2003 Toyota Matrix
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 83 of 268 complaints (31%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Body, Seats & Latches include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | vs. 2003 Small Station Wagons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,250–3,250 | 2,250–3,250 | 2,150–3,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 24–28 | 24–28 | 25–29 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 22–25 / 28–33 | 22–25 / 29–33 | 22–26 / 29–33 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 317–370 | 317–370 | 306–355 | |
| Complaints filed | 268 | 138 | 213 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 3 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 19 | 18 | 10 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 2 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 22 | 17 | 4 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2003 Toyota Matrix have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2003 Toyota Matrix?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 83 of 268 NHTSA complaints (31%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Toyota Matrix get?
EPA rates it 24–28 MPG combined across 5 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2003 Toyota Matrix?
EPA estimates $2,250–$3,250 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 25 mpg (high) | 30 mpg | 27 mpg | $2,300 | 329 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.8L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 22 mpg (low) | 29 mpg | 25 mpg | $2,500 | 355 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Station Wagons | 23 mpg | 28 mpg (low) | 25 mpg | $3,100 | 355 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Station Wagons | 25 mpg (high) | 33 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | $2,250 (low) | 317 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Station Wagons | 22 mpg (low) | 28 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | $3,250 (high) | 370 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 33 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 83 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 19 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 61 | 10 | 1 | 8 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 21 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 17 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 14 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009
Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR · Campaign 08V162000 · Apr 10, 2008
Defect: 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: 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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 06E023000 · Mar 14, 2006
Defect: CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.