NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
268 reports88,000 miles · Jan 17, 2010
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ONE EVENING, AN ODD CLICKING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT END OF OUR 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX (MANUAL TRANSMISSION WITH 88,000 MILES). THE SOUND WAS LOUDER WITH ACCELERATION. AFTER GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY, THE SOUND WAS NOTED TO BE LOUDER IN HIGHER GEARS, AND ABSENT WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS PRESSED DOWN. TH…
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ONE EVENING, AN ODD CLICKING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT END OF OUR 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX (MANUAL TRANSMISSION WITH 88,000 MILES). THE SOUND WAS LOUDER WITH ACCELERATION. AFTER GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY, THE SOUND WAS NOTED TO BE LOUDER IN HIGHER GEARS, AND ABSENT WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS PRESSED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE AT OUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER THE NEXT MORNING. AFTER PAYING A $95 DIAGNOSTIC FEE, WE WERE TOLD THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT THE ESTIMATED COST OF $3300, WITH NOTHING BEING COVERED BY ANY WARRANTY OR RECALL. WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST FOR A REBUILD. THE BEARINGS, RINGS, AND TWO TRANSFER GEARS WERE REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE CLUTCH, AT A COST OF $2100. IT IS NOTED THAT THE MECHANIC HAD A DELAY IN GETTING THE PARTS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER BACK ORDER, REPORTEDLY FROM A HIGH DEMAND DUE TO MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL CAR! THIS IS OUR FIRST TOYOTA, WHICH WE BOUGHT DUE TO THEIR GOOD REPUTATION. IT HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED AND SUBJECTED TO ONLY NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. WE HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND ARE SHOCKED THAT THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR WAS NEEDED ON SUCH A YOUNG CAR. TOYOTA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR COVERING THE COST OF WHAT APPEARS TO BE WIDESPREAD TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO DEFECTIVE/INFERIOR PARTS USED ON THIS VEHICLE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10300081
99,960 miles · Dec 26, 2009
Power Train
TRANSMISSION WENT BAD BEFORE 100,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10296974
103,000 miles · Dec 18, 2009
Power Train
AFTER NORMAL DRIVING AND WEAR AND TEAR (103,000 MILES), MANUAL TRANSMISSION ON 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX HAS GONE BAD, RESULTING IN A NEEDED REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION, CLUTCH, AND CLUTCH PLATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10296362
138,000 miles · Dec 15, 2009
Power Train
I HEARD A SCRAPING AND GRATING NOISE AS I EXITED THE FREEWAY THAT I THOUGHT WAS SOME TRAPPED DEBRIS UNDER THE FRONT END OR IN THE WHEEL WELL. I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION TO INVESTIGATE, FINDING A LOOSE PLASTIC PLATE ( A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE CHEAP PLASTIC SCREWS AND FASTENERS USED) I RIGGED SOMETHING TO HOLD IT UP AND GET …
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I HEARD A SCRAPING AND GRATING NOISE AS I EXITED THE FREEWAY THAT I THOUGHT WAS SOME TRAPPED DEBRIS UNDER THE FRONT END OR IN THE WHEEL WELL. I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION TO INVESTIGATE, FINDING A LOOSE PLASTIC PLATE ( A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE CHEAP PLASTIC SCREWS AND FASTENERS USED) I RIGGED SOMETHING TO HOLD IT UP AND GET HOME. AFTER A FEW MORE BLOCKS THE SOUND INTENSIFIED AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SHUDDER AND SHAKE AND I HEARD A POP. I PULLED OVER, GOT TOWED HOME, AND THE NEXT MORNING HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR ONLY HAS 140,000 MILES ON IT, AND I DO NOT DRIVE IT LIKE SOME CRAZED MANIAC. AN INTERNET CHAT ROOM HAS RECORDED LOTS OF MATRIX OWNERS WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION ISSUES...I AM GOING TO NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND A NEW CLUTCH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10295865
85,000 miles · Nov 12, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
ACCELERATOR IN 2003 MATRIX TOYOTA STUCK WHILE DRIVING ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS WHILE DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10291951
175,160 miles · Oct 7, 2009
Power Train
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN OUR 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX WITH TWO OF OUR THREE YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE CAR WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD BANG AND FELT WHAT SHE DESCRIBES AS THE CAR JUMPING OFF THE GROUND. SHE SLOWED THE CAR DOWN TO A CRAWL, EXITED THE INTERSTATE AND LIMPED IT HOME. PRESENTLY IT SITS IN THE YARD AND WILL ONLY MOVE…
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MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN OUR 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX WITH TWO OF OUR THREE YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE CAR WHEN SHE HEARD A LOUD BANG AND FELT WHAT SHE DESCRIBES AS THE CAR JUMPING OFF THE GROUND. SHE SLOWED THE CAR DOWN TO A CRAWL, EXITED THE INTERSTATE AND LIMPED IT HOME. PRESENTLY IT SITS IN THE YARD AND WILL ONLY MOVE FORWARD. IN FACT, EVEN IN NEUTRAL THE CAR CAN'T BE PUSHED BACKWARD. UPON SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS ON THE INTERNET I FOUND A FORUM WITH WHAT APPEARS TO BE DOZENS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION FAILURES WITH 2003 TO 2005 MATRIXES. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE MY WIFE CAME CLOSE TO GOING OFF THE ROAD WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND IT APPEARS THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT WON'T TAKE ANY ACTION TO REMEDY IT. THEY HAD A RECALL ON THE WINDOWS BECAUSE IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE BUT I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT A BROKEN WINDOW WOULD HAVE SCARED MY WIFE AS MUCH AS THE BANG SHE DESCRIBED AND THE JERKING OF THE CAR IT CAUSED. THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10286703
92,000 miles · Oct 4, 2009
Power Train
I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE CAR ONLY HAS 92,000 MILES AND THE TRANNY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A BAD BEARING. FROM MY RESEARCH ON THE WEB I HAVE SEEN THIS HAPPEN TO MANY OTHERS. I SPOKE TO A REPAIR SHOP THAT DOES REBUILDS AND HE INFORMED ME THAT TOYOTA HAD GOTTEN BAD BEARINGS AND USED THEM ON …
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I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE CAR ONLY HAS 92,000 MILES AND THE TRANNY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A BAD BEARING. FROM MY RESEARCH ON THE WEB I HAVE SEEN THIS HAPPEN TO MANY OTHERS. I SPOKE TO A REPAIR SHOP THAT DOES REBUILDS AND HE INFORMED ME THAT TOYOTA HAD GOTTEN BAD BEARINGS AND USED THEM ON A SERIES OF TRANSMISSIONS AND THEY TEND TO GO BAD AROUND 80K TO 120K MILES. HE HIMSELF HAS REBUILT MANY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10286266
1 miles · Sep 9, 2009
Air Bags
I HAVE A2003 MATRIX SINCE NEW, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH HAS REMAINED ON FOR YEARS, BECAUSE OF LIMITED FUNDS CAN NOT GO TO DEALERSHIP AND PAY $$$$ FOR SERVICE FEE, DIAGNOSTIC FEE, AND PARTS AND LABOR FOR SOMEONE TO "WORK" THEIR WAY THROUGH THE PROBLEM OVER SEVERAL VISITS. I NOW HOWEVER AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF STATE IN…
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I HAVE A2003 MATRIX SINCE NEW, THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH HAS REMAINED ON FOR YEARS, BECAUSE OF LIMITED FUNDS CAN NOT GO TO DEALERSHIP AND PAY $$$$ FOR SERVICE FEE, DIAGNOSTIC FEE, AND PARTS AND LABOR FOR SOMEONE TO "WORK" THEIR WAY THROUGH THE PROBLEM OVER SEVERAL VISITS. I NOW HOWEVER AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF STATE INSPECTIONS, HAVE TO SPEND THIS MONEY IN ORDER TO PASS INSPECTION. I WAS INFORMED THAT AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS NOW HAVE TO OPERATE PROPERLY IN ORDER FOR A VEHICLE TO PASS INSPECTION. UPON GOOGLING ANY RECALL INFORMATION ONLINE I DISCOVERED HUNDREDS OF POSTINGS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, AS WELL AS TWO COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE OF AIRBAGS THAT DID NOT DEPLOY DURING CRASHES. DID THEY HAVE SIMILAR DASH LIGHTING MALFUNCTIONS AS MINE?? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10283373
94,542 miles · Aug 29, 2009
Power Train
MY 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX COMPLETELY BROKE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY. THE TRANSMISSION IS DEAD AT 94,542 MILES. TOYOTA REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10282267
115,000 miles · Aug 20, 2009
Power Train
AFTER 200 MILE ROUND TRIP, NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING. TOOK MATRIX TO DEALER, WHO TOLD US THE BEARINGS IN THE TRANSMISSION WERE BAD, AND NEEDED REPLACED. 2003 MATRIX, 115,000 MILES (MOSTLY HIGHWAY, WE HAVE A LONG COMMUTE TO WORK) BEARINGS REPLACED AND CLUTCH WORK DONE FOR $2063. WHEN ASKED ABOUT THIS, WAS TOL…
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AFTER 200 MILE ROUND TRIP, NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING. TOOK MATRIX TO DEALER, WHO TOLD US THE BEARINGS IN THE TRANSMISSION WERE BAD, AND NEEDED REPLACED. 2003 MATRIX, 115,000 MILES (MOSTLY HIGHWAY, WE HAVE A LONG COMMUTE TO WORK) BEARINGS REPLACED AND CLUTCH WORK DONE FOR $2063. WHEN ASKED ABOUT THIS, WAS TOLD "SOMETIMES THINGS BREAK". *TR
NHTSA ODI #10281143
NHTSA investigations
1EA08004 · Side Front Power Window Shatters
Opened Feb 5, 2008 · Closed May 1, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility; Visibility:glass, Side/rear; Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls
FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE RETENTION FORCE OF THE REGULATOR BOLTS WHICH ATTACH THE FRONT SIDE WINDOW GLASS TO THE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT DUE TO AN INTERFERENCE OF THE RETENTION NUT AND THE BOLT SHOULDER RADIUS.IN THIS CONDITION THE BOLT MAY BECOME LOOSE, CAUSING A LOUD NOISE TO BE GENERATED WHEN THE WINDOW IS RAISED OR LOWERED.IF THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER WINDOW ARE CONTINUOUSLY OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, THE BOLT MAY COMPLETELY SEPARATE, CAUSING THE GLASS TO BECOME MISALIGNED, AND IN THE WORSE CASE, THE GLASS MAY SHATTER DURING OPERATION OF THE POWER WINDOW.GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION (GM) AND TOYOTA NORTH AMERICA, INC. (TOYOTA) WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL ON THE PONTIAC VIBE, TOYOTA COROLLA AND TOYOTA MATRIX VEHICLES TO REPLACE THE REGULATOR BOLT WITH A BOLT AND WASHER.GM WILL RECALL 122,593 MY 2003-2004 PONTIAC VIBE VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 16,045 WARRANTY AND GOODWILL CLAIMS, 274 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 23 INJURIES FOR THESE VEHICLES.TOYOTA WILL RECALL 415,341 MY 2003-2004 TOYOTA COROLLA VEHICLES. ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 6,601 WARRANTY CLAIMS, 150 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 11 INJURIES FOR THESE VEHICLES.TOYOTA WILL RECALL 124,244 MY 2003-2004 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 2,198 WARRANTY CLAIMS, 113 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 6 INJURIES FOR THESE VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 24,843 WARRANTY CLAIMS, 537 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 40 INJURIES FOR 662,178 MY 2003-2004 VEHICLES.THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA NUMBER 08V-162.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Visibility:glass, Side/rear
FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE RETENTION FORCE OF THE REGULATOR BOLTS WHICH ATTACH THE FRONT SIDE WINDOW GLASS TO THE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT DUE TO AN INTERFERENCE OF THE RETENTION NUT AND THE BOLT SHOULDER RADIUS.IN THIS CONDITION THE BOLT MAY BECOME LOOSE, CAUSING A LOUD NOISE TO BE GENERATED WHEN THE WINDOW IS RAISED OR LOWERED.IF THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER WINDOW ARE CONTINUOUSLY OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, THE BOLT MAY COMPLETELY SEPARATE, CAUSING THE GLASS TO BECOME MISALIGNED, AND IN THE WORSE CASE, THE GLASS MAY SHATTER DURING OPERATION OF THE POWER WINDOW.GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION (GM) AND TOYOTA NORTH AMERICA, INC. (TOYOTA) WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL ON THE PONTIAC VIBE, TOYOTA COROLLA AND TOYOTA MATRIX VEHICLES TO REPLACE THE REGULATOR BOLT WITH A BOLT AND WASHER.GM WILL RECALL 122,593 MY 2003-2004 PONTIAC VIBE VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 16,045 WARRANTY AND GOODWILL CLAIMS, 274 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 23 INJURIES FOR THESE VEHICLES.TOYOTA WILL RECALL 415,341 MY 2003-2004 TOYOTA COROLLA VEHICLES. ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 6,601 WARRANTY CLAIMS, 150 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 11 INJURIES FOR THESE VEHICLES.TOYOTA WILL RECALL 124,244 MY 2003-2004 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 2,198 WARRANTY CLAIMS, 113 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 6 INJURIES FOR THESE VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 24,843 WARRANTY CLAIMS, 537 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 40 INJURIES FOR 662,178 MY 2003-2004 VEHICLES.THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA NUMBER 08V-162.
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls
FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE RETENTION FORCE OF THE REGULATOR BOLTS WHICH ATTACH THE FRONT SIDE WINDOW GLASS TO THE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT DUE TO AN INTERFERENCE OF THE RETENTION NUT AND THE BOLT SHOULDER RADIUS.IN THIS CONDITION THE BOLT MAY BECOME LOOSE, CAUSING A LOUD NOISE TO BE GENERATED WHEN THE WINDOW IS RAISED OR LOWERED.IF THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER WINDOW ARE CONTINUOUSLY OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, THE BOLT MAY COMPLETELY SEPARATE, CAUSING THE GLASS TO BECOME MISALIGNED, AND IN THE WORSE CASE, THE GLASS MAY SHATTER DURING OPERATION OF THE POWER WINDOW.GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION (GM) AND TOYOTA NORTH AMERICA, INC. (TOYOTA) WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL ON THE PONTIAC VIBE, TOYOTA COROLLA AND TOYOTA MATRIX VEHICLES TO REPLACE THE REGULATOR BOLT WITH A BOLT AND WASHER.GM WILL RECALL 122,593 MY 2003-2004 PONTIAC VIBE VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 16,045 WARRANTY AND GOODWILL CLAIMS, 274 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 23 INJURIES FOR THESE VEHICLES.TOYOTA WILL RECALL 415,341 MY 2003-2004 TOYOTA COROLLA VEHICLES. ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 6,601 WARRANTY CLAIMS, 150 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 11 INJURIES FOR THESE VEHICLES.TOYOTA WILL RECALL 124,244 MY 2003-2004 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 2,198 WARRANTY CLAIMS, 113 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 6 INJURIES FOR THESE VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 24,843 WARRANTY CLAIMS, 537 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 40 INJURIES FOR 662,178 MY 2003-2004 VEHICLES.THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA NUMBER 08V-162.
Visibility
FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE RETENTION FORCE OF THE REGULATOR BOLTS WHICH ATTACH THE FRONT SIDE WINDOW GLASS TO THE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT DUE TO AN INTERFERENCE OF THE RETENTION NUT AND THE BOLT SHOULDER RADIUS.IN THIS CONDITION THE BOLT MAY BECOME LOOSE, CAUSING A LOUD NOISE TO BE GENERATED WHEN THE WINDOW IS RAISED OR LOWERED.IF THE VEHICLE AND THE POWER WINDOW ARE CONTINUOUSLY OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, THE BOLT MAY COMPLETELY SEPARATE, CAUSING THE GLASS TO BECOME MISALIGNED, AND IN THE WORSE CASE, THE GLASS MAY SHATTER DURING OPERATION OF THE POWER WINDOW.GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION (GM) AND TOYOTA NORTH AMERICA, INC. (TOYOTA) WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL ON THE PONTIAC VIBE, TOYOTA COROLLA AND TOYOTA MATRIX VEHICLES TO REPLACE THE REGULATOR BOLT WITH A BOLT AND WASHER.GM WILL RECALL 122,593 MY 2003-2004 PONTIAC VIBE VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 16,045 WARRANTY AND GOODWILL CLAIMS, 274 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 23 INJURIES FOR THESE VEHICLES.TOYOTA WILL RECALL 415,341 MY 2003-2004 TOYOTA COROLLA VEHICLES. ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 6,601 WARRANTY CLAIMS, 150 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 11 INJURIES FOR THESE VEHICLES.TOYOTA WILL RECALL 124,244 MY 2003-2004 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 2,198 WARRANTY CLAIMS, 113 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 6 INJURIES FOR THESE VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 24,843 WARRANTY CLAIMS, 537 FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS, AND 40 INJURIES FOR 662,178 MY 2003-2004 VEHICLES.THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA NUMBER 08V-162.
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