Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
210–25K
1425–50K
2250–75K
3475–100K
31100–150K
16150K+
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
What owners actually said
293 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2015
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V147000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V147000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. 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. UPDATED 5/11/15*CN UPDATED 10/23/2015 *JS THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON APRIL 22, 2015. UPDATED 11/10/15*JS
NHTSA ODI #10703560
126,000 miles · Apr 1, 2015
Electrical System
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR MY 2003 TOYOTA LAST YEAR. THIS IS MY FLORIDA CAR AND WHEN I RETURNED TO FLORIDA LAST NOV./DEC. I TOOK IT IN FOR RECALL SERVICE TO TOYOTA OF STUART. (5101 SE FEDERAL HWY, STUART, FL TELE. 772466 8300). AT THIS VISIT ,I WAS TOLD PARTS ARE NOT IN AND THEY WOULD CALL ME WHEN PARTS ARRIVE. AFTER WAITI…
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I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR MY 2003 TOYOTA LAST YEAR. THIS IS MY FLORIDA CAR AND WHEN I RETURNED TO FLORIDA LAST NOV./DEC. I TOOK IT IN FOR RECALL SERVICE TO TOYOTA OF STUART. (5101 SE FEDERAL HWY, STUART, FL TELE. 772466 8300). AT THIS VISIT ,I WAS TOLD PARTS ARE NOT IN AND THEY WOULD CALL ME WHEN PARTS ARRIVE. AFTER WAITING A FEW MONTHS AND NO CALL, I WENT BACK. I THAN WAS TOLD I HAVE TO BRING CAR BACK AGAIN SO THEY CAN MEASURE FOR REPLACEMENT PART. THEN THEY WILL CALL ME BACK FOR RECALL REPAIRS AFTER MEASUREMENT VISIT WHICH THEY NEED TO SCHEDULE. NEVER CALLED AGAIN FOR SCHEDULE--AM I GETTING A RUNAROUND??? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10703143
Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2015
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V147000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V147000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE 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 #10702941
Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2015
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNCERTAIN WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS UNCERTAIN WHEN THE PART…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNCERTAIN WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS UNCERTAIN WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10702596
Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2015
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE REMEDY WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10702011
Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2015
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AVALON TOYOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AVALON TOYOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 4/29/15*CN
NHTSA ODI #10693802
Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2015
Air Bags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAG) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE VEHICLE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILU…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAG) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE VEHICLE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 7/7/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED AN INTERIM REAPIR WAS PERFORMED. UPDATED 07/30/15*JB
NHTSA ODI #10693562
Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2015
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V147000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR 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. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V147000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR 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. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/10/15*LJ UPDATED 04/
NHTSA ODI #10690911
114,698 miles · Feb 23, 2015
Air Bags
AIRBAG ILLUMINATES AT DIFFERENT TIMES WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM SINCE 2003. WHEN RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED TOOK CAR INTO TOYOTA DEALER FOR REPAIR. UPON ARRIVING AT HOME WITH VEHICLE NOTICED THAT INSIDE DOME CEILING LIGHTS BLINKS ON AND OFF UNTIL IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. RETURNED TO TOYOTA ONE WEEK LAT…
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AIRBAG ILLUMINATES AT DIFFERENT TIMES WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM SINCE 2003. WHEN RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED TOOK CAR INTO TOYOTA DEALER FOR REPAIR. UPON ARRIVING AT HOME WITH VEHICLE NOTICED THAT INSIDE DOME CEILING LIGHTS BLINKS ON AND OFF UNTIL IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. RETURNED TO TOYOTA ONE WEEK LATER TO REPORT PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THE SYSTEM WAS RESETTING AND THAT THE BLINKING WOULD STOP. DURING THE NEXT THREE WEEKS THE BLINKING CONTINUED AND THE AIRBAG CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THREE HOURS LATER WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR HAS A $700 ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT NEEDED REPAIR AND THAT WOULD FIX BOTH PROBLEMS. THE CAR DID NOT HAVE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WHEN IT WAS INITIALLY TAKEN INTO THE DEALER. THEY ARE TRYING TO GET ADDITIONAL MONIES TO MAKE UP FOR FIXING THE AIRBAG PROBLEM FOR FREE. TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SEEING THAT THEIR DEALERSHIPS HONOR THE REPAIR REQUESTS AND DO THEM CORRECTLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10690178
227,000 miles · Feb 18, 2015
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 227,000.
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.
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.
2003 Toyota Avalon Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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