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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

Steering complaints

19 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2023
Steering

Purchased car used 11/2020 Jan 14 2021 had 2 open recalls steering casting defect and wire harness filter to deflect noise from ecm . I lost control of communication of operations. 12/2022 steering lock bar The past 2 years uncovered everything on my own. Learned somebody died in 2003 Avalon in Texas about steering locking…

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Purchased car used 11/2020 Jan 14 2021 had 2 open recalls steering casting defect and wire harness filter to deflect noise from ecm . I lost control of communication of operations. 12/2022 steering lock bar The past 2 years uncovered everything on my own. Learned somebody died in 2003 Avalon in Texas about steering locking up. Plan to talk to class action lawyers over airbag and steering. And arrange my own lawyer with settlement lawyers to make this repair and all tsb to be performed. I will never buy a car unless I can find all tsb problems associated with that car. I hope recalls can be opened especially when you guys in government state safety ,compliance and emissions do not expire. Recall

NHTSA ODI #11500232

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…

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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

4 miles · Apr 7, 2019
Steering

CAR'S STEERING STOPS TURNING WHILE DRIVING IN THE INITIAL 5 MINUTES OF DRIVE, IT OCCURS MOSTLY WHEN WEATHER IS HUMID ( RAINING). THE EPISODE OCCURS WHEN I TRY TO TURN THE STEERING AND RECOVERS AFTER I FORCIBLY TURN THE STIFF STEERING.

NHTSA ODI #11194433

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…

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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

80,000 miles · Jan 26, 2016
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THERE WAS A TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THERE WAS A TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10822267

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering

LETTER FROM SENATOR TED CRUZ RE: CONSTITUENT AND TOYOTA REFUSING TO PAY FOR A RECALL REPAIR DONE ON HIS 2003 TOYOTA AVALON (MAILED TO AUSTIN, TX OFFICE ATTN: SUSANNA SOVRAN). *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN TWICE, AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER AND SWITCH HOUSING ASSEMBLY…

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LETTER FROM SENATOR TED CRUZ RE: CONSTITUENT AND TOYOTA REFUSING TO PAY FOR A RECALL REPAIR DONE ON HIS 2003 TOYOTA AVALON (MAILED TO AUSTIN, TX OFFICE ATTN: SUSANNA SOVRAN). *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN TWICE, AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER AND SWITCH HOUSING ASSEMBLY, AT A COST OF $430.00. TWO MONTHS LATER, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING AN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING COLUMN UPPER BRACKET. THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER, IN REGARDS TO THE RECALL, AND ASK IF THE RECALL WAS FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND THE DEALER STATED NO. WHEN THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO SEE THE PART THAT WAS REPLACED, HE NOTICED IT WAS THE SAME PART, THAT WAS REPLACED IN HIS VEHICLE TWO MONTHS PRIOR. THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT, IN WHICH THE LETTER STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT MEET THE CRITERIA, FOR REIMBURSEMENT UNDER THE SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN GOODWILL.

NHTSA ODI #10554483

Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering

ON THIS DATE THE CAR WAS RECALLED FOR A STEERING COLUMN UPPER BRACKET REPLACEMENT. TODAY MARCH 19TH, WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO OUR REGULAR MECHANIC FOR FRONT BRAKES AND TO CHECK BECAUSE THE KEY WILL COME OUT OF THE IGNITION WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND IN DRIVE OR REVERSE RATHER THAN PARK. IT WAS ALSO POINTED OUT TO US BY OUR…

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ON THIS DATE THE CAR WAS RECALLED FOR A STEERING COLUMN UPPER BRACKET REPLACEMENT. TODAY MARCH 19TH, WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO OUR REGULAR MECHANIC FOR FRONT BRAKES AND TO CHECK BECAUSE THE KEY WILL COME OUT OF THE IGNITION WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND IN DRIVE OR REVERSE RATHER THAN PARK. IT WAS ALSO POINTED OUT TO US BY OUR MECHANIC THAT THE STEERING WHEEL NO LONGER LOCKS WHICH HAS BEEN THE CASE SINCE THEY DID THE RECALL WORK BUT WE JUST REALIZED TODAY. HE THEN PROCEEDED TO TELL US ABOUT THE RECALL AND WE EXPLAINED WE HAD TAKEN IT IN FOR THE BRACKET. SO, IN SHORT, SINCE TOYOTA REPLACED THE BRACKET ON THIS RECALL, THE STEERING WHEEL NO LONGER LOCKS AND THE KEY WILL COME OUT IN DRIVE WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF, WHICH SHOULD NOT OCCUR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10503692

75,000 miles · Jan 26, 2013
Steering

THE STEERING STARTED TO BIND WHEN IT STARTED GETTING COLD. IT GOT TO THE POINT WHERE IT FELT LIKE NO POWER STEERING EXISTED INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE MAKING TURNS IT WOULD ALSO BIND, MAKING IT HARD TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEEL BACK AS I AM COMING OUT OF THE TURN, WHICH WAS THE MOST DANGEROUS SITUATION. INITIAL REPAIR SHOP SUGGESTED CHAN…

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THE STEERING STARTED TO BIND WHEN IT STARTED GETTING COLD. IT GOT TO THE POINT WHERE IT FELT LIKE NO POWER STEERING EXISTED INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE MAKING TURNS IT WOULD ALSO BIND, MAKING IT HARD TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEEL BACK AS I AM COMING OUT OF THE TURN, WHICH WAS THE MOST DANGEROUS SITUATION. INITIAL REPAIR SHOP SUGGESTED CHANGING THE SERPENTINE BELTS. THAT DID NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE. NEXT I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED UPPER STEERING SHAFT. THIS SEEMED TO IMPROVE BUT NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE. I JUST WENT BACK, AND NOW THEY REPLACED THE STEERING RACK AND LOWER SHAFT. NOW IT APPEARS CORRECTED. WHILE LOOKING ON THE WEB, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE, SO I FEEL THIS SHOULD QUALIFY AS A SAFETY RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10494822

130,000 miles · Jan 5, 2013
SteeringVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

75 N TRAVELING 65 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD SNAP UNDER CAR. CAR TRIED TO VEER TO LEFT SEVERAL TIMES PULLED BACK THOUGHT IT WAS UNDER CONTROL WHEN SPEED INCREASED CAR DARTED RIGHT HEAD ON INTO RETAINING WALL BOUNCED OFF DID 2 1/2 360 DEGREE SPINS HIT WALL AGAIN BROADSIDE AND FINALLY CAME TO STAND STILL. WHEN SPEED INCREASED AND CAR S…

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75 N TRAVELING 65 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD SNAP UNDER CAR. CAR TRIED TO VEER TO LEFT SEVERAL TIMES PULLED BACK THOUGHT IT WAS UNDER CONTROL WHEN SPEED INCREASED CAR DARTED RIGHT HEAD ON INTO RETAINING WALL BOUNCED OFF DID 2 1/2 360 DEGREE SPINS HIT WALL AGAIN BROADSIDE AND FINALLY CAME TO STAND STILL. WHEN SPEED INCREASED AND CAR SHOT TO RIGHT ALL CONTROL WAS LOST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10491519

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2012
SteeringCrash

2003 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER STATES UNINTENDED ACCELERATION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED OVER A YEAR AGO, HE WAS DRIVING INTO A GARAGE, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY, AND HE HIT A BRICK WALL. THE CONSUMER REALIZED HE ACCIDENTALLY, HIT THE ACCELERATOR, INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE. IN 2003, THE STEERING COLUMN DID NOT TELESCOPE AND TALL DRIVERS…

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2003 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER STATES UNINTENDED ACCELERATION *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED OVER A YEAR AGO, HE WAS DRIVING INTO A GARAGE, WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY, AND HE HIT A BRICK WALL. THE CONSUMER REALIZED HE ACCIDENTALLY, HIT THE ACCELERATOR, INSTEAD OF THE BRAKE. IN 2003, THE STEERING COLUMN DID NOT TELESCOPE AND TALL DRIVERS, SUCH AS HIM HAD A PROBLEM SELECTING THE DEGREE OF TILT ON THE STEERING COLUMN. BECAUSE HE COULD NOT EXTEND THE STEERING COLUMN, ON THAT OCCASION, HE TILTED THE STEERING WHEEL DOWN, BUT FURTHER THAN HE USUALLY DID. THE RESULT, WAS THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BLOCKED HIS RIGHT LEG FROM MOVING TO THE LEFT.

NHTSA ODI #10476427

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.