2003 Toyota Corolla Matrix

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.Nonetheless, at ODI's insistence, all 10 vehicle manufacturers initiated a regional recall within approximately two weeks of the opening of the investigation.The regions recalled initially included Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, areas with high absolute humidity and climatic conditions believed to be a significant factor in the inflator ruptures.As part of the recall actions, inflators removed from remedied vehicles are to be returned to Takata for testing.Takata's initial test results on passenger inflators from remedied vehicles indicated a much higher than anticipated rupture frequency for inflators returned from Florida.Accordingly ODI requested all 10 manufacturers expand the regional recalls for passenger inflators to include other geographic areas where high absolute humidity conditions exist, including the Gulf States and other coastal areas.Takata's testing of the passenger inflators to date continues to indicate this geographic area as having the highest risk, with no ruptures occurring from inflators returned from outside the expanded recall regions.During PE14-016 four additional passenger inflator field events occurred, all in vehicles from the same expanded geographic region.Also during PE14-016 four additional driver inflator field events occurred including two in vehicles from regions not known for high absolute humidity, specifically California and North Carolina.Accordingly, ODI requested all five of the affected vehicle manufacturers currently using the subject Takata driver inflators expand to nationwide recalls.Significantly, neither of the affected vehicle manufacturers or Takata provided any explanation to account for these two driver air bag inflator ruptures outside the area of high absolute humidity.Takata testing of returned driver inflators indicates a lower rupture frequency as compared to passenger inflator testing.All test ruptures reported by Takata to date have occurred on inflators returned from high absolute humidity areas.The investigation now includes all manufacturers and vehicles known to be affected at this time.ODI's investigation will focus on, among other things, root cause analysis, other potential defect consequences, identification of affected vehicles scope, and adequacy of the remedy.The five ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10537899, 10568848, 10585224, 10605877, 10651492

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.Nonetheless, at ODI's insistence, all 10 vehicle manufacturers initiated a regional recall within approximately two weeks of the opening of the investigation.The regions recalled initially included Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, areas with consistently high absolute humidity and climatic conditions believed to be a significant factor in the inflator ruptures.As part of the recall actions, inflators removed from remedied vehicles are to be returned to Takata for testing.Takata's initial test results on passenger inflators from remedied vehicles indicated a much higher than anticipated rupture frequency for inflators returned from Florida.Accordingly, ODI requested all 10 manufacturers expand the regional recalls for passenger inflators to include other geographic areas where high absolute humidity conditions exist, including the Gulf States and other coastal areas.Takata's testing of the passenger inflators to date continues to indicate this geographic area as having the highest risk, with no ruptures occurring from inflators returned from outside the expanded recall regions.During PE14-016, four additional passenger inflator field events occurred, all in vehicles from the same expanded geographic region.Also during PE14-016, four additional driver inflator field events occurred including two in vehicles from regions not known for high absolute humidity, specifically California and North Carolina.Accordingly, ODI requested all five of the affected vehicle manufacturers currently using the subject Takata driver inflators expand to nationwide recalls.Significantly, neither of the affected vehicle manufacturers or Takata provided any explanation to account for these two driver air bag inflator ruptures outside the area of high absolute humidity.Takata testing of returned driver inflators indicates a lower rupture frequency as compared to passenger inflator testing.All test ruptures reported by Takata to date have occurred on inflators returned from high absolute humidity areas.The PE is now closed/upgraded to an Engineering Evaluation (EA15-001) to include all manufacturersand vehicles known to be affected at this time.ODI's EA investigation will focus on, among other things, root cause analysis, other potential defect consequences, identification of affected vehicles scope, and adequacy of the remedy.The recalls related to this PE are: 14V343, 14V344, 14V348, 14V351, 14V353, 14V655, 14V700, 14V701, 14V752, 14V763, 14V770, 14V773, 14V787, 14V802 and 14V817.The number of vehicles affected are an estimate since some vehicles may have both the driver and passenger side inflators recalled. The five ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10537899, 10568848, 10585224, 10605877, 10651492

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. After contacting the local dealer, the vehicle had not yet been retrieved. The contact stated that the manufacturer had 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. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11580849

Incident

Apr 3, 2024

AFTER TOYOTA DEALER REPLACED THE AIRBAG, THE CAR AUDIO STOPPED FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. WHEN I CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALER, THEY SAID THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING FOR ME AND HANG UP ON THE PHONE. MY EMAIL TO TOYOTA COMPANY WAS NOT RETURNED.

NHTSA ID

11399614

Incident

Feb 23, 2021

I CONTINUE TO RECEIVE NOTICES FOR AN AIRBAG RECALL ON A VEHICLE I HAVEN'T OWNED IN TWO YEARS. PLEASE STOP EMAILING ME RECALL NOTICES. I HAVE ATTACHED A RECEIPT I RECEIVED WHEN I HAD THE CAR SCRAPPED. *TR

NHTSA ID

11327848

Incident

Jun 8, 2020

I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR ONLY A FEW MONTHS. I RECIVED THE RECALL FOR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. TOOK TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ON DIXIE . I ALSO ASKED FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSE THE SRS LIGHT BEING ON ON THE DASH. I WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP I NEEDED A NEW FRONT DRIVER AIRBAG DUE TO A SHORT. I LOOKED BACK AT THE MATRIX RECALLS . AND THERE IS A RECALL ON THE STEERING WHEEL CABLE SSUE THAT IS RELATED TO THE AIRBAG AND THE CIRCUIT OVER HEARING THAT IS RELATED TO AN AIRBAG RECALL ISSUE. I CALLED THE PERVIOUS OWNER AND SHE SAID SHE HAD AN ACCIDENT AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. SHE ALSO TOOK THE CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR A RECALL IN 2016 AND WAS TOLD SHE NEEDED A NEW FRONT DRIVER AIRBAG. THIS CAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT RECALLS FOR THE ABOVE ISSUE. THIS ISSUE HAS PLACED MY FAMILY AND MYSELF IN AN UNSAFE SITUATION DUE TO THE UNSAFE ,SAFETY EQUIPTMENT. THE SRS LIGHTS COMES ON WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED AND DOES NOT GO OFF. THIS IS THE REASON FOR THE DIAGNOSIS. TOYOTA SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND CORRECT THE SAFETY EQUIPTMENT FAILURES.

NHTSA ID

11315344

Incident

Oct 24, 2019

Mileage

220,636 mi

THE GLASS SUNROOF ON MY VEHICLE SHATTERED. THE IS NO EVIDENCE OF IMPACT INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. I HAD NOT USED THE CAR FOR ABOUT A WEEK.

NHTSA ID

11229154

Incident

Jul 1, 2019

Mileage

126,000 mi

CAR IS ROTTEN IN THE SPARE TIRE AREA, THOUGHT MINE WAS THE ONLY ONE BUT SEEN A LOT OF CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. FLORIDA AREA

NHTSA ID

11180187

Incident

Feb 14, 2019

TANAKA RECALL. I HAD ALL RECALLS DONE SINCE THE FIRST ONE IN 2013. AT MY 2016 RECALL TOYOTA MECH SAID RECALL WAS DONE AND THAT ALL WAS GOOD AND IT WAS SAFE NOW. I LEFT LOT CONVINCED IT WAS TRUE AND I COULD NOW ALLOW RIDERS IN FRONT SEAT WITHOUT THREAT OF INJURY /DEATH. N0W 2018 DISCOVER WAS NOT SAFE TO HAVE PASSENGER. THAT MORE RECALLS COMING BUT PARTS NOT PRODUCED FULLY IN 2016. AIRBAG WAS REPLACED BY SAME DEFECTIVE AIRBAG AS TAKEN OUT,ONLY DIFFERENCE BEING THAT IT WAS ONLY OUT OF BOX NOT SAFE REDESIGNED TYPE!!WHY WAS I NOT INFORMED THAT THIS WAS THE CASE WHEN I GOT THE LAST RECALL INSTALLED??NOW HAVE ANOTHER NOTICE THAT THE REAL SAFE ONE HAS FINISHED PRODUCTION AND I CAN HAVE ONE INSTALLED NOW. MEANTIME MY FAMILY INCLUDING GRANDCHILDREN HAVE BEEN IN SERIOUS DANGER OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH BY RIDING IN THE FRONT SEAT!! CONTACTED VARIOUS TOYOTA OFFICIALS BUT NO ATTEMPT AT EXPLAINING PROBLEM. IN FACT PASSED TO "GENERIC: UNTRAINED EMPLOYEE WHO, OR COURSE, WAS TOTALLY UNPREPARED TO OFFER ADVICE OR ANY ANSWERS CONCERNING SAFETY, PROBLEM.TRIED WEST COAST CEO ? AGAIN TO END UP IN SAME CUSTOMER SERVICE. CANNOT ENTER PLACE TIME ETC SINCE SAFETY NEGLIGENCE OCCURRED OVER AT LEAST 2 YEARS AND WAS THERE AT EVERY PLACE AND TIME I DROVE A PASSENGER ANYWHERE.

NHTSA ID

11113973

Incident

Apr 22, 2016

Mileage

74,000 mi

ROLL OVER AND AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY.

NHTSA ID

11079942

Incident

Mar 2, 2018

Mileage

296,000 mi

To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin No. PD017-04. •The entire bulletin has been updated.

To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin No. PD017-04. •The entire bulletin has been updated.

This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life Coolant, effective March 1, 2024. These products are ordered through the Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) website.

DP: The subject vehicles are equipped with a front passenger airbag. A part inside the airbag could explode, shooting sharp metal fragments at vehicle occupants. This could cause serious INJURY or DEATH. ? Added Dealer Procedures for Do No Drive Advisory ? Updated BEC contact information ? Revised Warranty Claim Filing Instructions to streamline customer convenience items during repair ? Added creatives materials from Vendor Partners i.e, sample letters and sample tags ? Removed several obsolete sections

FAQ: Customer Frequently Asked Questions

POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. Customers can find this information on the Owner?s section of Toyota.com. Dealers can locate a copy of this guide on the Claims Processing & Resource Center in Dealer Daily as well.