2004 Toyota Matrix

Routine

Owners filed 138 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

96 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 90,000105,000 miles; the median is 70,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags32
201
Power Train › Manual Transmission27
000
Vehicle Speed Control10
405
Tires6
200
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls5
001
Steering5
507
Power Train › Clutch Assembly5
000
Fuel System, Gasoline5
000
Electrical System5
010
Suspension4
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear08V162000
Filed Apr 10, 2008662,178 vehiclesToyota Motor North America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights06E023000
Filed Mar 13, 2006292,000 vehiclesAnzo Usa, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Risk. WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Visibility
Filed Mar 18, 2021143,000 milesCA

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 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.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 11, 2019100,000 milesAL

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). *TR

Air Bags › FrontalCrashFire
Filed Jun 26, 2018206,500 milesFL

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.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 21, 2017CA

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.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 13, 201795,000 milesNY

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.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 16, 201770,000 milesCA

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.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 15, 2017CA

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 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.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 2, 2016CA

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.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 17, 2016OH

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 HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 29, 201669,700 milesOR

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.

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Aug 6, 2016149,280 milesVA

I WAS BACKING DOWN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED-THE BRAKES AND STEERING ALSO WENT OUT-I CRASHED INTO A BANK ON ONE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THEN THE CAR SWUNG AROUND AND I ENDED UP SUSPENDED OVER A DITCH. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO SWITCH GEARS AND TURN THE CAR OFF

Air Bags
Filed Jul 13, 2016MA

I TOOK MY CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER TO FIX THE AIRBAG RECALL ON 8/31/2015 AND 1/20/2016. AFTER FIXING THE AIR BAG, I HEAR SOME KIND OF NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH BOARD NEXT TO AIR BAG. I MENTIONED IT TO THE DEALER AND HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT BUT THEY MENTIONED ITS NOTHING. I STILL HAVE THAT NOISE COMING OUT FROM THERE. I;M WORRIED. LOOKS LIKE THEY DIDNT REPLACE THE AIRBAG INFLATOR PROPERLY.

Air Bags
Filed May 18, 2016KY

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V043000 (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 REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 17, 2016DC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V043000 (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 NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 9, 2016NY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V043000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Engine
Filed Jan 14, 2016120,000 milesMO

THE ENGINE BURNS EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL AND HAS NOW STARTING MAKING WHAT APPEARS TO BE EITHER FAULTY LIFTER OR CAMSHAFT NOISES. THE MATRIX BURNS AT LEAST 1 QUART OF OIL FOR EVERY 1000 MILES DRIVEN. I DO REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND MONITOR THE OIL LEVEL WEEKLY.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 17, 2015WA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/04/16*LJ UPDATED 05/14/18*JB *TR

Air Bags
Filed Dec 13, 2015216,200 milesTX

TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM TOYOTA ABOUT A RECALL CONCERNING MY VEHICLE. IN THIS LETTER, IT STATES THAT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP IS STOCKED ( WITH A SUB-WIRE HARNESS AND SRS ECU ) AND READY TO COMPLETE MY REPAIR. I SHOWED UP TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP ON 12/12. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS NEEDED ARE NOT ACTUALLY IN STOCK AND NEEDED TO BE ORDERED. POSSIBLY TAKING UP TO TWO WEEKS. AFTER POINTING OUT THE DIFFERENCE IN WHAT WHAT THEY ARE TELLING ME VERSUS WHAT THE NOTICE STATES, I WAS DISMISSED. THIS RECALL IS A VERY IMPORTANT RECALL THAT RECEIVED MUCH PRESS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE AIRBAGS MAY DEPLOY WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING INJURY. MY MAIN COMPLAINT IS WITH THE DEALERSHIP'S OVERALL CONCERN WITH THE RECALL PROCESS. WHEN I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, I WAS TOLD I WASN'T UNDERSTANDING THE NOTICE COMPLETELY. TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION, I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO CONTACT JOE MYERS TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN HOUSTON TO SEE IF THEY ARE INDEED HANDLING THIS TYPE OF RECALL PROPERLY.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 30, 2015WI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V043000 (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 MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 14, 2015IN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V043000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

20 of 138 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20130100Routine
20125100Routine
201110200Routine
201045400Routine
2009192310Routine
200838200Routine
200796220Routine
2006170400Routine
2005213221Fatalities reported
2004 — this page138320Routine
2003268331Fatalities reported
20022010Routine

Compare every Matrix year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Apr 7, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.