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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Toyota Avalon engine problems
severe 25 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
25
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 25 engine complaints filed for the 2005 Toyota Avalon, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 25 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 7 model years of Toyota Avalon in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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 Service Bulletin No. T-SB-0012-13 is obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded.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: Supersession Notice. Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are released as field-fix procedures described in individual Service Bulletins. This bulletin details the Techstream ECU flash reprogramming process and outlines use of the Technical Information System (TIS) and the Calibration Update Wizard (CUW). Flash calibration updates can only be applied to the vehicle/ECU combination for which they are intended. ECUs have internal security that will not allow them to be programmed with another ECU?s information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TT: THE VEHICLE MAY BE DIFFICULT TO START OR HAVE AN ABNORMALLY LOW OR ROUGH IDLE AFTER THE BATTERY HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED OR POWER TO THE ENGINE ECM HAS BEEN INTERRUPTED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TT: The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been interrupted.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant complaint across these 25 narratives is oil leakage from the VVTI (variable valve timing intelligent) high-pressure oil hose on the V6 engine. Owners report the rubber portion of the hose—particularly on the left/top bank—develops pinholes, cracks, or bulges that spray oil into the engine compartment, sometimes severely enough that owners detect burning oil smell while driving or find large puddles under the car. Multiple narratives note Toyota issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB EG019-07) but did not recall or proactively notify owners. The hose clips corrode the rubber, and Toyota's rubber replacement hose has a design flaw not present in the all-metal version used on Lexus ES350. One owner had loosened timing gear bolts, damaged cam components, and required extensive internal repair after the oil leak went unchecked.
Secondary complaints include engine shutdown without warning during highway driving after oil change service (low oil pressure triggering a safety shutoff that creates hazard), repeated timing cover leaks, one vehicle fire after loss of power, engine stalling with loss of power steering and brakes, loud clanking noise requiring engine replacement, hesitation and jerking on acceleration (attributed to ECU issue), and loose motor mounts. A few reports mention emission system reading failures, oxygen sensor issues, and catalytic converter replacement for sulfur smell. Parts shortages caused weeks-long repair backlogs at dealerships.
Same Toyota Avalon engine reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
VVTI High-Pressure Oil Hose Leakage (Left/Top Bank)
Rubber portion of variable valve timing intelligent oil line develops pinholes, cracks, or bulges, causing oil to spray or leak from engine compartment. Metal clips connecting hose to metal tubing corrode the rubber over time. Occurs across many 2005 Avalon V6 engines (2FZ-FE). Hose may fail suddenly under high pressure after initial pinhole develops.
When: As early as 25,000–42,000 miles; some recurring after dealer replacement
Symptoms owners cite: burning oil smell while driving; oil puddle under engine; oil sprayed on engine compartment and frame; oil coating passenger side of engine bay; low oil level despite recent oil change; strange engine noise (in one case, post-repair grinding on cold start)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaces rubber hose with identical rubber hose (recurring failure risk). Owner reports Tesla and others achieved permanent fix by insisting on all-metal replacement hose (as used on Lexus ES350), avoiding rubber-clip design flaw. One owner paid $1,530.93 insurance + $235.94 out-of-pocket for first repair, then $2,957.23 for second repair at 99,983 miles, and needed third repair at 113,480 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota issued TSB EG019-07 but did not issue recall or send proactive notification to owners. Toyota covers repair under 5-year/60,000-mile warranty only if immediate leaking observed; repairs after that window denied without evidence of active leak. Parts frequently on backorder, causing 3–9+ week service delays.
Timing Cover Oil Leaks
Oil leaks from timing chain cover, sometimes traced to improper sealing of upper and lower oil pans or worn gaskets at connections. May recur despite previous repair.
When: Reported at 74,000 miles, 95,000 miles, and recurring within 1–5 years
Symptoms owners cite: oil puddle under stationary vehicle; oil residue on timing cover area
Repairs/costs cited: Timing cover replaced or upper/lower oil pans resealed. One owner required multiple repairs: first at $235.94, second at $2,957.23 for used cover and pans that were not sealed properly. Another owner paid $1,853.53 for 95,000-mile repair; Toyota offered $1,000 goodwill check.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota referenced TSB in some repairs but did not issue recall. One dealer told owner parts shortage was widespread across multiple 2005 Avalons.
Low Oil Pressure Engine Shutdown
Engine automatically shuts down when oil pressure drops below Toyota's threshold. Occurs without driver warning lights activating early enough. In reported cases, triggered by improper oil service (incorrect filter change) or oil line failure.
When: Within miles of dealership service; during highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: sudden engine stall while driving; loss of power steering; loss of power brakes; check engine light and oil light illuminated seconds before stall; no prior warning to driver
Repairs/costs cited: Corrected by proper oil change or repair of oil line. However, design allows engine to shut down abruptly, creating safety hazard (nearly caused highway accident in one case).
Engine Stalling and Loss of Power
Engine loses power during highway driving or dies completely with no warning lights, or stalls after losing power on road. In one case, vehicle caught fire; another required complete engine replacement.
When: One case at under 40,000 miles (still under warranty); another at 67,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: loss of power while accelerating; engine shutdown without warning; loud clanking noise from engine (in one case, 6 months after oil leak repair); engine fire (in one case)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner's vehicle caught fire after power loss; engine suffered extensive under-hood damage. Another required complete engine replacement. Toyota inspected one fire vehicle for over three months without determining cause.
Timing Gear Bolt Loosening (Secondary to Oil Leak)
Oil starvation from VVTI hose leak causes timing gear bolts to loosen; two bolts fell out of gearbox with one broken. Requires replacement of timing gears, camshafts, cams, and tensioner ring.
When: At 29,500 miles (discovered after oil leak repaired)
Symptoms owners cite: grinding noise on cold start (75% of startups after 10+ hours parked); growling noise when ascending inclines; noise dissipates after 30 seconds
Repairs/costs cited: Replaced timing gears, camshafts, cams, tensioner ring, and rubber hose with all-metal oil tube. Owner replaced rubber hose with metal tube after insisting, referencing Lexus design.
Transmission / Accelerator Hesitation and Jerking
Vehicle fails to accelerate beyond 5 mph when pedal depressed, or hesitates then jerks violently on acceleration. Attributed to ECU (electronic control unit) fault in one case.
When: Mileage unknown for 5 mph failure; another at unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: failure to accelerate over 5 mph despite pedal depression; check engine light and VSC light illumination; hesitation followed by sudden jerk on acceleration; nearly hit other vehicles due to unpredictable behavior
Repairs/costs cited: One owner's ECU replacement cost $1,350 and required 8 months at dealer, during which only 8,000 miles driven. Other case not diagnosed or repaired.
Emission System Reading Failures
Two emissions testing facilities unable to read emissions system on 2005 Avalon. Dealership states this is a common issue and emissions system cannot be computerized tested.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: emissions testing machines unable to read vehicle data
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership indicated old-school testing (tailpipe sniff) must be used, but Georgia no longer offers this option at most test sites. Dealership noted three other 2005 Avalons with same issue.
Oxygen Sensor Fault
Oxygen sensor malfunction triggers warning lights on dashboard despite no apparent vehicle problem.
When: Unspecified
Symptoms owners cite: dashboard warning lights illuminated with no visible defect
Catalytic Converter Replacement (Sulfur Smell)
Sulfur smell from exhaust during hard acceleration requires catalytic converter replacement.
When: Unspecified
Symptoms owners cite: sulfur smell from exhaust during hard acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Catalytic converter replaced by dealer.
Loose Motor Mounts
Motor mounts loose, causing engine noise and instability during acceleration from stop.
When: Unspecified
Symptoms owners cite: noise and vibration on acceleration from stop; instability
Synthesized from 25 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Sulfur smell exuding from exhaust system during periods of hard acceleration. Dealer replaced catalytic converter. *jb
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2005 Toyota Avalon?
It's a meaningful issue. 25 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 21 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 29,500 and 74,000 miles, with the median around 43,072. A quarter of owners report trouble before 29,500; a quarter make it past 74,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.