Problems · by component

2006 Toyota Avalon power train problems

52 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2006 Toyota Avalon cite power train, 14% of all 360 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
52
14% of all complaints
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owned a 2006 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle accelerated independently without warning. The contact heard an abnormal noise as he pressed on the brake pedal; the vehicle eventually came to a stop. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and resume normal driving operation. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer and was informed that a mechanical fault was found with the vehicle. The manufacturer was also informed of the failure and a complaint was filed. The contact continued to experience multiple failures after the vehicle was inspected. On the latest incident, the contact stated that he had entered a car wash on the left lane and attempted to enter the right lane by reversing the vehicle. Once the vehicle was placed into drive, the vehicle made an abnormal, squealing noise and independently accelerated without warning into a concrete wall. The airbags did not deploy upon impact. A police report was filed with Apex City, NC police department. The contact sought medical attention from his doctor for the soreness to his right hand and right knee. The contact had the vehicle initial towed to a dealer…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 26, 2021Power train, Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11441720
“TWO PREVIOUS AVALONS (97&98) AND THE ONE IDENTIFIED HERE, DID AND DOES ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION WITH THE CAR BEING IN PARK. THE DANGER IS THAT THE CAR WILL ROLL AND COULD RUN OVER SOMEONE OR INTO TRAFFIC AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. MY HUSBAND AND I ALWAYS REMINDED EACH OTHER TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK, BUT HE IS NO LONGER WITH ME AND RECENTLY I STARTED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND IT WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AND IT STARTED ROLLING WHILE I WAS GETTING OUT. I HAVE COMPLAINED IN THE PAST TO TOYOTA, BUT THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE ME. A RECENT COMPLAINT BROUGHT THE ANSWER THAT THE 36000 MILE WARRANTY DOESN'T APPLY TO THE REPAIR. I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT THIS IS EVIDENTLY A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH AVALONS THAT TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO ADDRESS, OR MY 2006 WOULDN'T HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. WE HAVE ALMOST ALWAYS BOUGHT USED CARS AND TRUCKS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE THAT WOULD ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WITHOUT BEING IN PARK. YOU ASK FOR A SPECIFIC DATE AT THE END OF THIS "STEP". IT IS ONGOING SO I HAVE JUST PUT YESTERDAYS DATE. THE CAR WAS A GIFT IN SEPTEMBER OF 2014.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 7, 2020Power trainODI 11307657
“HESITATION FROM TAKE OFF INTERMITTENT, TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS ON INCLINES. I WOULD BE PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND THE CAR WOULD BARLEY MOVE EVEN WITH PUSHING DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR! THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WILL JUST TAKE OFF! I'LL BE DRIVING THROUGH THEY CITY AND BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MILES PER HOUR THE CAR SHIFTS ERRATICALLY”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 20, 2019Power trainODI 11256831
“WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN AT ABOUT 25 MPH, THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE BY ITSELF TO 30MPH, EVEN IF THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED. PUSHING DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR HAS NO EFFECT. THE ACCELERATION IS BRIEF AND STOPS BY ITSELF. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS. CRUISE CONTROL NOT ENGAGED. THE CAR COMPUTER WAS RE-FLASHED AT THE DEALER YEAR TO ADDRESS TO ADDRESS SENSITIVE ACCELERATOR ISSUES. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 22, 2014Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 10593405
“DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS VEHICLES TRANSMISSIONS HESITATES SHIFTING UP OR DOWN BETWEEN GEARS. PROBLEM HAS BEEN POINTED OUT TO TOYOTA DEALER IN BOWIE, MD, HOWEVER, THEY CLAIM THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM TWO TOYOTA CASE # [XXX] AND [XXX]. ALSO SEE SITE: FOURWHEELDRIFT.WORDPRESS.COM/2007/01/16/TOYOTA-AVALON-TRANSMISSION. ECM ISSUE COULD CAUSE VEHICLE TO FAIL DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION WHEN MAKING TURNS OR ACCELERATING. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 14, 2012Power trainODI 10470585
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN HER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN MAKING TURNS AND CHANGING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE WAS SLOW TO RESPOND. SHE PULL THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT AN HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THAT THE IGNITION COIL WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED, THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE FLUSHED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 14, 2012Power trainODI 10458326

Showing 6 of 52 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.