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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.

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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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10,000 miles · Jun 24, 2014
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V147000 (AIR BAGS) BUT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V147000 (AIR BAGS) BUT THE DEALER DETERMINED ANOTHER FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,000.

NHTSA ODI #10605681

Mileage unknown · Jun 5, 2014
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V147000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO DO THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10596372

123,000 miles · Jun 2, 2014
Air BagsEngineStructureCrashInjury

I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WHERE MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE CAME OFF OF A LEDGE IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE AT WHICH POINT I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO BARRIER IN PLACE ON THAT SIDE. I CHOSE TO DIRECT MY VEHICLE TOWARD THE MUD PIT ON THE RIGHT OF THE ROAD. I CORRECTED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO OFF OF …

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I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WHERE MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE CAME OFF OF A LEDGE IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE AT WHICH POINT I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO BARRIER IN PLACE ON THAT SIDE. I CHOSE TO DIRECT MY VEHICLE TOWARD THE MUD PIT ON THE RIGHT OF THE ROAD. I CORRECTED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO OFF OF THE ROAD AND NOSE DIVE THROUGH THE FIRST MUD/DIRT EMBANKMENT. I EXPECTED THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY ON BOTH SIDE AND FRONT TAKING THE SPEED AND FORCE OF THE COLLISION WITH THE FIRST EMBANKMENT AND THE YAW OF THE VEHICLE IN THE AIR. I WAS ATTEMPTING TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE STILL AT THIS TIME AT WHICH POINT I HAD NOW LANDED REAR BUMPER FIRST AND A BIT SIDEWAYS ON A 2ND EMBANKMENT. THIS THEN LAUNCHES THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AIRBORNE FINALLY COMING TO REST IN A MUD AND GRAVEL DRIVE WAY OF AN INDIVIDUAL WHO LIVES OFF OF THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE LOST ALL OF IT'S TRANSMISSION FLUID ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THROUGH SOME OPENING IN THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE AND THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT DAMAGED BUT AFTER FURTHER RESEARCHED I HAD DETERMINED THAT THE IMPACT SENSORS ARE ACTUALLY LOCATED IN THE FRONT BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE. 2 WERE INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT WHICH WERE MYSELF, THE DRIVER, AND MY DRIVER'S SIDE REAR PASSENGER WHO WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT BUT NOT PROPERLY. SHE HAD THE LAP PORTION OF THE BELT ON BUT THE SHOULDER PORTION BEHIND HER. SHE IS A 20 YEAR OLD ADULT FEMALE.I AM A 19 YEAR OLD MALE AND HAD MINE ON PROPERLY. SHE HIT HER HEAD TWICE ON MY HEADREST. I WAS THROWN INTO THE SIDE OF MY DOOR AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL, THEN BACK AGAINST THE DOOR RESULTING IN BRUISED RIBS. IF THE VEHICLE'S AIRBAG SYSTEM WERE TO HAVE DEPLOYED PROPERLY THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A BARRIER BETWEEN ME AND THE DOOR WHICH CAUSED MY BRUISED RIBS ON MY LEFT SIDE. THERE IS A KNOWN AIRBAG RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR WHICH TOYOTA WHICH I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF A SOLUTION FOR AT THIS TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10595701

Mileage unknown · May 29, 2014
Air Bags

I JUST RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON MY 2003 TOYOTA AVALON WHICH SEEMS TO BE SAYING THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT JUST BE CAREFUL IN YOUR USE OF THE VEHICLE UNTIL WE GET AROUND TO CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. THIS IS THE MOST RIDICULOUS THING I HAVE EVER HEARD. IS THIS A CUSTOMER RISK PROBLEM OR NOT? IN OTHER WORDS, IT I DO NOT WANT TO TAKE …

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I JUST RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON MY 2003 TOYOTA AVALON WHICH SEEMS TO BE SAYING THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT JUST BE CAREFUL IN YOUR USE OF THE VEHICLE UNTIL WE GET AROUND TO CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. THIS IS THE MOST RIDICULOUS THING I HAVE EVER HEARD. IS THIS A CUSTOMER RISK PROBLEM OR NOT? IN OTHER WORDS, IT I DO NOT WANT TO TAKE THE RISK OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYING WHILE DRIVING, I WOULD HAVE TO PARK THE CAR UNTIL TOYOTA DECIDES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I WANT THIS PROBLEM FIXED RIGHT AWAY, EVEN IF IT MEANS ME PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS AND SEEK REIMBURSEMENT. HOW SHOULD I PROCEED? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10594767

Mileage unknown · May 19, 2014
Air Bags

T* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V147000 (AIR BAG). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE AND DID NOT KNOW WHEN IT COULD BE EXPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10592335

17,100 miles · May 10, 2014
Air BagsFuel System, GasolineCrash

THE SUBJECT OF THIS COMPLAINT IS MY 2003 TOYOTA AVALON LX WHICH HAD A TOTAL MILEAGE OF APPROXIMATELY 17,100 MILES. THIS VEHICLE WAS LAST SERVICED AT 9,000 MILES PLUS. ON APRIL 29, 2014 THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE BACK PARKING LOT OF A SMALL MINI MALL AT 3601 E. FOOTHILL BLVD.,PASADENA, CALIFORNIA. AFTER WE FINI…

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THE SUBJECT OF THIS COMPLAINT IS MY 2003 TOYOTA AVALON LX WHICH HAD A TOTAL MILEAGE OF APPROXIMATELY 17,100 MILES. THIS VEHICLE WAS LAST SERVICED AT 9,000 MILES PLUS. ON APRIL 29, 2014 THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE BACK PARKING LOT OF A SMALL MINI MALL AT 3601 E. FOOTHILL BLVD.,PASADENA, CALIFORNIA. AFTER WE FINISHED SHOPPING AT THE MINI MALL, WE RETURNED TO THE OUR VEHICLE AND STRAPPED OURSELVES IN THE CAR WITH OUR SEATBELTS. WHEN I TURNED ON THE IGNITION OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE I HAD MY LEFT FOOT ON THE PARKING BRAKE AND MY RIGHT FOOT ON THE DRIVING BRAKE. AFTER THE VEHICLE STARTED, I RELEASED MY LEFT FOOT FROM THE PARKING BRAKE AND SHIFTED THE GEAR TO THE DRIVE POSITION WHEN MY CAR UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED FORWARD. I TRIED TO SLOW OR STOP MY CAR BY PRESSING ON DRIVING BRAKE BUT TO NO AVAIL. I ESTIMATE MY CAR TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET BEFORE THE LEFT FRONT OF MY CAR HIT THE RIGHT REAR OF A HONDA FIT AND CONCRETE PLANTER. THE COLLISION WITH THE HONDA FIT PUSHED IT INTO A HONDA CRV THAT WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE HONDA FIT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO ANYONE HOWEVER. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10587633

156,465 miles · Mar 21, 2014
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH,THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH,THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,465.

NHTSA ODI #10574062

75,000 miles · Nov 15, 2013
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE WARNING LAMP WAS NOT ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPRO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE WARNING LAMP WAS NOT ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10552430

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2013
Air Bags

I WAS A MILE FROM HOME WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY AIR BAG LIGHT HAD JUST COME ON. NEXT THING I KNOW I HEAR A SOUND LIKE A GUN SHOT AND THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DEPLOYED - WHILE I WAS DRIVING. (IT WAS NOT CAUSED BY AN IMPACT AND I HAD NOT HIT A POTHOLE.) THE AIRBAG DID NOT HIT MY FACE SO THERE WAS NO INJURY, AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL O…

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I WAS A MILE FROM HOME WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY AIR BAG LIGHT HAD JUST COME ON. NEXT THING I KNOW I HEAR A SOUND LIKE A GUN SHOT AND THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DEPLOYED - WHILE I WAS DRIVING. (IT WAS NOT CAUSED BY AN IMPACT AND I HAD NOT HIT A POTHOLE.) THE AIRBAG DID NOT HIT MY FACE SO THERE WAS NO INJURY, AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER INTO A TURN LANE TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10535300

171,000 miles · Jun 27, 2012
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V354000, STEERING REPAIR PERFORMED IN AUGUST OF 2003 AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE STEERING REC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V354000, STEERING REPAIR PERFORMED IN AUGUST OF 2003 AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE STEERING RECALL REMEDY INCLUDED REPLACING THE STEERING INTERLOCK DEVICE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE AIR BAG ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE CLOCK SPRING. WHENEVER, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON THE DEALER OFFERED SEVERAL SOLUTIONS, BUT NONE OF THEM HAVE WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 171,000.

NHTSA ODI #10463261

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.