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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

Visibility complaints

9 reports
Clear category filter
98,514 miles · Jul 27, 2012
Seat BeltsVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT EXPLODED AND FRACTURED INTO PIECES. THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED AND COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF. IN ADDITION, THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD OPEN INDEPENDENTLY AND COULD NOT BE OPERATED MANUALLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO DIAGNO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT EXPLODED AND FRACTURED INTO PIECES. THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED AND COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF. IN ADDITION, THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD OPEN INDEPENDENTLY AND COULD NOT BE OPERATED MANUALLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE INSIDE CYLINDER OF THE SEAT BELT CONTROL BEING DEFECTIVE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,514. UPDATED 09/11/12*LJ UPDATED 09/13/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10467911

134,800 miles · May 18, 2011
Visibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIGHT REAR DOOR GLASS SEPARATED FROM THE WINDOW REGULATOR. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE RECALL NUMBER: 08V162000 (VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR) ONLY PERTAINED TO THE FRONT WINDOW. THE VEH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIGHT REAR DOOR GLASS SEPARATED FROM THE WINDOW REGULATOR. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE RECALL NUMBER: 08V162000 (VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR) ONLY PERTAINED TO THE FRONT WINDOW. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 134,868 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 134,800.

NHTSA ODI #10401452

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2009
Visibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOWS WERE ACTIVATED AND THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SQUEAKING AND RATTLING NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY WHEN ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOWS WERE ACTIVATED AND THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SQUEAKING AND RATTLING NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY WHEN ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V162000 (VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE RECALL REMEDY HAS NOT CORRECTED THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 140,000. UPDATED 3/3/09 *CN UPDATED 03/04/09*JB

NHTSA ODI #10255223

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 · Mar 9, 2008
Visibility

2003 TOYOTA MATRIX SIDE-FRONT POWER WINDOWS GETTING STUCK AND MAKING POPPING NOISES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10220515

Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2008
Visibility

I NOTICE AN OCCASIONAL POPPING NOISE WHEN ROLLING UP AND DOWN THE WINDOWS ON MY 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. THIS CONCERNS ME, AS I BELIEVE THAT THE GLASS COULD ULTIMATELY SHATTER IF THIS PERSISTS OR GETS ANY WORSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10219074

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2008
Visibility

THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW DEVELOPED AN ISSUE WHERE IT WOULD BECOME STUCK AND PROMPTLY MAKE A LOUD POP AS IT BECAME UNSTUCK WHILE RETRACTING THE WINDOW DOWN. THE FINAL FAILURE CAME WHEN IT MADE VERY LOUD POP AND THE WINDOW WOULD NOT MOVE AFTER THAT. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10218832

65,236 miles · Dec 14, 2005
Visibility

THIS MORNING I DISCOVERED A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD SPANNING 3/4 OF THE LENGTH OF THE WINDSHIELD, ACROSS THE BOTTOM ABOVE THE WIPERS, IN AN INVERTED U-SHAPE. THE CRACK DOES NOT GO ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE GLASS. IT WAS NOT PRESENT LAST NIGHT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR THE NIGHT. THERE IS NO OTHER SIGN OF DAMAGE TO THE WIN…

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THIS MORNING I DISCOVERED A CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD SPANNING 3/4 OF THE LENGTH OF THE WINDSHIELD, ACROSS THE BOTTOM ABOVE THE WIPERS, IN AN INVERTED U-SHAPE. THE CRACK DOES NOT GO ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE GLASS. IT WAS NOT PRESENT LAST NIGHT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR THE NIGHT. THERE IS NO OTHER SIGN OF DAMAGE TO THE WINDSHIELD OR TO THE REST OF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS NO IMPACT POINT ANYWHERE ON THE WINDSHIELD GLASS TO INDICATE THAT AN OBJECT HIT THE WINDSHIELD TO CAUSE THE CRACK. IT APPEARS TO BE A SPONTANEOUS CRACK IN THE GLASS THAT SHOULD BE REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER AT NO COST TO ME. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE AND MUST BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. THE WINDSHIELD WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10145173

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

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.