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Toyota Avalon, Sedan
#14835 of 14955 TSB to correct transmission issues in 05 Avalon
by okie34
Sep 25, 2010 (3:08 pm)
Some of you may already know about this, but I thought that I would pass it along anyway. We purchased an early 05 Avalon, new. From the beginning the operation of the transmission was never smooth, and when trying to accelerate from an almost stopped condition sometimes the transmission could not select the proper gear. Sometimes when trying to speed up with the flow of traffic, it would drop down a gear and accelerate too quickly. That was a dangerous thing in congested traffic.
Up-shifts were rarely smooth. I kept complaining to the dealer, and to Toyota in California. The answers were always the same "your transmission is working normally and there are no updates for it."
Well about two weeks ago I found out by accident that in 2007 Toyota came out with a TSB to correct the problem. It is TSB EG033-07. I had it performed on my car last week and you can not believe the difference it made.
It is free if the car has less than 80,000 miles and is under 96 months old. Mine was well within those limits. It is a fairly involved process that requires the replacement of both exhaust manifolds, several sensors, a vacuum switching valve, and a reflash of the ecu to 2007 standards.
If any of you have a 2005 model that has not had this update and falls within these time and mileage limits, you really should have it done. Mine drives like a brand new car. The transmission is so smoooooth now.
A TSB is not a recall. They are not going to come looking for you. It is one of those things that basically says "If they complain, fix it, otherwise keep your mouth shut."
Hope this helps someone --- have a good day.
#14836 of 14955 Re: TSB to correct transmission issues in 05 Avalon [okie34]
by jlsexton
Sep 26, 2010 (3:59 am)
And that is WHY if you have a problem, SCREAM about it, one never knows. If Toyota was really all about quality as they profess, they would make this public to their customers. Once again, NEVER purchase the first year of a major change. I had to call about the acceleration problem to have them re-flash the chip, even though I hadn't had a problem and I let corporate know that.
#14837 of 14955 Re: TSB to correct transmission issues in 05 Avalon [jlsexton]
by okie34
Sep 26, 2010 (9:38 am)
I did try to get them to correct the problem for the first two years, then just gave up and lived with it. That was in 05 and 06. The TSB didn't come out until June of 07.
Early on I had another TSB performed to replace the steering shaft because it made noise. It took them a while to get the part so Toyota Customer Service in California gave me a $300.00 credit that I could spend on whatever I wanted at any Toyota Dealer. Between my Avalon and Prius I managed to spend $295.00 of it. Good for Toyota on that one.
I did get recall notices on the VVT oil line replacement and the floor mat / accellerator pedal / reflash items, and had both of them done. Again Toyota was very good and loaned me cars each time.
Can't complain much about that. I just made the post about the TSB hoping that it might help someone who has the same problem and had not heard about the fix.
#14838 of 14955 Re: TSB to correct transmission issues in 05 Avalon [okie34]
by popsavalon
Sep 26, 2010 (1:24 pm)
Finding the correct Toyota "fix" for a particular vehicle problem is almost like a game of hide and seek with Toyota.
The VVTi oil line replacement only came out after a couple of model years of catastropic line failures (loss of all engine oil) that were simply not addressed. The irony of this recall is that Toyota is still replacing the original rubber line with another rubber line (the accountants won, I'm sure), when all Avalons since mid 2008 have metal lines from the factory. Toyota has an exact fix, replacement metal line in their parts system that could be installed. Some V6 vehicles, notably Lexus and RAV4s, had the OE metal line as early as 2005.
I have a 2007 Avalon with a dealer installed metal line, the TSB reprogram for '07 transmissions, and a complete new pedal assembly. I think it is a very nice automobile with lots of room and great gas milege!
#14839 of 14955 Re: TSB to correct transmission issues in 05 Avalon [popsavalon]
by okie34
Sep 27, 2010 (7:43 am)
Interesting about the rubber oil line. I need to check mine to see what was put on it during the recall fix. Is it visible after the big silver cover is removed from the top of the engine?
#14840 of 14955 Re: TSB to correct transmission issues in 05 Avalon [okie34]
by popsavalon
Sep 27, 2010 (5:07 pm)
It is not necessary to remove the engine cover. Raise the hood and look at the left rear side of the engine right next to the shock tower, there will be a 3/8" metal line and fitting connected to the end of the rear cylinder head. This line turns straight down for about 6" and goes behind a black plastic shield on it's way to the bottom of the engine. If you can see any rubber hose before the line goes behind the shield, you have the "rubber" line replacement.
For a look at the all metal line, just check any 2009 or later Avalon.
For the bizarre "it's not a problem" history of failures leading to this recall, Google toyotav6oillinescandal.
#14841 of 14955 Re: TSB to correct transmission issues in 05 Avalon [popsavalon]
by okie34
Sep 28, 2010 (5:59 am)
Thanks, I'll take a look at it.
#14842 of 14955 Re: TSB to correct transmission issues in 05 Avalon [okie34]
by okie34
Sep 29, 2010 (7:28 am)
Sure enough, it's the rubber line.
#14843 of 14955 Re: steering problem [fiveaces]
by gladiator99
Oct 11, 2010 (11:55 am)
I had the steering column replaced under the recall about 2 years ago on our 2005 Avalon. Since then there has been a creaking or similar noise while steering at slow speeds. I took the car back to our local dealer and they said the same thing, that the shaft may need to be relubed. Estimate was anywhere from $150.00 to $600.00. I contacted Toyota Canada last year and they said see your dealer. This car has approx 55000 Km or 33000 miles. I have never owned a car that had to have the steering shaft re lubed or replaced. Took the car to another dealer last week and they tell me that the steering shaft may need replacement at a cost of $1400.00. WTF? This should really be done at Toyota's expense as it certainly should not happen on a $42000.00 car with low miles. I plan to call toyota again this week and have a few words with them. My next car will not be a Toyota.
It has been reported by many other owners on www.mycarstats.com.
Check it out?
Jim
#14844 of 14955 Re: '06 Avalon- O2 sensors and intake manifold replacement for $1,800 [Modad55]
by rmiska1
Oct 20, 2010 (11:41 am)
loose clamps on air intake rubber mounts of aqir flow sensor.