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2003 Toyota Avalon: airbags did not deploy in a crash

10 of the 293 complaints about the 2003 Toyota Avalon describe airbags did not deploy in a crash.

owner complaints
10
of this car's complaints
3%
typical mileage
30,661
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 5 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Airbags did not deploy in a crash by model year

What owners say

Filed May 22, 2023 · Airbags · FL · crash · 1 injury

I was driving back home, out of no where my car went out of control, went left, then right, hit something and flipped over twice to end in a hill against the traffic with 4 flat tires. The air bag did not deployed. I did hit the windshield. The car was total.

Filed Jul 5, 2017 · Acceleration · 103,000 miles · NC · crash

Tl* the contact owned a 2003 toyota avalon. While stationary, the vehicle accelerated backwards rapidly without warning. The contact engaged the drive gear in an effort to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle accelerated forward on its own a second time. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal became stuck and the vehicle crashed into three other vehicles. M&m tire company of greensboro, north carolina was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was totaled. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and provided case number: 0458794831. The failure mileage was 103,000.

Filed Sep 29, 2014 · Airbags · 69,000 miles · MN · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota avalon. While driving 40 MPH and making a left turn at an intersection, another vehicle made an illegal turn into the contact's lane and crashed into the passenger side bumper. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was not injured and a police report was filed. The contact received a recall notification for the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v147000 (air bags). The dealer stated that the parts were not available for repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 69,000.

Filed May 10, 2014 · Airbags, Fuel system · 17,100 miles · CA · crash

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.

Filed Apr 10, 2013 · Acceleration · 67,440 miles · TX · crash

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.

Filed Apr 1, 2010 · Acceleration · 53,809 miles · NV · crash · 2 injuries

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota avalon. The contact stated that when trying to drive in reverse out of a parking lot, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into a pole. The contact then shifted from neutral gear then to drive and although his foot was on the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated into a brick wall. The air bags did not deploy. The contact and the passenger were both injured as a result of the crash. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing but the dealer could not duplicate the failure. The contact called the manufacturer and requested that the vehicle be inspected. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was not available. The current and failure mileages were 53,809.

Filed Aug 13, 2005 · Acceleration, Airbags · 22,000 miles · OK · crash · 1 injury

2003, toyota avalon, backing up, sudden acceleration, pole stopped car, brakes didn't stop racing engine, put car in drive, shot forward into golf course, brakes wouldn't work, put car in park, didn't stop car, hit trees, utility pole, tried to steer, little or no response, turned key off, car finally stopped, car totaled, airbags did not deploy, seat belt on, but impact made head hit left side of windshield, received concussion, overnight hospital stay. Reported to toyota, they wanted car, we refused to let them have it. Toyota sent inspector he refused to open hood, or put auto on hoist to examine, refused to examine, just took pictures. Then toyota attorney sent letter saying they couldn't see from their examination that the car failed. Had 3 wittiness that toyota inspector refused to inspect car. My automobile insurance totaled auto and settled, they took auto.

Filed Oct 6, 2004 · Acceleration, Airbags · 30,661 miles · CA · crash

While pulling inside of a parking space, the vehicle suddenly accelerated uncontrollably. The consumer placed both feet on the brake pedal. But vehicle continued to accelerated. The consumer turned off the vehicle in order to stop it. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection but mechanic could not duplicate the problem. *ak when the vehicle went out of control the last time, the consumer hit a wall and the air bags did not deploy.

Filed Jul 22, 2004 · Acceleration, Airbags · 30,000 miles · CA · crash

While driving 5 MPH, the driver applied the brake pedal and without warning the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably. The driver was not able to maintain control of the vehicle and collided into a fence. Both frontal air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the problem.

Filed Jul 15, 2004 · Acceleration, Airbags · 4,000 miles · IL · crash

When applying the brakes the vehicle surged forward. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a garage. No report of air bag deployment or injuries. *ak the consumer had come to a complete stop, then pulled forward when the vehicle surged forward. The vehicle went over a 4-5 inch curb in the back of the garage crushing everything. The consumer tried to use the brakes but they didn't respond and the air bags did not deploy. The dealership stated that everything was fine. *sc

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Air bags: frontalReported January 28, 2015 · 1,006,849 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 vehicle is being operated.
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: This recall supersedes recalls 13V‑029 and 14V‑147. Vehicles that had a noise filter installed as the remedy for one of those campaigns need to have the air bag control module replaced under this campaign.

Recall number 15V043000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2003 Toyota Avalon no deployment

Is airbags did not deploy in a crash a common problem on the 2003 Toyota Avalon?

10 of 293 owner complaints about the 2003 Toyota Avalon (3%) mention airbags did not deploy in a crash. The model year with the most reports is 2000.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2003 Toyota Avalon?

There is 1 recall and 5 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2003 Toyota Avalon

Airbag light 51Sudden acceleration 22Stalling 5

All model years of the Toyota Avalon

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