2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix Owner Complaints

Car has over 290,000 miles, sole owner of car. Just learned the odometer will freeze at 299,999 miles based on issue known by Toyota for a few models. Odometer freeze was not disclosed even though Toyota has selectively repaired some cars odometers at no charge to customers or split costs with customers. Odometer freeze makes safe maintenance of car more difficult. Toyota apparently added a 9 year warranty extension because of its knowledge of problems but didn't notify owners. My 2004 vehicle would have been covered through 2013, but I was not given an opportunity to have the problem repaired under warranty. Toyota apparently knew this problem affected Corolla (up through 2008), Matrix & Vibe (1st generation) and 1st generation Prius cars. My car manual says that the odometer "shows the total distance the vehicle has been driven." My ability to continue safely using my car will be compromised when my odometer reaches 299,999 and Toyota chose not to warn and repair this defect which affects their customers, and our ability to safely operate our cars on the road. If I had known about the problem sooner I would have addressed it sooner. Toyota knew but chose to only address the issue on a case by case basis even though the cars were apparently designed with this defect which was hidden.

NHTSA ID

11741233

Incident

May 26, 2026

Window not rolling up properly, drivers side

NHTSA ID

11709268

Incident

Dec 15, 2025

This safety problem pertains to all vehicles sold in the U.S., not only my make and model. I was horrified to learn that the crash ratings are inaccurate for most women and all short people, because they were developed only for average sized men. It should be no surprise that when collisions occur, more women than men are seriously injured. More women than men are injured when air bags deploy. More women than men are injured by their shoulder belts. I am afraid to purchase a new car, because the crash ratings that I have relied on in the past are unreliable for me as a short woman. I am very disappointed that my own government, to which I pay taxes, has been so misleading to the public on important safety issues. Please develop and implement collision ratings for various height groups. In the meantime, please include notices with crash ratings that explain which height ranges the ratings are most accurate for.

NHTSA ID

11589513

Incident

May 19, 2024

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact called the dealer to inquire about a recall for the air bag and was informed there were 2 previous air bag recalls that were repaired in the past. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The approximate failure mileage was 159,086.

NHTSA ID

11569974

Incident

Jan 2, 2024

Mileage

159,086 mi

I have been unable to have my dealer repair the recalls on this car despite repeated times calling up Toyota and dealing with Larry H Miller Toyota dealership. They refuse to give me a replacement car while they fix it and won't say how long it will take. I also discovered that there are no child seat anchors in the back. I was told this is unlawful given the date of this car's manufacture. I hope NHTSA will help force Toyota to fix these recalls and install car seat anchors and give em a replacement vehicle to drive to work and for children while they fix it.

NHTSA ID

11543220

Incident

Sep 1, 2023

A 205/55/R16 tire exploded when I was driving on the freeway at 9:15 am. I had driven less than 3 miles. The tire that exploded had less than 16,000 miles. I didn't run over an object or I would have also punctured my front tire too. At the time of the explosion I didn't know what happened, but heard a loud noise that I thought was from a car next to me. Once both cars moved ahead of me, I realized the loud noise was coming from under my car. I then was able to pull to the side of the freeway. Once I pulled over I saw the tire had exploded. I took photos of the tire and took both parts to the tire shop where my tires are under warranty. I had inspected my tires the prior Monday, two days prior and didn't see an issue with any of the tires. I've never had a tire blowout before. The tire shop threw the tire away even though I asked for a report of the incident to appropriate entities. The tire shop told me the tire was under inflated or that I hit a road hazard but couldn't prove that's what caused the explosion. Also the tire shop did not show me where a road hazard penetrated the tire. In the past if a tire had run over an object this tire shop would show me the object. I have 3 of the same tires on my car which I don't trust because my tire exploded without warning.

NHTSA ID

11480453

Incident

Aug 10, 2022

The contact owned a 2004 Toyota Matrix. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaigns: 08V162000 (Visibility), 15V043000 (Air Bags) and 15V285000 (Air Bags) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The vehicle was destroyed several years ago. The contact stated that they have not owned the vehicle involved for many years.

NHTSA ID

11465175

Incident

May 18, 2022

My daughter was driving as usual when she went to apply the brakes about 5 car lengths back and the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably despite braking. Her foot was not on the accelerator, she does not have floor mats that would cause anything to hit the accelerator. This has happened on 5-6 occasions which almost resulted in an accident. She barely got stopped mere inches away from the car in front of her despite braking earlier than normal because she encountered this once already during her trip. No check engine codes, the brakes are good, the car idles high. That is really it. This is a serious issue that seemingly cannot be diagnosed. After doing research to see what the problem may be, I have seen countless complaints of a similar nature. My daughters life is invaluable. This needs to be addressed.

NHTSA ID

11453102

Incident

Feb 19, 2022

all door handles broke off.

NHTSA ID

11446731

Incident

Nov 18, 2021

MOTOR VEHICLE SOME PROBLEMS VEHICLE MANUFACTURER

NHTSA ID

11315700

Incident

Jan 1, 2020

I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION CROSS-MEMBER (PART # 51206-12190) IN MY 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX IS ABOUT TO FAIL DUE TO RUST. WHILE DOING SOMETHING ELSE MY MECHANIC HAPPENED TO NOTICE THE ISSUE. HE SHOWED ME THE PROBLEM AND SAID IT WOULD BE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE CAR. THE CAR HAS LOW MILEAGE FOR BEING 16 YEARS OLD (ABOUT 8K A YEAR). THIS CAR WAS BUILT IN CANADA AND SOLD IN NEW YORK STATE SO IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DESIGNED TO TAKE MANY YEARS OF WET/WINTER ROAD CONDITIONS. IF MY CAR HAD 16K MILES PER YEAR IT WOULD ONLY BE 8 YEARS OLD. SHOULD A PART THAT HOLDS THE DIFFERENTIAL UP (NOT LET IT DROP TO THE ROAD) GO BAD IN EVEN 20 YEARS ON THE ROAD? I ONLY FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BY CHANCE. OTHERWISE I COULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND POSSIBLY HAD A FATAL ACCIDENT DUE TO THE REAR PARTS OF THE DRIVE TRAIN DROPPING TO THE ROAD. THE CAR LOOKS FINE OTHERWISE. SO HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWN THE SAME CAR THAT IS THE SAME AGE, OR NEWER OR A BIT OLDER, HAVE NO IDEA THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTS? IF EVEN ONE OWNER OF THIS CAR HAS AN ACCIDENT CAUSED BY THIS PROBLEM AND IS HURT OR KILLED THAT WOULD BE VERY BAD! AND THAT PERSON COULD HAVE BEEN ME - BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ISSUED INTENDED TO CHECK FOR THIS POTENTIAL FAILURE. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH TOYOTA ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THEY TOLD ME I AM ON MY OWN, THAT THEY COULDN'T/WOULDN'T HELP ME. THE TWO PEOPLE I TALKED WITH NEVER SAID THAT THEY WOULD DO ANYTHING TO BE SURE OTHER TOYOTA MATRIX OWNERS WERE INFORMED ABOUT THIS POSSIBLE RUST ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11302306

Incident

Jan 21, 2020

Mileage

131,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL TOYOTA IS ONLY REPLACING MY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG, BUT THEY ARE REFUSING TO REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG. BOTH AIRBAGS ARE TAKATA AIRBAGS. THEY ARE PUTTING MY LIFE AT RISK AND I NEED TO HAVE BOTH AIRBAGS REPLACED. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW I CAN GET BOTH AIRBAGS REPLACED UNDER THE TAKATA RECALL. THIS IS MY CONTACT INFORMATION: EMAIL:[XXX] PHONE:[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11121100

Incident

Aug 20, 2018

Mileage

166,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE RECALL AND WAS TOLD A FEW WEEKS LATER THAT IT WAS COMPLETE. WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP MY CAR, HE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS ONLY PARTIALLY DONE, BUT WAS "COMPLETELY SAFE". HE WENT ON TO EXPLAIN THAT THEY REPLACED THE ONE PART THAT CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY, SO NOT TO WORRY ABOUT THE SAFETY ANYMORE. I JUST RECEIVED THE RECALL AGAIN SAYING THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE, AND THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO GET IT FIXED BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS ARE STILL NOT SAFE. I AM LIVID...I DRIVE THIS CAR DAILY, AND HAVE MY CHILDREN IN IT AS WELL. A YEAR AND A HALF LATER?!! COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE.

NHTSA ID

10969479

Incident

Aug 21, 2015

Mileage

140,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL THIS CAR WAS A RECALL, IT WAS TAKING IN ON 02/11/2016 FOR THE AIR BAG NOW IT NEED TO BE FIX FOR OVER $500.DOLLARS TODAY DATE 07/01 2016 ON THE RECALL WAS THIS AIR BAG I WANT TO KNOW WAS THIS TAKING CARE OF AT THE TIME OF SERVICE?

NHTSA ID

10882486

Incident

Feb 11, 2016

Mileage

147,439 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10862548

Incident

Aug 17, 2015

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V043000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10822257

Incident

Jun 16, 2015

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V286000 (AIR BAGS) BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID

10819007

Incident

Jun 12, 2015

Mileage

170,000 mi

THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW HAS MADE NOISE WHEN LOWERED AND RAISED SINCE SHORTLY AFTER THE TIME OF PURCHASE IN 2004. IN 2008, WE HEARD ABOUT THE RECALL ON 2003-04 MATRIX VEHICLES FOR DEFECTS WITH THE FRONT DOOR GLASS BOLT (WE ALSO HAVE A 2003 COROLLA, AND RECOGNIZED THAT THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED FOR THE COROLLA MATCHED THE PROBLEM WE WERE HAVING WITH THE MATRIX). WE TOOK OUR CAR IN 2008 TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DISTRIBUTOR, WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW, BUT WERE TOLD THAT THE RECALL DID NOT APPLY TO OUR MATRIX, BECAUSE THE MATRIX VIN WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE NOISE WHEN USING THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW CONTINUED TO BECOME MORE PRONOUNCED SINCE 2008, AND NOW THE NOISE HAS BECOME SO LOUD THAT WE ARE CONCERNED THE WINDOW WILL BREAK IF LOWERED. I'VE CONTACTED THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER, AND THEY SAY THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN/WILL DO, BECAUSE THE CAR'S VIN INDICATES THAT IT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. IF WE WANT TOYOTA TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE PROBLEM TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT MIGHT BE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PART, THE CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER SAID THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY TOYOTA FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE WINDOW MAKES THE LOUD CLUNKING SOUND AT ALL TIMES WHEN BEING LOWERED, WHETHER THE CAR IS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY. THE WINDOW NOISE HAS BEEN PRESENT FOR AT LEAST 7 YEARS, AND HAS WORSENED OVER TIME. SINCE THE SYMPTOMS MATCH THOSE DESCRIBED IN THE 2008 RECALL NOTICE, IT SEEMS VERY LIKELY THAT THE WINDOW BOLTS ON OUR 2004 MATRIX ARE SUFFERING FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AS DESCRIBED IN THAT RECALL.

NHTSA ID

10809839

Incident

Dec 12, 2015

Mileage

220,000 mi

TOYOTA ISTAKING TO LONG TO SEND PARTS FOR REPAIR TO SOUTH DAKOTA TOYOTA DEALERS FOR KNOW AND REPORTED FAULTS THAT COULD LEAD TO INJURY AND/OR DEATH.

NHTSA ID

10790484

Incident

Nov 5, 2013

2004 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATOR MODULE RECALL NOTICE ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO DISCONNECT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. *JB

NHTSA ID

10760547

Incident

Sep 1, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V029000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V286000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

10749976

Incident

Jan 12, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS), 14V043000 (POWER TRAIN), AND 13V029000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

10748558

Incident

Apr 15, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V162000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE REMEDY DID NOT DETER THE FAILURE FROM OCCURRING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD POP WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10716299

Incident

Jan 1, 2013

Mileage

42,000 mi

I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX WITH DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS. I THINK IT IS APPALLING THE TOYOTA WITH THE BLESSING OF NHSTA IS ALLOWED TO CHOOSE WHICH VEHICLES TO RECALL ON THIS ISSUE BASED ON LOCAL HUMIDITY. ALTHOUGH VERMONT IS NOT AS HUMID AS GUAM WE CERTAINLY HAVE HIGH HUMIDITY DAYS AND WHAT IF SOMEONE BOUGHT MY CAR AND TOOK IT SOUTH? EITHER THEY ARE SAFE OR THEY ARE NOT SAFE AND WE KNOW THEY ARE NOT. I AM LEFT WITH NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO MAKE ALL PASSENGERS RIDE IN THE BACK SEAT TO PROTECT THEM, HOW MANY MORE DEATHS WILL BE NEEDED TO CHANGE THIS RULILNG AND...WILL IT BE SOMEONE THAT YOU OR I LOVE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10651062

Incident

Oct 29, 2014

MY SRS LIGHT CAME ON. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A CODE B1181 FOR SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY. A RECALL IS IN PLACE OR 1.7 MILLION VEHICLES IN THE US, BUT DOESN'T COVER THE 2004 MATRIX (DOES COVER THE PONTIAC VIBE THOUGH). CONTACTED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND FILED A COMPLAINT, BUT THEY CURRENTLY WON'T COVER REPLACEMENT AS MY MODEL YEAR ISN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I BELIEVE MY CAR TO BE UNSAFE DUE TO MANUFACTURER'S FAULT AND BELIEVE REPAIR SHOULD BE COVERED BY TOYOTA. PLEASE HELP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10615097

Incident

Jul 1, 2014

Mileage

115,000 mi