Model year
2003 Toyota Avalon
NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 293 complaints for the 2003 Toyota Avalon (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are AIR BAGS (181), VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (45), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (18). NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 22 mpg combined (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,050, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 173 complaints
- 2001 134 complaints
- 2002 116 complaints
- 2003 293 complaints
- 2004 205 complaints
- 2005 228 complaints
- 2006 360 complaints
- 2007 243 complaints
- 2008 349 complaints
- 2009 91 complaints
- 2010 46 complaints
- 2011 106 complaints
- 2012 30 complaints
- 2013 137 complaints
- 2014 96 complaints
- 2015 41 complaints
- 2016 23 complaints
- 2017 14 complaints
- 2018 24 complaints
- 2019 71 complaints
- 2020 10 complaints
- 2021 21 complaints
- 2022 8 complaints
Recalls
15V043000 · Jan 28, 2015
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured December 28, 2001, to May 2, 2004, 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2002, to April 29, 2004, 2003-2004 Avalon…
10V345000 · Jul 29, 2010
STEERING
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2000-2004 AVALON VEHICLES. DUE TO IMPROPER CASTING OF THE STEERING LOCK BAR, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A MINUTE CRACK MAY DEVELOP ON THE SURFACE OF THE LOCK BAR. SUCH A CRACK MAY EXPAND OVER A LONG PERIOD OF REPEATED LOCK AND UNLOCK…
Complaints
293 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 49, fire flag on 2, injury field 28, deaths field 1. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avalon · 3L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 27 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2003 Toyota Avalon at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.