2002 Toyota Avalon Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 35about this part
- Share
- 30%of 116 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 159,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Toyota Avalon, 30% of the 116 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 159,500 miles. 11 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was in a car accident where I lost control of the vehicle due to slippery roads. I was exiting i5 on to highway 7 in tacoma washington. The vehicle wouldn't stop, slid and hit a cement wall on highway 7. Upon impact I hit my head on windshield and none of the air bags came out upon impact. I received injuries due to this disorder.”
NHTSA complaint #11306600, filed 2020-02, 192,000 miles“I own a 2002 Toyota Avalon xl. The srs airbag light on the dashboard is constantly blinking. I took the vehicle to a repair shop that tested it and said that there is a short in the drivers side squib circuit. There was no incident to trigger this. Apparently this is a manufacturing defect and should be fixed via a recall by Toyota.”
NHTSA complaint #10630731, filed 2014-09, 160,000 miles“The 2003-2004 model Avalon's have a recall for the airbags when exposed to certain frequencies and noises. My 2002 Avalon has the same issue and Toyota needs to include this model year as well. I've had no problems out of this car ever, but as soon as it hit 140,000 miles the air bags light came on. After doing a little research I seen that others were having the same issue. Please include this model year in the recall because this car is very dependable and I've had no issues until now.”
NHTSA complaint #11362548, filed 2020-10, 140,082 miles“I was driving in traffic and I put on my brakes suddenly and the srs light came on and remained on all day. I took it into the dealership and they ran a diagnostic which cost me 97 dollars, the code was b0113 right side air bag defect. I was quoted 2,000 dollars to repair. The air bags on my car have never deployed and I think there is a defect with the air bags and should be repaired by Toyota free of charge.”
NHTSA complaint #10511111, filed 2013-04, 183,058 miles“Srs warning light appeared flashing on car. Took car to have checked and was told the side air bag sensor needed to be replaced. Side air bag sensor was replaced. Light no longer flashed. 5 days later the srs warning light is flashing again. There have been several complaints on the NHTSA website about the same problem. I've been told that some car manufacturers will fix safety issues under an extended warranty. Can Toyota fix these problems free of charge? I'd like to find out before I spend more money trying to diagnose why the srs air bag light is flashing. …”
NHTSA complaint #10862200, filed 2016-04, 203,883 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most…
- 10190460Mar 17, 2021Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- 10132410Jul 20, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 20, 2017 Rev1: Applicability has been updated to exclude 2007 ? 2017 model year Avanza vehicles. Some hazardous material treatment and handling…
- 10131961Jan 14, 2014Toyota vehicles are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury…
- 10132055Nov 4, 2013Beginning in 1998, Toyota introduced side airbags as optional equipment. Toyota does NOT recommend replacement of original seat covers with non-Toyota leather or other seat cover…
- 10133915Jan 3, 2013Toyota vehicles are equipped with SRS, including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury in a collision. If a customer…
- 10042555Sep 6, 2011Toyota: information provided for replacing the seat covers for vehicles equipped with side airbags.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 13% |
| 2021 | 12 | 57% |
| 2020 | 1 | 10% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 6 | 25% |
| 2017 | 2 | 14% |
| 2016 | 4 | 17% |
| 2015 | 7 | 17% |
| 2014 | 7 | 7% |
| 2013 | 14 | 10% |
| 2012 | 6 | 20% |
| 2011 | 2 | 2% |
| 2010 | 2 | 4% |
| 2009 | 5 | 5% |
| 2008 | 8 | 2% |
| 2007 | 20 | 8% |
| 2006 | 27 | 8% |
| 2005 | 12 | 5% |
| 2004 | 127 | 62% |
| 2003 | 184 | 63% |
| 2002 | 35 | 30% |
| 2001 | 21 | 16% |
| 2000 | 26 | 15% |
| 1999 | 22 | 24% |
| 1998 | 16 | 9% |
| 1997 | 5 | 4% |
| 1996 | 5 | 5% |
| 1995 | 8 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2002 Toyota Avalon
25 complaintsSteering
18 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsTires
7 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Toyota Avalon
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology