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2003 Toyota Avalon

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Avalon years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Toyota Avalon are substantially higher than the model-year median of 101.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

138 reports with mileage · 155 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 184 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

49 crash reports2 fire reports20 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

184 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2014
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V147000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE RECALL PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V147000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE RECALL PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10651174

Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2014
Air Bags

RECALL CASE #[XXX] I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON MY TOYOTA AVALON 2003 IN JUNE OF 2014 . YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER HAS FAILED OVER AND OVER TO TAKE CARE OF THIS MATTER! I HAVE SPOKEN WITH [XXX], AND NONE OF THEM SEEMED TO UNDERSTAND THAT I NEEDED TO SPEAK WITH A SUPERVISOR NONE EVEN WOULD GET A SUPERVISOR ON THE PHONE. THE…

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RECALL CASE #[XXX] I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON MY TOYOTA AVALON 2003 IN JUNE OF 2014 . YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER HAS FAILED OVER AND OVER TO TAKE CARE OF THIS MATTER! I HAVE SPOKEN WITH [XXX], AND NONE OF THEM SEEMED TO UNDERSTAND THAT I NEEDED TO SPEAK WITH A SUPERVISOR NONE EVEN WOULD GET A SUPERVISOR ON THE PHONE. THE DEALERSHIP NEAR ME TOYOTA OF COOL SPRINGS AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE SUPERVISOR THERE NAMED [XXX] TOLD ME EVEN AFTER 4 MONTHS THEY STILL WERE UNABLE TO SCHEDULE ANY SERVICE BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS IN FOR THIS RECALL. I RECEIVED A NOTICE IN OCTOBER STATING THAT THE REMEDY WAS FOUND AND PARTS WERE DELIVERED TO ALL DEALERSHIPS.THE REMEDY RECALL NOTICE ALSO STATED THAT THE SERVICE SHOULD BE DONE IMMEDIATELY. THEY TOLD ME AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE SOONEST THEY CAN SCHEDULE ANYTHING IS SIX WEEKS FROM NOW IN DECEMBER. THAT IS NOT OK AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED FOR A SAFETY RECALL THAT STATES IT SHOULD BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10651168

Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2014
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V147000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REMEDY THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10650757

145,000 miles · Oct 15, 2014
Air Bags

NHTSA TEMPORARY COMPLAINT NUMBER JEN15-49029. THIS CONCERNS THE TOYOTA RECALL FOR FAULTY AIR BAG CONTROLLERS, NHTSA RECALL #14V147000. WHY HAS NHTSA WAITED SO LONG BEFORE ENFORCING THE RECALL? YOUR SITE HAS ABOUT 122 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE MONTHS-LONG DELAY TO REPLACE AIR BAG CONTROLLERS. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO BE KILLED …

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NHTSA TEMPORARY COMPLAINT NUMBER JEN15-49029. THIS CONCERNS THE TOYOTA RECALL FOR FAULTY AIR BAG CONTROLLERS, NHTSA RECALL #14V147000. WHY HAS NHTSA WAITED SO LONG BEFORE ENFORCING THE RECALL? YOUR SITE HAS ABOUT 122 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE MONTHS-LONG DELAY TO REPLACE AIR BAG CONTROLLERS. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO BE KILLED BEFORE OUR GOVERNMENT TAKES NOTICE? WHILE TOYOTA APPEARS TO TAKE THIS RECALL VERY LIGHTLY, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE NEWS IS FULL OF OTHER TOYOTA RECALLS, THE MAIN ENFORCEMENT GROUP HERE IN THE US IS YOUR DEPARTMENT. STOP MEETING, STOP WAITING AND START BEING RESPONSIVE TO DANGERS FOR THE AMERICAN TRAVELING PUBLIC. I HOPE BY THE TIME THIS RECALL AND EFFECTIVE REPAIR ACTUALLY OCCUR, I OR SOMEONE ELSE ISN'T KILLED OR MAIMED ON OUR ROADWAYS DUE TO KNOWN FAULTY AIR BAG CONTROLLERS.

NHTSA ODI #10648116

Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2014
Air Bags

2003 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, SHE WOULD RECEIVE A SECOND NOTICE. HOWEVER, SHE HAS NOT RECEIVED IT YET. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10640989

69,000 miles · Sep 29, 2014
Air BagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN AT AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE MADE AN ILLEGAL TURN INTO THE CONTACT'S LANE AND CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE BUMPER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECAL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN AT AN INTERSECTION, ANOTHER VEHICLE MADE AN ILLEGAL TURN INTO THE CONTACT'S LANE AND CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE BUMPER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V147000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

NHTSA ODI #10639809

Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2014
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V147000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10639389

Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2014
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V147000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED AN AIR BAG RECALL. HOWEVER, SH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V147000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED AN AIR BAG RECALL. HOWEVER, SHE WAS INFORMED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE . UPDATED 01/21/15. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10637534

79,000 miles · Sep 18, 2014
Air BagsSeat Belts

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY WHEN THE SEATBELT BEGAN TIGHTENING DOWN ON HER TO THE POINT SHE FELT SHE COULDN'T MAINTAIN HER POSTURE TO DRIVE SAFELY AND BREATH. SHE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND RELEASED THE SEATBELT. SHE WAS UNABLE TO REFASTEN THE SEATBELT/SHOULDER STRAP. SHE DROVE HOME WITHOUT A SEATBELT. THIS WAS IN ADDI…

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MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY WHEN THE SEATBELT BEGAN TIGHTENING DOWN ON HER TO THE POINT SHE FELT SHE COULDN'T MAINTAIN HER POSTURE TO DRIVE SAFELY AND BREATH. SHE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND RELEASED THE SEATBELT. SHE WAS UNABLE TO REFASTEN THE SEATBELT/SHOULDER STRAP. SHE DROVE HOME WITHOUT A SEATBELT. THIS WAS IN ADDITION TO OCCASIONAL FLASHING OF AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WHICH HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR SINCE REPLACEMENT OF SEATBELT MECHANISM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10637320

85,000 miles · Sep 12, 2014
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #10632838

Official recalls

2

15V043000 · Air Bags:frontal

Jan 28, 2015

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured December 28, 2001, to May 2, 2004, 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2002, to April 29, 2004, 2003-2004 Avalon vehicles manufactured June 5, 2002, to December 20, 2004, and 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe vehicles manufactured January 18, 2002, to April 27, 2004. Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module may fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Inadvertent deployment of the air bags or the seat belt pretensioners increases the risk of an injury or crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge. The recall began on August 24, 2015. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. GM issued an interim notification to owners on March 27, 2015. The recall began on August 24, 2015. Pontiac owners may call 1-800-620-7668. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 13V-029 and 14V-147. Vehicles that had a noise filter installed as the remedy for one of those campaigns need to have the air bag control module replaced under this campaign.

10V345000 · Steering

Jul 29, 2010

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2000-2004 AVALON VEHICLES. DUE TO IMPROPER CASTING OF THE STEERING LOCK BAR, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A MINUTE CRACK MAY DEVELOP ON THE SURFACE OF THE LOCK BAR. SUCH A CRACK MAY EXPAND OVER A LONG PERIOD OF REPEATED LOCK AND UNLOCK OPERATIONS, AND EVENTUALLY THE LOCK BAR COULD BREAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SHOULD THE STEERING LOCK BAR BREAK, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK AND THE DRIVER WOULD LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING INTERLOCK DEVICE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.