2003 Toyota Matrix Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

2003 Toyota Matrix recalls

Most common 2003 Toyota Matrix problems

Problem areas named in the 268 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Power Train	88
Air Bags	58
Engine And Engine Cooling	26
Vehicle Speed Control	21
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	14
Unknown Or Other	12
Structure	12
Electrical System	12
Visibility	9
Steering	8

What owners report

2018-12-07, Air Bags
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.

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 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.

2018-09-11, Air Bags
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.

2018-04-18, Air Bags
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 THE ACCIDENT WHO WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER. THE CAR'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS STILL WONDERING UNTIL NOW, WHY? THE DAMAGED TO THE CAR WAS WORTH MORE THAN $8,000. OUR INSURANCE COMPANY, WHICH WAS STATE FARM DID NOT MENTION ANYTHING ABOUT THE AIR BAG. I JUST FOUND THAT OUT WHEN I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE LAST WEEK FORM TOYOTA. I CAN'

2017-10-22, Air Bags
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.

2003 Toyota Matrix questions

Does the 2003 Toyota Matrix have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2003 Toyota Matrix: Visibility:Glass, Side/Rear. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota Matrix?

Based on 268 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Power Train (88), Air Bags (58), Engine And Engine Cooling (26).

How do I check if a recall on my 2003 Toyota Matrix has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.