2003 Toyota Matrix problems
Owners have filed 314 complaints about the 2003 Toyota Matrix with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 28% of them — the clear leader, ahead of air bags at 18.5%.
Complaints314
Crashes25
Fires4
Injuries28
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Power train 28.0% · 88
Air bags 18.5% · 58
Engine and engine cooling 8.3% · 26
Vehicle speed control 6.7% · 21
Service brakes, hydraulic 4.5% · 14
Unknown or other 3.8% · 12
Structure 3.8% · 12
Electrical system 3.8% · 12
Severity
Of those complaints, 25 describe a crash, 4 describe a fire, 28 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 6 model years of the Toyota Matrix in this data, 2003 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filings have fallen off, 20 in the last three years against 58 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 80,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, there was an abnormal grinding noise when the vehicle was decelerating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician advised the contact that the transmission would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 97,700. Power train · reported at 97,700 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Matrix. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the third and fourth gears were not getting any oil and tearing the bearing and transmission apart. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000. Power train · reported at 110,000 miles
I was pulling into a parking spot at an apt. Complex; I had my foot on the brake so as not to hit the curb; the car became airborne, jumped the curb and landed onto a children's playground stopping just short of hitting a tree. I still had my foot on the brake, now pressed to the floor. I asked my passenger to get out of the car, I then backed up over the curb and back onto the macadam. Power train · reported at 42,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…