My check engine light came on while I was driving, and then the vsc light came on, car hesitates when gas pedal is applied then jerks and takes off almost ran in the back of a few people, went to dealer they said it was a ECU computer 1350$ had car for 8mo. Only put 8000 miles on it, was very dangerous driving this car

- Baltimore, MD, USA

First contacted Toyota motor sales U.S.a., Inc. In torrance, ca. And advised them of my car troubles prior to going to dealership for service. I made them aware that I do not trust dealer service departments. They assigned me a case number and documented my issues with engine/powertrain malfunction that still exist today and both the dealer and Toyota motor sales have not addressed problem. Also, I stated to dealer that there was leakage surrounding the power steering pump. Dealer was quick to resolve problem by trying to induce me to have pump changed without performing true diagnostic procedures to include; failure to remove front R/H tire to look at power steering pump from the front side, failure to clean power steering pump and surrounding areas to investigate true area of leakage. Instead, dealer service department came to an immediate conclusion that the pump must be leaking from pump shaft bearing. Cost to replace; $750 which I declined to have replaced. With the vehicle up on jack stands and with true diagnostic testing, I removed front R/H tire, thoroughly cleaned power steering pump and surrounding area and steered left to right and right to left many times and can not locate leak at this time. Could be even engine oil that dripped down or pump high pressure line that goes to steering cylinder gearbox/yoke area. As far as the power train/engine problem that has been going on for a very long time, the engine and transmission are always out of synchronization. To briefly state, the engine wonders (hi and low rpms) and the transmission will be in wrong gear. Furthermore, throttle response is many times non-existent. I depress pedal and no engine response is found. Need to further depress pedal for engine to accelerate. This is a serious safety factor as far as I am concerned. Have other issues not able to state because of your limited words allowed.

- Wildomar, CA, USA

On the 2005 Toyota 3.5 V-6 engine (2fzr engine), there is an oil hose that feeds the left bank (top head of the engine) this hose is bulging and cracking and my research shows that this hose has a technical service bulletin issued by Toyota, but will not be covered unless the hose ruptures during the 5 year or 60,000 miles warranty. This hose is defective and Toyota has replaced it. Since part of the lubrication hose to the left bank of the engine is metal, the portion that is rubber is the affected part only. Further research found that Lexus with similar displacement engine does not have this rubber portion of the lubrication hose. Instead, the line is all metal (as is the case in the right bank of the Avalon engine. I am requesting an investigation and requesting that Toyota issue a metal replacement hose. Numerous Avalon owners and now highlanders are being recalled to repair this defective rubber hose.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

My 2005 Avalon with less that 40,000 miles -still under warranty -without any warning from dashboard lights began to lose power on the highway-then it shut down-I managed to get off the road and the car was on fire. Toyota had the car for over three months-could not tell what caused this but it melted just about everything under the hood. I was afraid to drive it but they would not make any adjustments toward replacing it. I had to call Toyota to get reimbursed for the towing. I had to demand a copy of the 10 page repair bill.

- Laurel, MS, USA

Re: 2005 Toyota Avalon. Lubrication oil leak from the vvti oil line. Toyota is aware there is a defect in this part but only will fix it if they see immediate leaking and the vehicle is under 60,000 miles. I have an appointment to bring my car in on October 1, 2010. But have been advised if they do not see oil spurting from the line there will be a $95 charge for inspection and they will not fix the defect. In the past 3 weeks I have added 2 quarts ofoil to the engine. The vehicle has approx. 42,00 miles on it. My mechanic has told me this problem is with the 2005 models only. The angle of the oil line is too severe causing the tube to fail and leak oil.

- Sloatsburg, NY, USA

While driving a strong "burning oil" smell began to fill the passenger compartment. Immediately took the vehicle to a nearby service station where they found oil coating all over the engine compartment with a higher concentration on the passenger side. After putting a couple quarts of oil they started the vehicle and immediately a stream of oil (about the size of a pencil lead) was found spraying out from a rubber hose located toward the rear of the engine compartment on the passenger side of the car, just above a metal bracket. The car was towed to a dealer who replace the leaking hose.

- Port Neches, TX, USA

We bought a Toyota Avalon in 2005 for my son thinking that we have had a very good experience with our first Toyota. Yesterday, my worried son called to tell me that oil was leaking from his car. Not wanting to cause more damage to his car, he called a towing service and they took his car to the closest repair shop. There he was told that he had to take the car to a Toyota dealership as this problem has been reported by several Avalon owners. When the car was taken to the dealer, he was told that the part needed to repair the car is in back order and would probably take 3 weeks before it arrives. In the meantime, he was told that there is another Avalon waiting for the same part and since that car came in first, his car may not be ready by then. My son was not offered a rental which I will take up with the dealership. Looks like whatever was plaguing the Avalon 2006 owners is also being experienced by 2005 owners.

- Oakland, CA, USA

2005 Toyota Avalon - loose motor mounts causing noise/instability on acceleration from a stop. Wheel bearing/axle grease leaking onto front disc pad on driver's side causing improper breaking. Distortion in glass in rear window causing road to appear waving and car swerving.

- Norwalk, CT, USA