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 · Jul 28, 2011
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V345000 (STEERING). AFTER THE REMEDY REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, AN UNUSUAL NOISE WOULD SOUND WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO NOTIFY THE DEALER REGARDING THE FAILURE.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V345000 (STEERING). AFTER THE REMEDY REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, AN UNUSUAL NOISE WOULD SOUND WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO NOTIFY THE DEALER REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10415474
70,515 miles · Apr 26, 2011
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE STEERING WHEEL WITH FORCE AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY STATED THAT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE STEERING WHEEL WITH FORCE AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT AN EARLIER DETECTION OF THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT FAILURE WAS IMPOSSIBLE DUE TO THE DESIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,515. UPDATED 05/25/11 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10397483
Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2011
Suspension
2003 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER STATES FRONT END ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED DUE TO THE OUTLANDISH TIRE WEAR, HE HAD TO PURCHASE THREE SETS OF TIRES. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD SIX ALIGNMENTS PERFORMED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO CORRECT THE DRIFTING TO T…
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2003 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER STATES FRONT END ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED DUE TO THE OUTLANDISH TIRE WEAR, HE HAD TO PURCHASE THREE SETS OF TIRES. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD SIX ALIGNMENTS PERFORMED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO CORRECT THE DRIFTING TO THE LEFT BY REPAIRING THE STEERING SYSTEM, IN WHICH A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10382025
Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
2003 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEMS WITH GAS PEDAL AND IDLE RUNNING TOO HIGH *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD IDLE HIGH AT TIMES AND THEN TOO LOW, TO THE POINT WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STAY ON. THE PROBLEM WAS INCONSISTENT, BUT RECURRING. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS MOUNTED TOO HI…
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2003 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEMS WITH GAS PEDAL AND IDLE RUNNING TOO HIGH *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD IDLE HIGH AT TIMES AND THEN TOO LOW, TO THE POINT WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STAY ON. THE PROBLEM WAS INCONSISTENT, BUT RECURRING. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS MOUNTED TOO HIGH.
NHTSA ODI #10382312
91,500 miles · Jan 19, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE BY LIGHTLY TAPPING ON THE BRAKES. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION IF THE FAILURE RECUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE BY LIGHTLY TAPPING ON THE BRAKES. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION IF THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED LESS THAN 1,000 MILES AGO BY THE DEALER PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,500. UPDATED 03/07/11*LJ UPDATED 05/02/11
NHTSA ODI #10377911
86,000 miles · Dec 31, 2010
SteeringVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
WHILE IN PARKING LOT, PLACED CAR IN REVERSE. THE CAR ACCELERATED ACROSS THE PARKING LOT, JUMPING A CURB AND HITTING A 2 FOOT HIGH POLE IN NEXT PARKING LOT. BRAKING HAD NO EFFECT. ATTEMPT TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL FAILED. STEERING ALSO FAILED. CAR TOWED TO COLLISION CENTER SUBSEQUENTLY TOTALED BY INSURANCE COMPANY. CAR HIT WITH SUCH …
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WHILE IN PARKING LOT, PLACED CAR IN REVERSE. THE CAR ACCELERATED ACROSS THE PARKING LOT, JUMPING A CURB AND HITTING A 2 FOOT HIGH POLE IN NEXT PARKING LOT. BRAKING HAD NO EFFECT. ATTEMPT TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL FAILED. STEERING ALSO FAILED. CAR TOWED TO COLLISION CENTER SUBSEQUENTLY TOTALED BY INSURANCE COMPANY. CAR HIT WITH SUCH FORCE, IT WAS WRAPPED AROUND POLE AND RESTING ON TOP OF POLE. WRIST OF DRIVER HURT - HAD TO SEEK ATTENTION FROM EMTS AND GO TO EMERGENCY ROOM. UNDER ORTHOPEDIC SPECIALIST CARE CURRENTLY. PASSENGER IN BACK SEAT, 20 YR OLD, HAS NECK STRAIN AND HEADACHE CONCERNS.
NHTSA ODI #10374289
67,600 miles · Nov 19, 2010
Air Bags
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING THEN STOPPED. TOOK TO DEALER WHO DISCOVERED A ERROR CODE B0166 STORED IN THE COMPUTER (OPEN CIRCUIT IN LEFT SIDE AIRBAG) BUT WAS NOT FLASHING WHEN EVALUATED. ONE DAY LATER THE LIGHT AGAIN CAME ON. THE DEALER WANTS $1700.00 PLUS LABOR TO FIX AND THAT IT WOULD BE INOPERATIVE IN AN ACCIDENT. …
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AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING THEN STOPPED. TOOK TO DEALER WHO DISCOVERED A ERROR CODE B0166 STORED IN THE COMPUTER (OPEN CIRCUIT IN LEFT SIDE AIRBAG) BUT WAS NOT FLASHING WHEN EVALUATED. ONE DAY LATER THE LIGHT AGAIN CAME ON. THE DEALER WANTS $1700.00 PLUS LABOR TO FIX AND THAT IT WOULD BE INOPERATIVE IN AN ACCIDENT. I CONTACTED TOYOTA--[XXX] AT 800-331-4331 WHO ADVISED ME IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND TOYOTA WOULD TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR FIXING A FEDERALLY MANDATED SAFETY FEATURE WHICH HAS NO MAINTENANCE OR WEAR AND TEAR EXPECTATION. IT IS A PART NOT EXPECTED TO FAIL. I AM NOW WAITING ON A SUPERVISOR, [XXX], TO CALL ME BACK BUT [XXX] ASSURES ME HE WILL NOT BE HELPFUL EITHER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10366858
Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2010
Steering
2003 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING STEERING COLUMN *TGW THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, ONLY TO BE TOLD THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10364753
Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2010
Air BagsSeats
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR SO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THE FRONT DRI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR SO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
NHTSA ODI #10352773
83,000 miles · Aug 16, 2010
SteeringSuspension
I HAD TO REPLACE 6 MONTH OLD TIRES BECAUSE THEY WERE WORN ON THE EDGES. I THOUGHT IT WAS A BAD ALIGNMENT, SO I BOUGHT NEW TIRES, HAD THEM BALANCED AND RE-ALIGNED. 1 MONTH LATER MY CAR IS STILL PULLING TO THE LEFT. IT IS DIFFICULT TO KEEP IT STRAIGHT. IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE? *TR
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