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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 →

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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

21 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT HAS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN HAVING PERIODIC ACCELELRATION PROBLEMS SINCE 2008. THE CONTACT STATED THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION HAS ONLY HAPPENED WHEN THE CONTACT IS TRYING TO SLOW DOWN., WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THIS FAILURE HAD BEEN HAPPENING MORE OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.…

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TL* THE CONTACT HAS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN HAVING PERIODIC ACCELELRATION PROBLEMS SINCE 2008. THE CONTACT STATED THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION HAS ONLY HAPPENED WHEN THE CONTACT IS TRYING TO SLOW DOWN., WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THIS FAILURE HAD BEEN HAPPENING MORE OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 86504.

NHTSA ODI #10310936

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN ON THE HIGHWAY ESPECIALLY, VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD AND ACCELERATES QUITE NOTICEABLY. IT DOES THIS AT LEAST ONCE DAILY WHEN ACCELERATING OR BRAKING OVER 30 MPH. PLEASE PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THIS ISSUE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10172168

8,931 miles · Sep 8, 2004
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKES, STRIKING A TREE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE. UPON IMPACT, FRONTAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER CONTACTED TOYOTA ,AND IT WAS INSPECTED BY A REPRESENTATIVE AND NO DEFECTS WERE FOUND. VEHICLE WAS SOLD FOR PART…

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CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKES, STRIKING A TREE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE. UPON IMPACT, FRONTAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER CONTACTED TOYOTA ,AND IT WAS INSPECTED BY A REPRESENTATIVE AND NO DEFECTS WERE FOUND. VEHICLE WAS SOLD FOR PARTS.*AK *TS

NHTSA ODI #10082123

11,450 miles · Jul 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

I TOOK THE MATRIX IN TWICE SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT IT BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD UNEXPECTEDLY LUNGE FORWARD WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP. I ALSO COMPLAINED THAT THE BRAKES FELT "LOOSE" AND DID NOT "CATCH" AS THEY SHOULD. I WAS ADVISED BOTH TIMES BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THAT NOTHING ABNORMAL W…

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I TOOK THE MATRIX IN TWICE SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT IT BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD UNEXPECTEDLY LUNGE FORWARD WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP. I ALSO COMPLAINED THAT THE BRAKES FELT "LOOSE" AND DID NOT "CATCH" AS THEY SHOULD. I WAS ADVISED BOTH TIMES BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THAT NOTHING ABNORMAL WAS FOUND WITH CAR. WHILE I WAS BEGINNING TO LOOK INTO "LEMON LAWS", IN SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL FULLY ENGAGED. DUE TO MY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES WITH THE CAR LUNGING FORWARD, I WOULD KEEP SEVERAL FEET BETWEEN ME AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THIS TIME THE CAR NOT ONLY LUNGED FORWARD, BUT IT WAS LIKE THE ACCELERATOR STUCK-I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE BUT COULD NOT STOP THE CAR AFTER IT LUNGED FORWARD AND I HIT A CAR THAT WAS IN FRONT OF ME AT THE LIGHT. MY CAR DID NOT STOP UNTIL I WAS ALMOST PARALLEL WITH THE OTHER CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE! I HAVE HAD THE CASE LOOKED AT BY TOYOTA, AND THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT HAS ADVISED THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR-THEIR ONLY EXPLANATION IS THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATES TO "NORMAL" SPECIFICATIONS. THEY HAVE ADVISED THAT THE CAR WILL LUNGE FORWARD WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONER IS AS WHEN THE AC COMPRESSOR CYCLES, IT INCREASES THE ENGINE RPM AND THE VEHICLE WILL MOVE FORWARD. MY AIR CONDITIONER WAS NOT ON AT THE TIME OF THIS ACCIDENT, HOWEVER. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10081145

6,500 miles · Jul 1, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER HAD TO DODGE A VEHICLE AND DROVE INTO A CORN FIELD. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10080267

1 miles · Jun 28, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN THE SUN IS SHINING YOU CAN NOT READ THE SPEEDOMETER OR THE GUAGES. HE DRIVER IS DRIVING BLIND WITHOUT ANY INSTRUMENTS OR GUAGES. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IN ALL TYPES OF TRAFFIC CONDITIONS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10078901

Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN AT A STOP SIGN OR WHEN PLACING VEHICLE IN REVERSE ENGINE WILL RACE AND VEHICLE WILL UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATE OUT OF CONTROL. *AK ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY IDLE UP TO ABOUT 2,000 RPM REGARDLESS OF TEMPERATURE. CAUSE NOT YET DETERMINED. PROBLEM IS SIMILAR TO PE04021. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10062881

8,000 miles · Apr 8, 2004
Vehicle Speed ControlInjury

WHENEVER VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP SIGNAL AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKES WHEN SURGING OCCURRED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE. *AK *MR

NHTSA ODI #10062846

Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2004
Fuel System, OtherVehicle Speed Control

TOYOTA MATRIX 2003 (ALSO APPLIES TO PONTIAC VIBE 2003) AS INSTRUMENTS ARE THE SAME. USE OF ALL "RED" COLORED INSTRUMENTS, (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, ETC.) MAKES THEM DIFFICULT TO READ, READING TRIP METER REQUIRES REMOVING SUNGLASSES TO READ. CAN BECOME IMPOSSIBLE TO READ IN BRIGHT SUN. BECAUSE SPEEDOMETER IS DIFFICUL…

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TOYOTA MATRIX 2003 (ALSO APPLIES TO PONTIAC VIBE 2003) AS INSTRUMENTS ARE THE SAME. USE OF ALL "RED" COLORED INSTRUMENTS, (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, ETC.) MAKES THEM DIFFICULT TO READ, READING TRIP METER REQUIRES REMOVING SUNGLASSES TO READ. CAN BECOME IMPOSSIBLE TO READ IN BRIGHT SUN. BECAUSE SPEEDOMETER IS DIFFICULT TO READ, DRIVER CAN EASILY BE PUT IN POSITION OF DRIVING WITH EXCESSIVE SPEED BECAUSE SPEEDOMETER IS HARD TO READ OT MAY REQUIRE SUNGLASSES TO BE REMOVED TO READ SPEEDOMETER. PERSONAL EXPERIENCE TELLS ME THAT BY TAKING A FEW SECONDS TO READ INSTRUMENTS CAN PUT A DRIVER IN A POTIENTALLLY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN IN SOME TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENTS OR DEATH. "COMPLAINTS" ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ARE NOTED IN THE REVIEWS ENTERED BY INDIVIDUALS ON THE WEB SITE WWW.EDMUNDS.COM, SPECIFICALLY: HTTP://WWW.EDMUNDS.COM/USED/2003/TOYOTA/MATRIX/100074126/RATINGS_CONSUMERSDETAIL.HTML?DCR_SID=100074126&DCR_USEIN=U&TID=EDMUNDS.U.RATINGS_CONSUMER.CONTENT..4.TOYOTA*. PLEASE ALSO SEE ALSO CAR & DRIVER 6/2002 PAGE 62 IN AN ARTICLE TITLED "COMPARISON TEST: BOXES SIZE SMALL", WHICH STATES IN PART: "...THE RED INSTRUMENTS ARE HARD TO READ THROUGH SUNGLASSES, AND THE DIALS SEEM PECULIARLY LOCATED DOWN IN DARK TUNNELS...". PLEASE NOTE THAT BOTH TOYOTA AND PONTIAC CORRECTED THIS IN THEIR 2004 MODELS OF THE TOYOTA MATRIX AND PONTIAC. ACTION REQUESTED: REQUIRE BOTH TOYOTA AND PONTIAC TO OFFER OWNERS OF THE 2003 MODELS THE CHOICE OF UPDATING THEIR INSTRUMENT PANELS TO THE 2004 MODEL INSTRUMENTS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10054559

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

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.