Check a VIN

2004 Toyota Matrix problems

The most common problem on the 2004 Toyota Matrix is transmission and drivetrain, typically around 92,000 miles. It has 1.4 times the complaints of a typical Matrix model year.

Typical year1.4x the typical complaints
Year score
60/100
Owner complaints
138
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
133
Worst area
Transmission
Fuel economy
24-28mpg

The worst 2004 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 2004 Toyota Matrix

Transmission failure 13Grinding brakes 9Sudden acceleration 8Check engine light 5

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 2004 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 2004 Toyota Matrix 133

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

See all 133 bulletins for the 2004 Toyota Matrix

2004 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‑cylFWD22-2529-3324-28
1.8L 4‑cyl4WD222925

What 2004 Toyota Matrix owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 18, 2021 · Visibility · 143,000 miles · CA

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 the federal safety agency campaign number: 08v162000 (visibility) however, the VIN was not included. A dealer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 143,000.

Filed Mar 11, 2019 · Airbags · 100,000 miles · AL

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. Dealer is not calling back. Any help will be greatly appreciated, thank you, information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jun 26, 2018 · Airbags · 206,500 miles · FL · 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 fire, an explosion, and the airbag blew out the entire dash on the passenger side, and flew to the back seat behind the driver's side. Also, the driver's side airbag deployed. Metal was flying out of the passenger side airbag in the front. We could not believe the damage that resulted from such a somewhat minor accident. Additionally, the car was totaled which has been a strain on us! Now, about 30 days after the accident, we just received a card in the mail telling us of the recall. We had no idea there is an ongoing problem with airbag recalls! Today, I checked online for this problem, and found many sites describing the issues. However, my car is not even on the recall list!!! I was in the car alone and was affected by the accident, however, I dread to think what would have occurred if I had a passenger with me. I am including some pictures.

Filed Aug 21, 2017 · Airbags, Body · CA

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 repeatedly told that they are awaiting the part(s) for the takata airbag repair. To make things worse, I constantly receive flyers from toyota urging me to have the repairs done asap. I would like to. But apparently, toyota is having problems getting the parts to their dealerships. In the meanwhile, I'm driving a potentially dangerous car.

Filed Aug 13, 2017 · Airbags, Visibility · 95,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Jun 16, 2017 · Acceleration, Airbags · 70,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

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 not remember. Motter auto repair of oakland, california was made aware of the crash and repaired the front passenger side of the vehicle and the passenger door. The manufacturer was not made aware of the crash. In addition, the failure recurred on two separate occasions. While driving 2 MPH, the vehicle accelerated rapidly without warning again. There was no crash and the contact was able to regain control of the vehicle. Also, while driving 2 MPH, the vehicle accelerated rapidly without warning and crashed into the contact's garage door. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained injuries to the left leg and left hand, which required medical attention. The vehicle was not damaged. The failure mileage was 70,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Mar 15, 2017 · Airbags · CA

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 toyota matrix. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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 specific date for when the part would become available. The manufacturer could not provide an estimated date for when the contact's vehicle would receive the recall repair. The contact was not experiencing a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Nov 2, 2016 · Airbags, Driver assistance · CA

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 letters in the mail regarding recalls and this last one says "why haven't we heard from you?" even though ive called multiple times.

Filed Oct 17, 2016 · Airbags · OH

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 toyota matrix. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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 had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Sep 29, 2016 · Airbags · 69,700 miles · OR

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 further informed me that I cannot have a passenger in the front seat until the takata inflator has been replaced. Toyota has been very upfront and helpful in attempting to resolve this issue, which is commendable, but I'm filing this vehicle safety complaint because 6-12 months for a safety recall repair does not qualify for being done in a "timely manner" and not being able to have a passenger in the front seat for up to a year will be very difficult and problematic. To be clear, the passenger airbag in my vehicle has not deployed.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2004 Toyota Matrix before you buy

Compare the 2004 Toyota Matrix

Other model years

20022003200420052006200720082009201020112012

Questions about the 2004 Toyota Matrix

Is the 2004 Toyota Matrix reliable?

Owners have filed 138 complaints about the 2004 Toyota Matrix, 1.4 times a typical Matrix model year.

What is the 2004 Toyota Matrix year score?

The 2004 Toyota Matrix scores 60 out of 100 (average). 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 2004 Toyota Matrix?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 37 complaints, typically around 92,000 miles. Next is airbags (35).

How many recalls does the 2004 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 2004 Toyota Matrix get?

Official estimates for the 2004 Toyota Matrix range from 24 to 28 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.8L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 22-25 city and 29-33 highway.

Share your experience with the 2004 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 2004 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