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2003 Toyota MatrixProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 268 owner complaints about the 2003 Toyota Matrix, most often about the power train. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

2003 Toyota Matrix
38
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.6× the Matrix median · #1 of 9 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints26835 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage75kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 7, 2018. Updated daily. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Toyota Matrix has problems

268 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train830
Air bags5711
Engine and engine cooling251
Vehicle speed control214
Service brakes, hydraulic134
Structure122
Electrical system121
Visibility90
Steering82
17 other systems545

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2003 Toyota Matrix recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Visibility: glass, side/rear

Recall 08V-162 · Apr 10, 2008 · 662,178 vehicles

Risk. THE DOOR GLASS MAY SEPARATE FROM THE WINDOW REGULATOR, BIND AND SHATTER DURING OPERATION OF THE POWER WINDOWS, CAUSING DRIVER DISTRACTION AND/OR INJURY.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Toyota.

Mileage at failure

When do power train problems start?

75kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 74 power train complaints. 73% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
10under 30k miles54under 100k miles20100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Power train

18 owners mentioned a cost

$2,647median

Middle half: $2,016 – $3,225

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other Matrix year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Matrix median. How we score

'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 Toyota Matrix, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SIDE FRONT POWER WINDOW SHATTERSEA08004 · closed May 1, 2008
    Led to recall 08V-162
In owners' words

What Matrix owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10905985 · Sep 13, 2016 · 107,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10865143 · May 16, 2016 · 110,000 miles
IT SEEMS TO BE NEARLY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OVER THE 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS USED IN THE MATRIX< COROLLA< VIBE AND A FEW OTHER MODELS AS THE LAY SHAFT BEARINGS FAIL AFTER SO MANY MILES! IS THERE A RECALL OR RECOURSE TO GET FACTORY ASSISTANCE FOR THIS ISSUE! SI THERE ANY FINANCAIL HELP FOR…
Complaint 10621372 · Aug 11, 2014 · 125,000 miles

Own a 2003 Matrix?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.