2003 Toyota Matrix problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (48) · Power Train:manual Transmission (33) · Vehicle Speed Control (20)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Matrix model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
170 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (140)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Structure:body 2024-12-05 · T-SB-0061-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
toyota vehicles are currently protected with rapgardtm protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. this material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. follow the removal procedure in this bulletin to remove the rapgardtm protective film wi
Structure:body 2024-12-03 · T-SB-0062-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. this type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surfa
Structure:body 2024-07-12 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Showing the 6 most recent of 140 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2018-12-07 · Air Bags · 190,000 mi · 💥 crash“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 repo…”
2018-09-14 · Air Bags“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 …”
2018-09-11 · Seat Belts · 200,000 mi“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 f…”
2018-04-18 · Air Bags · 95,000 mi · 💥 crash“takata recall my wife and i had an accident in the freeway on our way home more than 7 years ago. we were travelling at around 50-55 mph when suddenly the car in front of us stopped. resulted in hitting the back bumper of the car in front of us. the car sustained just minor scratched but our car was really damaged. my wife was hurt as a result of …”
2017-10-22 · Air Bags · 188,000 mi“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 …”
2017-04-14 · Air Bags“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 not…”
2016-11-29 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 145,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota matrix. while driving 15 mph, the engine stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. the vehicle was able to restart on the second attempt; however, the failure recurred. the first time the vehicle was diagnosed the dealer was unable to determine the failure and disengaged the check engine warning…”
2016-11-03 · Air Bags · 275,000 mi“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 campai…”
2016-09-13 · Power Train · 107,000 mi“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 …”
2016-05-16 · Power Train · 110,000 mi“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 …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.