dealer unable to determine cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer unable to provide assistance.
Engine Stall / Fuel Control System Fuse Failure
Engine surges, hesitates, and shuts off during normal freeway driving in clear/dry conditions. Vehicle cannot be restarted and requires towing. Dealer identified blown fuse in fuel control system. Fuse blew twice in 6-month period; second occurrence cause remains unknown. Vehicle stranded both times.
When: Two occurrences within ~6 months
Symptoms owners cite: Engine surge and hesitation; Engine shuts off while driving; Vehicle will not restart; Occurs during normal freeway driving in clear/dry conditions
Repairs/costs cited: First repair: fuel control system fuse replaced. Second occurrence: dealer unable to determine cause of fuse failure.
Multiple Electrical Shorts (Brake Light Switch, ECU, Fuse Box)
Three separate electrical shorts in vehicle with less than 5,000 miles. Brake light switch short prevented starting. Engine control unit short caused engine stall at 55 mph on highway. Fuse box short prevented starting. All three components replaced. Vehicle towed 4 times during first year of ownership.
When: First year of ownership; less than 5,000 miles at initial failures
Symptoms owners cite: Brake light switch short prevented engine start; Engine control unit short caused stall at 55 mph on highway; Fuse box short prevented engine start; Multiple towing events
Repairs/costs cited: Brake light switch replaced. Engine control unit replaced. Fuse box replaced.
Steering Wheel Horn Contact Intermittent Failure
Horn fails intermittently and recurs despite dealer lubrication of contact points. Contact estimated ~12 months between failures. Manual steering column movement temporarily restores function, suggesting poor electrical connection in steering column wiring.
When: Recurring every ~12 months after repairs
Symptoms owners cite: Horn inoperable; Function restored temporarily by manipulating steering wheel position; Recurs after ~12 months
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer lubricated contact points.
Ignition Coil Failure / Check Engine Light
Check engine light illuminates due to ignition coil failure. Coil #2 replaced; 800 miles and 3 months later, coil #5 failed and was replaced. Dealer claimed recurrent coil failure is normal for high-mileage vehicles. Total repair cost exceeded $700 for two coil replacements.
When: One coil failure at unknown mileage; second failure 800 miles and 3 months later. Narrative does not specify vehicle age at failure.
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Recurrent ignition coil failure
Codes mentioned: Check engine
Repairs/costs cited: Ignition coil #2 replaced. Ignition coil #5 replaced 800 miles and 3 months later. Total cost $700+.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated recurrent coil failure is normal for high-mileage cars.
Acceleration Hesitation / Ignition Coil Issue
Vehicle resists acceleration at 55 mph. Dealer diagnostics indicated ignition coil replacement needed. Vehicle was repaired but problem persisted. Vehicle not further diagnosed or repaired.
When: At approximately 75,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle resistant to acceleration at 55 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Ignition coil replaced; failure persisted and vehicle not further repaired.
Windshield Leak / Water Intrusion Causing Stereo Failure
Water leaks from windshield area during rain, shorting out stereo system. Owner discovered Toyota issued at least 2 technical service bulletins documenting leaking problems in the area. Warranty coverage for known leak defect limited to 36,000 miles or 36 months. Owner's vehicle exceeded coverage window when leak was discovered. Repair cost for water damage remediation estimated in thousands of dollars.
When: Leak detected after 36,000 miles / 36 months
Symptoms owners cite: Water intrusion from windshield area; Stereo system shorted out due to water damage
Repairs/costs cited: Remediation cost estimated in thousands of dollars.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota issued TSBs documenting the leak defect; warranty coverage limited to 36,000 miles or 36 months.
Instrument Panel Cracking
Instrument panel cracked when vehicle sat in direct sunlight. Dealer stated VIN not under recall for this defect. Manufacturer acknowledged awareness of the failure but referred owner to NHTSA Hotline rather than provide repair coverage. Vehicle not repaired.
When: At approximately 165,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Instrument panel cracked in direct sunlight
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer aware of defect; referred owner to NHTSA Hotline; no recall or repair coverage offered.
Airbag Deployment / Heated Seat Malfunction / Water Intrusion / Sticky Gas Pedal
Airbag deployed (not specified which one). Passenger-side heated seats activate on their own without user input. Water accumulates on passenger-side floor during rain. Gas pedal sticks when accelerating. All failures reported concurrently, suggesting possible electrical or water intrusion issue affecting multiple systems.
When: Mileage and timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag deployment; Passenger heated seat activates on its own; Water accumulation on passenger-side floor during rain; Gas pedal sticks during acceleration
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had electrical trouble with your 2005 Toyota Avalon?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2005 Toyota Avalon?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 8,800 and 92,079 miles, with the median around 38,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 8,800; a quarter make it past 92,079. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Toyota/Avalon.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.