2007 Toyota Avalon Limited Radio Reception is very poor

I purchased a 2007 Toyota Avalon Limited and the Radio Reception has been a great disappointment compared to the reception I was used to getting with my 2001 Toyota Camry LE (turned in for Avalon).
The dealer indicated that the new antenna design in the rear window does not seem to work as well as the older design in the front windshield (like my former Camry had). I am under the impression that there is not a "real" fix for it as of yet - although they have mentioned the possibility of removing the rear windshield and replacing it with another one - but no one is sure if that will fix it either.
Does anyone else have this problem and what has helped to improve the radio reception back to what I had taken for granted up til now?

I bought a 2007 Avalon XLS a couple of weeks ago and I am having the same reception problems. I have taken it to two dealers and they both come back and say they "Can't duplicate the problem". They keep telling me it's the power lines around the city. Funny the same power lines are there from a month ago. I traded in a 99 Avalon XLS and never had a problem with the reception. I plan on starting at the bottom and going as high as necessary with Toyota to get an answer to this issue. I will keep you updated as soon as anything changes(fi it does).

Carol wrote:

I purchased a 2007 Toyota Avalon Limited and the Radio Reception has been a great disappointment compared to the reception I was used to getting with my 2001 Toyota Camry LE (turned in for Avalon).
The dealer indicated that the new antenna design in the rear window does not seem to work as well as the older design in the front windshield (like my former Camry had). I am under the impression that there is not a "real" fix for it as of yet - although they have mentioned the possibility of removing the rear windshield and replacing it with another one - but no one is sure if that will fix it either.
Does anyone else have this problem and what has helped to improve the radio reception back to what I had taken for granted up til now?

I just purchased a 2008 Avalon. To listen to AM reception you have to double the volume of listening to a FM station. This is the case with paying more for the JBL upgrade system. To be honest, GM has better radios than Toyota. It is frustrating to keep changing volume between AM and FM stations. This may be a good quality automobile, but the interior controls are not as good as GM's. It also does not receive AM stereo that my previous cars received.

The only feedback I get from the dealership is that it is the way the product is made. No apologies, and no plan to fix the problem. From other people I have talked with, Toyota does not provide good radios systems.

I just purchased a Toyota Camry Hybrid 2008 model
comparing the radio reception with the two previous Camrys I had ----the new one is of very poor quality /repellent .

After months of complaining, I am now receiving a satellite radio installed gratis of Toyota. I really wanted a radio with comparable reception to that of my former 2001 Camry but it seems that will not be possible with the particular radio in the 2007 Avalon. Therefore, in order to enjoy quality radio again, I will now have to pay for the Satellite service. On the up side, I have been told that the satellite radio service is 2nd to none and that I will love it. I sure hope so. The car should be ready tomorrow.

Carol wrote:

I purchased a 2007 Toyota Avalon Limited and the Radio Reception has been a great disappointment compared to the reception I was used to getting with my 2001 Toyota Camry LE (turned in for Avalon).
The dealer indicated that the new antenna design in the rear window does not seem to work as well as the older design in the front windshield (like my former Camry had). I am under the impression that there is not a "real" fix for it as of yet - although they have mentioned the possibility of removing the rear windshield and replacing it with another one - but no one is sure if that will fix it either.
Does anyone else have this problem and what has helped to improve the radio reception back to what I had taken for granted up til now?

Carol, I was thinking of suggesting Satellite radio,just make it known your not happy with this radio situation and Toyota may cut the price and free installation.IT sucks you have to pay for sat. radio because your reception sucks,but it is great stuff.

other than that how is the Toyota treating you? I was looking at the Yaris for milage,but being in Wis. im wondering about it in the winter ( driving a light car) and wondering about Toyota;s declining quality lately and wondering if Ford Focus may be the way to go.Or even Chevy Aveo its an inexpensive car that may not last much past 100k but its easy to afford one.

Dissatisfied Owner wrote:

I just purchased a 2008 Avalon. To listen to AM reception you have to double the volume of listening to a FM station. This is the case with paying more for the JBL upgrade system. To be honest, GM has better radios than Toyota. It is frustrating to keep changing volume between AM and FM stations. This may be a good quality automobile, but the interior controls are not as good as GM's. It also does not receive AM stereo that my previous cars received.
The only feedback I get from the dealership is that it is the way the product is made. No apologies, and no plan to fix the problem. From other people I have talked with, Toyota does not provide good radios systems.

They never had.My wife had a tercel,my son has a tercel adn both radios suck,,,i had a Tundra,and the radio was ok,but ive heard that also.

I just purchased a 2007 Avalon with the JBL system.
The Radio reception is poor. I have not had this resolved by the dealership. They stated I might be to picky, that this is a good system. They stated they filed a complaint with Toyota and gave me case number. They also stated that "there have been no reported problems reguarding the radio reception to Toyota noted"
I will pursue this issue. I wonder if a alternative antena can be placed?

Lynn wrote:

I just purchased a 2007 Avalon with the JBL system.
The Radio reception is poor. I have not had this resolved by the dealership. They stated I might be to picky, that this is a good system. They stated they filed a complaint with Toyota and gave me case number. They also stated that "there have been no reported problems reguarding the radio reception to Toyota noted"
I will pursue this issue. I wonder if a alternative antena can be placed?

2008 Toyota sienna LE Minivan: SAME OLD PROBLEM! AM RADIO RECEPTION IS HORRIBLE! TOYOTA MUST KNOW IT AND REFUSES TO FIX IT!

I have a 2007 Toyota Rav4 and am having my third radio installed in less than 10 months. Is there any one who knows how to get action from Toyota on this wide spread on-going problem other than just keep replacing it? Class action of some kind? Could the problem be an electrical problem rather than just the radio?

I have been complaining about the radio reception in my 4Runner since I bought it a year ago. They have taken it to check it out (once having it for a week) and claim they don't hear any problem with it. I am very frustrated but can't seem to get any satisfaction from Toyota.

Just bought a 2007 Avalon in NC and have discovered the same radio problems. Poor reception were others make and models get good reception. Frustrating.

thats what happens when you buy toyotas and why do you even listen to the Am stations?

I was looking at a 2001 Toyota Avalon. Will I have the same radio reception problem as you are having with the 2007 and 2008?

i have recently purchased a 2008 rav4, and i am very disappointed in the radio. i have taken it to the dealer twice and they stated that they could not hear the problem. i got several excuses from the radio towers, to power lines, to me being too picky, etc. i have not received satisfactory customer service, and i am pissed. the service man acted like he had never ever heard of any reception problems or complaints. after doing my research, i have found numerous complaints, which i have printed off and plan to take them on my next visit to the toyota dealership. i have also recorded the problem with my video camera, and i plan to present this evidence to them as well. i made sure to document time, place, radio station, etc. as i recorded the static. we'll see what happens.

Google 07 camry transmission problems.
Learn the truthb 4 u buy!!!!!!!

I have an 07 Avalon with same issues, but if I may make a suggestion, Go to your local library and check out a recorded book. Anymore, libraries have large collections of every kind of book and I can guanantee you driving will become alot more enjoyable! My wife and I always have a couple of recorded library books in our cars and as such, rarely listen to regular AM or FM. If you find a good book, you will be listening to it even if your only driving a mile or two. And they are really great for long car trips and traffic jams!

I posted a comment above on October 23, 2007 regarding the poor radio reception in my 2007 Toyota Avalon. I finally had results on repairing it this past Tuesday. They replaced the radio in March and that didn't fix it then I contacted a place called Sound Werks (correct spelling) near my home in Keller, Texas. The gentleman was very helpful and suggested they replace the antenna amplifier since it was still under warranty. Toyota did replace the amp and it did not fix it but......while it was there they finally did "duplicate the problem" and they ordered and replaced the wiring harness from the antenna to the radio and so far the radio reception is working fine. I will probably "jinx the fix" by sending this information on for anyone still having this problem but wanted to share. Keep on Toyota until they fix the problem, it is a problem that Toyota needs to address.
Good Luck

I just purchase a 09 Camry. I had a DVD player installed in the roof for the kids in the back seat. The radio was unlistenable with the DVD player playing and very poor with the player off. The player was installed by subs through Toyota or dealer installed. I complained and they said I didn't know how to operate the player. I took it in a realized there was definitely a problem. They had "never" seen it before. They put in another player same problem. They then put in another player and when it is on it doesn't affect the fm reception. The problem now is that the fm reception is still crap. They now say they might have to change the back glass as the am reception is good but fm is poor. I guess this will replace the existing antenna. They offered that the fm reception in my area is spotty, I said how come I have never noticed it before with my other car radios. Haven't heard back about current fix as they have my car as a write this.

Carol wrote:

I purchased a 2007 Toyota Avalon Limited and the Radio Reception has been a great disappointment compared to the reception I was used to getting with my 2001 Toyota Camry LE (turned in for Avalon).
The dealer indicated that the new antenna design in the rear window does not seem to work as well as the older design in the front windshield (like my former Camry had). I am under the impression that there is not a "real" fix for it as of yet - although they have mentioned the possibility of removing the rear windshield and replacing it with another one - but no one is sure if that will fix it either.
Does anyone else have this problem and what has helped to improve the radio reception back to what I had taken for granted up til now?

I have a 2008 Avalon. It is my third Avalon, so you can see I love their product. This is the first time that I have had a problem with the radio reception. I took it to the dealership and the guys tried to tell me they changed the treble and bass and it was fixed. WRONG! I took it right back in before leaving the parking lot and then they determined it needed a new amplifier. Got that put in today, and started home. I got the static again. I turned around and went back. They called CA, which gave them no answer, so now they are calling the district rep. I am going to call them tomorrow with the wiring harness replacement mentioned above. This is so frustrating when you buy something this nice, but sounds like a transister radio!