VehicleVerdict

2003 Toyota Avalon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 353 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.9 times the median Avalon year — the 2003 model ranks #3 of 28 Avalon years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 42 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: airbags issues account for 52% of all reports (184 of 353), far ahead of speed control at 51.

353

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

68

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

42

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Avalon years?

Avalon NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted449 complaints1995: 92 complaints1996: 121 complaints1997: 155 complaints1998: 205 complaints1999: 113 complaints2000: 220 complaints2001: 168 complaints2002: 148 complaints2003: 353 complaints2004: 252 complaints2005: 303 complaints2006: 449 complaints2007: 311 complaints2008: 417 complaints2009: 110 complaints2010: 51 complaints2011: 130 complaints2012: 35 complaints2013: 187 complaints2014: 123 complaints2015: 63 complaints2016: 33 complaints2017: 17 complaints2018: 31 complaints2019: 92 complaints2020: 13 complaints2021: 29 complaints2022: 13 complaints
Avalon NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Avalon years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Toyota Avalon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags18452%
Speed Control5114%
Electrical System206%
Steering195%
Brakes154%
Engine123%
Suspension113%
Body & Structure72%
Fuel System72%
Seat Belts62%
Transmission62%
Other51%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Seats31%
Tires & Wheels31%
Lighting10%

Does the 2003 Toyota Avalon have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

15V043000AirbagsJanuary 28, 2015 · 1,006,849 units

Defect

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

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.

10V345000SteeringJuly 29, 2010 · 372,593 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED INTO A FENCE. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 4, 2004 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DRIVER WAS NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND COLLIDED INTO A FENCE. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · April 4, 2004 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 15, 2015

“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.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · December 20, 2012 · crash

“2003 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. SHE FRANTICALLY TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, EVEN SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONSUMER FINALLY CRASHED INTO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 9, 2013 · crash

2003 Toyota Avalon — common questions

Is the 2003 Toyota Avalon reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 353 complaints put the 2003 model at #3 of 28 Avalon years. It is one of the Avalon years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 Avalon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (184 complaints), speed control (51 complaints), electrical system (20 complaints).

Does the 2003 Toyota Avalon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Toyota Avalon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota Avalon years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Avalon years to avoid are 2006, 2008, 2003, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2000, 1998, 2013. The cleanest record among Avalon years belongs to 2022.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.