Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
340–25K
2525–50K
2450–75K
3575–100K
36100–150K
16150K+
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
What owners actually said
268 reports
56,000 miles · Apr 13, 2008
Power Train
2003 TOYOTA MATRIX THE VEHICLE ODOMETER CURRENTLY SHOWS 57,108 MILES. ON JANUARY 24TH, THE CLUTCH WENT OUT AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE CAR WAS TOWED ($45) TO OUR MECHANIC AT POLLY'S SHELL IN NASHVILLE AND WE PAID THE FOLLOWING AMOUNT TO HAVE THE CLUTCH REPLACED: CLUTCH SET: $268 ADDITIONAL …
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2003 TOYOTA MATRIX THE VEHICLE ODOMETER CURRENTLY SHOWS 57,108 MILES. ON JANUARY 24TH, THE CLUTCH WENT OUT AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE CAR WAS TOWED ($45) TO OUR MECHANIC AT POLLY'S SHELL IN NASHVILLE AND WE PAID THE FOLLOWING AMOUNT TO HAVE THE CLUTCH REPLACED: CLUTCH SET: $268 ADDITIONAL PARTS: 42 TOW: 45 LABOR: 455 OIL: 38 THE TOTAL BILL WITH OTHER ITEMS CAME TO MORE THAN $900.00. A COPY OF THE ORIGINAL RECEIPT IS ENCLOSED. WHEN WE EXAMINED THE CLUTCH, THE PRESSURE PLATE DISC HAD BROKEN INTO FOUR EQUAL PARTS. IN ADDITION TO OUR REGULAR MECHANIC, OTHER MECHANICS AT POLLY'S COMMENTED THAT THE FACT THE MECHANISM BROKE EQUALLY INTO FOUR PARTS IS OBVIOUSLY THE RESULT OF A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT SINCE THIS TYPE FRACTURE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10224329
105,000 miles · Apr 10, 2008
Power Train
I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX THAT ON JULY 30, 2007, HAD A LITTLE OVER 105,000 MILES ON IT. DRIVING EITHER IN TOWN OR ON THE HIGHWAY A CLINKIING SOUND WAS NOTICED BY DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS ALONG WITH AN INTERMITTENT INCREASED DIFFICULTY IN SHIFTING GEARS. ON JULY 30, 2007, DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CLINKING NOISE BECOME MORE PRONO…
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I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX THAT ON JULY 30, 2007, HAD A LITTLE OVER 105,000 MILES ON IT. DRIVING EITHER IN TOWN OR ON THE HIGHWAY A CLINKIING SOUND WAS NOTICED BY DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS ALONG WITH AN INTERMITTENT INCREASED DIFFICULTY IN SHIFTING GEARS. ON JULY 30, 2007, DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CLINKING NOISE BECOME MORE PRONOUNCED. I PARKED MY VEHICLE TO DO SOME ERRANDS AND CAME BACK THE CAR WOULD START, BUT WOULD NOT ENTER INTO ANY GEAR. THE CAR WAS LOCKED IN A GEAR THAT WAS NOT NEUTRAL. I WAS STRANDED ABOUT 30 MILES FROM MY HOME AND HAD TO CALL A TOWING COMPANY TO COME AND TOW THE VEHICLE TO THE IOWA CITY TOYOTA COMPANY. FROM THERE, TOYOTA INSPECTED MY 2003 TOYOTA MATIX AND FOUND THAT THE GEAR TEETH IN THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION HAS COMPLETELY ERODED AND BROKE OFF. TOYOTA HAD TO REPLACE THE FULL TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH COSTING CLOSE TO $3000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10224080
36,800 miles · Apr 8, 2008
Power Train
ORIGINAL '03 TOY. MATRIX XRS MFG. CLUTCH BURNT OUT @ 37K MI OF NORMAL (NOT RACING) DRIVING. CLUTCH ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. NO BURNING SMELL - JUST HIGHER REVVING, NO POWER. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING STICKS FOR 18+ YRS (MOSTLY TOYOTAS - THIS IS NOT NORMAL)! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10223675
64,000 miles · Mar 21, 2008
Power Train
2003 TOYOTA MATRIX, 64000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, BOUGHT IT USED 10/2007 CERTIFIED TOYOTA AND THANK GOODNESS WE BOUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. JUST TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS DIRTY AND HAD METAL SHAVINGS IN PAN ALSO HYDRAULIC WENT OUT AND HAD A FAULTY SENSOR IN TRANS AXLE. DEAL…
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2003 TOYOTA MATRIX, 64000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, BOUGHT IT USED 10/2007 CERTIFIED TOYOTA AND THANK GOODNESS WE BOUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. JUST TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS DIRTY AND HAD METAL SHAVINGS IN PAN ALSO HYDRAULIC WENT OUT AND HAD A FAULTY SENSOR IN TRANS AXLE. DEALER WILL REPLACE IT BUT THANK GOODNESS WE HAD THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND WILL WE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE REPLACEMENT???? WE PURCHASED THIS CAR FOR OUR DAUGHTER BECAUSE TOYOTA IS SUPPOSE TO BE RELIABLE, BUT WE HAVE NEVER HAD A TRANSMISSION GO OUT IN ANY OF OUR OTHER CARS AND WE USUALLY KEEP THEM FOR 10 YEARS..... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10221932
72,900 miles · Mar 13, 2008
Power Train
TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY RUINED AT 72,000 MILES 5 SPEED MANUAL TOYOTA MATRIX 2003. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10221108
Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
I BOUGHT A USED 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX IN MAY OF 2007. BECAUSE IT HAD THE TOYOTA NAME ON IT, I ASSUMED IT WOULD BE A QUALITY CAR - WRONG! NOW IT IS MARCH 2008, LESS THAN ONE YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO SPEND ALMOST $1000 TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH (AN ITEM I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE IN ANY CAR I'VE OWNED). NO…
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I BOUGHT A USED 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX IN MAY OF 2007. BECAUSE IT HAD THE TOYOTA NAME ON IT, I ASSUMED IT WOULD BE A QUALITY CAR - WRONG! NOW IT IS MARCH 2008, LESS THAN ONE YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO SPEND ALMOST $1000 TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH (AN ITEM I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE IN ANY CAR I'VE OWNED). NOW THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS BURNING UP. I WENT TO THE DEALER & THEY SAID THE REPAIR WOULD BE $1700, BUT THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO PAY FOR HALF OF IT - STILL LEAVING ME TO PAY $850 FOR A PART THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPLACING AT 90K MILES. AFTER GOING HOME & DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILS IN VIRTUALLY EVERY 2003 & 2004 MATRIX, BUT TOYOTA DOES NOT WANT TO DO THE RESPECTABLE THING - ISSUE A RECALL!!! I DID NOT EXPECT TO BE SPENDING $2700/YEAR IN REPAIRS (OUTSIDE OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE) FOR A TOYOTA - THE REPUTATION IS REALLY UNDESERVED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10220928
Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2008
Power Train
I BOUGHT A USED 2003 MATRIX IN MAY OF 2007. IN NOVEMBER (90K MILES), I STARTED NOTICING THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT, THEY SAID THAT I NEEDED A NEW CLUTCH ($1200). I WAS SHOCKED BECAUSE I HAVE DRIVEN STICK SHIFTS FOR OVER 15 YEARS NOW & HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A CLUTCH. …
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I BOUGHT A USED 2003 MATRIX IN MAY OF 2007. IN NOVEMBER (90K MILES), I STARTED NOTICING THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT, THEY SAID THAT I NEEDED A NEW CLUTCH ($1200). I WAS SHOCKED BECAUSE I HAVE DRIVEN STICK SHIFTS FOR OVER 15 YEARS NOW & HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A CLUTCH. FOUND ANOTHER MECHANIC TO INSTALL THE NEW CLUTCH FOR $800. HE INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THE CLUTCH HAD BEEN REPLACED IN THIS CAR. APPARENTLY THE CLUTCH IN THE 2003 MATRIX IS MADE TO BURN OUT EVERY 50K MILES! TOYOTAS ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE A BETTER REPUTATION THAN THIS !@#$%! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10220920
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
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.
2003 Toyota Matrix Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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