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
33,000 miles · Apr 12, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I OWN A 2003 MATRIX XR000 WITH 53000 MILES. I HAD THE FRONT PADS AND ROTORS TURNED AT 33000 MILES BY TOYOTA. LAST MONTH I FELT THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING WHEN APPLYING MY BRAKES AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40-70 MPH. *AK I WAS TOLD LAST WEEK BY THE LOCAL TOYOTA MECHANIC THAT BOTH MY DRUMS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THEY SAID THAT BLUE SPECS W…
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I OWN A 2003 MATRIX XR000 WITH 53000 MILES. I HAD THE FRONT PADS AND ROTORS TURNED AT 33000 MILES BY TOYOTA. LAST MONTH I FELT THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING WHEN APPLYING MY BRAKES AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40-70 MPH. *AK I WAS TOLD LAST WEEK BY THE LOCAL TOYOTA MECHANIC THAT BOTH MY DRUMS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THEY SAID THAT BLUE SPECS WERE IDENTIFIED INDICATING WEAR ON MY DRUMS. I ASKED WHAT WOULD CAUSE THE DRUMS TO WEAR SO FAST AND THEIR REPLY WAS NORMAL WEAR OR EMERGENCY BRAKE BEING APPLIED BY DRIVER. I ASKED IF ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAS EVER BEEN REPORTED BY OTHER DRIVERS AND THE ANSWER WAS NEVER. THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THE DRUMS BECAUSE IT WAS NOT SOMETHING THEY HAVE SEEN BEFORE. I SPOKE TO THE CORPORATE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE REPRESENTATIVE AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT A DEFECT AND WAS FROM NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR BASED ON THE TOYOTA MECHANIC ANALYSIS. I CALLED ANOTHER BRAKE SPECIALIST AND PROVIDED HIM THE SAME INFORMATION THAT TOYOTA DIAGNOSED AND THEY SAID THAT THEY NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING THAT THE DRUMS NEEDED REPLACED AT 53K MILES IN THE 15 YEARS HE HAS DONE BUSINESS IN BRAKES. THE FAILURE AND CONSEQUENCES BY TOYOTA NOT IDENTIFYING THIS AS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTORY CAUSES ME TO DISH OUT ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO FIX THE DEFECT ENDURED BY THEIR PRODUCT. MY QUESTION TO TOYOTA: THIS IS 1 IN A MILLION ODDS OF HAPPENING, ISN'T IT POSSIBLE THAT THIS INDEED IS A MANUFACTORY DEFECT AND NOT CUSTOMER RELATED? WHY DIDN'T TOYOTA IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM EARLIER AT THE BRAKE INSPECTION SERVICED AT 33K MILES? I ADVISED OTHERS NOT TO PURCHASE A TOYOTA VEHICLE, THE COST PAID FOR TOYOTA VEHICLES AND POOR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION WARRANTS A "F" IN MY BOOK.
NHTSA ODI #10116809
Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2005
Structure
WHILE DRIVING DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WOULD BECOME UNREADABLE DUE TO GLARE FROM THE SUN AT ANY TIME. THIS CAUSES POOR VISIBILITY FOR THE DRIVER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10117737
20,000 miles · Apr 6, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO HIT THE BRAKES REAL HARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10117518
44,000 miles · Mar 22, 2005
Suspension
PREMATURELY THE VEHICLE WILL GET OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO PULL TO THE LEFT. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10115521
32,500 miles · Feb 24, 2005
Power Train
THE CLUTCH ON MY 2003 MATRIX FAILED AT 32,000 MILES. I'VE OWNED MANUAL TRANSMISSION CARS ALL MY LIFE AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN UNTIL AT LEAST 65,000 TO 85,000 MILES WERE PUT ON THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA REFUSES TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH BLAMING ME FOR IMPROPER DRIVING TECHNIQUE AND OR ABUSE. IT'S NICE TO SEE THAT IM NOT THE ONLY …
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THE CLUTCH ON MY 2003 MATRIX FAILED AT 32,000 MILES. I'VE OWNED MANUAL TRANSMISSION CARS ALL MY LIFE AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN UNTIL AT LEAST 65,000 TO 85,000 MILES WERE PUT ON THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA REFUSES TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH BLAMING ME FOR IMPROPER DRIVING TECHNIQUE AND OR ABUSE. IT'S NICE TO SEE THAT IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. HOPEFULLY IN THE NEAR FUTURE TOYOTA WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFECTIVE CLUTCH. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10112140
88,000 miles · Jan 7, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
TAIL PIPE ASSEMBLY (CATALYTIC CONVERTER INSIDE OF MUFFLER) IS BAD . *AKI
NHTSA ODI #10105923
Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2004
Seat Belts
I WISH TO QUESTION THE SAFETY OF SEAT BELT DESIGN, AS MY SON HAS NOW--3 TIMES--GOTTEN SO TANGLED IN HIS REAR-SEAT BELT THAT IT HAD TO BE CUT TO GET HIM LOOSE. WE HAVE A TOYOTA MATRIX, BUT I DON'T THINK THIS PROBLEM IS SPECIFIC TO THAT MODEL CAR. IT HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE IN A RENTAL CAR WHOSE MAKE I DON'T RECALL. NO QUESTION OU…
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I WISH TO QUESTION THE SAFETY OF SEAT BELT DESIGN, AS MY SON HAS NOW--3 TIMES--GOTTEN SO TANGLED IN HIS REAR-SEAT BELT THAT IT HAD TO BE CUT TO GET HIM LOOSE. WE HAVE A TOYOTA MATRIX, BUT I DON'T THINK THIS PROBLEM IS SPECIFIC TO THAT MODEL CAR. IT HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE IN A RENTAL CAR WHOSE MAKE I DON'T RECALL. NO QUESTION OUR YOUNG, SQUIRMY SON DID SOMETHING WEIRD; WE THINK HE PUT THE SHOULDER STRAP BEHIND HIM AND THEN TURNED IN SOME ODD WAY. BUT AFTER THAT, THE DESIGN IS SUCH THAT THE LAP BELT JUST KEPT GETTING TIGHTER AND TIGHTER THE MORE HE TRIED TO GET FREE. UNFASTENING THE BELT DID NO GOOD. AND IT SEEMS QUITE DANGEROUS FOR THERE TO BE NO WAY TO RELEASE IT. THERE SHOULD BE SOME KIND OF MANUAL OVERRIDE MECHANISM FOR SUCH CASES. OR AT THE VERY LEAST A WARNING IN THE CAR'S MANUAL THAT EXPLAINS THAT IF A PASSENGER ALLOWS THE SHOULDER STRAP TIGHTEN BEHIND THE BODY, THERE WILL BE NO WAY TO LOOSEN THE LAP BELT. THE TOYOTA DEALER DID REPLACE THE BELTS AT NO COST. THEY SAID THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS HAPPENING BEOFRE, AND THAT THEY'D MENTION THE PROBLEM TO THEIR DESIGN/SAFETY DEPARTMENT. BUT ASSUMING THAT THE SEAT BELT DESIGN IN MOST CARS IS SIMILAR, WE THOUGHT IT WAS A PROBLEM TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10104785
38,000 miles · Dec 14, 2004
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING. CLUTCH FAILED AT 38,000 MILES. CONTACTED THE DEALER. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10103728
35,940 miles · Dec 8, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
I'M AN OWNER OF A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX AND MY ENGINE HAS THE FAMOUS SLUDGE ISSUE RELATED TO PAST TOYOTA AUTOS OF RECENT YEARS. I DON'T HAVE ALL MY RECEIPTS (I REALLY ALMOST NEVER SAVE THEM) FOR MAINTENANCE BUT I HAVE A FEW... WELL, TOYOTA IS REFUSING THE WARRANTY AND I'M STARTING TO SEE MORE COMPLAINTS ABOUT POSSIBLE ENGINE PROB…
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I'M AN OWNER OF A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX AND MY ENGINE HAS THE FAMOUS SLUDGE ISSUE RELATED TO PAST TOYOTA AUTOS OF RECENT YEARS. I DON'T HAVE ALL MY RECEIPTS (I REALLY ALMOST NEVER SAVE THEM) FOR MAINTENANCE BUT I HAVE A FEW... WELL, TOYOTA IS REFUSING THE WARRANTY AND I'M STARTING TO SEE MORE COMPLAINTS ABOUT POSSIBLE ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR! MY CAR HAS 36,000 MILES ON IT AND IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND JUST TODAY I'VE BEEN TOLD THE ENGINE CAN'T BE SAVED! I'M LIVID AND FEEL THAT THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE WRONG CAUSING THESE ISSUES BUT TOYOTA ISN'T SAYING EITHER WAY. I'M RETAINING A LAWYER AND POSSIBLY DROPPING THE CAR IF THIS ISSUE ISN'T ADDRESSED! THERE ARE 4 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA SITE ALREADY AND I BE WE SEE MORE AS THESE MODELS CROSS THE 24K MILE MARKER! *JB
NHTSA ODI #10102361
40,000 miles · Dec 7, 2004
Structure
REAR SPOILER CRACKED. DEALER STATED THAT IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY.*AK
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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