CarRecallDB

2003 Toyota Avalon recalls and problems

2 recalls and 293 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2003 Toyota Avalon.

2
recalls
293
owner complaints
49
complaints mentioning a crash
2
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2003 Toyota Avalon recalls

Air bags: frontal

NHTSA campaign 15V043000 · reported January 28, 2015 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · 1,006,849 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
Inadvertent deployment of the air bags or the seat belt pretensioners increases the risk of an injury or crash.
The fix
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.

Steering

NHTSA campaign 10V345000 · reported July 29, 2010 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. · 372,593 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
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.
The fix
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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Apr 20, 2026 · Air bags

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 passenger's side seat belt did…

May 22, 2023 · Air bags · crash reported

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.

Jan 4, 2023 · Steering

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 died in 2003 Avalon in Texas about steering…

Dec 5, 2021 · Electrical system

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.

Jun 1, 2021 · Engine · 96,000 miles · fire reported

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 to be replaced. The vehicle was not…

Avalon model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2000 2172432
2001 2134341
2002 1116322
2003 2293492
2004 3205270
2005 7228363
2006 7360544

Across all years, the 2006 Avalon has the most complaints (360). All Toyota Avalon years →

Questions

Does the 2003 Toyota Avalon have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2003 Toyota Avalon, the most recent reported on January 28, 2015 (Air bags: frontal). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota Avalon?
Owners have filed 293 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (184 complaints), followed by vehicle speed control (51).
How many 2003 Toyota Avalon complaints mention a crash or fire?
49 of 293 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 28 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received April 20, 2026.