NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
268 reports80,000 miles · Mar 2, 2010
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
MY 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX XR SOMETIMES ACCELERATES UNCONTROLLABLY. USUALLY WHEN I AM CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WHEN I LET OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR'S THROTTLE STILL FEELS LIKE IT'S IN THE OPEN POSITION, CAUSING THE CAR TO SPEED UP INSTEAD OF SLOWING DOWN. IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS TURNED ON AND THE CAR IS T…
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MY 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX XR SOMETIMES ACCELERATES UNCONTROLLABLY. USUALLY WHEN I AM CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WHEN I LET OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR'S THROTTLE STILL FEELS LIKE IT'S IN THE OPEN POSITION, CAUSING THE CAR TO SPEED UP INSTEAD OF SLOWING DOWN. IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS TURNED ON AND THE CAR IS TRYING TO MAINTAIN SPEED. MY CRUISE CONTROL WAS TURNED OFF DURING EACH OF THESE INCIDENTS, AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THEY WERE TURNED ON AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENTS. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS ONCE EVERY FEW MONTHS AND I USUALLY DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO THEM. THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN EVENTUALLY THE THROTTLE WILL CLOSE AND THE CAR WILL SLOW DOWN AND THEN I WILL APPLY THE BRAKES GENTLY. I HAVE INFORMED MY TOYOTA DEALER OF THIS BUT THEY USUALLY JUST BRUSH THE COMPLAINT OFF AND SAY THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS. I PERSONALLY THINK IT'S AN ELECTRONICS ISSUE WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM OVERRIDE THE MANUAL SYSTEM WITHOUT THE INPUT OF THE DRIVER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10315598
66,000 miles · Feb 18, 2010
Power Train
WHILST DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO GRIND AND THEN LOCKED UP. AT 66,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT. READING ON EDMUNDS THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. HERE IS THE LINK. HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/WEBX/.F0D9B0E I HAD TO PUT A USED TRANSMISSION IN AT A COST OF $2,000 AND SUSPECT THE SAME FAILURE…
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WHILST DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO GRIND AND THEN LOCKED UP. AT 66,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT. READING ON EDMUNDS THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. HERE IS THE LINK. HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/WEBX/.F0D9B0E I HAD TO PUT A USED TRANSMISSION IN AT A COST OF $2,000 AND SUSPECT THE SAME FAILURE WILL HAPPEN WITH THIS ONE. I'M FILING A COMPLAINT NOW DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF OTHER MATRIX DRIVERS THIS IS HAPPENING TOO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10311711
42,000 miles · Feb 17, 2010
Power Train
I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AT AN APT. COMPLEX; I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE SO AS NOT TO HIT THE CURB; THE CAR BECAME AIRBORNE, JUMPED THE CURB AND LANDED ONTO A CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND STOPPING JUST SHORT OF HITTING A TREE. I STILL HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, NOW PRESSED TO THE FLOOR. I ASKED MY PASSENGER TO GET OUT OF THE C…
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I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AT AN APT. COMPLEX; I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE SO AS NOT TO HIT THE CURB; THE CAR BECAME AIRBORNE, JUMPED THE CURB AND LANDED ONTO A CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND STOPPING JUST SHORT OF HITTING A TREE. I STILL HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, NOW PRESSED TO THE FLOOR. I ASKED MY PASSENGER TO GET OUT OF THE CAR, I THEN BACKED UP OVER THE CURB AND BACK ONTO THE MACADAM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10311191
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
81,000 miles · Feb 15, 2010
Power Train
MY 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. A BEARING IN THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO FAIL (NOISE) AT 80,000 MILES. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE IS COMMON FOR BOTH THE MATRIX AND THE PONTIAC VIBE (IDENTICAL CAR). LUCKILY I HAD IT CHANGED BEFORE ANY ACCIDENT OCCURRED. NEITHER TOYOTA NOR GM ARE PROVIDING ANY CUSTOMER SUPPORT DESPITE N…
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MY 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. A BEARING IN THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO FAIL (NOISE) AT 80,000 MILES. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE IS COMMON FOR BOTH THE MATRIX AND THE PONTIAC VIBE (IDENTICAL CAR). LUCKILY I HAD IT CHANGED BEFORE ANY ACCIDENT OCCURRED. NEITHER TOYOTA NOR GM ARE PROVIDING ANY CUSTOMER SUPPORT DESPITE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE 2003 MANUAL TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10310472
90,000 miles · Feb 13, 2010
Power Train
NOTICED AND INCREASING GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED ALSO HAVING THE MECHANIC LOOK FOR METAL SHAVING WITH NONE FOUND. TOOK TO TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO CONFIRMED THE "DIFFERENTIAL" WAS GOING TO FAIL SOON AND ADVISED TO NOT DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL REPAIRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10310207
175,000 miles · Feb 12, 2010
Power Train
A RATTLING NOISE STARTED UNDER THE CAR. IT WOULD DISAPPEAR WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS PUSHED DOWN. OVER A 2 DAY PERIOD, THE NOISE BECAME VERY LOUD AND BECAME MORE LIKE A CLACKING NOISE, BUT NOT CONSTANT. WE TOOK THE CAR TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST. THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT AND WE'VE ORDERED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I TOLD THE T…
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A RATTLING NOISE STARTED UNDER THE CAR. IT WOULD DISAPPEAR WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS PUSHED DOWN. OVER A 2 DAY PERIOD, THE NOISE BECAME VERY LOUD AND BECAME MORE LIKE A CLACKING NOISE, BUT NOT CONSTANT. WE TOOK THE CAR TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST. THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT AND WE'VE ORDERED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I TOLD THE TECHNICIAN THERE WERE LOTS OF REPORTS ABOUT THE '03 AND '04 TRANSMISSIONS. WHEN THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN SPOKE TO TOYOTA ABOUT ANY FREQUENCY OF THIS HAPPENING WITH THE '03 MATRIX, TOYOTA SAID THEY HADN'T HAD ANY REPORTS ON IT. (I UNDERSTAND THEY FIXED PROBLEMS BY '05) THIS IS THE 3RD TOYOTA WE HAVE HAD. NEVER HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I HOPE THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION DOES NOT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10310101
130,000 miles · Feb 6, 2010
Power Train
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY OUR (03 TOYOTA MATRIX, MANUAL TRANS), (NORTH BOUND I-45 CONROE, TEXAS) THE CAR ABRUPTLY STARTED A THUMPING SLAPPING SOUND. FROM THE FROUNT END. ASAP! PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, STOPPED AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. MY HUSBAND ARRIVED, TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. HE HAD ME TURN THE CAR ON WITHOUT STARTI…
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DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY OUR (03 TOYOTA MATRIX, MANUAL TRANS), (NORTH BOUND I-45 CONROE, TEXAS) THE CAR ABRUPTLY STARTED A THUMPING SLAPPING SOUND. FROM THE FROUNT END. ASAP! PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, STOPPED AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. MY HUSBAND ARRIVED, TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. HE HAD ME TURN THE CAR ON WITHOUT STARTING AND PUSHED THE VEHICLE. THE THUMPING, SLAPPING SOUND IS COMING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE. TO BE CONTINUED. *CN
NHTSA ODI #10306887
100,000 miles · Jan 29, 2010
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX DIED AFTER 100,000 MILES AND IT'S A MANUAL. I PURCHASED THE CAR USED AND IT HAD ABOUT 70K MILES ON IT. I HAD A TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSH AT ABOUT 80K. THE CAR STARTED MAKING NOISES AND THEN I COULDN'T SHIFT IT INTO GEAR AND THEN IT COMPLETELY DIED. I HAD TO HAVE A NEW/REBUILT TRANSMIS…
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THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX DIED AFTER 100,000 MILES AND IT'S A MANUAL. I PURCHASED THE CAR USED AND IT HAD ABOUT 70K MILES ON IT. I HAD A TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSH AT ABOUT 80K. THE CAR STARTED MAKING NOISES AND THEN I COULDN'T SHIFT IT INTO GEAR AND THEN IT COMPLETELY DIED. I HAD TO HAVE A NEW/REBUILT TRANSMISSION PUT INTO THE CAR FOR ABOUT $2,500. APPARENTLY THIS IS FAIRLY COMMON WITH THE MATRIX AND I DON'T THINK IT'S SPECIFIC TO THE 2003 CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10303248
130,000 miles · Jan 18, 2010
EquipmentPower Train
GRINDING NOISE BEGAN, SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. I'VE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION TWICE ALREADY AND CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. THE CAR NOW SITS AS I CONTINUE TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10300127
NHTSA investigations
1EA08004 · 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.
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