Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Air Bags (61.8% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Air Bags complaints here are 7.3× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 181 · 61.8% | Recalled | Recall 15V043000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 45 · 15.4% | not available | — |
| Electrical System | 18 · 6.1% | not available | — |
| Steering | 18 · 6.1% | Recalled | Recall 10V345000 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 8 · 2.7% | not available | — |
| Engine | 7 · 2.4% | not available | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 293 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 15V043000 · 2015 · reported 01/28/2015
Inadvertent deployment of the air bags or the seat belt pretensioners increases the risk of an injury or crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 10V345000 · 2010 · reported 07/29/2010
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“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…”NHTSA complaint 10658947 — filed 11/18/2014 · AIR BAGS
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V147000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE…”NHTSA complaint 10658535 — filed 11/17/2014 · AIR BAGS
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V147000 (AIR BAG) HOWEVER, THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT…”NHTSA complaint 10654786 — filed 11/13/2014 · AIR BAGS
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 181 of 293 NHTSA complaints (61.8%), followed by vehicle speed control (45), electrical system (18), steering (18). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
293 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 49 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 28 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 15V043000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
