2004 Toyota Avalon Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 127about this part
- Share
- 62%of 205 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 81,482miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 127 complaints about the air bags of the 2004 Toyota Avalon, 62% of the 205 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 81,482 miles. 8 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.
“Received a recall notice mid-october saying I should contact a Toyota dealer to schedule an appointment to have the remedy pergfomed as soon as possible. I have contacted 2 dealers, both of whom have said they don't have the necessary parts and will contact me when they can do the repair. The last call was the incident date there was no indication when the parts would be available.”
NHTSA complaint #10651255, filed 2014-10, 70,000 miles“As a school bus approached, I moved over slightly to the right to give it more room. Unexpectedly, the car accelerated and I hit a tree on the right side of the road. It did not occur to me at the time of the accident that the 2004 Avalon xls had sped up. That had occurred twice before while driving. I suffered a slight chip in my left ankle bone.”
NHTSA complaint #10310754, filed 2010-02, 50,000 miles“I received a recall notification in march, 2014 from Toyota that my air bags may deploy at any time. I have made monthly calls to the local dealer and Toyota about when it can be repaired. Six months later, they still do not have an answer. Just how long is it before there is a solution and it is available? Is my car suppose to sit in the drive way or do I just feel lucky and drive the car, which involves interstate driving at times?”
NHTSA complaint #10630717, filed 2014-09, 64,000 miles“Airbag light came on and spent 2000 dollars at don mcgill Toyota to have drivers side airbag replaced. About a 1000 miles ( 3 months) later, the light is back on with the same code. Dealer so far is unable to find the problem. This is a reoccurring problem. I am concerned about inadvertent airbag deployment as well as losing the use of my car while the dealer tries to figure out the problem. I think they are just throwing expensive parts at it hoping something works,”
NHTSA complaint #10881415, filed 2016-06, 138,000 miles“Air bag dashboard light occasionally flickers and begins to glow for a few seconds. Seems to occur more frequently in wet weather. My steering wheel will lock when I turn left or right while driving. Reversed backwards a little bit and wiggled the steering wheel, it wouldn't budge then I went forward and wiggled and it finally loosened. This has happened 4 times and usually in wet weather. My car is listed in the air bag recall of 2015; however, I have not been notified of what to do next and it has now been more than 3 years since first notification.”
NHTSA complaint #11187211, filed 2019-03, 284,000 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…
- 10132149Oct 21, 2013Toyota will be sending Safety Recall Follow-Up Notices to remind owners whose vehicles have not yet had campaign repairs completed. Please note the following information for…
- 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 2004 Toyota Avalon
28 complaintsVehicle speed control
25 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 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