IllustrationFRONT BRAKES JERK BACK AND FORTH WHEN APPLIED. *AK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Matrix years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsTHE 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX I WAS DRIVING HIT THE BACK OF A PICK-UP TRUCK WHEN THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SKID. THE MATRIX WENT PARTIALLY UNDER THE TRUCK, CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE MATRIX. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS IN THE 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX DEPLOYED. THANKS TO THE FACT THAT I WAS WEARING MY SEATBEL…
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THE 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX I WAS DRIVING HIT THE BACK OF A PICK-UP TRUCK WHEN THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SKID. THE MATRIX WENT PARTIALLY UNDER THE TRUCK, CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE MATRIX. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS IN THE 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX DEPLOYED. THANKS TO THE FACT THAT I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT, I RECEIVED ONLY MINOR INJURIES.*AK
CONSUMER STATED THAT THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS SEEING THE FUNCTIONS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DUE TO THE LIGHTS. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE INSTRUMENT AND RADIO LIGHT FADED OUT WHEN DRIVING IN SUN LIGHT. IN SHADE OR AT NIGHT, THIS HAPPENED A LOT. *PH
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE HOOD JUST POPPED UP AND SMASHED THE WINDSHIELD AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *AK *SCC *JB
TOYOTA MATRIX 2003 XRS ON 2ND TRANSMISION AND STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. CLUTCH IS ALSO NASTY. MANY OTHERS WITH SAME CAR HAVING SIMMILAR PROBLEMS. WWW.MATRIXOWNERS.COM HAS A FORUM WITH AT LEAST 30 PEOPLE WITH PROBELMS ALONE.*AK
PREMATURE CLUTCH WEAR CAUSED BY HEAVIER VEHICLE.ORIGINAL CLUTCH WAS INTENDED FOR THE TOYOTA CELICA GTS 2 DOOR. THE SAME CLUTCH IS NOW BEING USED FOR THE MATRIX XRS 4 DOOR WAGON WICH IS APPROX. 200+ POUNDS HEAVIER THAN THE CELICA. WWW.MATRIXOWNERS.COM HAS SEVERAL POSTS FROM OWNERS ALL OVER THE US AND CANADA REPORTING THE SAME ISS…
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PREMATURE CLUTCH WEAR CAUSED BY HEAVIER VEHICLE.ORIGINAL CLUTCH WAS INTENDED FOR THE TOYOTA CELICA GTS 2 DOOR. THE SAME CLUTCH IS NOW BEING USED FOR THE MATRIX XRS 4 DOOR WAGON WICH IS APPROX. 200+ POUNDS HEAVIER THAN THE CELICA. WWW.MATRIXOWNERS.COM HAS SEVERAL POSTS FROM OWNERS ALL OVER THE US AND CANADA REPORTING THE SAME ISSUE. THE CLUTCH IS STARTING TO SHOW FAILURE AT 15,000 MILES AND DEALERS ARE REFUSING TO COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY.*AK
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO READ THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WHEN THE SUN WAS EXTREMELY BRIGHT. *TS *JB
WENT TO DEALER TWICE;COMPLAINED ABOUT BRAKES PULLING RIGHT; TOLD THEY COULDN'T REPRODUCE PROBLEM AND THE BRAKES WERE JUST "ADJUSTING"; TODAY, FAILURE IN STEERING AND BRAKE PULL ALMOST CAUSED WRECK.*AK
AFTER WASHING AND WAXING THE VEHICAL I NOTICED PAINT THE TO BE BLISTERING IN CERTAIN SPOTS OF THE CAR. THE BLISTERING WAS CAUSED BY BIRD DROPPINGS. THIS IS KIND OF STRANGE THAT THIS POOR QUALITY PAINT WOULD BE DAMAGED ON 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. I WOULD EXPECT TOYOTA TO HAVE PROTECTED IT'S VEHICLES WITH PAINT THAT IS NOT EFFECTED …
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AFTER WASHING AND WAXING THE VEHICAL I NOTICED PAINT THE TO BE BLISTERING IN CERTAIN SPOTS OF THE CAR. THE BLISTERING WAS CAUSED BY BIRD DROPPINGS. THIS IS KIND OF STRANGE THAT THIS POOR QUALITY PAINT WOULD BE DAMAGED ON 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. I WOULD EXPECT TOYOTA TO HAVE PROTECTED IT'S VEHICLES WITH PAINT THAT IS NOT EFFECTED BY BIRD DROPPINGS. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN TO OTHER VEHICLES. THIS SUGGEST THAT TOYOTA PAINT IS OF POOR QUALITY. WHEN I APPROACHED THE DEALER THAT SOLD ME CAR, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I DON'T EVEN HAVE THIS CAR A YEAR. GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!I WILL NEVER BY A TOYOTA VEHICLE AGAIN. *AK
WHEN THE SUN LIGHT REFLECTED ONTO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IT MADE THE DIGITAL CONSOLE UNREADABLE. THE CONSUMER SPENT $180 TO HAVE THE WINDOWS TINTED IN ORDER TO HAVE A BETTER VIEW OF THE PANEL. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED BUT REFUSE TO FIX. *AK *CB *NLM
Official recalls
108V162000 · 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
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.