The following procedures are recommended during routine maintenance or in the event of a customer concern for wiper performance.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Toyota Avalon visibility problems
moderate 3 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350 · see visibility across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
What stands out
Of the 9 model years of Toyota Avalon we track for visibility problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (3).
No new NHTSA visibility complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 20 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility 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.
This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0185-13.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The appearance of spots in tempered glass (when viewed at certain angles) is the result of the heat treating and quick quenching process during manufacturing.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TOYOTA: VEHICLES WOULD HAVE WATER LEAK CONDITION IN THE HEADLINER. THIS CAUSES THE FOOT WELL TO BE WET. IT MAY RESULT FROM MOON ROOF DRAIN HOSES ARE LOOSE OR DISCONNECTED FROM DRAIN PAN NIPPLE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗KNOCKING NOISE FROM FRONT OF MOON ROOF.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Note: I had to classify this vehicle as a camry because a selection for a 2005 avalon was not available - recently we had our first major snow storm. I was driving on the highway and within minutes my windshield wipers began to freeze up and sharply limited my visibility. I checked with the dealer service dept only to discover that Toyota does not manufacture a winter (booted) wiper blade for…
Had visibility 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 visibility problem on the 2005 Toyota Avalon?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, visibility issues most often appear around 93,500 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility 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 visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility 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.