The 2003 Toyota Matrix has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 662,178 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 314 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
VISIBILITY08V1620002008-04-10662,178 affected
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,…
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.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
56
9crashes1fires8injuries
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
33
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
20
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
20
2crashes10injuries
POWER TRAIN
17
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
14
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
12
1crashes2injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
10
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
9
1crashes1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
9
Total complaints314
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl* the contact owned a 2003 toyota matrix. While driving approximately 50 mph, the contact rear ended another vehicle. The front end of the contact's vehicle was severely damaged, but the air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained an injured chest and shoulder, which required medical…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota matrix. While the contact was idling at a red light, the seat belt air bag restraint system erroneously activated and forcefully secured the driver into the seat. During the incident, no crash had occurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (baierl…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota matrix. While the contact was idling at a red light, the seat belt air bag restraint system erroneously activated and forcefully secured the driver into the seat. During the incident, no crash had occurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (baierl…”
“I have gotten the "takata recall" letter and took my car on march 18, 2018, with mike briseno from toyota here near my place 1901 s figueroa st, los angeles, ca 90007. They offered me an uber ride home from the dealership with my husband and said it will take 2-3 hours. Got the call from mike…”
“The airbag indicator on my car lit up. I scheduled an appointment with toyota to have it diagnosed, and they said that I needed a new spiral clock spring cable, which is part number 84306-02110. This is an expensive part, over $300. After doing some searching, I found out that 1) many other toyota…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota matrix. While driving 15 mph, the engine stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart on the second attempt; however, the failure recurred. The first time the vehicle was diagnosed the dealer was unable to determine…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota matrix. While driving 15 mph, the engine stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart on the second attempt; however, the failure recurred. The first time the vehicle was diagnosed the dealer was unable to determine…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota matrix. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in a recall for the air bags and was repaired. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The dealer was informed of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA08004 Opened 2008-02-05 · closed 2008-05-01
SIDE FRONT POWER WINDOW SHATTERS
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…
InvestigationEA08004 Opened 2008-02-05 · closed 2008-05-01
SIDE FRONT POWER WINDOW SHATTERS
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…
InvestigationEA08004 Opened 2008-02-05 · closed 2008-05-01
SIDE FRONT POWER WINDOW SHATTERS
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…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 Toyota Matrix as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.