MYRModel Year Report

2004 Toyota Matrix

● Typical for this model
2004 Toyota Matrix
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:48:12.555Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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
138
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 2004

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

28% of complaints

Complaints per year

2002: 2 complaints 2002 2003: 268 complaints 2004: 138 complaints 2004 138 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
2002: 2 complaints 2002 2003: 268 complaints 2003 2004: 138 complaints 2004 138 2005: 213 complaints 2005 2006: 170 complaints 2006 2007: 96 complaints 2007 2008: 38 complaints 2008 2009: 192 complaints 2009 2010: 45 complaints 2010 2011: 10 complaints 2011 2012: 5 complaints 2012 2013: 0 complaints 2013
2002: 2 complaints 2002 2003: 268 complaints 2003 2004: 138 complaints 2004 138 2005: 213 complaints 2005 2006: 170 complaints 2006 2007: 96 complaints 2007 2008: 38 complaints 2008 2009: 192 complaints 2009 2010: 45 complaints 2010 2011: 10 complaints 2011 2012: 5 complaints 2012 2013: 0 complaints 2013

2004: 138 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

28% · 38 reports

Most commonly citing manual transmission and clutch assembly.

Air bags

26% · 36 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and inflator module.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-06-26

While driving 55-60 MPH consumer's vehicle was involved in a rear end crash. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-12-01

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-03-11

Vehicle speed control

11% · 15 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

During daylight on the above date, as I made a turn from small parking lot into a parking space, car suddenly accelerated and crashed into concrete building.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-08-12

Visibility

9% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing power window devices and controls and glass, side/rear.

CRASHINJURY

Electrical system

7% · 9 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and 12v/24v/48v battery.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

2004 Toyota Matrix. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle fire. *smd the consumer received a letter from Toyota stating it was impossible determine the cause of the fire, and therefore, they were unable to assist any further. Updated…

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-07-15

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

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

  1. R
    2006-05-09Exterior lighting06E023000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    2008-02-05Engineering analysisClosed 2008-05-01 Side front power window shatters
  3. R
    2008-04-16Visibility08V162000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2004 Toyota Matrix — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 38 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 36 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 15 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E023000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 08V162000 · Visibility
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2004 Toyota Matrix reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Toyota Matrix is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota Matrix?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Toyota Matrix have?
3 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.