Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Toyota Avalon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Airbag is pushing out of the passenger side dashboard and also on drivers side wheel. There is now a quarter inch gap where we can see behind it on the passenger side. There were VERY loud popping noises. There is a recall for this exact car model but for the following year, 2003-2005 (4?) but not for 2002. The 2002 model is affected and should be recalled for the same issue before it kills someone. Also the shifter will not not go into drive without first pushing it forward and backwards several times to engage and the green D light on the dashboard will not show up.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving at a low speed, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to stop. The contact applied excessive force to the brakes again but the brakes failed to respond. As a result, the contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The driver's side air bag failed to deploy. The contact sustained sternum and heart bruises that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 162,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Toyota Avalon. While operating the vehicle, the air bag sensor illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a loose electrical wire. The failure was not repaired. Months later, the vehicle crashed into a second vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. No further information regarding the crash was provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 300,000.
I was in a car accident where I lost control of the vehicle due to slippery roads. I was exiting i5 on to highway 7 in tacoma washington. The vehicle wouldn't stop, slid and hit a cement wall on highway 7. Upon impact I hit my head on windshield and none of the air bags came out upon impact. I received injuries due to this disorder.
During a front-end collision in which my car was stopped and rammed into by another vehicle the air bag inflation sensor was sheared off it's mounting bracket. The air bag failed to inflate because the sensor failed to detect the impact.
SRS warning light appeared flashing on car. Took car to have checked and was told the side air bag sensor needed to be replaced. Side air bag sensor was replaced. Light no longer flashed. 5 days later the SRS warning light is flashing again. There have been several complaints on the NHTSA website about the same problem. I've been told that some car manufacturers will fix safety issues under an extended warranty. Can Toyota fix these problems free of charge? I'd like to find out before I spend more money trying to diagnose why the SRS air bag light is flashing. Several complaints have said that people have had several items repaired and the light still flashes. I think this is a safety issue that Toyota should fix.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Toyota Avalon. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the driver of the vehicle crashed into a cement divider on the highway. The air bags did not deploy. The police reported to the scene and a report was filed. The driver of the vehicle and the contact, who was in the front passenger seat, was transported to the hospital by ambulance. The driver of the vehicle suffered a neck injury and the contact suffered a concussion and fractured vertebrae requiring surgery. The contact stated prior to the crash the air bag light would illuminate intermittently. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000. ...updated 08-10-12 updated 08/14/2012
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician was able to adjust the pretensioners on the front passenger side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was reset; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the contact was informed that the air bag wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 71,500.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Toyota Avalon. The contact was driving 30 MPH during inclement weather when the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into an embankment. The air bags did not deploy and the vehicle was destroyed. The contact was not injured during the crash. The contact called the manufacturer and filed a complaint. The manufacturer also stated that an engineer would be sent to inspect the vehicle. The manufacturer inspected the vehicle but did not give any details of what caused the crash. The failure mileage was 101,000.
The 2003-2004 model Avalon's have a recall for the airbags when exposed to certain frequencies and noises. My 2002 Avalon has the same issue and Toyota needs to include this model year as well. I've had no problems out of this car ever, but as soon as it hit 140,000 miles the air bags light came on. After doing a little research I seen that others were having the same issue. Please include this model year in the recall because this car is very dependable and I've had no issues until now.
Airbag complaints in other Avalon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2002 Toyota Avalon?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Toyota Avalon, 30% of the model year's 116 complaints. The component named most often is side/window (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Toyota Avalon airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2002 Toyota Avalon, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Toyota Avalon airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 160,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 11 crashes, 0 fires and 8 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.