2003 Toyota Avalon: common problems and reliability
One of the worst Avalon years.
One of the Toyota Avalon years to avoid. All Avalon years
305 owner complaints, most about air bags. 2 recalls.
Should I buy a 2003 Avalon?The 2003 Toyota Avalon has 305 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and vehicle speed control.
Safety record for the 2003 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2003 Toyota Avalon vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Avalon years only. How we score it
Is 2003 a good year for the Avalon?
Across the 27 Avalon model years we track, complaint volume runs from 8 (2022) to 360 (2006). With 305 complaints, the 2003 Avalon sits above the model's median of 120.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2003 Avalon
air bags:frontal
Campaign 15V043000Toyota 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 vehicles manufactured June 5, 2002, to December 20, 2004, and 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe vehicles manufactured January 18, 2002, to April 27, 2004. Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module may fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
steering
Campaign 10V345000TOYOTA 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 OPERATIONS, AND EVENTUALLY THE LOCK BAR COULD BREAK.
What owners say across generations
Overwhelmingly positive sentiment regarding long-term reliability, comfort, and value, particularly for used examples.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Avalon. See the full Avalon owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Avalon listings typically run $12,895–$27,579 across 2003 to 2021 model years.
Other Avalon model years
Compare every Avalon year side by side to see how 2003 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Avalon against its rivals
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