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
Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2003
Tires
PURCHASED A 2003 MATRIX RS WITH OPTION PK THAT INCLUDED 17" WHEELS, ABS, ALL WEATHER GUARD PACKAGE, AND SPORTS TRIM. FIRST SNOW I FOUND OUT THE PACKAGE WITH A INCLUDES SUMMER ONLY TIRES. MY MISTAKE FOR NOT CHECKING THE TIRES, BUT THE ABS BRAKES AND ALL WEATHER GUARD PACKAGE LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THE CAR WAS READY FOR WINTER. IT …
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PURCHASED A 2003 MATRIX RS WITH OPTION PK THAT INCLUDED 17" WHEELS, ABS, ALL WEATHER GUARD PACKAGE, AND SPORTS TRIM. FIRST SNOW I FOUND OUT THE PACKAGE WITH A INCLUDES SUMMER ONLY TIRES. MY MISTAKE FOR NOT CHECKING THE TIRES, BUT THE ABS BRAKES AND ALL WEATHER GUARD PACKAGE LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THE CAR WAS READY FOR WINTER. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH CURRENT TIRES.
NHTSA ODI #10003286
Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2003
Exterior Lighting
THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS TURN ON MYSTERIOUSLY AT NIGHT WHILE THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. SYMPTOMS INCLUDED A DEAD BATTERY AFTER NOT DRIVING THE CAR FOR THREE DAYS, AND THE DASHBOARD PANEL LIGHTS TURNING OFF WHENEVER THE TURN SIGNAL IS USED. DEALERSHIP DENIED THERE WAS A PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10003247
Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2003
Power Train
WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED ON AND UPGRADE, CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE ROLLS BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE IS AN AUTOMATIC. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA ODI #10004200
100 miles · Jan 6, 2003
Exterior Lighting
THE AUTO HEADLIGHT SYSTEM THAT TURNS THE HEADLIGHTS ON AND OFF DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. IT TURNS THE HEADLIGHTS ON AT ALL TIMES OF THE DAY, MORE OFTEN ON BRIGHT SUNNY DAYS WHEN DRIVING THROUGH SHADOWS. THIS MAKE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO READ GUAGES, SPEEDOMETER ETC.
NHTSA ODI #10000746
27 miles · Dec 21, 2002
Steering
AFTER PURCHASE, COMPLAINED OF HAVING STEERING WANDER. AND NOT ONLY DID THE DEALER NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT RETURNED THE CAR WITH THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONING. AFTER SEVERAL MORE TRIPS TO THE DEALER, THEY FINALLY REPLACED THE STEERING RACK ADMITTING PROBLEMS WITH SOME UNITS. UPON BEING INFORMED THAT THIS MADE NO DIFFERENCE, …
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AFTER PURCHASE, COMPLAINED OF HAVING STEERING WANDER. AND NOT ONLY DID THE DEALER NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT RETURNED THE CAR WITH THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONING. AFTER SEVERAL MORE TRIPS TO THE DEALER, THEY FINALLY REPLACED THE STEERING RACK ADMITTING PROBLEMS WITH SOME UNITS. UPON BEING INFORMED THAT THIS MADE NO DIFFERENCE, AND WITHOUT FURTHER RETESTING, CARMAX AND TOYOTA REFUSE TO PERFORM ANY MORE ATTEMPTS AT FIXING EITHER PROBLEM. TS
NHTSA ODI #10000334
Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER VISUALLY NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM VEHICLE. DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT KEY HAD FAILED AND REPLACED. TS
NHTSA ODI #10001305
1,130 miles · Dec 20, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, OtherInterior Lighting
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE TURNS AND STEERING WAS VERY HARD. CONSUMER VISUALLY NOTICED A FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDER VEHICLE. DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD FAILED. TS THE NEXT DAY, CONSUMER NOTICED MORE FLUID LEAKING. DEALER REPLACED CRANKSHAFT AND KEYWAY. DOME LIT INOPERATIVE. BULB REPLACED…
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WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE TURNS AND STEERING WAS VERY HARD. CONSUMER VISUALLY NOTICED A FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDER VEHICLE. DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD FAILED. TS THE NEXT DAY, CONSUMER NOTICED MORE FLUID LEAKING. DEALER REPLACED CRANKSHAFT AND KEYWAY. DOME LIT INOPERATIVE. BULB REPLACED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. DEALER FOUND EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10001302
Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2002
Unknown Or Other
ON A SUNNY TRIP FROM SAN DIEGO TO SAN FRANCISCO AND ANOTHER SUNNY TRIP FROM SAN DIEGO TO PHOENIX THE DASH BOARD DIALS WERE UNREADABLE. I FOUND THAT WHEN I COULD READ THEM I WAS GOING 90 MILES AN HOUR WHICH IS NOT MY USUAL HIGHWAY SPEED. AT NIGHT THE LIGHTS TO LIGHT UP THE GEAR SHIFT DO NOT LIGHT UP UNTIL YOU HAVE DRIVEN 10 TO …
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ON A SUNNY TRIP FROM SAN DIEGO TO SAN FRANCISCO AND ANOTHER SUNNY TRIP FROM SAN DIEGO TO PHOENIX THE DASH BOARD DIALS WERE UNREADABLE. I FOUND THAT WHEN I COULD READ THEM I WAS GOING 90 MILES AN HOUR WHICH IS NOT MY USUAL HIGHWAY SPEED. AT NIGHT THE LIGHTS TO LIGHT UP THE GEAR SHIFT DO NOT LIGHT UP UNTIL YOU HAVE DRIVEN 10 TO 20 FEET, HOPEFULLY IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. DT
NHTSA ODI #770452
Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2002
Steering
RETURNED THE NEW 2003 VEHICLE TO CARMAX TOYOTA COMPLAINING OF STEERING WANDER. NOT ONLY DID THEY NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ME WITH THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONING AND NOW REQUIRING TWICE THE EFFORT. POWER ASSIST IS MINIMAL FROM STOP TO ABOUT 50 MPH. STEERING ASSIST IS INCREASES AS SPEED INCREASES, EX…
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RETURNED THE NEW 2003 VEHICLE TO CARMAX TOYOTA COMPLAINING OF STEERING WANDER. NOT ONLY DID THEY NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ME WITH THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONING AND NOW REQUIRING TWICE THE EFFORT. POWER ASSIST IS MINIMAL FROM STOP TO ABOUT 50 MPH. STEERING ASSIST IS INCREASES AS SPEED INCREASES, EXACTLY OPPOSITE OF HOW IT IS SUPPOSED TO WORK. THREE MORE VISITS TO CARMAX AND THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. THEIR ACTIONS ARE CONSISTENT WITH THOSE WHERE THE MAKER AND DEALER KNOW THEY HAVE A RECALL PROBLEM LOOMING AND ARE TRYING TO HIDE IT. DT
NHTSA ODI #769866
Mileage unknown · Nov 12, 2002
Unknown Or Other
THIS MODEL IS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS THAT DIM THE DASH LIGHTS WHEN THEY COME ON. UNFORTUNATELY, THE DESIGN OF THE LIGHT SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE, IN THAT IT IS LOCATED SO CLOSE TO THE A PILLAR THAT THE LIGHTS FLICK ON AND OFF ALL DAY LONG. THIS CAR HAS GAUGES, MEANING THAT THEY MUST BE BACK LIT IN ORDER TO BE VISIBLE, AND…
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THIS MODEL IS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS THAT DIM THE DASH LIGHTS WHEN THEY COME ON. UNFORTUNATELY, THE DESIGN OF THE LIGHT SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE, IN THAT IT IS LOCATED SO CLOSE TO THE A PILLAR THAT THE LIGHTS FLICK ON AND OFF ALL DAY LONG. THIS CAR HAS GAUGES, MEANING THAT THEY MUST BE BACK LIT IN ORDER TO BE VISIBLE, AND WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS COME ON IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY (AS THEY DO QUITE OFTEN) THE GAUGES ARE OBSCURED, AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL WHAT SPEED YOU ARE GOING, FOR INSTANCE. DESPITE TWO VISITS TO THE TOYOTA DEALER TO ADDRESS THIS, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE LIGHTS ARE FUNCTIONING AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO. THE LIGHTS FLICK ON AND OFF ALL DAY LONG, EVEN AT NOON, DEPENDING ON WHETHER I AM DRIVING TOWARDS THE SUN OR AWAY FROM IT, OR WHETHER IT IS TO MY LEFT OR RIGHT. DT
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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