2003 Toyota Avalon Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 5%of 293 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 31,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Toyota Avalon, 5% of the 293 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 31,000 miles. 5 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.
“The engine started cold and revved to 2500 RPM and then oscillated between 2500 and about 3000 RPM and never slowed down. I put the car in drive and drove it the block and a half to my house using the brake to stop at the only stop sign on the route but stopping was difficult. The next morning I experienced the same ultra-fast idle and drove the car on an errand that was about 2 miles distant. The same pattern persisted but the brakes were heating up and smelling from frequent use in keeping the car within the city speed limit. …”
NHTSA complaint #10671578, filed 2015-01, 138,766 miles“Hello im writing to complain about a couple of things. 1. Ive received an recall notice for my 2003 Toyota Avalon for steering problem upper bracket . And have, tried to remedy this, only to find out Toyota, offers no courtesy vehicle?. Or a definite time your vehicle will be repaired?. 2nd there is also another defect on this car, when going over rough roads and braking, the car feels like its not braking at all. Or like the brakes are slipping?. Is there a recall for this on the 2003 Avalon? There have been no incidents to date, but I am very concerned.”
NHTSA complaint #10416796, filed 2011-08, 149,866 miles“There have been repeated disc brake mechanism (corrosion) failures where brake drags and wears or have locked up and dragged enough to effect steering. Has been serviced by both local Toyota dealer and independent service shop. Note: lot better results and and less expensive service from local shop. Similar concerns have been widely reported on internet, e.g., car value / problem websites and reports.”
NHTSA complaint #10577096, filed 2014-04, 65,000 miles“Consumer stated after applying force to break pedal to make a stop vehicle went into extended stopping. Ts on other occasions, the right front wheel locked up after applying force to break pedal. Dealership found brake lines were improperly installed. Manufacturer notified.”
NHTSA complaint #8023943, filed 2002-12, 3,398 miles“This pertains to a new 2003 Toyota Avalon lxs braking system. At random times the brakes appear to be automatically applied. They become extremely hot and cause the vehicle to shimmy and severel vibrate. After the first incident it was taken to the dealer, who machined the front rotors and sanded the pad, the second incident occurred in june 03. The dealer rotated the tires. The third incident occurred the end of june 03. A regional service tech was called by the dealer and while he was in the vehicle the condition occurred again. They replaced th master cyclinder & hyd fluid. …”
NHTSA complaint #10030665, filed 2003-08, 2,650 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10214323Mar 17, 2022TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions
- 10210375Mar 9, 2022TSB: This Service Bulletin includes procedures to replace damaged or loose front carpet floor retainer(s) without replacing the carpet assembly. Follow the Repair Procedure in…
- 10190453Mar 12, 2021TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10187241Dec 14, 2020TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10186195Dec 14, 2020TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10131928Feb 5, 2014A key part to maintain the proper function and safe operation of the vehicle's braking system is to perform a visual inspection when installing brake pads, calipers, and discs…
- 10131984Sep 9, 2013A new Special Service Tool (SST 09709-00002) has been introduced to aid in the inspection procedure for certain vehicles equipped with a floor pedal-type parking brake system…
- 10061620Sep 9, 2013Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10016186May 25, 2005Diagnostics - anti-lock brake system with electronic brake force distribution (ebd). Repair manual correction. 2004 toyota celica - 00400-rm106-6u1. 00400-rm107-7u1…
- 10015861Mar 14, 2005'04 avalon abs with ebd & ba & trac & vsc system repair manual correction. 00400-rm106-1u1. *tt '03 avalon. 00400-rm953-u1. *tt '02 avalon. 00400-rm872-u1. *tt '00 avalon…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 13% |
| 2021 | 2 | 10% |
| 2020 | 1 | 10% |
| 2019 | 6 | 8% |
| 2018 | 2 | 8% |
| 2017 | 1 | 7% |
| 2016 | 2 | 9% |
| 2015 | 11 | 26% |
| 2014 | 7 | 7% |
| 2013 | 12 | 9% |
| 2012 | 3 | 10% |
| 2011 | 8 | 8% |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% |
| 2009 | 10 | 11% |
| 2008 | 7 | 2% |
| 2007 | 25 | 10% |
| 2006 | 28 | 8% |
| 2005 | 25 | 11% |
| 2004 | 7 | 3% |
| 2003 | 15 | 5% |
| 2002 | 15 | 13% |
| 2001 | 14 | 10% |
| 2000 | 22 | 13% |
| 1999 | 6 | 7% |
| 1998 | 13 | 7% |
| 1997 | 11 | 9% |
| 1996 | 12 | 11% |
| 1995 | 11 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2003 Toyota Avalon
184 complaintsVehicle speed control
51 complaintsSteering
19 complaintsElectrical system
18 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