2003 Toyota Avalon Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 51about this part
- Share
- 17%of 293 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,180miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 51 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2003 Toyota Avalon, 17% of the 293 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,180 miles. 37 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.
“Pulling into driveway of my single family, car, 2003 Avalon, lurched forward, jumped curb at end of driveway, and hit neighbor's fence. I cannot explain why this occurred. From habit, I pull into driveway at a slow speed, apply brakes and put car into park. However, for whatever the cause or reason, car did not come to a stop.”
NHTSA complaint #10316242, filed 2010-03, 52,500 miles“As I was backing out from a space in a parking lot, my car suddenly accelerated and I had a hard time getting it to stop with the brake pedal. The wheels were turned in a sharp left position. The engine sounded like it was at a high rev. The right side of my car crashed into two cars on the opposite side of the parking lot aisle before coming to a halt. The whole event lasted just a few seconds. Fortunately, no one was injured.”
NHTSA complaint #10488626, filed 2012-12, 99,070 miles“On august 30, 2006 my 2003 Toyota Avalon accelerated and I was unable to stop the car. My vehicle subsequently crashed into my neighbor's house. My daughter and I were in the car and received minor injuries but there was major damage to the home and the car which was a total loss.”
NHTSA complaint #10302571, filed 2010-01, 58,180 miles“In 2006 my wife experienced unintended acceleration in our 2003 Toyota Avalon. This happened in a parking garage, as she was slowly easing into a parking space, the car suddenly speeded up and crashed into the wall of the parking garage, causing extensive damage to the front of the car. She claimed she did not have her foot on the accelerator, but on the brake. After having the car repaired by a collision business, the Toyota dealer said there was nothing wrong with the accelerator. …”
NHTSA complaint #10305611, filed 2010-02, 49,000 miles“I own a 2003 Toyota Avalon . In aug 2008 I was driving and involved in a rearending accident where I had my foot on brake and felt as if my car continued to accelerate . I had brakes totally check and damage to my car repaired but am wondering whether my can suffered an acceleration issue as other Toyota cars have. The brakes were inspected and found to be fine I had over 1,000 damage done to my car and unknown amount to car I hit . The woman in car I hit took ambulance in to hospital with neck pain.”
NHTSA complaint #10316228, filed 2010-03, 82,000 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…
- 10045140Jun 13, 2012Toyota: accelerator pedal sensor assembly information regarding the inspection, removal, and installation, if lubrication or oil, is applied.
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 | 14% |
| 2020 | 1 | 10% |
| 2019 | 4 | 6% |
| 2018 | 2 | 8% |
| 2017 | 3 | 21% |
| 2016 | 2 | 9% |
| 2015 | 5 | 12% |
| 2014 | 5 | 5% |
| 2013 | 22 | 16% |
| 2012 | 4 | 13% |
| 2011 | 11 | 10% |
| 2010 | 13 | 28% |
| 2009 | 18 | 20% |
| 2008 | 45 | 13% |
| 2007 | 85 | 35% |
| 2006 | 103 | 29% |
| 2005 | 72 | 32% |
| 2004 | 25 | 12% |
| 2003 | 51 | 17% |
| 2002 | 25 | 22% |
| 2001 | 24 | 18% |
| 2000 | 20 | 12% |
| 1999 | 20 | 22% |
| 1998 | 16 | 9% |
| 1997 | 8 | 6% |
| 1996 | 10 | 9% |
| 1995 | 5 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2003 Toyota Avalon
184 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