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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

15 reports
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1,873 miles · Mar 3, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX XR. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PARK THE VEHICLE AT 3 MPH, IT ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN. THE DRIVER SAID THAT SHE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. SHE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL GEAR IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,873. THE CUR…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX XR. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PARK THE VEHICLE AT 3 MPH, IT ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN. THE DRIVER SAID THAT SHE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. SHE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL GEAR IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,873. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 15,000. UPDATED 05/07/10

NHTSA ODI #10316259

20,000 miles · Feb 19, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

I OWNED A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX THAT WAS TOTALLED IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN 2006. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW AND WAS THE ONLY OWNER. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT MY SISTER WAS DRIVING, AND I WAS THE PASSENGER. BASICALLY, WE WERE DRIVING ON CRUISE CONTROL IN THE LEFT LANE OF THE HIGHWAY, A SEMI CUT US OFF, AND WHEN MY SISTER PRESSED THE B…

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I OWNED A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX THAT WAS TOTALLED IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN 2006. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW AND WAS THE ONLY OWNER. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT MY SISTER WAS DRIVING, AND I WAS THE PASSENGER. BASICALLY, WE WERE DRIVING ON CRUISE CONTROL IN THE LEFT LANE OF THE HIGHWAY, A SEMI CUT US OFF, AND WHEN MY SISTER PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. I WITNESSED HER PRESSING THE BRAKE, AND NOTHING WAS HAPPENING. MY SISTER SWERVED INTO THE RIGHT LANE TO AVOID REAR-ENDING THE SEMI, LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR, SPUN INTO THE SIDE OF THE SEMI, AND THEN BOUNCED OFF THE SEMI AND RAN OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE ENGINE, THE SPEED, AND ACCELERATION OF THE CAR DID NOT CHANGE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE COURSE OF THE ACCIDENT. WHEN THE POLICE CAME OUT, BOTH MY SISTER AND I DESCRIBED THESE EVENTS TO THE POLICE OFFICERS. I ALSO EXPLAINED THIS TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY. AT THE TIME, I BELIEVED SO STRONGLY THAT THE CAR MALFUNCTIONED IN SOME WAY THAT I TRIED TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER, BUT THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOT INTERESTED. AT THE TIME I DID SOME RESEARCH TO SEE IF OTHER DRIVERS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS, BUT I COULD FIND NOTHING. SINCE THE CAR WAS TOTALLED, I COULD NOT KEEP THE CAR TO HAVE IT EXAMINED AND I HAD LITTLE CHOICE BUT TO LET THE MATTER GO. NOW IT IS FOUR YEARS LATER AND THERE IS A MASSIVE TOYOTA RECALL, BUT THE 2004 MATRIX IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. I FEEL OBLIGATED TO FILE A COMPLAINT, NOT FOR GAIN ON MY PART, BUT BECAUSE I STRONGLY FEEL THAT THE MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS IN TOYOTA CARS HAVE BEEN GOING ON FAR LONGER THAN TOYOTA WILL ADMIT, AND THE MALFUNCTIONS ARE MUCH MORE WIDESPREAD THAN THE YEARS AND MODELS CURRENTLY LISTED. I ALSO OWN A 2006 MATRIX THAT IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. I AM BEGGING THAT THERE BE A WIDESPREAD INVESTIGATION TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE AFFECTED YEARS AND MODELS ARE ADDED TO THE RECALLS. THIS MUST BE DONE TO SAVE LIVES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10312210

1,000 miles · Feb 4, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHEN IN DRIVE, FOOT ON THE BRAKES, THE CAR ON OCCASIONS WILL LURCH FORWARD. THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO TOYOTA NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. I HAVE THIS DOCUMENTED BACK TO 2005. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10305973

Mileage unknown · May 16, 2008
StructureVehicle Speed ControlVisibilityInjury

2004 TOYOTA MATRIX - WINDOWS, DOOR HANDLES AND SURGING ELECTRIC WINDOWS RATTLE, GRIND AND POP. DEALER COULD NOT ADDRESS PROBLEM. EVENTUALLY THE WINDOW FELL OUT. ENGINE SURGES WHILE STOPPED AT LIGHT OR IN TRAFFIC. DEALER COULD NOT ADDRESS PROBLEM. THE DOOR HANDLES HAVE A "METALLIC" FINISH THAT PEELS AWAY. OCCUPANTS HAVE CU…

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2004 TOYOTA MATRIX - WINDOWS, DOOR HANDLES AND SURGING ELECTRIC WINDOWS RATTLE, GRIND AND POP. DEALER COULD NOT ADDRESS PROBLEM. EVENTUALLY THE WINDOW FELL OUT. ENGINE SURGES WHILE STOPPED AT LIGHT OR IN TRAFFIC. DEALER COULD NOT ADDRESS PROBLEM. THE DOOR HANDLES HAVE A "METALLIC" FINISH THAT PEELS AWAY. OCCUPANTS HAVE CUT THEIR FINGERS ON THE EDGE OF METAL/PLASTIC THAT WAS COMING AWAY. EVENTUALLY GOT WORSE TO WHERE YOU COULD SEE THE WHITE PLASTIC HANDLE UNDERNEATH SO I PEELED AWAY THE REMAINING SHARP EDGES AND CAUTION OCCUPANTS. DEALER OFFERED TO REPAIR AT MY EXPENSE. CONTACTED THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCE CENTER AND WAS REFERRED BACK TO A DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228027

16,000 miles · Apr 5, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

MY 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX HAS EXPEREINCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED IT; I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO STOP THE CAR FROM MOVING FORWARD BY FURTHER DEPRESSING THE BRAKE. BUT ON SATURDAY MARCH 26 WHILE AT A STOP SIGN, THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION HAPPENED AGAIN AND I WAS UNABLE TO I…

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MY 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX HAS EXPEREINCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED IT; I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO STOP THE CAR FROM MOVING FORWARD BY FURTHER DEPRESSING THE BRAKE. BUT ON SATURDAY MARCH 26 WHILE AT A STOP SIGN, THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION HAPPENED AGAIN AND I WAS UNABLE TO IMMEDIATELY STOP MY CAR FROM LURCHING FORWARD. IT MOVED SEVERAL INCES INTO ONCOMING (PERPENDICULAR) TRAFFIC BEFORE I FINALLY THREW IT INTO PARK AND PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP IT. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED BUT IT CAME CLOSE, AND I HAD MY TODDLER IN THE BACK SEAT, SO I CONSIDER THIS A SERIOUS MATTER. I TOOK IT TO MY DEALERSHIP (OURISMAN TOYOTA IN CHANTILLY, VA) THAT MONDAY, AND THEY KEPT IT FOR TWO DAYS. THEY RAN ALL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS POSSIBLE AND FOUND NO PROBLEM. NOTHING WAS FIXED BECAUSE NO TEST SHOWED A PROBLEM BUT I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR -- THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION HAPPENS ONLY RANDOMLY AND CANNOT BE PREDICTED. I DRIVE WITH ONLY ONE FOOT SO THIS IS NOT A CASE OF TWO-FOOTED DRIVING AND ACCIDENTAALLY STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATOR. IN EACH CASE MY FOOT WAS OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND ON THE BRAKE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10116409

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.