KnownCarProblems2003 Toyota Avalon Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 293 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Toyota Avalon, most often about the air bags (63% of complaints, typically around 99,500 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Avalon model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2003 Toyota Avalon problems
Air bags
184 complaints · 63%Half of these problems showed up before 99,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Avalon. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number:14v147000 (air bag) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to perform the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v043000 (air bags);however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for…
Speed control
51 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control.
On august 30, 2006 my 2003 Toyota Avalon accelerated and I was unable to stop the car. My vehicle subsequently crashed into my neighbor's house. My daughter and I were in the car and received minor injuries but there was major damage to the home and the car which was a total loss.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Toyota Avalon. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to have the brakes replaced. Three months after the brakes were replaced the vehicle accelerated and crashed into another vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle became difficult to stop when the brakes were applied. The contact and…
Steering
19 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: column.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Avalon. While driving approximately 20 MPH and making a turn, there was a temporary loss of power steering without warning. The steering wheel became extremely difficult to maneuver. The failure recurred numerous. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the…
I had to replace 6 month old tires because they were worn on the edges. I thought it was a bad alignment, so I bought new tires, had them balanced and re-aligned. 1 month later my car is still pulling to the left. It is difficult to keep it straight. Is there a recall on this issue?
Electrical
18 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles.
Toyota has known of this problem for years and has worked on the car last year to give a temporary fix, now a few months ago Toyota sends yet another recall for same parts, but yet the dealers nor Toyota has any idea of when this will be available, meanwhile we drive around in fear of unnecessary deployment of airbag.…
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that he was able to remove the key from the ignition while the gear shifter was still in drive. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was contacted and a report was filed. The failure mileage was approximately…
Brakes
15 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 31,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, power assist.
: the contact stated the brake, vsc, and traction off lights on the dash illuminated and stays on. The vehicle was taken to the dealer 6-7 times. The brake fluid was found to be leaking and was refilled. The next time it was taken to the dealer a complete brake job was performed but the contact does not know what…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Toyota Avalon. While driving approximately 20 MPH and attempting to stop the vehicle the contact noticed that the accelerator pedal had become stuck to the floor and the brakes would not engage causing the contact to crash into the rear end of another vehicle. No one was injured. A police report…
Engine
12 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Toyota Avalon. While driving approximately 65 MPH on normal road conditions, the vehicle responded slowly when the brake pedal was depressed. The check engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel intermittently. In addition, there was excessive oil consumption. The vehicle was…
Our 2003 Toyota Avalon has experienced several occurrences of sudden acceleration. My wife took the car to our Toyota dealer and both times they said that it was due to the floormat sticking under the gas pedal. The mat was removed and it still has the problem. While I was driving it down the highway, I let off the…
Suspension
9 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
: the contact stated the vehicle pulls to the left. The dealership realigned the vehicle several times, but this did not correct the problem. The tires are in good condition and do not exhibit abnormal wear and tear. Updated 05/16/2006 - had this problem since the purchase of the vehicle.
Air bag light on since I have this vehicle dealer cannot fix it . Also noise from pulley loud noise I see a recall on the 2004 Avalon but not on the 2003 but it's making the same noise as the 2004.
Body and structure
7 complaints · 2%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The paint seems to be chipping very easily on my new Avalon with the desert sand mica color. You would think I drove behind gravel trucks the whole time I've had it. And I've only had it for 6 months, and 8500 miles. Looking at it you'd think it had a lot more miles on it.
While driving 100 miles or more instrument panel glass gets hot. Consumer is concerned that this condition can cause a fire. The dealer indicated to the consumer that they have received several complaints on this problem, but recommended to keep driving the vehicle. The dealer did not offer to repair the problem.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Toyota Avalon recalls
Air bags: frontal
Risk: Inadvertent deployment of the air bags or the seat belt pretensioners increases the risk of an injury or crash.
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Steering
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.
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2003 Toyota Avalon
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota Avalon?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (184 complaints, typically around 99,500 miles); speed control (51 complaints, typically around 58,000 miles); steering (19 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota Avalon have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 28, 2015 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Toyota Avalon?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Avalon model year since 2000, with 293 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.