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2003 Toyota Matrix

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Matrix years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Toyota Matrix are substantially higher than the model-year median of 70.5.

About this comparison →
268Owner complaints

Model-year median: 70.5

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
2
2002268
2003138
2004213
2005170
2006
Compare all Matrix years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
83Air Bags
57Engine And Engine Cooling
25Vehicle Speed Control
21Service Brakes, Hydraulic
13
All reported categories
Electrical System
12Structure
12Unknown Or Other
11Visibility
9Engine
8Steering
8Seat Belts
6Tires
6Interior Lighting
5Latches/locks/linkages
4Equipment
3Fuel System, Other
3Service Brakes
3Suspension
3Electronic Stability Control (esc)
2Exterior Lighting
2Fuel System, Gasoline
2Fuel/propulsion System
2Parking Brake
2Seats
1Visibility/wiper
1Wheels
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

170 reports with mileage · 98 unknown

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.

  • Power Train. Review the 83 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

19 crash reports3 fire reports13 injury reports

Structure complaints

12 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · May 15, 2008
StructureVisibility

THE SIDE OF THE CAR THAT HOLDS THE WINDSHIELD TOGETHER IS A BLIND SPOT. WHEN PEOPLE ARE CROSSING THE STREET YOU CAN'T SEE THEM. I ALMOST HIT SOME ABOUT THREE TIMES BECAUSE OF HOW THE WINDOW IS MADE. THE SUN VISOR IS NOT LONG ENOUGH TO BLOCK THE SUN MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THEY TO MAKE BETTER VISORS THAT ACTUALLY BLOCKS THE …

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THE SIDE OF THE CAR THAT HOLDS THE WINDSHIELD TOGETHER IS A BLIND SPOT. WHEN PEOPLE ARE CROSSING THE STREET YOU CAN'T SEE THEM. I ALMOST HIT SOME ABOUT THREE TIMES BECAUSE OF HOW THE WINDOW IS MADE. THE SUN VISOR IS NOT LONG ENOUGH TO BLOCK THE SUN MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THEY TO MAKE BETTER VISORS THAT ACTUALLY BLOCKS THE SUN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10227924

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2006
StructureUnknown Or OtherInjury

THE PLASTIC COVERING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT INTERIOR DOOR OPENING LEVER HAS SPLIT. THIS HAS CAUSED DEVELOPMENT OF A SHARP EDGE WHICH CAUSED ME TO CUT MY FINGER WHEN OPENING THE DOOR. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10173111

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2006
StructureCrash

YOUR CRASH TESTING GAVE THE 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX XR AWD FIVE STARS FOR SIDE IMPACT REGARDING HEAD INJURY POTENTIAL FOR DRIVER. WE USED YOUR RATINGS WHEN SELECTING A USED CAR IN AUGUST 2005. ON APRIL 1, 2006 MY 29 YEAR OLD SON HIT A TREE ON DRIVER DOOR. HE SUFFERED FRACTURED SKULL, BROKEN NECK AND OTHER INJURIES. HE WAS KILLED INST…

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YOUR CRASH TESTING GAVE THE 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX XR AWD FIVE STARS FOR SIDE IMPACT REGARDING HEAD INJURY POTENTIAL FOR DRIVER. WE USED YOUR RATINGS WHEN SELECTING A USED CAR IN AUGUST 2005. ON APRIL 1, 2006 MY 29 YEAR OLD SON HIT A TREE ON DRIVER DOOR. HE SUFFERED FRACTURED SKULL, BROKEN NECK AND OTHER INJURIES. HE WAS KILLED INSTANTLY. PLEASE SEE WWW.MEM.COM; SEARCH LAST NAME RENFREW. PLEASE GOOGLE BRETT RENFREW AND READ SOME OF THE NEWS REPORTS. BESIDES CRASH WORTHINESS, WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE CAR CAREENED OFF THE ROAD. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10155804

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2005
Structure

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WOULD BECOME UNREADABLE DUE TO GLARE FROM THE SUN AT ANY TIME. THIS CAUSES POOR VISIBILITY FOR THE DRIVER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10117737

40,000 miles · Dec 7, 2004
Structure

REAR SPOILER CRACKED. DEALER STATED THAT IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10102326

Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2004
StructureVisibility

WHEN THE SUN VISOR WAS PULLED DOWN IT ONLY CAME DOWN HALF WAY. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER WAS BLINDED BY THE SUN. THE DASHBOARD HAS CHROME TRIM SO WHEN BRIGHT LIGHT HITS THE CHROME IT BLINDS THE DRIVER. THE DRIVER FEELS ITS A POOR DESIGN. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10059363

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2003
StructureVehicle Speed Control

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO READ THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WHEN THE SUN WAS EXTREMELY BRIGHT. *TS *JB

NHTSA ODI #10026991

6,100 miles · Jul 11, 2003
Structure

AFTER WASHING AND WAXING THE VEHICAL I NOTICED PAINT THE TO BE BLISTERING IN CERTAIN SPOTS OF THE CAR. THE BLISTERING WAS CAUSED BY BIRD DROPPINGS. THIS IS KIND OF STRANGE THAT THIS POOR QUALITY PAINT WOULD BE DAMAGED ON 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. I WOULD EXPECT TOYOTA TO HAVE PROTECTED IT'S VEHICLES WITH PAINT THAT IS NOT EFFECTED …

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AFTER WASHING AND WAXING THE VEHICAL I NOTICED PAINT THE TO BE BLISTERING IN CERTAIN SPOTS OF THE CAR. THE BLISTERING WAS CAUSED BY BIRD DROPPINGS. THIS IS KIND OF STRANGE THAT THIS POOR QUALITY PAINT WOULD BE DAMAGED ON 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. I WOULD EXPECT TOYOTA TO HAVE PROTECTED IT'S VEHICLES WITH PAINT THAT IS NOT EFFECTED BY BIRD DROPPINGS. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN TO OTHER VEHICLES. THIS SUGGEST THAT TOYOTA PAINT IS OF POOR QUALITY. WHEN I APPROACHED THE DEALER THAT SOLD ME CAR, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I DON'T EVEN HAVE THIS CAR A YEAR. GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!I WILL NEVER BY A TOYOTA VEHICLE AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10025868

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2003
Structure

WHEN THE SUN LIGHT REFLECTED ONTO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IT MADE THE DIGITAL CONSOLE UNREADABLE. THE CONSUMER SPENT $180 TO HAVE THE WINDOWS TINTED IN ORDER TO HAVE A BETTER VIEW OF THE PANEL. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED BUT REFUSE TO FIX. *AK *CB *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10022670

8,000 miles · Mar 29, 2003
Structure

I HAD A VIBRATION IN MY DASHBOARD FOR A MONTH AND THOUGHT IT WAS THE PLASTIC IN THE DASH ... UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS A STRUCTURE DEFECT IN THE FRAME THAT NEEDS TO BE WELDED. I HAVE NOT HAD MY CAR FOR 8 DAYS AND IT IS STILL TOTALLY APART AT A BODY SHOP. I AM DISCUSSED. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10013648

Official recalls

1

08V162000 · Visibility:glass, Side/rear

Apr 10, 2008

TOYOTA IS RECALLING 662,178 MY 2003-2004 COROLLA, COROLLA MATRIX AND PONTIAC VIBE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER WINDOWS. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR GLASS BOLTS MAY LOOSEN AND COME OFF, CAUSING THE DOOR GLASS TO SEPARATE FROM THE WINDOW REGULATOR. DUE TO THE COMPONENTS BECOMING LOOSE AND POSSIBLY RATTLING, AN ABNORMAL NOISE MAY BE HEARD FROM THE DRIVER AND /OR FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WHEN OPERATING THE POWER WINDOWS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DOOR GLASS MAY SEPARATE FROM THE WINDOW REGULATOR, BIND AND SHATTER DURING OPERATION OF THE POWER WINDOWS, CAUSING DRIVER DISTRACTION AND/OR INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR GLASS BOLTS WITH NEWLY DESIGNED BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 16, 2008 TO TOYOTA OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 21, 2008, FOR PONTIAC OWNERS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

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

1

EA08004 · Side Front Power Window Shatters

Opened Feb 5, 2008 · Closed May 1, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility; Visibility:glass, Side/rear; Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls

FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE RETENTION FORCE OF THE REGULATOR BOLTS WHICH ATTACH THE FRONT SIDE WINDOW GLASS TO THE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT DUE TO AN INTERFERENCE OF THE RETENTION NUT AND THE BOLT SHOULDER RADIUS.IN THIS CONDITION THE BOLT MAY BECOME LOOSE, CAUSING A LOUD NOISE TO BE GENERATED WHEN THE WINDOW IS RAISED OR LOWERED.IF THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER WINDOW ARE CONTINUOUSLY OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, THE BOLT MAY COMPLETELY SEPARATE, CAUSING THE GLASS TO BECOME MISALIGNED, AND IN THE WORSE CASE, THE GLASS MAY SHATTER DURING OPERATION OF THE POWER WINDOW.GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION (GM) AND TOYOTA NORTH AMERICA, INC. (TOYOTA) WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL ON THE PONTIAC VIBE, TOYOTA COROLLA AND TOYOTA MATRIX VEHICLES TO REPLACE THE REGULATOR BOLT WITH A BOLT AND WASHER.GM WILL RECALL 122,593 MY 2003-2004 PONTIAC VIBE VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 16,045 WARRANTY AND GOODWILL CLAIMS, 274 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 23 INJURIES FOR THESE VEHICLES.TOYOTA WILL RECALL 415,341 MY 2003-2004 TOYOTA COROLLA VEHICLES. ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 6,601 WARRANTY CLAIMS, 150 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 11 INJURIES FOR THESE VEHICLES.TOYOTA WILL RECALL 124,244 MY 2003-2004 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 2,198 WARRANTY CLAIMS, 113 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 6 INJURIES FOR THESE VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 24,843 WARRANTY CLAIMS, 537 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 40 INJURIES FOR 662,178 MY 2003-2004 VEHICLES.THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA NUMBER 08V-162.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Visibility:glass, Side/rear

FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE RETENTION FORCE OF THE REGULATOR BOLTS WHICH ATTACH THE FRONT SIDE WINDOW GLASS TO THE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT DUE TO AN INTERFERENCE OF THE RETENTION NUT AND THE BOLT SHOULDER RADIUS.IN THIS CONDITION THE BOLT MAY BECOME LOOSE, CAUSING A LOUD NOISE TO BE GENERATED WHEN THE WINDOW IS RAISED OR LOWERED.IF THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER WINDOW ARE CONTINUOUSLY OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, THE BOLT MAY COMPLETELY SEPARATE, CAUSING THE GLASS TO BECOME MISALIGNED, AND IN THE WORSE CASE, THE GLASS MAY SHATTER DURING OPERATION OF THE POWER WINDOW.GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION (GM) AND TOYOTA NORTH AMERICA, INC. (TOYOTA) WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL ON THE PONTIAC VIBE, TOYOTA COROLLA AND TOYOTA MATRIX VEHICLES TO REPLACE THE REGULATOR BOLT WITH A BOLT AND WASHER.GM WILL RECALL 122,593 MY 2003-2004 PONTIAC VIBE VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 16,045 WARRANTY AND GOODWILL CLAIMS, 274 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 23 INJURIES FOR THESE VEHICLES.TOYOTA WILL RECALL 415,341 MY 2003-2004 TOYOTA COROLLA VEHICLES. ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 6,601 WARRANTY CLAIMS, 150 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 11 INJURIES FOR THESE VEHICLES.TOYOTA WILL RECALL 124,244 MY 2003-2004 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 2,198 WARRANTY CLAIMS, 113 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 6 INJURIES FOR THESE VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 24,843 WARRANTY CLAIMS, 537 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 40 INJURIES FOR 662,178 MY 2003-2004 VEHICLES.THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA NUMBER 08V-162.

Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls

FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE RETENTION FORCE OF THE REGULATOR BOLTS WHICH ATTACH THE FRONT SIDE WINDOW GLASS TO THE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT DUE TO AN INTERFERENCE OF THE RETENTION NUT AND THE BOLT SHOULDER RADIUS.IN THIS CONDITION THE BOLT MAY BECOME LOOSE, CAUSING A LOUD NOISE TO BE GENERATED WHEN THE WINDOW IS RAISED OR LOWERED.IF THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER WINDOW ARE CONTINUOUSLY OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, THE BOLT MAY COMPLETELY SEPARATE, CAUSING THE GLASS TO BECOME MISALIGNED, AND IN THE WORSE CASE, THE GLASS MAY SHATTER DURING OPERATION OF THE POWER WINDOW.GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION (GM) AND TOYOTA NORTH AMERICA, INC. (TOYOTA) WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL ON THE PONTIAC VIBE, TOYOTA COROLLA AND TOYOTA MATRIX VEHICLES TO REPLACE THE REGULATOR BOLT WITH A BOLT AND WASHER.GM WILL RECALL 122,593 MY 2003-2004 PONTIAC VIBE VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 16,045 WARRANTY AND GOODWILL CLAIMS, 274 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 23 INJURIES FOR THESE VEHICLES.TOYOTA WILL RECALL 415,341 MY 2003-2004 TOYOTA COROLLA VEHICLES. ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 6,601 WARRANTY CLAIMS, 150 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 11 INJURIES FOR THESE VEHICLES.TOYOTA WILL RECALL 124,244 MY 2003-2004 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 2,198 WARRANTY CLAIMS, 113 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 6 INJURIES FOR THESE VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 24,843 WARRANTY CLAIMS, 537 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 40 INJURIES FOR 662,178 MY 2003-2004 VEHICLES.THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA NUMBER 08V-162.

Visibility

FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE RETENTION FORCE OF THE REGULATOR BOLTS WHICH ATTACH THE FRONT SIDE WINDOW GLASS TO THE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT DUE TO AN INTERFERENCE OF THE RETENTION NUT AND THE BOLT SHOULDER RADIUS.IN THIS CONDITION THE BOLT MAY BECOME LOOSE, CAUSING A LOUD NOISE TO BE GENERATED WHEN THE WINDOW IS RAISED OR LOWERED.IF THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER WINDOW ARE CONTINUOUSLY OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, THE BOLT MAY COMPLETELY SEPARATE, CAUSING THE GLASS TO BECOME MISALIGNED, AND IN THE WORSE CASE, THE GLASS MAY SHATTER DURING OPERATION OF THE POWER WINDOW.GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION (GM) AND TOYOTA NORTH AMERICA, INC. (TOYOTA) WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL ON THE PONTIAC VIBE, TOYOTA COROLLA AND TOYOTA MATRIX VEHICLES TO REPLACE THE REGULATOR BOLT WITH A BOLT AND WASHER.GM WILL RECALL 122,593 MY 2003-2004 PONTIAC VIBE VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 16,045 WARRANTY AND GOODWILL CLAIMS, 274 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 23 INJURIES FOR THESE VEHICLES.TOYOTA WILL RECALL 415,341 MY 2003-2004 TOYOTA COROLLA VEHICLES. ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 6,601 WARRANTY CLAIMS, 150 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 11 INJURIES FOR THESE VEHICLES.TOYOTA WILL RECALL 124,244 MY 2003-2004 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 2,198 WARRANTY CLAIMS, 113 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 6 INJURIES FOR THESE VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 24,843 WARRANTY CLAIMS, 537 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 40 INJURIES FOR 662,178 MY 2003-2004 VEHICLES.THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA NUMBER 08V-162.