Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 2 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
2 reports
18,000 miles · Aug 25, 2010
Electrical SystemFire
WAITING FOR LIGHT TO TURN GREEN, ANOTHER DRIVER ALERT ME THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I IMMEDIATELY OPEN THE HOOD AND THERE WAS FIRE BETWEEN ENGINE AND FIREWALL. THE VEHICLE WAS A LEASED 2002 TOYOTA MATRIX XRS. MY INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED IT A TOTAL LOSS. I TRIED TO CONTACT TOYOTA AND DEALER SEVERAL TIM…
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WAITING FOR LIGHT TO TURN GREEN, ANOTHER DRIVER ALERT ME THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I IMMEDIATELY OPEN THE HOOD AND THERE WAS FIRE BETWEEN ENGINE AND FIREWALL. THE VEHICLE WAS A LEASED 2002 TOYOTA MATRIX XRS. MY INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED IT A TOTAL LOSS. I TRIED TO CONTACT TOYOTA AND DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR ANSWERS IN REGARDS TO ISSUE BUT I WAS GIVEN THE SAME ANSWER, FIRES WERE NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, WHICH IS I UNDERSTAND BUT THEY NEVER MAKE AN EFFORT TO MAKE INVESTIGATION TO WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10351661
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2004
Power Train
CONSUMER STATES TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE 25,000 MILES SERVICE, AND ASKED THE DEALER TO CHECK THE CLUTCH BECAUSE IT WAS SLIPPING. DEALER DID NOT CHECK THE CLUTCH. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE GARAGE WITH THE CLUTCH SLIPPING. LATER, HE HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK THE SECOND TIME. THIS TIME HE ASKED DEALER S…
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CONSUMER STATES TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE 25,000 MILES SERVICE, AND ASKED THE DEALER TO CHECK THE CLUTCH BECAUSE IT WAS SLIPPING. DEALER DID NOT CHECK THE CLUTCH. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE GARAGE WITH THE CLUTCH SLIPPING. LATER, HE HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK THE SECOND TIME. THIS TIME HE ASKED DEALER SPECIFICALLY THAT THE CLUTCH BE CHECKED. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THAT THE CLUTCH WAS DEFECTIVE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10092887
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2002 Toyota Matrix Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year