NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
268 reportsMileage 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…
Read full complaint
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 13, 2006
Power Train
2003 TOYOTA MATRIX - CLUTCH BURNS TOO EASILY. I LEARNED HOW TO DRIVE ON A STD, HAVE DRIVEN THEM FOR 15 YEAR AND NEVER HAD THIS BURNING PROBLEM. THIS IS ONE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10155277
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…
Read full complaint
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 · Nov 15, 2005
Tires
PURCHASED AFFINITY LH 30 TIRES FOR 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. TIRES WEARING EVEN BUT ALL ARE STARTING TO DEVELOP CRACKS NEAR EDGE OF TREAD. TIRES ONLY HAVE 25000 MILES ON THEM AND TREAD DEPTH AVERAGE IS 8/32. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10142799
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON CONSTANTLY. THIS STARTED 3-4 MONTHS AGO. THE DEALER HAS HAD TO RESET THE CODES SEVERAL TIMES. THE LIGHT WILL STAYED OFF FOR ONLY A COUPLE OF DAYS AND THEN THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. SHE SAID THE CAR DIED O 4 TIMES, AND SHE HAS HAD TO REBOOT IT. THE BATTERY WAS GOOD. NO ONE …
Read full complaint
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON CONSTANTLY. THIS STARTED 3-4 MONTHS AGO. THE DEALER HAS HAD TO RESET THE CODES SEVERAL TIMES. THE LIGHT WILL STAYED OFF FOR ONLY A COUPLE OF DAYS AND THEN THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. SHE SAID THE CAR DIED O 4 TIMES, AND SHE HAS HAD TO REBOOT IT. THE BATTERY WAS GOOD. NO ONE WAS ABLE TO TELL HER WHY THE CAR WOULD NOT START. SHE SAID THE CAR WAS RUNNING GOOD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10134074
40,000 miles · Aug 18, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline
DT: 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE IS LEAKING GAS FROM THE FUEL TANK DUE TO INTERNAL FLAPPER BREAKING. THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED, IT WILL COST $688. WHEN PUMPING GAS IT WOULD TAKE A LONG TIME, AND THE MILEAGE WAS REAL BAD. WHEN THEY LOOKED THEY FOUND GAS WAS LEAKING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10133320
38,550 miles · Jun 23, 2005
Fuel System, Other
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK MY MATRIX TO DEALER THE VERY NEXT DAY(AM).DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY CHARCOAL FUEL CANISTER. DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD COST $430.00 AND THAT THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED WHEN THE GAS TANK IS "TOPPED-OFF" WHEN BEING FILLED COMPLETELY.SINCE THE VEHICLE IS BEYOND THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTEE, I'M EXP…
Read full complaint
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK MY MATRIX TO DEALER THE VERY NEXT DAY(AM).DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY CHARCOAL FUEL CANISTER. DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD COST $430.00 AND THAT THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED WHEN THE GAS TANK IS "TOPPED-OFF" WHEN BEING FILLED COMPLETELY.SINCE THE VEHICLE IS BEYOND THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTEE, I'M EXPECTED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I DON'T THINK THAT IT'S GOOD OR FAIR CUSTOMER SERVICE. ESPECIALLY,SINCE IT'S ILLEGAL IN THE STATE OF NJ TO FUEL YOUR OWN VEHICLE ,AND THEN BECOMES A CIRCUMSTANCE BEYOND MY CONTROL.TOYOTA NEEDS TO MAKE PEOPLE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM OR FIX IT! FROM READING ON THE INTERNET, IT'S A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN MOST OF TOYOTA'S PRODUCT LINE.
NHTSA ODI #10126417
47,079 miles · Jun 4, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR, IT WILL START TO MISS OUT AND THEN STALL. UPON RESTARTING, THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER. THAT HELPED FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND THEN PROBLEM RECURRED. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND WE THEN REPLACED THE IGNITORS. ONCE THAT WAS COMPLETE THE CAR RAN FI…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR, IT WILL START TO MISS OUT AND THEN STALL. UPON RESTARTING, THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER. THAT HELPED FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND THEN PROBLEM RECURRED. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND WE THEN REPLACED THE IGNITORS. ONCE THAT WAS COMPLETE THE CAR RAN FINE FOR 2 MONTHS. NOW IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN, AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. IT HAPPENED TO ME TODAY FOR INSTANCE WHILE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSTECTION MAKING A A TURN. WHEN THE CAR STALLS, I HAVE LIMITED STEERING. THIS ALSO HAPPENS TO ME WHILE I'M ON THE INTERSTATE. CLEARLY THERE IS A SEVERE PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR THAT GOES BEYOND THE COMPUTER AND IGNITORS. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, BUT I HAVE NO CHOICE SINCE IT IS THE ONLY CAR THAT I HAVE.
NHTSA ODI #10124201
30,500 miles · May 26, 2005
Power Train
DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS YOU CAN SMELL THE BURNING COMING FROM THE CLUTCH WHICH IS NORMAL AFTER A COUPLE DAYS OF DRIVING WHE IT STARTED TO TURN OUT TO MONTHS IT BECAME SKEPTICAL....THE CLUTCH BEGAN TO SLIP A LOT TAKES LONG TO CATCH ON..NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT PROBLEM FOR NOW UNTIL CLUTCH GOES OUT.....THE BURNING SMELL…
Read full complaint
DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS YOU CAN SMELL THE BURNING COMING FROM THE CLUTCH WHICH IS NORMAL AFTER A COUPLE DAYS OF DRIVING WHE IT STARTED TO TURN OUT TO MONTHS IT BECAME SKEPTICAL....THE CLUTCH BEGAN TO SLIP A LOT TAKES LONG TO CATCH ON..NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT PROBLEM FOR NOW UNTIL CLUTCH GOES OUT.....THE BURNING SMELL STILL CONTINUES
NHTSA ODI #10122177
Mileage unknown · May 2, 2005
Power Train
I HAVE AN 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX XRS. CLUTCH STARTED SLIPPING AND YOU CAN SMELL IT MOST OF THE TIME. HAS 53,000 MILES. I HAVE DRIVEN MANY STANDARDS OVER THE YEARS AND NEVER HAD THIS MUCH TROUBLE WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE LAST CLUTCH I HAD TO REPLACE WAS ON A 1991 SUZUKI SWIFT THAT HAD OVER 220,000 MILES. TOYOTA USED TO B…
Read full complaint
I HAVE AN 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX XRS. CLUTCH STARTED SLIPPING AND YOU CAN SMELL IT MOST OF THE TIME. HAS 53,000 MILES. I HAVE DRIVEN MANY STANDARDS OVER THE YEARS AND NEVER HAD THIS MUCH TROUBLE WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE LAST CLUTCH I HAD TO REPLACE WAS ON A 1991 SUZUKI SWIFT THAT HAD OVER 220,000 MILES. TOYOTA USED TO BE A GOOD VEHICLE. THEY REALLY NEED TO FIX THIS ISSUE. HAVE READ LOTS OF PROBLEMS FROM OTHER PEOPLE ON HTTP://WWW. MATRIXOWNERS.COM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10118862
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.
Illustration