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 · Jan 3, 2016
Air Bags
TAKATA RECALL ... IT'S BEEN A YEAR SINCE WE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE. EACH TIME WE CONTACT OUR DEALERSHIP WE'RE TOLD THE FIX IS NOT READY YET. IT'S DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE TOYOTA IS TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY IF THEY CAN FIRST SAY OUR LIVES ARE AT RISK AND THEN DIDDLE AROUND FOR A FULL YEAR WITHOUT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT BEYOND SEN…
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TAKATA RECALL ... IT'S BEEN A YEAR SINCE WE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE. EACH TIME WE CONTACT OUR DEALERSHIP WE'RE TOLD THE FIX IS NOT READY YET. IT'S DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE TOYOTA IS TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY IF THEY CAN FIRST SAY OUR LIVES ARE AT RISK AND THEN DIDDLE AROUND FOR A FULL YEAR WITHOUT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT BEYOND SENDING OUT A LETTER. DO THEY GET FEDERAL CREDIT FOR RESPONDING TO A RECALL SITUATION WHEN ALL THEY'VE DONE IS POST A LETTER TO US????
NHTSA ODI #10817466
Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 2015
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE 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 ISS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE 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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE....UPDATED 01/25/16 *BF UPDATED 01/28/16.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10817193
Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2015
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) 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 C…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) 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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10816744
Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2015
Air Bags
LETTER FROM SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE THE SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM ON HIS 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED TOYOTA ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM. THE RECALL LETTER STATED IF THE REPAIR WAS RELATED TO THE CONDITION, IT WOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR REIMBURSEMENT. TOYOTA DENIED THE CON…
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LETTER FROM SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE THE SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM ON HIS 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED TOYOTA ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM. THE RECALL LETTER STATED IF THE REPAIR WAS RELATED TO THE CONDITION, IT WOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR REIMBURSEMENT. TOYOTA DENIED THE CONSUMER'S REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT, BECAUSE THEY CLAIMED THE SPIRAL CABLE WAS NOT PART OF THE PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10836177
99,000 miles · Dec 21, 2015
Seat Belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
NHTSA ODI #10811505
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…
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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 · Dec 7, 2015
Air Bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTI…
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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10808771
Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2015
Air Bags
I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA IN JANUARY 2015. THE INSTRUCTIONS SAY THEY ARE WORKING ON A REMEDY FOR THE SRS ECU. I HAVE CALLED THEM TWICE AND SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT TO YOU ONCE REGARDING THE UNREASONABLE DELAY IN IMPLEMENTING THE 'REMEDY'. THEY CONTINUE TO SAY TO WAIT UNTIL THEY HAVE REPLACEMENT PARTS. IT IS…
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I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA IN JANUARY 2015. THE INSTRUCTIONS SAY THEY ARE WORKING ON A REMEDY FOR THE SRS ECU. I HAVE CALLED THEM TWICE AND SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT TO YOU ONCE REGARDING THE UNREASONABLE DELAY IN IMPLEMENTING THE 'REMEDY'. THEY CONTINUE TO SAY TO WAIT UNTIL THEY HAVE REPLACEMENT PARTS. IT IS BEGINNING TO FEEL LIKE A STALLING PROCESS WAITING FOR MY PERSISTENCE TO WEAKEN. THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM INCLUDES REPORTS OF INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. SOMEONE NEEDS TO PROVIDE THEM WITH SOME ENCOURAGEMENT. IS THAT YOUR JOB?
NHTSA ODI #10808610
80,000 miles · Dec 3, 2015
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO DEVELOP A REMEDY…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO DEVELOP A REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE....UPDATED 02/02/16 *BF; UPDATED 05/02/18*JB *JS
NHTSA ODI #10808217
Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2015
Air Bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (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 NOT MADE …
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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (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 NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
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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