2004 Toyota Avalon XL
4T1BF28BX4U388597
Vehicle history report for the 2004 Toyota Avalon XL (VIN 4T1BF28BX4U388597). Burgundy, sedan/saloon, 3.0L 6-cyl 184 hp, gasoline. 187,792 mi reported. Registered in Tx. No open recalls. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
What's a 2004 Toyota Avalon worth?
What comparable 2004 Toyota Avalon vehicles are listed for — a quick gut-check before you negotiate.
Is the seller's price fair? Get this exact VIN's current market value — retail, trade-in & loan value — in the full report.
See this car's exact value →Full vehicle history report
What a full report checks for VIN 4T1BF28BX4U388597
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls None found
No open NHTSA recall campaigns were found for this 2004 Toyota Avalon.
We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 205 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Toyota Avalon, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
💥 1 involved a crash
🔍 Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
🔍 Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
🔍 Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
🔍 Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
🔍 Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 205
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 2004 Toyota Avalon.
SUSPENSION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Ella tuvo realmente la culpa
NHTSA ODI #11606428POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
CAR MAKES A VERY, VERY LOUD SCREECHING SOUND WHEN STARTED WITH A/C OR HEATING ON (BUT MORE COMMONLY WITH A/C). THE SOUND WILL SOMETIMES DIE DOWN OR STOP ONCE A/C IS TURNED OFF, BUT NOT ALWAYS. PUDDLES CAN TRIGGER THE SOUND AS WELL. SOUND CAN BE HEARD MAINLY UPON INITAL STARTUP BUT CAN OCCUR AFTER CAR IS IN MOTION.
NHTSA ODI #11402624SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,ENGINE
I'VE NOTICED THAT SOMETIMES I SMELL SOMETHING BURNING, ELECTRICAL, COOLANT OR SOMETHING. MY MECHANICS FINDS NO LEAKS, BUT I CHECKED ONCE AND THE COOLANT RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY, FIND NO LEAKS. SOMEHOW, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR MUD FLAP CAME OFF AND THE TRUNK LID DOESN'T LINE UP. IT ALWAYS LOOKS LIKE IT'S PARTIALLY OPENED. WHEN DRIVING I HEAR AND FEEL RATTLING …
NHTSA ODI #11396567ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE ECU ITSELF IS NOT WORKING, WHICH THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO NEVER STOP WORKING. WELL OURS STOPPED WORKING AND THE LICENSED MECHANIC WILL NOT WORK ON IT IF IT IS RECALLED. WE ARE LITERALLY WAITING ON TOYOTA TO FIX OUR CAR. THEY HAVE NOT DONE SO. THE HOLE ECU NOT JUST PART OF IT.
NHTSA ODI #11233048STEERING,AIR BAGS
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 FORWARD AND WIGGLED AND IT FINALLY LOOSENED. THIS HAS HAPPENED…
NHTSA ODI #11187211ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
(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.
NHTSA ODI #11163851STEERING
MY STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK WHEN I TURN LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE DRIVING ..THIS MORNING I WAS JUST STARTING MY CAR AND WAS TURNING LEFT AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND I WENT UP THE SIDEWALK AND ALMOST HIT THE FENCE AND I COULDN'T MOVE IT I REVERSED BACKWARDS A LITTLE BIT AND WIGGLE THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT WOULDN'T BUDGE THEN I WENT FORWARD AND WIGGLED AND IT …
NHTSA ODI #11124569STEERING,AIR BAGS
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 INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE …
NHTSA ODI #11118539+ 197 more complaints on record.
