2003 Toyota Matrix: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 268 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (31% of complaints); the 2004 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 268 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owned a 2003 toyota matrix. While driving approximately 50 mph, the contact rear ended another vehicle. The front end of the contact's vehicle was severely damaged, but the air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained an injured chest and shoulder, which required medical treatment. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. A police report was filed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 190,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota matrix. While the contact was idling at a red light, the seat belt air bag restraint system erroneously activated and forcefully secured the driver into the seat. During the incident, no crash had occurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (baierl toyota, 19045 perry hwy, mars, pa), but the cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified and an investigator was sent to examine the vehicle. The failure mileage was 200,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 2018
“I have gotten the "takata recall" letter and took my car on march 18, 2018, with mike briseno from toyota here near my place 1901 s figueroa st, los angeles, ca 90007. They offered me an uber ride home from the dealership with my husband and said it will take 2-3 hours. Got the call from mike briseno and said that my car is ready. I got there and he said they did not do anything and had to order the parts. Called the dealership on may 16, 2018, talked to mike said he will call me to see back order and never responded if the parts ever arrived since may 2018. Car was never fixed.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“The airbag indicator on my car lit up. I scheduled an appointment with toyota to have it diagnosed, and they said that I needed a new spiral clock spring cable, which is part number 84306-02110. This is an expensive part, over $300. After doing some searching, I found out that 1) many other toyota matrix and corolla owners have had this issue and 2) there was a recall on this part for toyotas of a slightly different make, model, and year. I believe that this part is defective, and that toyota should cover the replacement cost, including labor.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota matrix. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in a recall for the air bags and was repaired. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The dealer was informed of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case regarding the failure. The NHTSA campaign number was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 275,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 toyota matrix. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15v043000 (air bags) and 15v285000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota matrix. While driving, the check engine sensor indicator illuminated and the vehicle experienced hard shifting. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ecm was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 107,000.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota matrix. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the third and fourth gears were not getting any oil and tearing the bearing and transmission apart. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota matrix. While driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle lost power and stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Prior to the failure, when the vehicle was started, an abnormal knocking sound emitted from under the hood of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 171,580.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2016
“2003 toyota matrix. Consumer writes in regards to installation of airbag part issues. *smd the consumer stated even though the dealer had the part, the couldn't install it. The consumer did not go any further in detail. *jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 19 of these complaints and injuries in 22 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Matrix by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Toyota Matrix reliable?
NHTSA has 268 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Toyota Matrix. The most complained-about area is power train (31% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Toyota Matrix problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,000 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Toyota Matrix have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.