repaired · 2016 Q4
Air bags: frontal
Risk. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags or the seat belt pretensioners increases the risk of an injury or crash.
2004 Toyota AvalonProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 205 owner complaints about the 2004 Toyota Avalon, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-043 the manufacturer reports only 29% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 5, 2024. Updated daily. Photo: OSX, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2004 Toyota Avalon has problems
205 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
127Air bags8 crash/fire/injury
28Steering
25Vehicle speed control16 crash/fire/injury
11Electrical system
7Seat belts
5Engine and engine cooling
4Power train
4Fuel system, gasoline
4Service brakes, hydraulic
2915 other systems6 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 127 | 8 |
| Steering | 28 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 25 | 16 |
| Electrical system | 11 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 7 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 2 |
| Power train | 4 | 2 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 4 | 2 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 4 | 0 |
| 15 other systems | 29 | 6 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2004 Toyota Avalon recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Engine and engine cooling
Risk. IN SOME CASES, THE BELT FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM THE PULLEY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND A SUDDEN INCREASE IN…
no report yet
Steering
Risk. SHOULD THE STEERING LOCK BAR BREAK, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK AND THE DRIVER WOULD LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Toyota.
Mileage at failure
When do air bags problems start?
81kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 58 air bags complaints. 57% were reported before 100,000 miles.
4under 30k miles33under 100k miles25100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2004 vs. every other Avalon year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Avalon median. How we score
'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2004 Toyota Avalon safety ratings
2004 Toyota Avalon 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: Optional
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Avalon owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
AIR BAG DASHBOARD LIGHT OCCASIONALLY FLICKERS AND BEGINS TO GLOW FOR A FEW SECONDS. SEEMS TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY IN WET WEATHER. MY STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK WHEN I TURN LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. REVERSED BACKWARDS A LITTLE BIT AND WIGGLED THE STEERING WHEEL, IT WOULDN'T BUDGE THEN I WENT…
(1) AIR BAG DASHBOARD LIGHT OCCASIONALLY FLICKERS AND BEGINS TO GLOW FOR A FEW SECONDS THIS SEEMS TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY IN WET WEATHER.. (2) WHEN MOVING AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE DOOR LOCKS CLICK OPEN AND THE INTERIOR LIGHT GOES ON FOR A FEW SECONDS, THIS HAPPENS DAILY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXTRA STRENGTH WAS NEEDED TO STEER THE VEHICLE AND THE FAILURE OCCURRED PERIODICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN…
Own a 2004 Avalon?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.