2003 TOYOTA AVALON Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2003 Toyota Avalon. This model year has 305 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Airbag Malfunctions.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2003 Toyota Avalon Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Airbag Malfunctions
Unintended Acceleration
Steering Defects
Considering a 2003 Toyota Avalon?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Toyota Avalon. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Malfunctions | 184 | 16 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 54 | 38 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 19 | 3 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 18 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 16 | 5 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 15 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 11 | 4 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 8 | 3 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Fuel System | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Other | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Traction Control System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 Toyota Avalon. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 305 most recent complaints
March 13, 2026, I was on a road trip from CA to AZ and while driving around 75-80mph (speed limit), something in the driver's side seat belt or the shoulder holster exploded, the belt tightened, and something metal or plastic flew off. Shortly after (within 30 seconds or so), the…
Many things are happening to my truck that’s why I am contacting you people to see if I got any callback thank you so much
I was driving back home, out of no where my car went out of control, went left, then right, hit something and flipped over twice to end in a hill against the traffic with 4 flat tires. The air bag did not deployed. I did hit the windshield. The car was total.
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 d…
turn off the lights inside panel. The level of heat all the way up, the same with the gasoline level. The internal lights blink. Loss of power.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the vehicle started smoking and the engine stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with the engine needing…
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 …
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE PERMANENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KENDALL TOYOTA (10943 S DIXIE HWY, MIAMI, FL 33156) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT SENSOR WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPLA…
THE AUTO SURGES FORWARD AS I'M TRYING TO STOP EITHER AT A STOP LIGHT OR PARKING SPOT. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 OR 4 TIMES AND MY MECHANIC SAID THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT WOULD BE FOR IT TO HAPPEN WHILE HE WAS DRIVING IT. THERE'S NO PATTERN TO WHEN IT HAPPENS BUT IT'S SCARY AND I'M AFRAID …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE SRS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BEECHMONT TOYOTA (8667 BEECHMONT AVE, CINCINNATI, OH 45255, (513) 388-3800) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE T…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE, BUT MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE S…
I DROVE INTO A PARKING SPOT, PUT MY CAR INTO PARK & RELEASED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE. THE CAR ROLLED BACK AS IF IT WAS IN REVERSE. I APPLIED THE BRAKES, SHIFTED THE GEAR INTO DRIVE & DROVE BACK UP INTO THE SPACE. I PUT THE CAR BACK INTO PARK, RELEASED THE BRAKES, ONLY TO HAVE THE …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (PUEBLO TOYOTA, 2220 U S 50 W, PUEBLO, CO 81008) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR…
CAR WAS IDLING IN PARK, PLACED SHIFT INTO REVERSE, CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD WITH MOTOR RACING INTO A BENCH, DESTROYING IT. JAMMED SHIFT BACK INTO PARK SHUT OFF MOTOR. RESTARTED CAR. PLACE SHIFT IN REV AND BACKED OFF BENCH. CAR WORKED PROPERLY. HAD CAR TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP.
AIR BAG INDICATOR AND SEAT BELT NOT ON INDICATORS KEEP COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNLESS THESE INDICATOR COMES ON WHEN THEY DO THE TEST DRIVE. SO IT'S NOT ALWAYS REPRODUCIBLE BY THE DEALERSHIP.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE DRIVE GEAR IN AN EFFORT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD ON ITS OWN A SECOND TIME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE …
I HAVE BEEN WAITING OVER A YEAR FOR THIS TO BE REMEDIED. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO RUN OVER A CURB. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING AND OBSCURED THE DRIVER'S VISION. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE DIVIDER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXTENSIVELY DA…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2003 Toyota Avalon.
Recalls for 2003 Toyota Avalon
2 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2003 Toyota Avalon. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2003 Toyota Avalon — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2003 Toyota Avalon reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2003 Toyota Avalon has 305 NHTSA owner complaints, 50 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Airbag Malfunctions (184 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota Avalon?▾
#1: Airbag Malfunctions (184 complaints). #2: Unintended Acceleration (54 complaints). #3: Steering Defects (19 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2003 Toyota Avalon?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2003 Toyota Avalon?▾
The 2003 Toyota Avalon has 50 crash-related complaints and 2 fire reports out of 305 total NHTSA complaints. 29 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2003 Toyota Avalon have any recalls?▾
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2003 Toyota Avalon. The largest issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2003 Toyota Avalon?▾
The 2003 Toyota Avalon has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Airbag Malfunctions issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Toyota Avalon reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2003 Toyota Avalon
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.