Toyota Avalon Transmission Problems & Cost | A541E

The Toyota Avalon was equipped with the A541E transmission in most models. But they aren’t without their problems though, so let’s look at some of the most common Toyota Avalon transmission problems, look at cost estimates and figure out what you can do about them.

Need a replacement transmission? Get an estimate for replacement transmissions and local installation. Look up your transmission model by vehicle make and model.

What Transmission Do I Have?

Toyota Avalon Transmission Models

Toyota Avalon: A541E Transmission

Toyota Avalon Transmission Replacement Cost Estimate

Pricing varies by model. To be 100% sure on pricing, have your VIN# handy and use our Get An Estimate feature to look up your transmission by VIN#.

What are the DTC codes related to Toyota Avalon transmission problems?

Trouble CodeDescription
P0753Shift Solenoid 'A' Electrical
P0755Shift Solenoid 'B'
P0770Shift Solenoid 'E'
P0773Shift Solenoid 'E' Electrical
P1705Nissan DTC: Throttle Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction

Toyota Avalon Transmission Recalls

None Found

Toyota Avalon Technical Service Bulletins (TSB)

TSB TC002-02 – Harsh 2-3 shift at high altitude
2002 Lexus ES300
Problem – Drivers may experience an unusually harsh 2-3 upshift during wide open throttle acceleration at elevations above 3000 feet.
Solution – A revised valve body has been developed to correct this issue.

Common Toyota Avalon Transmission Problems

Lack of Response
Leaking Fluid
Low Fluid
Burning Smell
Grinding or Shaking
Whining, Clunking or Humming
Refuses to Go Into Gear
Torque Converter Issues
Valve Body Issues
Transmission Noisy in Neutral
Gears Slipping
No 3rd or 4th Gear
No 1st or 2nd Gear
No Reverse
Dragging Clutch
Trouble Codes / Check Engine Light

Can I drive with a transmission problem?

If your Toyota Avalon can still make it up and down the road, you might say “It’s fine, I’ll just drive it until I can get it fixed”. But that is not always a good idea, depending on the symptoms. You see, there are a lot of (very expensive) moving parts inside of a transmission, and if something isn’t right, continuing to drive with a transmission problem could damage something else.

How often does a Toyota Avalon transmission need to be replaced?

The overall lifespan of a Toyota Avalon transmission largely depends on how well it was maintained. Factory design flaws also factor into this equation, along with how/how hard you drive. But on average, we’ve seen the Toyota Avalon transmission last for between 130,000-180,000 miles. A high quality replacement transmission however, can last considerably longer if all of the factory design flaws have been addressed and the vehicle has been maintained.

How are Toyota Avalon transmission issues diagnosed?

It is fairly easy to guesstimate what the root cause of your Toyota Avalon transmission problems might be, but you won’t truly know unless you have the right tools and experience. A good mechanic or transmission repair center will be able to connect your truck to a computer and find out which diagnostic trouble codes (DTC’s) have been stored. Once they know what to look for, they can perform a visual inspection to verify the problem.

How is a Toyota Avalon transmission replaced?

In order to replace your Toyota Avalon transmission, the truck has to be lifted from the ground in order to gain access to all of the parts that will need to be unbolted. Then the transmission can be lowered to the ground (typically with a transmission jack), so the new transmission can be installed.

Recommendations for Toyota Avalon transmission issues?

To save time and get back on the road faster, have your 17-digit truck VIN# handy and you can get an online quote for a reman Toyota Avalon transmission here, then find a local shop using our Find a Shop guide to install it for you.

How to Solve Toyota Avalon Transmission Problems

Solution A: Buy a Used Toyota Avalon Transmission

The quickest way to fix your transmission problems is to simply buy a used transmission or used transmission. These can be found at most junk yards, and they often come with a 30-90 day warranty. However, there’s no way to determine the actual condition of the internal components, so you could be spending a bunch of money to have the exact same problems. Plus, that warranty only covers the transmission if it’s defective, not the labor costs that you’ll have to pay.

Solution B: Buy a Rebuilt Toyota Avalon Transmission

Another option would be a rebuilt transmission or rebuilt transmission. A local repair shop will remove your transmission, then install a bunch of new parts during the rebuild. The problem here is, the skills and experience of each transmission rebuilder will vary widely from shop to shop, so you could have problems from something that wasn’t adjusted properly. And the 1-2 year warranty might only cover you at certain transmission repair shops, in a specific geographical area.

Solution C: Buy a Remanufactured Toyota Avalon Transmission

Many owners depend on their vehicle to commute and get things done. Their gasoline engines are designed to go 100’s of thousands of miles, so it makes sense to invest in a remanufactured transmission.

Need a replacement transmission? Get an estimate for replacement transmissions and local installation. Look up your transmission model by vehicle make and model.

What Transmission Do I Have?

What Problem Does Your Toyota Avalon Have?

Let us know the year, mileage and problem you’re having as well as any trouble (OBD) codes you’ve found. If you’ve been given a quote or paid for a repair, we’d like to hear about that too!

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Mark Horne
2 years ago

2009 Avalon XLS fluid filter and fluids was old and broken down. Cost. 60.00

Mark horbe
2 years ago

Lost 4 5 6 gear has 377.00 miles no metal in fluid changed filter and fluids first before replacing tranny fixed the problem

Anonymous
2 years ago

At 168k, ‘04 Avalon out of nowhere stopped going in reverse.

Tony
2 years ago

Replaced about 14 months ago.
Pump seal blew out today.

Robert T
3 years ago

Slipping on first gear 2013 xle

JoJunkins
3 years ago

It clunks when shifting from Park to reverse 1996 Toyota avalon173k miles, vin 4T1BF2B0TU079951

Shawn Austin
3 years ago

Will not hold fluid pouring out of the seep hole on the bottom where the torque converter is showed no symptoms prior to this 2001 avalon floor shift

Kendrick
3 years ago

My car doesn’t go in reverse

Shawn Austin
3 years ago

Fluid started pouring out of the seep hole on the transmission no other symptoms

Dee
3 years ago

Usually how much will a rebuilt transmission cost

Kenneth W Russell
3 years ago

2017 Avalon Ltd when less than 1000 miles all warning lights came on. 2 Dealers in 2 states reset and said they couldn’t find anyting wrong. Got home and lights came on again. Dealer hooked it up to Toyota’s computers. Toyota sent new transmission
70,000 miles and it just happened again. In the shop. Thankfully extended warranty

Stacie Richardson
3 years ago

2004 Avalon, my daughter’s car bought used 5 months ago. Last time I drove it (2-3 months ago) I could feel it slip when shifting 2nd – 3rd. Last week while she was driving (45 mph), it slipped into neutral and wouldn’t shift out. The shop told me something about the differential and the repair quote doesn’t say anything about it, just quotes transmission rebuild for $2450. Is that quote high?

John Honaker
3 years ago

I have a Avalon 2008 3.5l engine. The transmission shifts with a hesitation from 1st gear to 2d gear. the car has around 204,000 miles

bdc
3 years ago

2004 Avalon 110,000, No problems. I cannot find the answer to the following question. While the literature says to drain the fluid every 30-40,000 miles of
normal” driving, all of my stops are every 1 -3 miles at this time. Retired. Drive about 3500 miles a year now. How often should the drain approach be used in this hard type of driving? I am guessing every 2 – 3 years.

john Chow
3 years ago
Reply to  bdc

If I were you I would do it every other year. I Have a 2004 Avalon (currently has 160,000 miles) & I drive 10,000 miles a year,& am changing myself every year. I use an 8 liter oil drain pan to drain oil, & it slides under the car. very easy I lay down & stretch my arm from the front to remove the drain plug with Allen wrench. No need to jack up the car.

bdc
3 years ago
Reply to  john Chow

thank you. I had guessed the same. I have it done so that I can lube all the seals under the car with aT205 and inspect .

Donnie
4 years ago

03 avalon…reverse works fine when it’s put in drive 1st engages fine and shifts to 2nd no problem. From 2nd to 3rd is like going back to nuetral. Turn o/d off and it returns to 2nd and doesn’t try to change to 3rd…both shift solenoids are fine, I’ve already tested that theory. Any help is appreciated

John
4 years ago
Reply to  Donnie

Have you checked the fuse on it and have you replaced the seleniod for a mechanical failure which will not throw a code. Smell the fluid for a burnt smell it will tell if the clutches have burnt out which will make to much clearance in the drum for the Piston to compress the clutches and it will be like neutral. Hope this helps

Marie Wagner
4 years ago

I have a 2004 Toyota Avalon….gently driven. Up until 2017 I only had 80 K on it. I now have 100K. I have been faithful maintaining it…I bought it new and took it to the dealer for all maintenance issues…oil changes, all tune ups, etc. It recently started slipping out of gear….into neutral {?} while driving down the freeway…not just at higher speeds but any speeds now…It only lasts a few seconds but we found out the transmission fluid had never been changed and I was seriously black…it has been flushed several times and new fluid put in but the problem remains. it is intermittent…Sometimes I can go 20 miles other times I cant go a city block b/4 it happens. I slow down and put it into 2nd or Low and limp it home. All other gears seem to work fine and I’ve had it checked for transmission problems and nothing shows on the diagnostics. Please help me. I’m 75 and really don’t want another car. This has all the bells and whistles and I’m on a fixed income. Please help!!!!!

John
4 years ago
Reply to  Marie Wagner

A mechanical failure does not show any codes on this transmission only electric issues will show a code.

Bob Verkamp
4 years ago

christmas eve temp in 40’s ’02 Avalon seemed to idle roughly after starting. first time ever. After begining 15 min drive thru city and on xway it seemed to begin slipping. engine has 147,000 miles and is well maintained. Christmas day for a 20 min drive on xway rough idle at start and then trans backoff at speeds of 60 to 80. I checked to see if cruise was activated accidentally It seemed to drive at 80 after I removed my foot from accelerator. On way home no symptoms occurred.

Jerry
4 years ago

My 2009 Toyota Avalon front seal is bad and leaking. Do I have to take the transmission out to replace the seal

John
4 years ago
Reply to  Jerry

Yes it has to be removed from the vehicle

Bob
4 years ago

2011 Avalon can”t put in drive. 95,000 miles on it.

Rob
4 years ago

2006 Avalon with 130,000 miles , can put in drive & reverse but no movement,then makes grinding noise when putting in park ,& while in park car still rolls ,car has ob2 code ,p0500

John
4 years ago
Reply to  Rob

Sounds like a axle issue not the transmission

Rosey
5 years ago

My Toyota Avalon has close to 300,000 miles. I noticed the gas petal was reving up a little and my tactometer would go up. I thought it was my big heavy snow boots I was wearing! Then in the A.M. I started the car and it wouldn’t go in reverse or drive. I thought it was the ice! Finally I got it out of the driveway and drove all day. The next morning same thing. I went to my mechanic ASAP whom I’ve had for 30 years. They took it in and cane out and said it was transmission and gone. I’m so sad. I have cared for this car like a baby. It’s beautiful. All leather ! I go faithfully to get oil change every 3,000. My last Toyota had 382,000 miles and only one new clutch! Please advise thx, Rosey I’m going thru cancer therapy and this made me cry!

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