Check a VIN

2003 Toyota Matrix problems

The most common problem on the 2003 Toyota Matrix is transmission and drivetrain, typically around 75,000 miles. It has 2.8 times the complaints of a typical Matrix model year.

Year to avoid2.8x the typical complaints
Year score
38/100
Owner complaints
268
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
140
Worst area
Transmission
Fuel economy
24-28mpg
Typical repair
$3,200

The worst 2003 Toyota Matrix problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Toyota Matrix

Transmission failure 20Check engine light 16Grinding brakes 12Stalling 11Sudden acceleration 11Airbag light 9Slipping 9No deployment 8Jerking 7Engine failure 6Knocking 6Pulling 6

Recalls 1

Visibility: glass, side/rearReported April 10, 2008 · 662,178 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.
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.

Recall number 08V162000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2003 Toyota Matrix

Defect investigations

Side front power window shattersOpened February 5, 2008, closed May 1, 2008

For the subject vehicles, there is a possibility that the retention force of the regulator bolts which attach the front side window glass to the power window regulator may not be sufficient due to an interference of the retention nut and the bolt shoulder radius.in this condition the bolt may become loose, causing a loud noise to be generated when the window is raised or lowered.if the vehicle and the power window are continuously operated in this condition, the bolt may completely separate, causing the glass to become misaligned, and in the worse case, the glass may shatter during operation of the power window.general motors corporation (gm) and toyota north america, inc. (toyota) will conduct a safety recall on the pontiac vibe, toyota corolla and toyota matrix vehicles to replace the regulator bolt with a bolt and washer.gm will recall 122,593 my 2003-2004 pontiac vibe vehicles.odi is aware of a total of 16,045 warranty and goodwill claims, 274 field and consumer reports, and 23 injuries for these vehicles.toyota will recall 415,341 my 2003-2004 toyota corolla vehicles. Odi is aware of a total of 6,601 warranty claims, 150 field and consumer reports, and 11 injuries for these vehicles.toyota will recall 124,244 my 2003-2004 toyota corolla matrix vehicles.odi is aware of a total of 2,198 warranty claims, 113 field and consumer reports, and 6 injuries for these vehicles.odi is aware of a total of 24,843 warranty claims, 537 field and consumer reports, and 40 injuries for 662,178 my 2003-2004 vehicles.the recall is identified by the federal safety agency number 08v‑162.

EA08004

Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Toyota Matrix 140

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 140 bulletins for the 2003 Toyota Matrix

2003 Toyota Matrix fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
1.8L 4‑cylFWD22-2528-3324-28
1.8L 4‑cyl4WD222925

What 2003 Toyota Matrix owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 7, 2018 · Airbags · 190,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

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.

Filed Sep 14, 2018 · Airbags · CA

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.

Filed Sep 11, 2018 · Airbags, Seat belts · 200,000 miles · PA

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.

Filed Apr 18, 2018 · Airbags · 95,000 miles · WA · crash · 1 injury

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't really recall the date it happened, but I can get some information from state farm insurance. Medical attention was not required when the incident happened but medical attention was required after a day or 2 after the accident.

Filed Oct 22, 2017 · Airbags · 188,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Apr 14, 2017 · Airbags · MA

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 toyota matrix. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Nov 29, 2016 · Engine, Fuel system · 145,000 miles · NJ

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 sensor. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken to a second dealer. It was diagnosed that the seal on the fuel cap failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v384000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure continued. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

Filed Nov 3, 2016 · Airbags · 275,000 miles · CA

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 federal safety agency campaign number was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 275,000.

Filed Sep 13, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · 107,000 miles · MD

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.

Filed May 16, 2016 · Transmission · 110,000 miles · MD

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.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2003 Toyota Matrix before you buy

Compare the 2003 Toyota Matrix

Other model years

20022003200420052006200720082009201020112012

Questions about the 2003 Toyota Matrix

Is the 2003 Toyota Matrix reliable?

Owners have filed 268 complaints about the 2003 Toyota Matrix, 2.8 times a typical Matrix model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the 2003 Toyota Matrix year score?

The 2003 Toyota Matrix scores 38 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Toyota Matrix: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Toyota Matrix?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 83 complaints, typically around 75,000 miles. Next is airbags (57).

How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota Matrix have?

1 recall, covering visibility.

What year does the Toyota Matrix have bad transmission?

The Toyota Matrix model years with the most transmission complaints are 2003 (83 complaints), 2004 (37 complaints) and 2005 (23 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2003 Toyota Matrix get?

Official estimates for the 2003 Toyota Matrix range from 24 to 28 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.8L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 22-25 city and 28-33 highway.

Share your experience with the 2003 Toyota Matrix

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2003 Toyota Matrix?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN