2003 Toyota Matrix Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 57about this part
- Share
- 21%of 268 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 120,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 57 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Toyota Matrix, 21% of the 268 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 120,000 miles. 10 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Takata recall is taking way too long to complete. It has been almost one year, and my Toyota dealer still does not have the necessary parts to complete this recall. Something is wrong. It should not take this long. I think they are stalling and hoping that everyone with a 2003 model year car, sells it. As I understand it, this is a serious problem. They should be made to produce these parts, even if it means working 24 hour shifts until they have sufficient parts.”
NHTSA complaint #10817472, filed 2016-01, 95,000 miles“Takata recall my wife and I had an accident in the freeway on our way home more than 7 years ago. We were travelling at around 50-55 MPH when suddenly the car in front of us stopped. Resulted in hitting the back bumper of the car in front of us. The car sustained just minor scratched but our car was really damaged. My wife was hurt as a result of the accident who was sitting in the front passenger. The car's air bag did not deploy. I was still wondering until now, why? The damaged to the car was worth more than $8,000. …”
NHTSA complaint #11088836, filed 2018-04, 95,000 miles“I want you to be aware of this email below I just sent to Toyota with a safety complainant. Hello customer service rep, I am contacting you regarding the air system on my Matrix and I had many recalls/ repairs during the last few years first replacing the air harness in march of 2013. Then replacing the passenger air bag inflator in august 2014 and then replacing the driver side bag in early october 2014. Last replacing the center airbag senor assembly in mid october 2014. …”
NHTSA complaint #10652396, filed 2014-11, 119,107 miles“My air bag light won't go off. Toyota says the drivers seat belt is the problem and will be replaced. I believe air bag problems are common in the Toyota Matrix.”
NHTSA complaint #10644232, filed 2014-10, 171,000 miles“Air bag warning light started flashing, received (airbag) recall notice as well from Toyota and made appointment for airbag recall fix. Toyota dealership said they fixed recall, but airbag light came back on shortly after recall fix. Took to dealer second time, dealer said there was a short to drivers side seat belt squib? Squib works with air bag deployment and seat belt tensioner deployment. Dealer wanted to replace unit at my expense but I argued that this should be covered under a recall since it is part of a faulty air bag issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10614926, filed 2014-07, 153,760 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10251073Jan 25, 2024DP: The subject vehicles are equipped with a front passenger airbag. A part inside the airbag could explode, shooting sharp metal fragments at vehicle occupants. This could cause…
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most…
- 10217806Jul 28, 2022CSP: Takata CSP Coverage Job Aid - published 7.28.2022
- 10217804Jul 28, 2022CSP: On July 30, 2018, a settlement of claims for Economic Loss related to Takata airbag inflators was approved for full implementation. The settlement includes Toyota?s…
- 10190460Mar 17, 2021Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- 10132410Jul 20, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 20, 2017 Rev1: Applicability has been updated to exclude 2007 ? 2017 model year Avanza vehicles. Some hazardous material treatment and handling…
- 10131852Mar 8, 2017Dealer Letter: Toyota will be sending Safety Recall Follow-Up Notices to remind owners whose vehicles have not yet had campaign repairs completed.
- 10131851Mar 8, 2017Region Letter: Toyota will be sending Safety Recall Follow-Up Notices to remind owners whose vehicles have not yet had campaign repairs completed.
- 10131961Jan 14, 2014Toyota vehicles are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury…
- 10132055Nov 4, 2013Beginning in 1998, Toyota introduced side airbags as optional equipment. Toyota does NOT recommend replacement of original seat covers with non-Toyota leather or other seat cover…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 4 | 80% |
| 2011 | 10 | 100% |
| 2010 | 27 | 60% |
| 2009 | 78 | 41% |
| 2008 | 6 | 16% |
| 2007 | 36 | 38% |
| 2006 | 50 | 29% |
| 2005 | 103 | 48% |
| 2004 | 35 | 25% |
| 2003 | 57 | 21% |
Other parts of the 2003 Toyota Matrix
83 complaintsEngine cooling
25 complaintsVehicle speed control
21 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsEngine
8 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Toyota Matrix
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology