The Lemon Index

All cars · Toyota Avalon · 2003

2003 Toyota Avalon. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index62100 = average car
Complaints29NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold50,911U.S. model year
Per 100K sold57complaints
Year rank#7 of 19#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 1

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
3.0L 6-cylAuto 4-spdFWD19 / 27 / 22Regular$2,850

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 49,700 and 118,500 miles. Median 82,500, from 138 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Airbags99,20073,500–137,00062
Speed control58,20030,300–87,50037
Steering80,00068,000–103,00011
Electrical75,00056,000–115,5005
Brakes31,0003,400–87,0007

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Speed control38%
Airbags28%
Brakes17%
Suspension17%
Body structure14%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
2934922016

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 2

  • 15V043000 Jan 2015 Air Bags / Frontal

    Defect. 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 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

    Risk. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags or the seat belt pretensioners increases the risk of an injury or crash.

    Remedy. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge. The recall began on August 24, 2015. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. GM issued an interim notification to owners on March 27, 2015. The recall began on August 24, 2015. Pontiac owners may call 1-800-620-7668. Note

  • 10V345000 Jul 2010 Steering

    Defect. 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 OPERATIONS, AND EVENTUALLY THE LOCK BAR COULD BREAK.

    Risk. SHOULD THE STEERING LOCK BAR BREAK, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK AND THE DRIVER WOULD LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

    Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING INTERLOCK DEVICE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Manufacturer communications 110

Toyota filed 110 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Front suspension lower arm installation torque
  • Accelerator pedal sensor assembly information regarding the inspection, removal, and…
  • The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of…

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
OptionalNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
20007081104,078Visibility
2001777483,005Visibility
2002413169,029Tires
2003622950,911Speed control
2004–1836,460Steering
20051006695,318Speed control
200620012488,938Engine

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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