MYRModel Year Report

2003 Toyota Avalon

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2003 Toyota Avalon
BUILT 2026-09-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota Avalon Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 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 2004: 205 complaints 2005: 228 complaints 2006: 359 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: 69 complaints 2019 2020: 10 complaints 2021: 21 complaints 2022: 8 complaints 2022
2003: 293 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
199580
1996109
1997125
1998178
199992
2000173
2001134
2002116
2003293
2004205
2005228
2006359
2007243
2008349
200991
201046
2011106
201230
2013137
201496
201541
201623
201714
201824
201969
202010
202121
20228

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

AIR BAGS 63%

63% of complaints: air bags — 184 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
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, 20260420

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, 20180808

SEVER SIDE IMPACT CRASH ON A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON RESULTED IN A FAILURE OF THE SRS AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. *LA

NHTSA ODI report, 20031121

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 17%

17% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 51 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal and cruise control.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
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, 20180103

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, 20120704

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, 20031118

STEERING 6%

6% of complaints: steering — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing column.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20120920

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6%

6% of complaints: electrical system — 18 distinct reports on file.

SERVICE BRAKES 5%

5% of complaints: service brakes — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2003 — complaint volume: 293
R 20100907 — steering

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 B

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.

Campaign 10V345000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150824 — air bags

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.

Campaign 15V043000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 Toyota Avalon — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (184 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (51 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (19 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 10V345000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V043000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2012 ▲ 2015 ▲ 2010

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ■ 2008 ■ 2007

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.