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Research · Large Cars

2003 Toyota AvalonRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 305 owner complaints for the 2003 Toyota Avalon. Most complaints involve air bags (184) and vehicle speed control (54). The EPA rates it 22 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
22mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jan 2015
Owner complaints
305
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: frontal

Remedy pending

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.

Air bagsReported Jan 28, 2015NHTSA 15V043000

Steering

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Jul 29, 2010NHTSA 10V345000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

305 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2002 – Apr 2026
  1. Air bags184
  2. Vehicle speed control54
  3. Steering19
  4. Electrical system18
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic11
  6. Power train10
  7. Suspension9
  8. Engine8
  9. Structure8

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Avalon model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996113
1997128
1998186
199994
2000183
2001139
2002142
2003305
2004205
2005228
2006360
2007243
2008349
200991
201046
2011106
201230
2013160
201496
201554
201623
201714
201824
201971
202011
202121
20228
Crashes reported
50
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
29
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

184 reports16 crashes
“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 something similar where something in the seat belt mechanism exploded and another part went flying. There was an electrical buzzing noise. I was looking for a place to pull over when the air bags went off. There was no bump in the road or a dip and I did not hit anything. I don't remember the order the air bags exploded but it was one after the other. The driver's side air bag exploding left a red abrasion on my left hand. The vehicle was brought to a nearby dealership (Anderson Toyota) where they said they could not verify what the issue was. The safety of myself and others on the road were at risk as the explosions were very loud and the air bags occluded my view while traveling at a high speed. The vehicle has been inspected by a 3rd party representative from Bosch (Apr 2nd) as sent by Toyota corporate and Toyota has not given me any updates. Calling…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 20, 2026Air bags, Seat beltsODI 11732589

Vehicle speed control

54 reports38 crashes
“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 REPLACEMENT. THE BATTERY WAS ALSO REPLACED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. FOR THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE ODOR COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 27, 2019Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11182815

Steering

19 reports3 crashes
“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 locking up. Plan to talk to class action lawyers over airbag and steering. And arrange my own lawyer with settlement lawyers to make this repair and all tsb to be performed. I will never buy a car unless I can find all tsb problems associated with that car. I hope recalls can be opened especially when you guys in government state safety ,compliance and emissions do not expire. Recall”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 4, 2023SteeringODI 11500232
All 2003 Avalon problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Avalon
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$2,850404
  • Avalon
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    19 city · 27 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Toyota Avalon as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 4809
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2003 Avalon questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota Avalon have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2003 Toyota Avalon problems?

Owners filed 305 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (184), vehicle speed control (54), steering (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2003 Toyota Avalon get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Toyota Avalon at 22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026