6.5

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$790
Average Mileage:
75,050 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace rack and pinion (7 reports)
  2. not sure (1 reports)
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problem #8

Aug 092020

Avalon Limited 3.5L V6 24v Mpfi Dohc

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,155 miles

I was interested in purchasing this vehicle used and had it inspected at a local mechanic. The mechanic pointed out the leaking rack and pinion and suggested against the purchase. Sure enough I see other unfortunate owners of the 08 Avalon are struggling with this issue as well. Very thankful for this website being here to show me which cars to steer clear from!

- Bob H., Tulsa, US

problem #7

Jun 152017

Avalon Limited 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,700 miles

We brought the car to for service at Chula Vista Toyota. We were told that the steering rack is leaking and will need to be replaced. The cost of L&M is over $3000.00 something that we don't really expect for the car that we take really good care. We have several Toyota's in our family and in-laws and this is the only one to have this kind of problem (Considering this is Toyota's Flagship Model - purchased new and fully loaded). This is very disappointing! What happens to Toyota's reliability?

- Lenz D., National City, CA, US

problem #6

Apr 142017

Avalon LE 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,000 miles

I left Nissan due to quality issues and now Toyota is worse and it seems like when the USA tricked the Japanese into partner-shipping the manufacturing of their vehicles here the quality went downhill.

- quicksilva05, Shelby, NC, US

problem #5

Feb 122015

Avalon LTD V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 113,313 miles

I am reporting this twice (per the instructions of this website) because it happened fairly recently a little over 2 years ago at 76185 miles, and now it has happened again at 113,313 miles, and I am told it needs to replaced again! I haven't had it replaced a second time (yet) because I want to check into this with the dealer since, as I said in my previous complaint for the same problem (my apologies for repeating): The repair shop told me that it was unusual for this to go bad. Something seems wrong.

- Mark G., Tampa, FL, US

problem #4

Nov 262012

Avalon LTD V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,185 miles

Replaced at 76185 miles. Now at 113,313 miles it needs to replaced again! The repair shop told me that it was unusual for this to go bad. Something seems wrong.

- Mark G., Tampa, FL, US

problem #3

Jan 162014

Avalon Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,990 miles

Seems unusuall for that expensive list price auto to have this type problem under normal driving conditions.

Quoted $1200.00 for rebuilt unit with additionally $1500.00 for additional parts if it completely blows.

- Crawford H., Huntsville, AL, US

problem #2

May 212013

Avalon XLS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,854 miles

I cannot belive that this problem has occured at less than 80,000 miles on the car. the dealer quoted me $ 1,700.00 to fix.

- smadisonjr, Ontario, CA, US

problem #1

Nov 092012

Avalon Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

We have regularly serviced the car, it has only 50k miles and has been carefully driven. Why has the Rack and Pinion developed an oil leak after such a low mileage?

We purchased a Toyota after having BMW and Mercedes as we were under the impression that Toyota cars were reliable and good quality - obviously not the case.

- Alan C., Snellville, GA, US