NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Toyota Avalon. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V147000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REMEDY THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
2003 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT MAY EXIST WITHOUT ILLUMINATION OF THE SRS WARNING LIGHT. *SMD A TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED THE CONSUMER, IT WOULD BE MONTHS BEFORE A REMEDY WOULD BE AVAILABLE. *JB
RECALL CASE #[XXX] I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON MY TOYOTA AVALON 2003 IN JUNE OF 2014 . YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER HAS FAILED OVER AND OVER TO TAKE CARE OF THIS MATTER! I HAVE SPOKEN WITH [XXX], AND NONE OF THEM SEEMED TO UNDERSTAND THAT I NEEDED TO SPEAK WITH A SUPERVISOR NONE EVEN WOULD GET A SUPERVISOR ON THE PHONE. THE DEALERSHIP NEAR ME TOYOTA OF COOL SPRINGS AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE SUPERVISOR THERE NAMED [XXX] TOLD ME EVEN AFTER 4 MONTHS THEY STILL WERE UNABLE TO SCHEDULE ANY SERVICE BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS IN FOR THIS RECALL. I RECEIVED A NOTICE IN OCTOBER STATING THAT THE REMEDY WAS FOUND AND PARTS WERE DELIVERED TO ALL DEALERSHIPS.THE REMEDY RECALL NOTICE ALSO STATED THAT THE SERVICE SHOULD BE DONE IMMEDIATELY. THEY TOLD ME AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE SOONEST THEY CAN SCHEDULE ANYTHING IS SIX WEEKS FROM NOW IN DECEMBER. THAT IS NOT OK AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED FOR A SAFETY RECALL THAT STATES IT SHOULD BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
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 NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WHERE MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE CAME OFF OF A LEDGE IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE AT WHICH POINT I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO BARRIER IN PLACE ON THAT SIDE. I CHOSE TO DIRECT MY VEHICLE TOWARD THE MUD PIT ON THE RIGHT OF THE ROAD. I CORRECTED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO OFF OF THE ROAD AND NOSE DIVE THROUGH THE FIRST MUD/DIRT EMBANKMENT. I EXPECTED THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY ON BOTH SIDE AND FRONT TAKING THE SPEED AND FORCE OF THE COLLISION WITH THE FIRST EMBANKMENT AND THE YAW OF THE VEHICLE IN THE AIR. I WAS ATTEMPTING TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE STILL AT THIS TIME AT WHICH POINT I HAD NOW LANDED REAR BUMPER FIRST AND A BIT SIDEWAYS ON A 2ND EMBANKMENT. THIS THEN LAUNCHES THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AIRBORNE FINALLY COMING TO REST IN A MUD AND GRAVEL DRIVE WAY OF AN INDIVIDUAL WHO LIVES OFF OF THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE LOST ALL OF IT'S TRANSMISSION FLUID ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THROUGH SOME OPENING IN THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE AND THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT DAMAGED BUT AFTER FURTHER RESEARCHED I HAD DETERMINED THAT THE IMPACT SENSORS ARE ACTUALLY LOCATED IN THE FRONT BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE. 2 WERE INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT WHICH WERE MYSELF, THE DRIVER, AND MY DRIVER'S SIDE REAR PASSENGER WHO WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT BUT NOT PROPERLY. SHE HAD THE LAP PORTION OF THE BELT ON BUT THE SHOULDER PORTION BEHIND HER. SHE IS A 20 YEAR OLD ADULT FEMALE.I AM A 19 YEAR OLD MALE AND HAD MINE ON PROPERLY. SHE HIT HER HEAD TWICE ON MY HEADREST. I WAS THROWN INTO THE SIDE OF MY DOOR AND THEN THE STEERING WHEEL, THEN BACK AGAINST THE DOOR RESULTING IN BRUISED RIBS. IF THE VEHICLE'S AIRBAG SYSTEM WERE TO HAVE DEPLOYED PROPERLY THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A BARRIER BETWEEN ME AND THE DOOR WHICH CAUSED MY BRUISED RIBS ON MY LEFT SIDE. THERE IS A KNOWN AIRBAG RECALL ON MY VEHICLE FOR WHICH TOYOTA WHICH I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF A SOLUTION FOR AT THIS TIME. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V147000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
I JUST RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON MY 2003 TOYOTA AVALON WHICH SEEMS TO BE SAYING THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT JUST BE CAREFUL IN YOUR USE OF THE VEHICLE UNTIL WE GET AROUND TO CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. THIS IS THE MOST RIDICULOUS THING I HAVE EVER HEARD. IS THIS A CUSTOMER RISK PROBLEM OR NOT? IN OTHER WORDS, IT I DO NOT WANT TO TAKE THE RISK OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYING WHILE DRIVING, I WOULD HAVE TO PARK THE CAR UNTIL TOYOTA DECIDES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I WANT THIS PROBLEM FIXED RIGHT AWAY, EVEN IF IT MEANS ME PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS AND SEEK REIMBURSEMENT. HOW SHOULD I PROCEED? *TR
ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) ISSUE: PROBLEM W/ INTERMITTENT WARNING LIGHTS FOR AIR BAG SOME TIME AGO (RESEARCHING DATE)- TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. NO MORE LIGHT, BUT VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING/LOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING- RARELY, BUT BECAME MORE FREQUENT OVER TIME. INSTRUMENT PANEL/CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS WILL ILLUMINATE- NOW EVERY MINUTE OR SO WHILE DRIVING. OTHER PEOPLE HAVE SAME PROBLEM- NHTSA ID 10605681. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER LATE MAY. DEALER ON PHONE W/ TOYOTA MULTIPLE TIMES + HAD TECH FROM ANOTHER DEALER COME AND LOOK AT VEHICLE - COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. DEALER NOW SAYS THE ECM FAULTY. NOT REPAIRED, BUT DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE 8HRS OF DIAGNOSTIC TIME AND NOT REPAIRED - CAN DEALER CHARGE IF RECALL ITEM? MY CONCERN IS THAT PROBLEM IS MORE THAN AIR BAGS- FAULTY ECM RESULTS IN LOSS OF POWER/CONTROL WHEN ENGINE SHUTS DOWN, STALLS OR EXPERIENCES INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER- VEHICLE NO LONGER SAFE TO OPERATE. I CANNOT DRIVE IT; I CANNOT SELL IT. CALLED TOYOTA, ASKED FOR PART # OF RECALLED SRS/ECM- WAS TOLD ONLY LOCAL DEALER HAS PART NUMBERS. THEY TOOK INFORMATION AND TRANSFERRED ME TO "TOYOTA CORPORATE"- OPERATOR ID'D AS TOYOTA CORPORATE ASKED QUESTIONS, INDICATED THEY HAD DOCUMENTED MY FILE. WHEN I ASKED OPERATOR TO CONFIRM ITEMS OPERATOR HAD CHOSEN TO DOCUMENT, OPERATOR REFUSED TO RESPOND TO MY REQUESTS FOR CONFIRMATION- I ASKED FOR SUPERVISOR- WAS TOLD "NO SUPERVISOR" THERE. OPERATOR THREW ME ON HOLD (ON HOLD FOR OVER 30 MINUTES W/ CORPORATE THEN TRANSFERRED ME TO NHTSA W/OUT OPERATOR EVER COMING BACK ON THE LINE PRIOR TO TRANSFER (NHTSA CONF # AVAILABLE). "CORPORATE" INDICATED THAT TOYOTA HAS NO CONTROL OVER DEALERS- THEY CAN CHARGE WHATEVER THEY WANT TO DIAGNOSE EVEN IF RELATED TO RECALL NOTICE. LOSS OF USE OVER 1 MONTH. DEALER SAID NO NEW ECM REPLACEMENT PART AVAILABLE. PRETTY SURE RECALL REMEDY INADEQUATE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) AND 14V147000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE 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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V147000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED AN AIR BAG RECALL. HOWEVER, SHE WAS INFORMED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE . UPDATED 01/21/15. *JB
T* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V147000 (AIR BAG). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE AND DID NOT KNOW WHEN IT COULD BE EXPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V147000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V147000 (AIR BAG) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
2003 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, SHE WOULD RECEIVE A SECOND NOTICE. HOWEVER, SHE HAS NOT RECEIVED IT YET. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V147000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL BACK WITHIN TWO MONTHS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA TEMPORARY COMPLAINT NUMBER JEN15-49029. THIS CONCERNS THE TOYOTA RECALL FOR FAULTY AIR BAG CONTROLLERS, NHTSA RECALL #14V147000. WHY HAS NHTSA WAITED SO LONG BEFORE ENFORCING THE RECALL? YOUR SITE HAS ABOUT 122 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE MONTHS-LONG DELAY TO REPLACE AIR BAG CONTROLLERS. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO BE KILLED BEFORE OUR GOVERNMENT TAKES NOTICE? WHILE TOYOTA APPEARS TO TAKE THIS RECALL VERY LIGHTLY, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE NEWS IS FULL OF OTHER TOYOTA RECALLS, THE MAIN ENFORCEMENT GROUP HERE IN THE US IS YOUR DEPARTMENT. STOP MEETING, STOP WAITING AND START BEING RESPONSIVE TO DANGERS FOR THE AMERICAN TRAVELING PUBLIC. I HOPE BY THE TIME THIS RECALL AND EFFECTIVE REPAIR ACTUALLY OCCUR, I OR SOMEONE ELSE ISN'T KILLED OR MAIMED ON OUR ROADWAYS DUE TO KNOWN FAULTY AIR BAG CONTROLLERS.
THE SUBJECT OF THIS COMPLAINT IS MY 2003 TOYOTA AVALON LX WHICH HAD A TOTAL MILEAGE OF APPROXIMATELY 17,100 MILES. THIS VEHICLE WAS LAST SERVICED AT 9,000 MILES PLUS. ON APRIL 29, 2014 THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE BACK PARKING LOT OF A SMALL MINI MALL AT 3601 E. FOOTHILL BLVD.,PASADENA, CALIFORNIA. AFTER WE FINISHED SHOPPING AT THE MINI MALL, WE RETURNED TO THE OUR VEHICLE AND STRAPPED OURSELVES IN THE CAR WITH OUR SEATBELTS. WHEN I TURNED ON THE IGNITION OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE I HAD MY LEFT FOOT ON THE PARKING BRAKE AND MY RIGHT FOOT ON THE DRIVING BRAKE. AFTER THE VEHICLE STARTED, I RELEASED MY LEFT FOOT FROM THE PARKING BRAKE AND SHIFTED THE GEAR TO THE DRIVE POSITION WHEN MY CAR UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED FORWARD. I TRIED TO SLOW OR STOP MY CAR BY PRESSING ON DRIVING BRAKE BUT TO NO AVAIL. I ESTIMATE MY CAR TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET BEFORE THE LEFT FRONT OF MY CAR HIT THE RIGHT REAR OF A HONDA FIT AND CONCRETE PLANTER. THE COLLISION WITH THE HONDA FIT PUSHED IT INTO A HONDA CRV THAT WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE HONDA FIT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO ANYONE HOWEVER. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PART NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/06/16*LJ THE CONUSMER STATED THE PART HAD TO BE ORDEDE AND IS NOW AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/14/16.*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V147000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE RECALL PART 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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR 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 CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V147000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO DO THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE HIS VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V147000 (AIRBAGS) BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT THE DEALERS WERE RECEIVING ONE PART EVERY TWO WEEKS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V147000 (AIR BAGS) HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR AND THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS ONLY DISTRIBUTING ONE REPAIR KIT PER WEEK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH,THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER'S SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,465.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING ISSUES FROM THE OPEN RECALL ON THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/13/16*LJ UPDATED 04/19/16. *JB
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 NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V147000 (AIR BAGS). AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 4/15/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER A YEAR THE RECALL REPAIR PARTS WERE STILL UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/5/2015*JS
NO INCIDENT...YET. I HAVE BEEN ON A WAITING LIST SINCE MARCH 2014 TO TAKE CARE OF THE RECALL ISSUES FOR THE SRS & ECU. THE TOYOTA CORPORATION IS NOT SENDING THE REQUISITE NUMBER OF PARTS OUT FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO MAKE THESE REPAIRS. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING TO ME. THE LATEST LETTER FROM THE CORPORATION SAYS IT IS URGENT I MAKE THESE REPAIRS! WHAT THE... SEND THE [XXX] PARTS OUT. I WOULD APPRECIATE SOMEONE LOOKING INTO THIS FOR US. THANK YOU. *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TOYOTA HAS NOT YET MADE SRS ECU SAFETY RECALL PARTS AVAILABLE FOR MY 2003 AVALON. PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE IN A REASONABLE TIME.
WE OWN A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. WE RECEIVED THE SAFETY RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) FOR THIS VEHICLE IN MARCH OF 2014. THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT IN THE DASH HAS BEEN ON, MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO OPERATE. SINCE THIS INVOLVES THE VERY SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF MY FAMILY, WE CALLED THE LOCAL WEST COVINA DEALER, AT LEAST FOUR (4) TIMES AND MADE AT LEAST ONE (1) DRIVE-IN VISIT, TO GET THIS MATTER RESOLVED. EACH TIME WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS NO ' SRS ECU ' REPLACEMENT PART AVAILABLE. ON OUR LAST ATTEMPT TO REACH OUT TO THEM, WE LEFT A MESSAGE FOR THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE WEST COVINA TOYOTA LOCATION AND WAS NOT EVEN GIVEN THE COURTESY OF A RETURN PHONE CALL. WE ARE THOROUGHLY DISAPPOINTED AND FRUSTRATED! SINCE THIS PLACES OUR FAMILY AT GREAT RISK OF HARM AND ENDANGERS THEIR WELL-BEING, OUT OF DESPERATION, WE ARE REACHING OUT TO YOU. IT HAS NOW BEEN OVER TWO (2) YEARS SINCE RECEIPT OF THE INITIAL SAFETY RECALL NOTICE. SURELY, THIS IS SUFFICIENT TIME TO BE ABLE TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM! PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT VIA EMAIL AT EITHER [XXX] TO DISCUSS THIS MATTER. OR, YOU MAY REACH OUT TO US BY PHONE AT [XXX](H) OR [XXX] (C). IT IS MY HOPE THAT YOUR ASSISTANCE WILL PROVIDE THE IMPETUS NEEDED TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER. SINCERELY YOURS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V147000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED 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 FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE SIDESWIPED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A SECOND VEHICLE. THE TWO FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE CONTACT SUSTAINED ANY INJURIES OR IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO DEPLOY WITH SUCH MINIMAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
2003 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIR BAG MALFUNCTION DURING VEHICLE ACCIDENT. *SMD ON NOVEMBER 16, 2013 WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH IN THE 4TH LANE, ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE CONSUMER'S LANE 100 YARDS AWAY FROM HIM, SUDDENLY STOPPED. TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT, SO THE CONSUMER SWITCHED TO THE 3RD LANE LEFT OF HIM. WHEN HE GOT WITHIN SIX CAR LENGTHS OF THE STOPPED VEHICLE IN THE RIGHT LANE, HE WAS SUDDENLY SIDE SWIPED BY AN AUTOMOBILE WANTING TO MOVE INTO HIS LANE. THE CONTACT TO HIS VEHICLE CAUSED THE FRONTAL AIR BAG TO DEPLOY IN AN ALARMING AND STRANGE WAY. THE DRIVER AIR BAG BARELY MADE ITSELF OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN, THEN SLOWLY CONTINUED TO INFLATE AND BLOCKED HIS VISION. IN A PANIC MODE TO GET THE PARTIALLY FILLED AIR BAG OUT OF HIS FACE, THE CONSUMER APPARENTLY TURNED THE STEERING LIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT, WHICH CAUSED THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL TO HIT AND THEN SKIDDED OFF THE BACK DRIVER SIDE WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE THAT ORIGINALLY STOPPED 100 YARDS IN FRONT OF HIM. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE NEVER DEPLOYED; ESPECIALLY IN THE MANNER IN WHICH THEY DID. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS RECEIVED FIVE LETTERS REGARDING THE AIR BAG. HE WAS INFORMED BY TOYOTA, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM HEADQUARTERS. UPDATED 08/04/16.*JB UPDATED 02/16/17.*JB
I WAS A MILE FROM HOME WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY AIR BAG LIGHT HAD JUST COME ON. NEXT THING I KNOW I HEAR A SOUND LIKE A GUN SHOT AND THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DEPLOYED - WHILE I WAS DRIVING. (IT WAS NOT CAUSED BY AN IMPACT AND I HAD NOT HIT A POTHOLE.) THE AIRBAG DID NOT HIT MY FACE SO THERE WAS NO INJURY, AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER INTO A TURN LANE TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 227,000.
2003 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. SHE FRANTICALLY TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, EVEN SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONSUMER FINALLY CRASHED INTO THREE CARS THAT WERE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V147000 (AIR BAGS) BUT THE DEALER DETERMINED ANOTHER FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A GARAGE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.....UPDATED 07-10-13 *BF.
THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WENT OUT ON MY 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. I WAS DENIED MY CLAIM FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE $ 760.00 CHARGE AS IT WAS A DEFECTIVE PART. *JS
I WAS DRIVING INTO A PARKING SPACE ON THE SIDE OF A CONDO AND NEEDED TO PULL UP APPROXIMATELY 2 YARDS. I GENTLY PRESSED THE GAS PEDDLE AND THE CAR SHOT FORWARD, WENT OVER THE CURB, TRAVERSED SEVERAL FEET OF GRASS AND SLAMMED INTO THE CONDO PATIO BRICK WALL. I WAS STUNNED. HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS NOT HURT BUT THE WALL WAS DAMAGED IN THE AMOUNT OF $2500 FOR REPAIRS. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND, AGAIN, THE CAR SHOT BACKWARDS, EXTREMELY FAST. MY BRAKES WORKED SO I JUST MISSED SLAMMING INTO THE CARS BEHIND ME IN THE PARKING LOT. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND SAT THERE. THEN STARTED IT AGAIN AND IT BEHAVED NORMALLY. NEEDLESS TO SAY, NOW I AM FRIGHTENED OF MY CAR AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED 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 FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
LETTER FROM SENATOR TED CRUZ RE: CONSTITUENT AND TOYOTA REFUSING TO PAY FOR A RECALL REPAIR DONE ON HIS 2003 TOYOTA AVALON (MAILED TO AUSTIN, TX OFFICE ATTN: SUSANNA SOVRAN). *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN TWICE, AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER AND SWITCH HOUSING ASSEMBLY, AT A COST OF $430.00. TWO MONTHS LATER, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING AN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING COLUMN UPPER BRACKET. THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER, IN REGARDS TO THE RECALL, AND ASK IF THE RECALL WAS FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND THE DEALER STATED NO. WHEN THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO SEE THE PART THAT WAS REPLACED, HE NOTICED IT WAS THE SAME PART, THAT WAS REPLACED IN HIS VEHICLE TWO MONTHS PRIOR. THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT, IN WHICH THE LETTER STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT MEET THE CRITERIA, FOR REIMBURSEMENT UNDER THE SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN GOODWILL.
75 N TRAVELING 65 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD SNAP UNDER CAR. CAR TRIED TO VEER TO LEFT SEVERAL TIMES PULLED BACK THOUGHT IT WAS UNDER CONTROL WHEN SPEED INCREASED CAR DARTED RIGHT HEAD ON INTO RETAINING WALL BOUNCED OFF DID 2 1/2 360 DEGREE SPINS HIT WALL AGAIN BROADSIDE AND FINALLY CAME TO STAND STILL. WHEN SPEED INCREASED AND CAR SHOT TO RIGHT ALL CONTROL WAS LOST. *TR
THE STEERING STARTED TO BIND WHEN IT STARTED GETTING COLD. IT GOT TO THE POINT WHERE IT FELT LIKE NO POWER STEERING EXISTED INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE MAKING TURNS IT WOULD ALSO BIND, MAKING IT HARD TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEEL BACK AS I AM COMING OUT OF THE TURN, WHICH WAS THE MOST DANGEROUS SITUATION. INITIAL REPAIR SHOP SUGGESTED CHANGING THE SERPENTINE BELTS. THAT DID NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE. NEXT I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED UPPER STEERING SHAFT. THIS SEEMED TO IMPROVE BUT NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE. I JUST WENT BACK, AND NOW THEY REPLACED THE STEERING RACK AND LOWER SHAFT. NOW IT APPEARS CORRECTED. WHILE LOOKING ON THE WEB, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE, SO I FEEL THIS SHOULD QUALIFY AS A SAFETY RECALL. *TR
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. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL SENSORS FAILED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURES OCCURRED WITHIN 1,000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT THE PART WAS MOST LIKELY DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE SENSOR WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE HAD LOW MILEAGE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 34,955. UPDATED 1/23/13 THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE OF THE SENSORS ALSO AFFECT EMISSION (FUEL AIR RATIO). UPDATED 02/12/2013 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, HE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT QUICKLY REGAINED CONTROL AS HE MOVED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION ARM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY WHEN THE SEATBELT BEGAN TIGHTENING DOWN ON HER TO THE POINT SHE FELT SHE COULDN'T MAINTAIN HER POSTURE TO DRIVE SAFELY AND BREATH. SHE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND RELEASED THE SEATBELT. SHE WAS UNABLE TO REFASTEN THE SEATBELT/SHOULDER STRAP. SHE DROVE HOME WITHOUT A SEATBELT. THIS WAS IN ADDITION TO OCCASIONAL FLASHING OF AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WHICH HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR SINCE REPLACEMENT OF SEATBELT MECHANISM. *TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026