MYRModel Year Report

2003 Toyota Corolla Matrix

▲ Better than typical
2003 Toyota Corolla Matrix
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:50:22.914Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
36
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

75% of complaints

Complaints per year

2003: 36 complaints 2003 36 2004: 29 complaints 2005: 89 complaints 2005 2006: 64 complaints 2007: 48 complaints 2007 2008: 31 complaints 2009: 74 complaints 2009 2010: 20 complaints 2011: 6 complaints 2011 2012: 0 complaints 2013: 1 complaint 2013
2003: 36 complaints 2003 36 2004: 29 complaints 2004 2005: 89 complaints 2005 2006: 64 complaints 2006 2007: 48 complaints 2007 2008: 31 complaints 2008 2009: 74 complaints 2009 2010: 20 complaints 2010 2011: 6 complaints 2011 2012: 0 complaints 2012 2013: 1 complaint 2013
2003: 36 complaints 2003 36 2004: 29 complaints 2004 2005: 89 complaints 2005 2006: 64 complaints 2006 2007: 48 complaints 2007 2008: 31 complaints 2008 2009: 74 complaints 2009 2010: 20 complaints 2010 2011: 6 complaints 2011 2012: 0 complaints 2012 2013: 1 complaint 2013

2003: 36 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
200336
200429
200589
200664
200748
200831
200974
201020
20116
20120
20131

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

75% · 27 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Roll over and air bags didn't deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-03-17

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla Matrix. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the front driver and passenger air bags deployed inadvertently and fractured the windshield.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-11-10

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Corolla Matrix. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V285000 (Air Bags) however, the notification advised not to drive the vehicle and to contact the local dealer for retrieval of the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-04-03

Electrical system

11% · 4 reports
Show complaint excerpts

Odometer failure due to Toyota building and installing a defective piece of equipment.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-12-15

Also filed under Power train

Visibility/wiper

3% · 1 report

Vehicle speed control

3% · 1 report

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

2003 Toyota Corolla Matrix. Consumer states numerous accidents due to the accelerator sticking. *tgw the consumer stated due to the accidents, the axle and transmission were damaged.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-04-02

Suspension

3% · 1 report

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2013-03-13Air bags13V029000 Toyota is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles and 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The supplemental restraint system (SRS) circuits are susceptible to…

    Remedy: Toyota will re-notify their owners who have already had their vehicles repaired with a noise filter, but did not receive a new airbag control module, and General Motors will re-notify theirs.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  3. I
    2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  4. R
    2015-07-13Air bags15V285000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 Sequoia vehicles manufactured August 18, 2003, to August 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 Tundra vehicles manufactured March...

    Remedy: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-285 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2015-07-13Air bags15V286000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally...

    Remedy: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-286 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2015-08-24Air bags15V043000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured December 28, 2001, to May 2, 2004, 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2002, to April 29,...

    Remedy: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge. The recall began on August 24, 2015.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2018-01-29Air bags18V025000 On January 9, 2018, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified NHTSA that they are recalling 14,585 model year 2010-2012 Yaris vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware,...

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag assemblies with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Toyota Corolla Matrix — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 27 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 4 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility/wiper: 1 report on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 13V029000 · Air bags
  • Recall 15V285000 · Air bags
  • Recall 15V286000 · Air bags
  • Recall 15V043000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V025000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Toyota Corolla Matrix reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Toyota Corolla Matrix is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota Corolla Matrix?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 75% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota Corolla Matrix have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.