Two problems related to noises during shifting have been reported for the 2006 Toyota Avalon. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2006 Toyota Avalon based on all problems reported for the 2006 Avalon.
2006 Toyota Avalon lxs driving home from vacation noticed noise when transmission shifted. Got progressively worse as we approached home. Checked oil next day. Engine empty of oil. Put oil in and leaked immediately out. Oil line broken. No warning of engine trouble, no check engine light, no warning at all. Had car tolled to repair shop. Engine may be goner.
I bought a 2006 Toyota Avalon in sept. '06. There is a serious problem with the transmission. At slow speeds the transmission slips. If I am slowing almost to a stop and then starting up again the transmission does not engage, the engine revs up, and then the car lurches forward as the transmission finally engages. We have almost been rear ended when another car is following close and thinks that I am going to move forward but can't because the transmission does not engage. I have almost had an accident because the car lurches forward after the trans slips. I also have to wait for a very large gap in traffic if I'm crossing a lane to make a left turn as I never know if the transmission will slip leaving me in the on-coming lane of traffic. We have had this lurching and slipping incident approximately 60% of the time. On two occasions when reaching speeds that would be shifting from 2nd to 3rd a very loud banging noise and lurching occurred. Unfortunately, on two visits to the dealer I was not able to recreate the problem.