2003 Toyota Avalon problems

“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…”

“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.”

“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”

“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? 1- AUG 2020- MEGA MOTERS- PURCHASSED AUTO- CARFAX AND AUTO GURO- RECOMMENDED THIS VEHISCAL AND SALES PITCH INCLUDED THESE COMPANIES- HE SAID HE DOES GOOD BUSINESS- HE SAID HE WILL FIX ALL ISSUES IF THE ISSUE WAS WITH-IN 30 DAYS- CAR DROVE FINE- HE PUT AN INSPECTION STICKER- IT DID NOT SMOKE THEN BECAUSE HE HAD A HELPER WHO STARTED THE CAR AND PLACED INSPECTION STICKER READIN 10;2021? BUT IT WAS AUGUST 2020? THE HELPER DROVE IT TO THE FRONT OF THE DEALERSHIP- AFTER I PAID 7000.00 AND THUS DID NOT SEE START UP SMOKE AT THE DEALERSHIP 2. AT START UP - TOOK MY TWO SISTERS FOR A TEST DRIVE- GREY SMOKE- SAME DAY- AS PURCHASSED - SHOCK ISSUES-SUSPENTION AND DEALER- MY SISTER WAS DRIVING AS i CALLED TO TELL HIM i LOVED THE CAR AND IT SEEMED TO RUN FINE- EXCEPT FOR THE SMOKE ANDRED OIL LIGHT AND THE SHOCKS- SUSPENTION- UNCOMFORTABLE SCRAPING SOUND- I WILL FIX- AS HE SAID HE FORGOT TO PUT THE NEW OIL CAP ON OIL AND SENSOR- HE SAID HE WOULD PLACE THE TIRE SHOCKS TO FIX SUSPENTION. 2- I LIVE FAIRLY CLOSE- AND ONLY DRIVE SHORT DISTANCE- LIGHT OF OIL CAME ON- BUT GAGES READ…”

“2003 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. SHE FRANTICALLY TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, EVEN SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONSUMER FINALLY CRASHED INTO THREE CARS THAT WERE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.”

“I DROVE INTO A PARKING SPOT, PUT MY CAR INTO PARK & RELEASED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE. THE CAR ROLLED BACK AS IF IT WAS IN REVERSE. I APPLIED THE BRAKES, SHIFTED THE GEAR INTO DRIVE & DROVE BACK UP INTO THE SPACE. I PUT THE CAR BACK INTO PARK, RELEASED THE BRAKES, ONLY TO HAVE THE CAR ROLL BACK AGAIN. I PULLED BACK UP INTO THE PARKING SPOT, SHIFTED BACK INTO PARK & THIS TIME PUT ON PARKING BRAKES. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR & WENT INTO THE STORE. WHEN I CAME BACK, MY CAR WOULD NOT START. NOT ONLY WOULD IT NOT START, IT WOULD NOT MAKE ANY SORT OF NOISE (WHICH IS HOW I KNEW IT WASN'T THE BATTERY). I CALLED FOR A TOW & THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO START IN GEAR NEUTRAL.”