Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Air Bags (20.9% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Air Bags complaints here are 2.5× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 56 · 20.9% | not available | — |
| Power Train:manual Transmission | 33 · 12.3% | not available | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 20 · 7.5% | not available | — |
| Power Train:clutch Assembly | 20 · 7.5% | not available | — |
| Power Train | 17 · 6.3% | not available | — |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 14 · 5.2% | not available | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 268 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 08V162000 · 2008 · reported 04/10/2008
THE DOOR GLASS MAY SEPARATE FROM THE WINDOW REGULATOR, BIND AND SHATTER DURING OPERATION OF THE POWER WINDOWS, CAUSING DRIVER DISTRACTION AND/OR INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 06E023000 · 2006 · reported 03/13/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHEN THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE SHATTERED INTO PIECES. THE VEHICLE WAS…”NHTSA complaint 10268512 — filed 05/12/2009 · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
“FRONT BRAKE CALIPER / PISTON LOCKED UP UNDER PRESSURE. WITH 5MILES AND UNDER HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT CREATED INTENSE AND IMMEDIATE VIBRATION AND SMOKE. SUDDEN FAILURE.”NHTSA complaint 10264367 — filed 04/07/2009 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
“2003 TOYOTA MATRIX MANUAL 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION HAS COMPLETELY COME APART DUE TO BEING BUILT WITH BAD THROW OUT BEARINGS. LOUD RATTLING NOISE BEGAN 6…”NHTSA complaint 10262874 — filed 03/24/2009 · POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 56 of 268 NHTSA complaints (20.9%), followed by power train:manual transmission (33), vehicle speed control (20), power train:clutch assembly (20). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
268 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 19 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, and 22 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 08V162000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
