MYRModel Year Report

2003 Toyota Matrix

◆ Worse than typical
2003 Toyota Matrix
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had 30% to 100% more 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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota Matrix Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 2002: 2 complaints 2002 2003: 268 complaints 2003 2004: 138 complaints 2004 2005: 213 complaints 2006: 170 complaints 2006 2007: 96 complaints 2008: 38 complaints 2008 2009: 192 complaints 2010: 45 complaints 2010 2011: 10 complaints 2012: 5 complaints 2012 2013: 0 complaints 2013
2003: 268 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
20022
2003268
2004138
2005213
2006170
200796
200838
2009192
201045
201110
20125
20130

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

POWER TRAIN 33%

33% of complaints: power train — 88 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing manual transmission and clutch assembly.

AIR BAGS 22%

22% of complaints: air bags — 58 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20181207

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180418

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. IT WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150401

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9%

9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 25 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and catalytic convertor.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I TOOK THE MATRIX IN TWICE SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT IT BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD UNEXPECTEDLY LUNGE FORWARD WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP. I ALSO COMPLAINED THAT THE BRAKES FELT "LOOSE" AND DID NOT "CATCH" AS THEY SHOULD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20040715

THE AIR CONDITIONING STARTED TO BLOW HOT AIR, THEN THE ENGINE STARTED STALLING AND THE ENGINE CHECK SIGN CAME ON. TOYOTA SAID IT WAS A STONE THAT GOT INTO THE RADIATOR AND PROVOKED A LEAKING. NO SIGNS OF DAMAGE IN THE FRONT BUMPER.

NHTSA ODI report, 20020523

Also filed under UNKNOWN OR OTHER

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 8%

8% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 21 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHENEVER VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP SIGNAL AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKES WHEN SURGING OCCURRED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE. *AK *MR

NHTSA ODI report, 20040310

SERVICE BRAKES 6%

6% of complaints: service brakes — 17 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2003 — complaint volume: 268
R 20060509 — exterior lighting

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

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.

Campaign 06E023000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20080205 — EA (closed 20080501)

SIDE FRONT POWER WINDOW SHATTERS

R 20080416 — visibility

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, CAUSIN

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,

Campaign 08V162000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 Toyota Matrix — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (88 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (58 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (25 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 06E023000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08V162000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2008 ▲ 2010 ▲ 2007

WORST YEARS

◆ 2005 ◆ 2009 ● 2006

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2003 Toyota Matrix reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Toyota Matrix is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota Matrix?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota Matrix have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.