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2004 Toyota Matrix

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Toyota Matrix do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 70.5.

About this comparison →
138Owner complaints

Model-year median: 70.5

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
2
2002268
2003138
2004213
2005170
200696
2007
Compare all Matrix years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
37Air Bags
35Vehicle Speed Control
15Visibility
13Electrical System
9
All reported categories
Steering
8Structure
8Fuel System, Gasoline
7Engine And Engine Cooling
6Tires
6Suspension
5Engine
4Unknown Or Other
4Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3Equipment
2Seat Belts
2Wheels
2Electronic Stability Control
1Electronic Stability Control (esc)
1Service Brakes
1Visibility/wiper
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

96 reports with mileage · 42 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

18 crash reports2 fire reports12 injury reports

Tires complaints

6 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2014
Tires

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 H…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10651991

15,297 miles · Feb 17, 2006
Tires

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #10150483

13,000 miles · Feb 10, 2006
TiresCrash

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS THE VEHICLE VEERED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND THIS CONDITION BECAME WORSE WHILE STOPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THE TIRES WERE THE CAUSE OF THE STEERING PROBLEMS. THE DEALER DETE…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS THE VEHICLE VEERED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND THIS CONDITION BECAME WORSE WHILE STOPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THE TIRES WERE THE CAUSE OF THE STEERING PROBLEMS. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE TIRES THAT WERE PURCHASED WITH THE VEHICLE WERE THE WRONG TYPE OF TIRES, WHICH CAUSED THE FRONT END TO BECOME OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED WITH TIRE ROTATION EVERY 3,000 MILES. THERE HAS BEEN NO REPLACEMENT OF THE TIRES. THE TIRE LINE IS CONTINENTAL P20555R16. UPDATED 3/20/2006 - THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO AVOID HITTING A DEER BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY TIRE. THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. ON 2/11/2006 THE CONSUMER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WHICH RESOLVED THE PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT END . *NM

NHTSA ODI #10149960

Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2006
TiresCrash

2004 TOYOTA MATRIX RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. *TS THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A GUARDRAIL. THE ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS SCRAPED AND DENTED INCLUDING THE FENDER, BOTH DOORS, REAR QUARTER AND BOTH BUMPER. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10148642

Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2005
Tires

I'M VERY HAPPY WITH MY MATRIX EXCEPT FOR ONE THING. THE HUB CAPS ARE SO LOSE. I'M CONSTANTLY PUSHING THEM BACK ON TIGHTER. I HAVEN'T HAD THE CAR MORE THAN A FEW MONTHS AND 3 HUBCAPS HAVE ALREADY FALLEN OFF, WITHINS DAYS OF ME MAKING SURE THEY WERE TIGHT ENOUGH. WHEN THEY FLY OFF MY CAR, ALL THE PIECES THAT HOLD THEM ONTO THE…

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I'M VERY HAPPY WITH MY MATRIX EXCEPT FOR ONE THING. THE HUB CAPS ARE SO LOSE. I'M CONSTANTLY PUSHING THEM BACK ON TIGHTER. I HAVEN'T HAD THE CAR MORE THAN A FEW MONTHS AND 3 HUBCAPS HAVE ALREADY FALLEN OFF, WITHINS DAYS OF ME MAKING SURE THEY WERE TIGHT ENOUGH. WHEN THEY FLY OFF MY CAR, ALL THE PIECES THAT HOLD THEM ONTO THE RIM ARE BROKEN OFF AND THEY ARE USELESS. I HAVE LOST 3 HUBCAPS IN THE LAST 3 WEEKS!*AK

NHTSA ODI #10110237

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2004
Tires

I BOUGHT A SET OF 4 "TIRE MINDER" BRAND 28-32 PSI TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING VALVE CAPS AT BROOKSTONE ON JUL 27, 2004. I INSTALLED THEM ON THE TIRES OF A NEW 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX ACCORDING TO THE PACKAGE INSTRUCTIONS. (NO VALVE EXTENSTIONS AND MAKING SURE "O" RING WAS IN PLACE, PRESSURE MEASURED BY 2 GUAGES AT 30 PSI.) ALL THE CAPS …

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I BOUGHT A SET OF 4 "TIRE MINDER" BRAND 28-32 PSI TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING VALVE CAPS AT BROOKSTONE ON JUL 27, 2004. I INSTALLED THEM ON THE TIRES OF A NEW 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX ACCORDING TO THE PACKAGE INSTRUCTIONS. (NO VALVE EXTENSTIONS AND MAKING SURE "O" RING WAS IN PLACE, PRESSURE MEASURED BY 2 GUAGES AT 30 PSI.) ALL THE CAPS HELD PRESSURE AND WORKED CORRECTLY FOR APPROX 24HRS. THEN THE FIRST CAP FAILED WHILE CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY RELEASING THE AIR WITHIN SECONDS. APPROX 12 HRS LATER THE 2ND CAP FAILED IN SIMILAR FASHION. FORTUNATELY, THE CAR WAS NOT BENG DRIVEN AT THE TIME OR ELSE AN ACCIDENT MAY HAVE RECURRED. I REMOVED THE REMAINING 2 CAPS. I CONTACTED BROOKSTONE AND REPORTED THE ISSUE. THEY OFFERED TO REFUND MONEY BUT NO OTHER ACTION. I STILL HAVE THE CAPS. I WOULD BE WILLING TO SEND THEM TO A TESTING LAB FOR ANALYSIS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10086448

Official recalls

1

08V162000 · Visibility:glass, Side/rear

Apr 10, 2008

TOYOTA IS RECALLING 662,178 MY 2003-2004 COROLLA, COROLLA MATRIX AND PONTIAC VIBE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER WINDOWS. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR GLASS BOLTS MAY LOOSEN AND COME OFF, CAUSING THE DOOR GLASS TO SEPARATE FROM THE WINDOW REGULATOR. DUE TO THE COMPONENTS BECOMING LOOSE AND POSSIBLY RATTLING, AN ABNORMAL NOISE MAY BE HEARD FROM THE DRIVER AND /OR FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WHEN OPERATING THE POWER WINDOWS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DOOR GLASS MAY SEPARATE FROM THE WINDOW REGULATOR, BIND AND SHATTER DURING OPERATION OF THE POWER WINDOWS, CAUSING DRIVER DISTRACTION AND/OR INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR GLASS BOLTS WITH NEWLY DESIGNED BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 16, 2008 TO TOYOTA OWNERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 21, 2008, FOR PONTIAC OWNERS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA08004 · 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.