2004 Toyota Matrix problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train:manual Transmission (26) · Air Bags (26) · Vehicle Speed Control (14)
🧭 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
96 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (133)
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 133 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2021-03-18 · Visibility · 143,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota matrix. the contact stated that while raising or lowering the driver's side window, there was a clicking and rattling sound heard. the window also seemed to looser than normal. the contact became aware of nhtsa campaign number: 08v162000 (visibility) however, the vin was not included. a dealer was not contacted or…”
2019-03-11 · Air Bags · 100,000 mi“takata recall will someone get toyota to repair my car? i have been trying to get my airbag hazard repaired since 2014 recall came out. no success to date. meanwhile forced to drive potential bomb. it appears toyota is giving people the run-around. i stayed on the line for great length of time and was told to call back later and cut off. d…”
2018-06-26 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module · 206,500 mi · 💥 crash · 🔥 fire“takata recall - while driving on a highway, there was a slow up, and i braked, but stopped right at the rear bumper of the car in front of me. however, another car was coming behind me and couldn't stop, or didn't notice that traffice had stopped. he pushed me into the car in front of me. at that moment, which was not a severe front end hit, i saw…”
2017-08-21 · Unknown Or Other“takata recall. i've been receiving recall notices for this vehicle for years. i have been attempting to have three issues resolved, only one of which is the takata airbag problem. i have attempted to make an appointment for the repairs at the nearest toyota dealer to me (about a 2.5 hour-rt drive from my home) for the past year+, but i am rep…”
2017-08-13 · Visibility/Wiper · 95,000 mi“takata recall not addressed by the manufacturer in a timely manner. recall number: 08v162 from 2008, recall status is incomplete. leading to power windows completely immovable. manufacturer failed to remedy these recalls in a timely manner.…”
2017-06-16 · Vehicle Speed Control · 70,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owned a 2004 toyota matrix. while driving 3 mph, the vehicle accelerated rapidly without warning and caused a crash. the contact crashed into another vehicle. the air bags did not deploy. a police report was filed and there were no injuries. the vehicle was destroyed. it was unknown if the vehicle was towed because the contact could…”
2017-03-15 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2004 toyota matrix. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v043000 (air bags) and stated that the part was not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair. however, the interim recall notice stated that the parts were available. the dealer did not give a specifi…”
2016-11-02 · Electronic Stability Control (Esc)“i have been trying to get a recall 15v043 done since jan/feb this year and i keep calling the dealer and getting told they have never been sent the parts ever. i also have the air bag recall 15v285 and this is the second time ive called them regarding this recall as well. wtf do they never get parts now? whats really annoying is i keep getting lett…”
2016-10-17 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2004 toyota matrix. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v285000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was made aware of the issue. the contact …”
2016-09-29 · Air Bags · 69,700 mi“takata recall. i was told by a local portland, or toyota dealer that the replacement parts for the takata inflator recall are back-ordered for an indefinite 6-12 month period and warned that it could possibly take even longer. toyota corporate customer service confirmed that timeline by speaking with a different portland, or toyota dealer. toyota f…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.