← New search

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

Electrical System complaints

18 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2021
Electrical System

turn off the lights inside panel. The level of heat all the way up, the same with the gasoline level. The internal lights blink. Loss of power.

NHTSA ODI #11442744

Mileage unknown · May 24, 2021
Electrical SystemSteeringSuspension

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? 1- AUG 2020- MEGA MOTERS- PURCHASSED AUTO- CARFAX AND AUTO GURO- RECOMMENDED THIS VEHISCAL AND SALES PITCH INCLUDED THESE COMPANIES- HE SAID HE DOES GOOD BUSINESS- HE SAID HE WILL FIX ALL ISSUES IF THE ISSUE WAS WITH-IN 30 DAYS- C…

Read full complaint

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? 1- AUG 2020- MEGA MOTERS- PURCHASSED AUTO- CARFAX AND AUTO GURO- RECOMMENDED THIS VEHISCAL AND SALES PITCH INCLUDED THESE COMPANIES- HE SAID HE DOES GOOD BUSINESS- HE SAID HE WILL FIX ALL ISSUES IF THE ISSUE WAS WITH-IN 30 DAYS- CAR DROVE FINE- HE PUT AN INSPECTION STICKER- IT DID NOT SMOKE THEN BECAUSE HE HAD A HELPER WHO STARTED THE CAR AND PLACED INSPECTION STICKER READIN 10;2021? BUT IT WAS AUGUST 2020? THE HELPER DROVE IT TO THE FRONT OF THE DEALERSHIP- AFTER I PAID 7000.00 AND THUS DID NOT SEE START UP SMOKE AT THE DEALERSHIP 2. AT START UP - TOOK MY TWO SISTERS FOR A TEST DRIVE- GREY SMOKE- SAME DAY- AS PURCHASSED - SHOCK ISSUES-SUSPENTION AND DEALER- MY SISTER WAS DRIVING AS i CALLED TO TELL HIM i LOVED THE CAR AND IT SEEMED TO RUN FINE- EXCEPT FOR THE SMOKE ANDRED OIL LIGHT AND THE SHOCKS- SUSPENTION- UNCOMFORTABLE SCRAPING SOUND- I WILL FIX- AS HE SAID HE FORGOT TO PUT THE NEW OIL CAP ON OIL AND SENSOR- HE SAID HE WOULD PLACE THE TIRE SHOCKS TO FIX SUSPENTION. 2- I LIVE FAIRLY CLOSE- AND ONLY DRIVE SHORT DISTANCE- LIGHT OF OIL CAME ON- BUT GAGES READ NORMAL- MILES WERE AT 9800, DROVE FINE- JUST WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE LOUD SCRAP SOUND ON ANY DIPS ON ROAD AND THE SMOKE- AT START UP - AND DEALER AT MEGA MORTOR- SAID- TO BRING IT IN HE FORGOT TO PUT A SENSOR AND THE SHOCKS HE HAS THEM AT THE SHOP AND THE NEW OIL CAP- 2 RETURNED THE FOLLOWING MORNING- NO ONE WAS AT THE SHOP- I CALLED HIM HE SAID HE WOULD BE THERE AT 10 AM- - THE CAR SMOKED AT START INCREASED- - HE WAS NOT THERE AT 1030AM- CALLED HIM HE SAID HE COULD NOT FIX IT AS HE WAS BUSY- HE ASKED ME TO COME IN THE NEXT DAY- i CALLED NO ANSWER- CALLED AGAIN- AND HE SAID HE NEEDED ME TO BRING IT SATURDAY MORNING- AND HE WILL FIX- HE WAS RUDE AND SAID HE WAS BUSY- IT WAS SEPTEMBER- AND THE CAR IS HAZARD- IT STOPPED ON MY WAY INTO HIS SHOP AND GOT IT HOME- I GOT COVID 10-2020 TO 4/2020- LONGHAUL-

NHTSA ODI #11418364

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2016
Air BagsElectrical System

WE OWN A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. WE RECEIVED THE SAFETY RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) FOR THIS VEHICLE IN MARCH OF 2014. THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT IN THE DASH HAS BEEN ON, MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO OPERATE. SINCE THIS INVOLVES THE VERY SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF MY FAMI…

Read full complaint

WE OWN A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. WE RECEIVED THE SAFETY RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) FOR THIS VEHICLE IN MARCH OF 2014. THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT IN THE DASH HAS BEEN ON, MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO OPERATE. SINCE THIS INVOLVES THE VERY SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF MY FAMILY, WE CALLED THE LOCAL WEST COVINA DEALER, AT LEAST FOUR (4) TIMES AND MADE AT LEAST ONE (1) DRIVE-IN VISIT, TO GET THIS MATTER RESOLVED. EACH TIME WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS NO ' SRS ECU ' REPLACEMENT PART AVAILABLE. ON OUR LAST ATTEMPT TO REACH OUT TO THEM, WE LEFT A MESSAGE FOR THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE WEST COVINA TOYOTA LOCATION AND WAS NOT EVEN GIVEN THE COURTESY OF A RETURN PHONE CALL. WE ARE THOROUGHLY DISAPPOINTED AND FRUSTRATED! SINCE THIS PLACES OUR FAMILY AT GREAT RISK OF HARM AND ENDANGERS THEIR WELL-BEING, OUT OF DESPERATION, WE ARE REACHING OUT TO YOU. IT HAS NOW BEEN OVER TWO (2) YEARS SINCE RECEIPT OF THE INITIAL SAFETY RECALL NOTICE. SURELY, THIS IS SUFFICIENT TIME TO BE ABLE TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM! PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT VIA EMAIL AT EITHER [XXX] TO DISCUSS THIS MATTER. OR, YOU MAY REACH OUT TO US BY PHONE AT [XXX](H) OR [XXX] (C). IT IS MY HOPE THAT YOUR ASSISTANCE WILL PROVIDE THE IMPETUS NEEDED TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER. SINCERELY YOURS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *TR

NHTSA ODI #10838831

Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2016
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10825404

Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2016
Air BagsElectrical SystemSteering

THE RECALL NOTICES WAS RECEIVED IN APRIL, 2015. BUT THE PART NEEDED TO FIX THE PROBLEM WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE RECALL NOTICES SAID "TOYOTA IS PREPARING SUFFICIENT PARTS TO SUPPORT INSTALLATION OF SUB-WIRE HARNESS....WE WILL SEND ANOTHER NOTIFICATION WHEN PREPARATION ARE COMPLETE". MY CONCERN IS THAT ME AND MY FAMILY ARE CURRENTLY…

Read full complaint

THE RECALL NOTICES WAS RECEIVED IN APRIL, 2015. BUT THE PART NEEDED TO FIX THE PROBLEM WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE RECALL NOTICES SAID "TOYOTA IS PREPARING SUFFICIENT PARTS TO SUPPORT INSTALLATION OF SUB-WIRE HARNESS....WE WILL SEND ANOTHER NOTIFICATION WHEN PREPARATION ARE COMPLETE". MY CONCERN IS THAT ME AND MY FAMILY ARE CURRENTLY DRIVING AROUND IN AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. THE RECALL NOTICE WENT ON TO SAY "THE FRONT AIRBAG AND/OR SEATBELT PRETENSIONERS COULD INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY" MY QUESTION IS WHEN IS THIS PROBLEMS GOING TO BE FIXED. I HAVE NOT TAKING THIS CAR ON A MAJOR TRIP SINCE THIS RECALL BECAUSE I FEEL MY FAMILY IS AT RISK. I WOULD APPRECIATE A RESPONSE TO THIS INQUIRY. THIS RECALL CORRECTION NEED TO BE COMPLETED. THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10822990

Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWA…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PART NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/06/16*LJ THE CONUSMER STATED THE PART HAD TO BE ORDEDE AND IS NOW AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/14/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10810702

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO DO THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISS…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO DO THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATE 01/13/16 MA UPDATED 01/22/16*JB

NHTSA ODI #10794662

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSU…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10779420

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2015
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATIONS FROM THE MANUFACTURER RELATED TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT. THE PARTS NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECAL…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATIONS FROM THE MANUFACTURER RELATED TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT. THE PARTS NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 12/03/15*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10767503

75,000 miles · May 26, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemUnknown Or Other

TOYOTA HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS AND HAS WORKED ON THE CAR LAST YEAR TO GIVE A TEMPORARY FIX, NOW A FEW MONTHS AGO TOYOTA SENDS YET ANOTHER RECALL FOR SAME PARTS, BUT YET THE DEALERS NOR TOYOTA HAS ANY IDEA OF WHEN THIS WILL BE AVAILABLE, MEANWHILE WE DRIVE AROUND IN FEAR OF UNNECESSARY DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG. WE HAVE B…

Read full complaint

TOYOTA HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS AND HAS WORKED ON THE CAR LAST YEAR TO GIVE A TEMPORARY FIX, NOW A FEW MONTHS AGO TOYOTA SENDS YET ANOTHER RECALL FOR SAME PARTS, BUT YET THE DEALERS NOR TOYOTA HAS ANY IDEA OF WHEN THIS WILL BE AVAILABLE, MEANWHILE WE DRIVE AROUND IN FEAR OF UNNECESSARY DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG. WE HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH TOYOTA AND ALL THE LOCAL DEALERS AND NO ONE CAN TELL US ANYTHING, BUT ON THE NEWS THE REPORTS SAY THE AIRBAGS ARE BEING REPLACED

NHTSA ODI #10721395

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.