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2003 Toyota Matrix electrical problems

12 complaints (4% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 60,000.

owner complaints
12
of this car's complaints
4%
typical mileage
60,000
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Wiring: interior/under dash
    1
  • Ignition: switch
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Toyota Matrix electrical problems in other years

200220032004200520062007200820092010

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2003 Toyota Matrix owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 25, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 171,580 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota matrix. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power and stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Prior to the failure, when the vehicle was started, an abnormal knocking sound emitted from under the hood of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 171,580.

Filed Jun 9, 2015 · Airbags, Electrical · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota matrix. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 15v013000 (electrical system) and 14v312000 (air bags); however, the part needed 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 had not experienced a failure.

Filed Jun 9, 2015 · Airbags, Electrical · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota matrix. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 15v043000 (air bags) and 14v312000 (electrical system); however, the parts needed to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Aug 27, 2010 · Acceleration, Electrical · 135,000 miles · CA

Abs, brake, & service engine lights came on. Took it to midas, they replaced speed sensors. When I got car back it shifted gears (automatic) funny & hesitated significantly shifting from 2nd to 3rd. Immediately returned car to midas. They re-diagnosed & suggested I take it to toyota dealer (john elway's crown toyota). They said it was speedometer cluster & replaced it which did not resolve my problem so declined to pay & asked them to put back my old speedometer cluster. They didn't & didn't charge me for the new one. Had car towed back to midas. They disconnected speed sensors & told me it was drivable. Got on freeway next day & car wouldn't shift from 3rd to 4th gear, engine revved to 6000 rpms, got off freeway & called midas corporate to complain. They said they would have franchise owner call me. He called but did not identify himself as the person I originated dealt with at midas shop, I know this because I called the number they called from & it was the midas shop. Went to midas, today (8/27/10), they asked me to bring car in tomorrow & they would put back old speed sensors & see what happens. They think it's the car's computer but in the meantime I'm out a thousand dollars.

Filed May 3, 2010 · Electrical · NY

Consumer believes he has the solution to the toyota acceleration problem. *gr the consumer stated his daughter drives a 2003 toyota matrix and she has been experiencing random dashboard light activity. The consumer stated he has reviewed the wiring diagrams and her dashboard lights are controlled by the integration relay otherwise known as the body control module. It appears that the lack of relay over-voltage suppression on any of the relays in the vehicle has caused damage to the integration relay and there was no way to tell how much damage has been done to the engine control module.

Filed Mar 2, 2010 · Acceleration, Electrical · 80,000 miles · MD

My 2003 toyota matrix xr sometimes accelerates uncontrollably. Usually when I am cruising at highway speeds, when I let off of the gas pedal, the car's throttle still feels like it's in the open position, causing the car to speed up instead of slowing down. It almost feels like if the cruise control is turned on and the car is trying to maintain speed. My cruise control was turned off during each of these incidents, and there was no indication that they were turned on at the time of the incidents. This problem occurs once every few months and I usually don't pay attention to them. The car will accelerate for a few seconds then eventually the throttle will close and the car will slow down and then I will apply the brakes gently. I have informed my toyota dealer of this but they usually just brush the complaint off and say they couldn't find any problems. I personally think it's an electronics issue where the cruise control system override the manual system without the input of the driver.

Filed Jan 18, 2009 · Electrical · 60,000 miles · MD

2003 toyota matrix, in extreme cold weather the running lights come on when the car is off, draining the battery. This has happened many times.

Filed Jun 4, 2005 · Electrical, Engine · 47,079 miles · IN

While driving my car, it will start to miss out and then stall. Upon restarting, the engine light comes on. I took it to the dealer where they replaced the computer. That helped for about 6 months and then problem recurred. I took it back to the dealer and we then replaced the ignitors. Once that was complete the car ran fine for 2 months. Now it is happening again, and is very dangerous. It happened to me today for instance while I was in the middle of an interstection making a a turn. When the car stalls, I have limited steering. This also happens to me while I'm on the interstate. Clearly there is a severe problem with this car that goes beyond the computer and ignitors. It is very dangerous to drive, but I have no choice since it is the only car that I have.

Filed Aug 13, 2004 · Electrical · 26,000 miles · VA · fire

Ltr on behalf of mrs. Lola betancourt (va)re a electrical fire in her 2003 toyota matric( VIN: 2r1k32e13co48258) originating at the driver side door near the power window and locks area, reply to the alexandria district ofc, dot/I#2004-5249.

Filed Jun 27, 2004 · Electrical · 10 miles · MN

Clutch switch which completes circuit for ignition switch is hard to engage, especially for my wife when wearing shoes with heels. If car is inadvertantly killed while starting from a stop on a hill, it makes for a hazardous situation since it requires excessive force to press on the clutch so as to engage starter motor. Toyota claims no defect exists.

Questions about the 2003 Toyota Matrix electrical

Does the 2003 Toyota Matrix have electrical problems?

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the electrical of the 2003 Toyota Matrix, 4% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2003 Toyota Matrix electrical problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 60,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Toyota Matrix electrical?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Toyota Matrix have the most electrical problems?

The Toyota Matrix model years with the most electrical complaints are 2005 (23 complaints), 2006 (22 complaints) and 2003 (12 complaints).

Other 2003 Toyota Matrix problems

Transmission 83Airbags 57Engine 33Acceleration 21Brakes 17Body 12Visibility 10Steering 8Fuel system 7Lights 7Seat belts 6Tires 6Locks 4Suspension 3Driver assistance 2Seats 1Wheels 1

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