MYRModel Year Report

2003 Toyota Avalon

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2003 Toyota Avalon
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
293
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Air bags

63% of complaints

Complaints per year

1995: 80 complaints 1995 1996: 109 complaints 1997: 125 complaints 1998: 178 complaints 1999: 92 complaints 1999 2000: 173 complaints 2001: 134 complaints 2002: 116 complaints 2003: 293 complaints 2003 293 2004: 205 complaints 2005: 228 complaints 2006: 360 complaints 2007: 243 complaints 2007 2008: 349 complaints 2009: 91 complaints 2010: 46 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2011 2012: 30 complaints 2013: 137 complaints 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 41 complaints 2015 2016: 23 complaints 2017: 14 complaints 2018: 24 complaints 2019: 71 complaints 2019 2020: 10 complaints 2021: 21 complaints 2022: 8 complaints
1995: 80 complaints 1995 1996: 109 complaints 1997: 125 complaints 1997 1998: 178 complaints 1999: 92 complaints 1999 2000: 173 complaints 2001: 134 complaints 2001 2002: 116 complaints 2003: 293 complaints 2003 293 2004: 205 complaints 2005: 228 complaints 2005 2006: 360 complaints 2007: 243 complaints 2007 2008: 349 complaints 2009: 91 complaints 2009 2010: 46 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2011 2012: 30 complaints 2013: 137 complaints 2013 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 41 complaints 2015 2016: 23 complaints 2017: 14 complaints 2017 2018: 24 complaints 2019: 71 complaints 2019 2020: 10 complaints 2021: 21 complaints 2021 2022: 8 complaints
1995: 80 complaints 1995 1996: 109 complaints 1997: 125 complaints 1997 1998: 178 complaints 1999: 92 complaints 1999 2000: 173 complaints 2001: 134 complaints 2001 2002: 116 complaints 2003: 293 complaints 2003 293 2004: 205 complaints 2005: 228 complaints 2005 2006: 360 complaints 2007: 243 complaints 2007 2008: 349 complaints 2009: 91 complaints 2009 2010: 46 complaints 2011: 106 complaints 2011 2012: 30 complaints 2013: 137 complaints 2013 2014: 96 complaints 2015: 41 complaints 2015 2016: 23 complaints 2017: 14 complaints 2017 2018: 24 complaints 2019: 71 complaints 2019 2020: 10 complaints 2021: 21 complaints 2021 2022: 8 complaints

2003: 293 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
199580
1996109
1997125
1998178
199992
2000173
2001134
2002116
2003293
2004205
2005228
2006360
2007243
2008349
200991
201046
2011106
201230
2013137
201496
201541
201623
201714
201824
201971
202010
202121
20228

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

63% · 184 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-04-20

Also filed under Seat belts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-08-08

Sever side impact crash on a 2003 Toyota Avalon resulted in a failure of the SRS airbag to deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-11-21

Vehicle speed control

17% · 51 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal and cruise control.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-03

Parked Toyota Avalon was started, shifted into drive and uncontrollable acceleration occurred. Brakes ineffective so hit parked car in front extremely hard. Tried to shift to neutral but it slipped into reverse and hit car parked behind.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-04

The consumer experienced sudden acceleration when placed in reverse.*mr the consumer was attempting to back up in order to drive straight into the garage.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-11-18

Steering

6% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing column.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

2003 Toyota Avalon. Consumer states unintended acceleration *tgw the consumer stated over a year ago, he was driving into a garage, when the vehicle suddenly, and he hit a brick wall.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-09-20

Electrical system

6% · 18 reports

Service brakes

5% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2003Complaint volume 293 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2010-09-07Steering10V345000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2015-08-24Air bags15V043000 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,...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Toyota Avalon — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 184 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 51 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 19 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 10V345000 · Steering
  • Recall 15V043000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Toyota Avalon reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Toyota Avalon is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota Avalon?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 63% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota Avalon have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.