Does the 2003 Toyota Matrix have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2003 Toyota Matrix, the most recent reported on April 10, 2008 (Visibility: glass, side/rear). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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

Owners have filed 268 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is power train (83 complaints), followed by air bags (57).

How many 2003 Toyota Matrix complaints mention a crash or fire?

19 of 268 complaints report a crash and 3 a fire; 22 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2003 Toyota Matrix recalls and problems

1 recall and 268 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2003 Toyota Matrix.

recalls

268

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2003 Toyota Matrix recalls

Visibility: glass, side/rear

NHTSA campaign 08V162000 · reported April 10, 2008 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. · 662,178 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The 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.
The fix: 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Power train83
Air bags57
Engine and engine cooling25
Vehicle speed control21
Service brakes, hydraulic13
Electrical system12
Structure12
Unknown or other11
Visibility9
Engine8

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Dec 7, 2018 · Air bags · 190,000 miles · crash reported
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. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED AN INJURED CHEST AND SHOULDER, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS…

Sep 14, 2018 · Air bags
I HAVE GOTTEN THE "TAKATA RECALL" LETTER AND TOOK MY CAR ON MARCH 18, 2018, WITH MIKE BRISENO FROM TOYOTA HERE NEAR MY PLACE 1901 S FIGUEROA ST, LOS ANGELES, CA 90007. THEY OFFERED ME AN UBER RIDE HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP WITH MY HUSBAND AND SAID IT WILL TAKE 2-3 HOURS. GOT THE CALL FROM MIKE BRISENO AND SAID THAT MY…

Sep 11, 2018 · Air bags · 200,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS IDLING AT A RED LIGHT, THE SEAT BELT AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATED AND FORCEFULLY SECURED THE DRIVER INTO THE SEAT. DURING THE INCIDENT, NO CRASH HAD OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (BAIERL TOYOTA, 19045 PERRY HWY…

Apr 18, 2018 · Air bags · 95,000 miles · crash reported
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. THE CAR SUSTAINED JUST MINOR SCRATCHED BUT OUR CAR WAS REALLY DAMAGED. MY…

Oct 22, 2017 · Air bags · 188,000 miles
THE AIRBAG INDICATOR ON MY CAR LIT UP. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH TOYOTA TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED, AND THEY SAID THAT I NEEDED A NEW SPIRAL CLOCK SPRING CABLE, WHICH IS PART NUMBER 84306-02110. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE PART, OVER $300. AFTER DOING SOME SEARCHING, I FOUND OUT THAT 1) MANY OTHER TOYOTA MATRIX AND COROLLA…

Matrix model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2002	0	2	0	1
2003	1	268	19	3
2004	1	138	18	2
2005	1	213	10	2
2006	3	170	17	0

Across all years, the 2003 Matrix has the most complaints (268). All Toyota Matrix years →

Questions

Does the 2003 Toyota Matrix have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2003 Toyota Matrix, the most recent reported on April 10, 2008 (Visibility: glass, side/rear). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota Matrix?: Owners have filed 268 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is power train (83 complaints), followed by air bags (57).
How many 2003 Toyota Matrix complaints mention a crash or fire?: 19 of 268 complaints report a crash and 3 a fire; 22 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received December 7, 2018.