Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Toyota Avalon owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while the brake pedal was depressed, the engine revved and the vehicle abruptly accelerated. As a result, the contact crashed the vehicle into a wall. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact did not disclose if a police report was filed or not. The contact and the passenger sustained minor injuries that did not require medical attention. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000. Updated 03/26/15 updated 9/20/2017
Car was idling in park, placed shift into reverse, car accelerated forward with motor racing into a bench, destroying it. Jammed shift back into park shut off motor. Restarted car. Place shift in rev and backed off bench. Car worked properly. Had car towed to repair shop.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Avalon. While parking the vehicle the accelerator pedal engaged without warning. The contact was driving 5 MPH. The contact depressed the brakes and the vehicle would not stop, and it crashed into a parked Ford pick up truck. The road conditions were not a factor. The vehicle was towed ,and the contact was unable to drive the vehicle. The contact sustained a shoulder injury due to the seat belt. The passenger in the front seat stated due to the airbag deployment she was having hearing problems and experienced discomfort to her teeth. The passenger in the back seat experienced chest pains. The vehicle has not been inspected to determine the reason for the unexpected acceleration. The current and failure mileage was 35,000. The consumer stated that they received vehicle back but are concerned that this incident will happen again. …
9/17/2010 accident occurred as I entered a parking space with my foot on the brake and stopped when the car suddenly accelerated going thru a fence and hitting a stone wall when the car stopped. Our insurance company repaired the car after a Toyota rep. Examined the car. I received a letter from [redacted] from Toyota dated 10/25/2010 that stated they could not find any type of manufacture design or defect. Daytona Toyota did an aoh recall on the car during that time. My back and neck was strained and I had chiropractic adjustments, heat therapy and massages for two months paid by my insurance. 11/05/2012 accident occurred as I entered a parking space with my foot on the brake and stopped when the car accelerated over the curb hitting a stop sign. The sign ripped the left outside mirror off the door, scraped and bent the front and back doors on drivers side. …
There are two incidents when I was driving my 2003 Toyota Avalon & the vehicle accelerated & I was unable to get it to stop. I have detailed the incidents below: 12/3/2009- I, [redacted] , was driving my Avalon on portage rd when I hit another car in the re & was pushed into another lane of traffic & over an embankment & hit another car which was pushed into 2 other cars. I was cited for the incident. I had tried to put on the brake but there was nothing therefore & the vehicle accelerated forward which caused the accident. 2/23/10- on this date I was leaving to take my husband to the doctors. I was again driving my 2004 Toyota Avalon, we had backed out of the garage & were at end of the driveway, I was too close to the snow bank on right hand side so I had to pull up, at that time I put the car back into drive to pull up some & the vehicle took off & I could not stop it. …
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that the rear brake lights were permanently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to kendall Toyota (10943 s dixie hwy, miami, fl 33156) where it was diagnosed that the rear brake light sensor was damaged and needed replacement. The battery was also replaced. After the vehicle was repaired, the brake pedal traveled all the way down to the floorboard and the vehicle did not accelerate. For the past year and a half, a strong odor of fuel was present inside the cabin. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics, but the cause of the odor could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and a complaint was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.
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.
Tl 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.
Acceleration complaints in other Avalon years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2003 Toyota Avalon?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2003 Toyota Avalon, 17% of the model year's 293 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Toyota Avalon acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2003 Toyota Avalon, though it has 2 recalls 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 2003 Toyota Avalon acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 37 crashes, 0 fires and 20 injuries and 1 death to speed control & acceleration 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.