Model year guide

2003 Toyota Matrix

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Toyota Matrix is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 64 on record.

2003 Toyota Matrix — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2003 Toyota Matrix at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints269
Combined26 mpg
Typical price$3,007

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2003 Toyota Matrix recalls 3

Visibility:glass, Side/rear NHTSA Campaign #08V162000 · 10/04/2008

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 W…

Fix: 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 NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 07/04/2009

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.

Fix: 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.

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #06E023000 · 13/03/2006

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."

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2003 Toyota Matrix common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 269 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

2003 Toyota Matrix MPG & running costs

Combined26 mpg
City24 mpg
Highway30 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,675

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2003 Toyota Matrix worth?

Low
$1,700
Typical price
$3,007
High
$4,100

From 63 comparable 2003 Toyota Matrix listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2003 Toyota Matrix costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$13,375
Fuel only$13,375
Per mile$0.18

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2003 Toyota Matrix trims & engines on record

Trims
Base · XR · XRS
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl

2003 Toyota Matrix vehicles on record

2003 Toyota Matrix 2003 Toyota Matrix XR2T1KR32E63C034592 2003 Toyota Matrix 2003 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E83C019687 2003 Toyota Matrix XR2T1KR32E53C091642 2003 Toyota Matrix 2003 Toyota Matrix XR2T1KR38E13C053932 2003 Toyota Matrix 2003 Toyota Matrix XR2T1KR32E03C022549 2003 Toyota Matrix Base2T1LR32E43C098215 2003 Toyota Matrix 2003 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E33C118031 2003 Toyota Matrix 2003 Toyota Matrix Base2T1LR32E43C097971 2003 Toyota Matrix 2003 Toyota Matrix XR2T1KR32E43C026023 2003 Toyota Matrix 2003 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E63C043728 2003 Toyota Matrix 2003 Toyota Matrix XR2T1KR32E03C100571 2003 Toyota Matrix 2003 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E73C097801 2003 Toyota Matrix 2003 Toyota Matrix XR2T1KR32E63C037041 2003 Toyota Matrix 2003 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E33C003560 2003 Toyota Matrix 2003 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E73C077435 2003 Toyota Matrix 2003 Toyota Matrix XR2T1KR32E53C045843 2003 Toyota Matrix 2003 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E73C039753 2003 Toyota Matrix 2003 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E83C066301 2003 Toyota Matrix 2003 Toyota Matrix XRS2T1KY38E53C114895 2003 Toyota Matrix 2003 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E13C088155 2003 Toyota Matrix XR2T1KR32EX3C021425 2003 Toyota Matrix 2003 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E63C142677 2003 Toyota Matrix 2003 Toyota Matrix XRS2T1KY32E53C003238 2003 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E53C143612

Other Toyota Matrix model years

2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004

2003 Toyota Matrix — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Toyota Matrix have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2003 Toyota Matrix. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Toyota Matrix?

Based on 269 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, engine, power train.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Toyota Matrix get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2003 Toyota Matrix at about 26 mpg combined (24 city / 30 highway).

How much is a 2003 Toyota Matrix worth?

Comparable 2003 Toyota Matrix listings run roughly $1,700–$4,100, typically around $3,007 (from 63 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.