2004 Toyota Matrix Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2004 Toyota Matrix, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags3521.1%
- Transmission3219.3%
- Driver assistance1710.2%
- Visibility148.4%
- Engine106.0%
- Electrical95.4%
- Body & structure84.8%
- Steering84.8%
- Fuel system74.2%
- Tires & wheels63.6%
- Powertrain (other)53.0%
- Suspension53.0%
- Brakes42.4%
- Other / unspecified31.8%
- Seat belts21.2%
- Heating & air conditioning10.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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. IT APPEARS TOYOTA IS GIVING PEOPLE THE RUN-AROUND. I STAYED ON THE LINE FOR GREAT LENGTH OF TIME AND WAS TOLD TO CALL BACK LATER AND CUT OFF. DEALER IS NOT CALLING BACK. ANY HELP WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED, THANK YOU, INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
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. HE PUSHED ME INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. AT THAT MOMENT, WHICH WAS NOT A SEVERE FRONT END HIT, I SAW FIRE, AN EXPLOSION, AND THE AIRBAG BLEW OUT THE ENTIRE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, AND FLEW TO THE BACK SEAT BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SIDE. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. METAL WAS FLYING OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IN THE FRONT. WE COULD NOT BELIEVE THE DAMAGE THAT RESULTED FROM SUCH A SOMEWHAT MINOR ACCIDENT. ADDITIONALLY, THE CAR WAS TOTALED WHICH HAS BEEN A STRAIN ON US! NOW, ABOUT 30 DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT, WE JUST RECEIVED A CARD IN THE MAIL TELLING US OF THE RECALL. WE HAD NO IDEA THERE IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH AIRBAG RECALLS! TODAY, I CHECKED ONLINE FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND FOUND MANY SITES DESCRIBING THE ISSUES. HOWEVER, MY CAR IS NOT EVEN ON THE RECALL LIST!!! I WAS IN THE CAR ALONE AND WAS AFFECTED BY THE ACCIDENT, HOWEVER, I DREAD TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED IF I HAD A PASSENGER WITH ME. I AM INCLUDING SOME PICTURES.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THE BEARINGS IN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000. UPDATED 09/12/11
BEARINGS FAILED IN 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSAXLE ON MY 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX WITH 135,000 KMS. *TR
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSED A CRASH. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BECAUSE THE CONTACT COULD NOT REMEMBER. MOTTER AUTO REPAIR OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH AND REPAIRED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE PASSENGER DOOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH. IN ADDITION, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING AGAIN. THERE WAS NO CRASH AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S GARAGE DOOR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT LEG AND LEFT HAND, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DAMAGED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET A RECALL 15V043 DONE SINCE JAN/FEB THIS YEAR AND I KEEP CALLING THE DEALER AND GETTING TOLD THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN SENT THE PARTS EVER. I ALSO HAVE THE AIR BAG RECALL 15V285 AND THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IVE CALLED THEM REGARDING THIS RECALL AS WELL. WTF DO THEY NEVER GET PARTS NOW? WHATS REALLY ANNOYING IS I KEEP GETTING LETTERS IN THE MAIL REGARDING RECALLS AND THIS LAST ONE SAYS "WHY HAVEN'T WE HEARD FROM YOU?" EVEN THOUGH IVE CALLED MULTIPLE TIMES.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE RAISING OR LOWERING THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW, THERE WAS A CLICKING AND RATTLING SOUND HEARD. THE WINDOW ALSO SEEMED TO LOOSER THAN NORMAL. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V162000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
TAKATA RECALL NOT ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER IN A TIMELY MANNER. RECALL NUMBER: 08V162 FROM 2008, RECALL STATUS IS INCOMPLETE. LEADING TO POWER WINDOWS COMPLETELY IMMOVABLE. MANUFACTURER FAILED TO REMEDY THESE RECALLS IN A TIMELY MANNER.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ENGINE BURNS EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL AND HAS NOW STARTING MAKING WHAT APPEARS TO BE EITHER FAULTY LIFTER OR CAMSHAFT NOISES. THE MATRIX BURNS AT LEAST 1 QUART OF OIL FOR EVERY 1000 MILES DRIVEN. I DO REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND MONITOR THE OIL LEVEL WEEKLY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V043000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL. I'VE BEEN RECEIVING RECALL NOTICES FOR THIS VEHICLE FOR YEARS. I HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO HAVE THREE ISSUES RESOLVED, ONLY ONE OF WHICH IS THE TAKATA AIRBAG PROBLEM. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE REPAIRS AT THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALER TO ME (ABOUT A 2.5 HOUR-RT DRIVE FROM MY HOME) FOR THE PAST YEAR+, BUT I AM REPEATEDLY TOLD THAT THEY ARE AWAITING THE PART(S) FOR THE TAKATA AIRBAG REPAIR. TO MAKE THINGS WORSE, I CONSTANTLY RECEIVE FLYERS FROM TOYOTA URGING ME TO HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE ASAP. I WOULD LIKE TO. BUT APPARENTLY, TOYOTA IS HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING THE PARTS TO THEIR DEALERSHIPS. IN THE MEANWHILE, I'M DRIVING A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CAR.
METAL PART THAT WINDOW REGULATOR ATTACHES TO CAME LOOSE FROM DRIVER WINDOW. TOYOTA CLAIM THAT THEY REPLACED THE BOLT THAT PASSES THROUGH THE METAL PART THAT CAME DETACHED, AND REFUSE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THIS FAILURE RESULTS IN THE SAME ISSUE UNDERLYING THE RECALL FOR THE BOLT REPLACEMENT. *TR
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS BACKING DOWN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED-THE BRAKES AND STEERING ALSO WENT OUT-I CRASHED INTO A BANK ON ONE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THEN THE CAR SWUNG AROUND AND I ENDED UP SUSPENDED OVER A DITCH. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO SWITCH GEARS AND TURN THE CAR OFF
MY DAUGHTER SAID THE STEERING TOTALLY LOCKED WHILE BEING DRIVEN. HER & HER BOYFRIEND COULD NOT GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN AT ALL. THEY WERE NOT SPEEDING BECAUSE IT WAS ON WET ROADS. THEY BOTH SUFFERED MILD CONCUSSIONS & MY DAUGHTER HAS A SEVERE NECK SPRAIN. AFTER SEEING THE CAR, IT WENT OFF THE ROAD & ROLLED 2 OR 3 TIMES IT'S TOTALED, I'M SURPRISED THEY'RE NOT IN ICU! I DID SOME RESEARCH & ALMOST 1000 MATRIX'S HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN!! I DON'T KNOW WHY THERE ISN'T A RECALL. IT SEEMS TOYOTA ISN'T ALL THAT SAFE & DOESN'T CARE ABOUT IT'S CUSTOMERS AT ALL.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS LEAVING A PARKING LOT ON AN INCLINE WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED WITHOUT STEPPING ON GAS PEDAL. I APPLIED SIGNIFICANT PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES AND IMMEDIATELY PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL. THE CAR RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION. THIS IS THE THIRD INCIDENT OF THIS TYPE. *TR
AS I WAS LEAVING THE HIGHWAY VIA THE EXIT, I STOPPED AT THE END OF RAMP LEADING TO SECONDARY HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE THEN UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THE BRAKES SEEMED TO BARELY KEEP IT FROM PROPELLING. I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THE RPMS RETURNED TO NORMAL. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
ONE OF 4 (FOUR) HANKOOK TIRES ON MY VEHICLE, WHICH WERE PURCHASED NEW ABOUT 1 1/2 YEARS AGO, SEEMS TO HAVE A DEFECT ON IT THAT PREVENTS WATER AND SHUSH FROM CHANNELING PROPERLY FROM THE INNER GROOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE TIRE. ONLY ONE OF THE TIRES SEEM TO HAVE THIS DEFECT, AND SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, AS IT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN MOLDED WITHOUT A CHANNEL OR A VERY SHALLOW CHANNEL COMPARED TO THE OTHER 3. THE ALIGNMENT OF THE WHEEL DOES NOT SEEM TO PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN THIS ALLEGED DEFECT. THE LACK OF THE PROPER CHANNELING ON THIS TIRE MAY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT DURING WET OR SLUSHY WEATHER, AS CHANNELING OF THE FLUID IS AN IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF GOOD HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. IT DEFECT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN DUE TO A LARGE QUALITY PROBLEM, AS THIS TIRE MADE IT'S WAY THROUGH HANKOOK'S DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND ONTO A PERSONAL VEHICLE. THE TIRE IN QUESTION IS A HANKOOK VENTUS V4 ES . I WILL BE DEMANDING THAT THIS TIRE BE REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS IT SEEMS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN IN MY OPINION, MYSELF BEING A DEGREED MECHANICAL ENGINEER. *TR
ONE YEAR AND ONE MONTH AFTER BUYING THE CAR NEW, ALL FOUR TIRES WERE DANGEROUSLY BALD. HAD TO STOP AT THE NEAREST TIRE STORE WHERE I WAS TOLD IF I HAD RUN OVER A DIME I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE HAD A BLOW OUT.THESE DEFECTIVE TIRES WERE THE ORIGINAL TIRES ON THE CAR. I DON'T HAVE A RECORD OF THE TIRES AND WAS GIVEN NO WARRANTY FROM THE DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME OF THE PURCHASE. THIS EXPERIENCE COST ME $ 434. MILEAGE ON THAT DAY WAS 15,297 MILES. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
LOW NOISE FROM ENGINE AREA, THEN HEARD A POP OR THUD. AFTER THIS CAME A SCRATCHY/GRINDING NOISE WHEN CAR WAS IN GEAR AND COASTING. THE NOISE WENT AWAY WHEN CLUTCH WAS DEPRESSED OR CAR WAS TAKEN OUT OF GEAR TO COAST. I CALLED A SERVICE REPAIR TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT THE SAME DAY. THE VERY NEXT DAY THE CAR LOCKED UP AND WAS UNDRIVEABLE. SOUNDED LIKE THE ENGINE HAD FALLEN OUT THE BOTTOM WITH HORRIBLE METAL GRINDING NOISE. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED ($150) AND THE SERVICE CENTER SAID I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH AND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA MATRIX AND COROLLA. AFTER READING ONLINE, IT SEEMS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA OWNERS WITH LOW MILES HAVING BEARING ISSUES AND THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS GONE UNADDRESSED. EVEN THOUGH I WAS GOING ONLY 10 MILES PER HOUR, THE CAR LOCKS UP. THIS ISSUE WILL KILL SOMEONE, SOMEDAY. COST OF REPAIR WILL BE AROUND $3,100+. *TR
MY CAR STARTED MAKING A WEIRD NOISE. WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS PUSHED IN, THE NOISE WOULD STOP. 3 WEEKS LATER I HAD TO GO TO WORK SO I GOT ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE NOISE WAS GETTING LOUDER AND LOUDER. MY FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP AND MY TRANSMISSION SHOT ME OUT OF GEAR. A CAR ALMOST HIT ME WHICH WOULD OF COST MY LIFE. I WILL NEVER BUY A TOYOTA AGAIN. IT COSTS $2000 TO FIX. HOPEFULLY YOU GUYS DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE ALIGNMENT ISSUES WITH THIS MODEL. CONSTANT INNER TIRE WEAR ISSUES. ALIGNED TO SPEC. EVERY YEAR. SHIM ADDED TO REAR TO CORRECT FACTORY MISALIGNMENT. TIRES BADLY CHOPPED AFTER JUST 15K MILES. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ALIGNMENT WAS UNEVEN, CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE TIRES. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRES THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,000. UPDATED 04/12/11*LJ UPDATED 04/13/11
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS BACKING DOWN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED-THE BRAKES AND STEERING ALSO WENT OUT-I CRASHED INTO A BANK ON ONE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THEN THE CAR SWUNG AROUND AND I ENDED UP SUSPENDED OVER A DITCH. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO SWITCH GEARS AND TURN THE CAR OFF
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BOTH THE STEERING AND BRAKE PEDAL WOULD VIBRATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY RESURFACED THE ROTORS AND REPLACED THE PADS AT 18,430 MILES AND 33,573 MILES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 34,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,400. UPDATED 10-07-08 *BF UPDATED 10/15/08. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOTH FRONT AXLES NEEDING REPLACED, CRACK, 2004 LESS THEN 70,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE NO ACCIDENTS. *TR
MY 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX AT 87,000 NOW NEEDS A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT IN TO BE DIAGNOSED. P0420 WAS THE CODE. WARRANTY FOR THIS PART IS FOR 80,000 MILES. THE COST TO REPLACE THIS PART IS 1300.00 BY THE DEALER. A NEW TOYOTA REPLACEMENT CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS BEING INSTALLED TODAY. MY MECHANIC STATES THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH TOYTOA MATRIXES AND THAT TOYOTA SHOULD BE REPLACING THESE. I KEEP MY CARS FOR A REALLY LONG TIME (LAST CAR 310,000 MILES) AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THIS IS NOT A PART THAT SHOULD NEED REPLACING AT 87,000 MILES. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED IN THE SO CALLED RELIABILITY OF TOYOTA'S AND REALLY DISAPPOINTED IN THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE. I CALLED AND SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT TO TOYOTAUSA AND WAS BASICALLY TOLD THAT THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT A PROBLEM OR TOYOTA WOULD HAVE RECALLED THESE ALREADY. OBVIOUSLY, TOYOTA DOES NOT KEEP TRACK OF THEIR CUSTOMER MAINTENANCE RECORDS AND COMPLAINTS OR THEY WOULD KNOW THAT THIS IS A CHRONIC ISSUE ON 2003-2004 MATRIXES. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V043000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RETRACT AND WERE LOOSE WHEN LATCHED. THE DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/11/15*LJ UPDATED 11/07/2017*CN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A SUNSHINE KIDS RADIAN XTSL CHILD SEAT, MODEL NUMBER 19500, MANUFACTURED IN SEPTEMBER 2010. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUPER LATCH WOULD BECOME LOOSE DUE TO THE INFANT KICKING THE BUCKLE SINCE SHE WAS REAR FACING. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT DID NOT RETURN THE SAFETY SEAT TO THE MANUFACTURER OR WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
AFTER LAST OIL CHANGE, OIL WAS GEL-LIKE, ENGINE MADE TAPPING NOISE...TOOK TO DEALER WITH A LIST OF OTHER PROBLEMS, AC NOT COLD, HEATER NOT BLOWING HOT, WINDOW JUMPING WHEN ROLLING DOWN, AND TIRES MAKING FUNNY NOISE. WAS TOLD ENGINE NOISE WAS NORMAL, FIXED AC AGAIN, 3RD TIME, HEATER HAD LOOSE PART TIGHTEN, WINDOW PART ORDERED, TIRE HAD FLAT SPOT, LAST TIME WAS WATER IN WHEEL. CRASH DID NOT DAMAGE ENGINE, OR WINDOWS, OR TIRES. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .