Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
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 (59.5% 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.
3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 122 · 59.5% | Recalled | Recall 15V043000 |
| Steering | 24 · 11.7% | Recalled | Recall 10V345000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 23 · 11.2% | No official action | — |
| Electrical System | 10 · 4.9% | No official action | — |
| Seat Belts | 7 · 3.4% | No official action | — |
| Air Bags:frontal | 5 · 2.4% | Recalled | Recall 15V043000 |
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 205 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 11V539000 · 2011 · reported 11/09/2011
IN SOME CASES, THE BELT FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM THE PULLEY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND A SUDDEN INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A 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 2004 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT…”NHTSA complaint 10761605 — filed 09/04/2015 · AIR BAGS
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE…”NHTSA complaint 10750101 — filed 08/20/2015 · AIR BAGS
“2004 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FAULTY AIRBAGS INSTALLATION RECALL ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.”NHTSA complaint 10745330 — filed 08/10/2015 · 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 122 of 205 NHTSA complaints (59.5%), followed by steering (24), vehicle speed control (23), electrical system (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
205 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 27 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 17 reported injuries. 2 deaths were reported.
Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 15V043000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
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.
