2003 Toyota Avalon Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 184about this part
- Share
- 63%of 293 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 99,250miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 184 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Toyota Avalon, 63% of the 293 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,250 miles. 16 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Takata airbags: having received takata recall notices, I took my car to the dealer for action. He said my vehicle does not have takata airbags. According to NHTSA site, it does. Please let me know if there were any 2003 Toyota Avalon models sold with some other airbags than takata. If I do indeed have takata airbags, please let me know. Thank you.”
NHTSA complaint #10864629, filed 2016-05, 93,000 miles“We have a 2003 Toyota Avalon which we purchased new from Toyota dealership. It has an outstanding air bag recall dated january 27, 2015. We keep getting told we will be notified when parts are available but this is getting ridiculous. I talked to their service dept again on friday, oct 23rd and they told me they still have no info on parts availability for this repair. What can you do to get this moving?”
NHTSA complaint #10785987, filed 2015-10, 125,000 miles“We took our vehicle to mann Toyota in prestonsburg, ky for a recall repair to the air bag system. The problem is much worse now after they said they replaced the wiring harness. The air bag light is coming on much more frequently now. Now they are saying we have to pay them to get a scan on the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10653558, filed 2014-11, 103,000 miles“Over one (1) year ago I received a safety recall notice on this vehicle stating that the electronic control unit (ecu) would need to be replaced. Over a year later and remedy not available is the response from Toyota. It appears that the remedy is to delay, delay, delay so as many of these cars as possible are retired and do not require repair. Please let me know how this recall problem is going to be resolved in a timely manner.”
NHTSA complaint #10839340, filed 2016-03, 90,500 miles“Takata recall - I received a recall notice approximately a year ago and have called my dealer and Toyota. They inform me that parts are not available. The airbag light has come on and off several times, but hasn't stayed on. I am concerned about driving the vehicle and having an accident and/or injury due to this problem. I was driving the vehicle on the interstate at the time. This recall concerns the supplemental restraint system electronic control module.”
NHTSA complaint #10820764, filed 2016-01, 49,984 milesRelated recalls
- 15V043000Jan 28, 2015Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured December 28, 2001, to May 2…Covers: Toyota Avalon 2003–2004, Corolla 2003–2004, Pontiac Vibe 2003–2004 +1 more
Related 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 2003 Toyota Avalon
51 complaintsSteering
19 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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