158 complaints reported

2003 Toyota Avalon Air Bags

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
158
Crashes
7
Fires
0
Injuries
3

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Mar 2016

STILL WAITING, OVER 1 YEAR LATER, FOR RESOLUTION OF NHTSA RECALL 15V043. THIS RECALL IS DATED 27 JAN 2015. TODAY IS 03 FEB 2016. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE DELAY FOR A SAFETY RECALL. IS THERE NO ENFORCEMENT ACTION THAT COULD BE UTILIZED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE?

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 TOYOTA AVALON, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Mar 2016
Mar 2016

TAKATA RECALL ... IT'S BEEN A YEAR SINCE WE RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE. EACH TIME WE CONTACT OUR DEALERSHIP WE'RE TOLD THE FIX IS NOT READY YET. IT'S DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE TOYOTA IS TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY IF THEY CAN FIRST SAY OUR LIVES ARE AT RISK AND THEN DIDDLE AROUND FOR A FULL YEAR WITHOUT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT BEYOND SENDING OUT A LETTER. DO THEY GET FEDERAL CREDIT FOR RESPONDING TO A RECALL SITUATION WHEN ALL THEY'VE DONE IS POST A LETTER TO US????

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 TOYOTA AVALON, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Mar 2015
Feb 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 TOYOTA AVALON, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Mar 2015
Feb 2016

REC'D BOTH NOTIFICATIONS LAST YEAR, BUT THIS EXCEEDS REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME WAITING FOR A FIX. ONE DAY LAST SPRING (2015) I HAD JUST STARTED THE CAR WHILE IN MY DRIVEWAY. THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LITE STAYED ON LONGER THAN USUAL. ALSO, MY SEAT BELT TIGHTENED UP ON ME BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN. I ALSO SMELLED HOT WIRES ANOTHER TIME. I CALLED TOYOTA SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS TOLD THE PART IS UNAVAILABLE, THOUGH I EXPLAINED MY ISSUES. I REQUESTED THE AIRBAG BE DISCONNECTED WHICH THEY REFUSED TO DO. I CALLED TOYOTA AGAIN ON 2/22/16. THEY SAID THE PART IS IN, BUT THE MANAGER OF THE DEALERSHIP (TOYOTA) STATES THEY WON'T REPLACE IT IN MY VEHICLE UNLESS THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. DOES THAT MEAN I WILL HAVE FAIR WARNING? DOES THAT MEAN I WILL HAVE TO DRIVE A DANGEROUS VEHICLE ABOUT 50+ MILES TO THE NEAREST DEALER TO HAVE IT FIXED AT THAT TIME? THIS IS NUTS! I AM ANGRY! I WILL BE CALLING THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION NEXT, WHICH TRAFFIC SAFETY REFERRED ME TO. I STILL OWE $4,400 ON MY CAR AND WILL BE UNABLE TO TRADE IT IN WITHOUT THE RECALL BEING COMPLETED.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 TOYOTA AVALON, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jun 2015
Feb 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 TOYOTA AVALON, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2015
Feb 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART OR REMEDY FOR THE RECALL WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 TOYOTA AVALON, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2015
Feb 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 04/20/16*LJ CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER TOLD HER PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE UPDATED 05/30/18*JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 TOYOTA AVALON, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Apr 2015
Feb 2016

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 TOYOTA AVALON, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2015
Jan 2016

RECALL NOTIFICATION ISSUED OVER 1 YEAR AGO, NO REMEDY AVAILABLE CURRENTLY. LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER OFFERS NO DIRECTION. THIS IS NOT BEING HANDLED APPROPRIATELY CONSIDERING THE POTENTIAL DEADLY CONSEQUENCES.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 TOYOTA AVALON, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2015
Jan 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 TOYOTA AVALON, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: May 2015
Jan 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/18/16*LJ

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 TOYOTA AVALON, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2015
Jan 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 TOYOTA AVALON, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Feb 2015
Jan 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 TOYOTA AVALON, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2016
Jan 2016

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 TOYOTA AVALON, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2016
Jan 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 TOYOTA AVALON, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2015
Jan 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT BEGAN TO FLICKER OFF AND ON. AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 TOYOTA AVALON, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2016
Jan 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 TOYOTA AVALON, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: May 2015
Dec 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE....UPDATED 01/25/16 *BF UPDATED 01/28/16.*JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 TOYOTA AVALON, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: May 2015
Dec 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 TOYOTA AVALON, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Dec 2015
Dec 2015

LETTER FROM SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE THE SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM ON HIS 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED TOYOTA ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM. THE RECALL LETTER STATED IF THE REPAIR WAS RELATED TO THE CONDITION, IT WOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR REIMBURSEMENT. TOYOTA DENIED THE CONSUMER'S REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT, BECAUSE THEY CLAIMED THE SPIRAL CABLE WAS NOT PART OF THE PROBLEM. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 TOYOTA AVALON, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2015
Dec 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 AVALON TOYOTA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 4/29/15*CN

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 TOYOTA AVALON, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: May 2015
Dec 2015

AIRBAG LIGHTS BLINK. BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO TWO TOYOTA DEALERS AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS ITEM HOWEVER THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. CAR WAS IN SHOP FOR OVER A WEEK TILL I FINALLY GOT TIRED OF THE STALLING TACTIC. IT APPEARS THAT TOYOTA IS NOT COMPLYING WITH THEIR AGREEMENT TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IN A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY DO HAVE THE PARTS BUT HAVE NO AVAILABLE APPOINTMENTS FOR QUITE SOME TIME. AM GETTING VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION IS NOT BEING HANDLED PROPERLY AND RESPONSIBLY. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 TOYOTA AVALON, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jul 2015
Nov 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/07/16*LJ ;UPDATED 4/27/18*JB *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 TOYOTA AVALON, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2015
Nov 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/27/16*LJ *CN

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 TOYOTA AVALON, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2015
Nov 2015

2003 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM/ ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON APRIL 3, 2015. SINCE THEN, THERE HAS BEEN NO FURTHER INFORMATION FROM TOYOTA. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2003 TOYOTA AVALON, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Mar 2015

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2003 Toyota Avalon has 158 Air Bags complaints on file. 7 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.