2003 Toyota Avalon Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 2%of 293 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Toyota Avalon, 2% of the 293 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,500 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Our 2003 Toyota Avalon has experienced several occurrences of sudden acceleration. My wife took the car to our Toyota dealer and both times they said that it was due to the floormat sticking under the gas pedal. The mat was removed and it still has the problem. While I was driving it down the highway, I let off the gas to slow down and it started to speed up. I put the car into neutral and the engine started to rev up and down from 1000 RPM to 2500 RPM. This continued for a couple of minutes until I was forced to pull over to the side of the road and turn the engine off and restart it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10314149, filed 2010-02, 85,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the engine exhibited sludge. The contact had the dealer inspect the vehicle who confirmed the sludge buildup in the engine but the dealer did not give a reason for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 95,000 and the current mileage was 100,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10421613, filed 2011-08, 95,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Avalon. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the contact noticed a squealing coming from the engine. The contact stated that the noise was coming from the crankshaft pulley. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics or repairs. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 11v539000 (engine and engine cooling) but the recall did not include the 2003 models, only 2004. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. Updated 01/04/12 the consumer also stated the air bag light has been on since 2008. Updated 01/09/12”
NHTSA complaint #10437875, filed 2011-11, 80,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Avalon. While driving approximately 65 MPH on normal road conditions, the vehicle responded slowly when the brake pedal was depressed. The check engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel intermittently. In addition, there was excessive oil consumption. The vehicle was taken to the authorized dealer and they stated that the failure was related to oil sludge build up. The technician recommended that the engine be repaired or replaced. The failure occurred on nine separate occasions. The vehicle has not been repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #10258219, filed 2009-02, 88,000 miles“2003 Toyota Avalon. Consumer states problems with gas pedal and idle running too high the consumer stated the vehicle would idle high at times and then too low, to the point where the vehicle would not stay on. The problem was inconsistent, but recurring. The consumer also stated the accelerator pedal was mounted too high.”
NHTSA complaint #10382312, filed 2011-02Related service bulletins
- 10253223Mar 4, 2024This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life Coolant, effective March 1, 2024. These products are ordered through the…
- 10061567Apr 23, 2013Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10034284Feb 4, 2010Toyota: techstream ecu flash reprogramming procedure. Flash reprogramming allows the ecu software to be updated without replacing the ecu. Flash calibration updates for specific…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 3 | 2% |
| 2011 | 2 | 2% |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% |
| 2007 | 8 | 3% |
| 2006 | 57 | 16% |
| 2005 | 24 | 11% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 5 | 2% |
| 2002 | 7 | 6% |
| 2001 | 14 | 10% |
| 2000 | 18 | 10% |
| 1999 | 6 | 7% |
| 1998 | 9 | 5% |
| 1997 | 8 | 6% |
| 1996 | 19 | 17% |
| 1995 | 6 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2003 Toyota Avalon
184 complaintsVehicle speed control
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 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 27, 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