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2004 Toyota Matrix

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Toyota Matrix do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 70.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

96 reports with mileage · 42 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 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports2 fire reports12 injury reports

What owners actually said

138 reports
150,000 miles · Feb 11, 2013
Power Train

MY CAR STARTED MAKING A WEIRD NOISE. WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS PUSHED IN, THE NOISE WOULD STOP. 3 WEEKS LATER I HAD TO GO TO WORK SO I GOT ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE NOISE WAS GETTING LOUDER AND LOUDER. MY FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP AND MY TRANSMISSION SHOT ME OUT OF GEAR. A CAR ALMOST HIT ME WHICH WOULD OF COST MY LIFE. I WILL NEVER BUY A TO…

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MY CAR STARTED MAKING A WEIRD NOISE. WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS PUSHED IN, THE NOISE WOULD STOP. 3 WEEKS LATER I HAD TO GO TO WORK SO I GOT ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE NOISE WAS GETTING LOUDER AND LOUDER. MY FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP AND MY TRANSMISSION SHOT ME OUT OF GEAR. A CAR ALMOST HIT ME WHICH WOULD OF COST MY LIFE. I WILL NEVER BUY A TOYOTA AGAIN. IT COSTS $2000 TO FIX. HOPEFULLY YOU GUYS DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10497822

26,000 miles · Dec 8, 2012
Suspension

TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE ALIGNMENT ISSUES WITH THIS MODEL. CONSTANT INNER TIRE WEAR ISSUES. ALIGNED TO SPEC. EVERY YEAR. SHIM ADDED TO REAR TO CORRECT FACTORY MISALIGNMENT. TIRES BADLY CHOPPED AFTER JUST 15K MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10487736

120,000 miles · Oct 23, 2012
SteeringCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIFT OFF TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT TRIED TO STRAIGHTEN UP THE STEERING WHEEL BUT IT LOCKED UP AND CAUSED HER TO CRASH INTO A DITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE DRIVER AND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIFT OFF TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT TRIED TO STRAIGHTEN UP THE STEERING WHEEL BUT IT LOCKED UP AND CAUSED HER TO CRASH INTO A DITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE DRIVER AND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DECLARED THE VEHICLE DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS GOING TO SEND AN AGENT TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT WOULD SEND AN INVESTIGATOR TO THE DEALER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10481545

54,000 miles · Apr 2, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND THE SPEED INCREASED TO APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL GEAR AND THEN; THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND THE SPEED INCREASED TO APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL GEAR AND THEN; THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

NHTSA ODI #10453803

150,000 miles · Oct 7, 2011
Power Train

STARTED MAKING LOUD NOISE, THEN LOCKING UP. COULD NOT SHIFT OR GET INTO GEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10429071

97,000 miles · Aug 29, 2011
Electrical System

2004 TOYOTA MATRIX XR - FAILURE OF ECM (ENGINE CONTROL MODULE). 2005 - 2009 HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR FAILURE OF THIS PART. TOYOTA WILL NOT RECOGNIZE NEED TO COVER FAILURE IN THIS MODEL YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10422433

63,000 miles · Jul 6, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THE BEARINGS IN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE FAIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THE BEARINGS IN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000. UPDATED 09/12/11

NHTSA ODI #10410723

Mileage unknown · May 4, 2011
Seat Belts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A SUNSHINE KIDS RADIAN XTSL CHILD SEAT, MODEL NUMBER 19500, MANUFACTURED IN SEPTEMBER 2010. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUPER LATCH WOULD BECOME LOOSE DUE TO THE INFANT KICKING THE BUCKLE SINCE SHE WAS REAR FACING. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT DID NOT RETURN THE SAFETY SEAT TO THE MANUFACTURER OR WHE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A SUNSHINE KIDS RADIAN XTSL CHILD SEAT, MODEL NUMBER 19500, MANUFACTURED IN SEPTEMBER 2010. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUPER LATCH WOULD BECOME LOOSE DUE TO THE INFANT KICKING THE BUCKLE SINCE SHE WAS REAR FACING. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT DID NOT RETURN THE SAFETY SEAT TO THE MANUFACTURER OR WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED.

NHTSA ODI #10399075

135,000 miles · Feb 6, 2011
Power Train

BEARINGS FAILED IN 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSAXLE ON MY 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX WITH 135,000 KMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10380886

8,000 miles · Dec 30, 2010
SteeringSuspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ALIGNMENT WAS UNEVEN, CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE TIRES. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRES THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ALIGNMENT WAS UNEVEN, CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE TIRES. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRES THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,000. UPDATED 04/12/11*LJ UPDATED 04/13/11

NHTSA ODI #10373500

Official recalls

1

08V162000 · 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

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.