2003 Toyota Matrix Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 3%of 268 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Toyota Matrix, 3% of the 268 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was slowly pulling into my garage (in the basement of my house), gradually braking as I had done many times before. I was stopping the vehicle in its usual position when the engine suddenly began racing and the car accelerated forward. It struck some shelves I had against the wall of the garage, crumpling both the shelves and the front of the car's hood. Everything happened so fast at that point that I am not sure just what happened, but I ended up with the car stopped up against the garage wall and the car in park. …”
NHTSA complaint #10745479, filed 2015-07, 300,000 miles“Check engine light came on. Took my Matrix to dealer the very next day(am).diagnosed as faulty charcoal fuel canister. Dealer informed me that the repairs would cost $430.00 and that the problem is caused when the gas tank is topped-off when being filled completely.since the vehicle is beyond the 36,000 mile warrantee, I'm expected to pay for the repair. I don't think that it's good or fair customer service. Especially,since it's illegal in the state of nj to fuel your own vehicle ,and then becomes a circumstance beyond my control.Toyota needs to make people aware of this problem or fix it! …”
NHTSA complaint #10126417, filed 2005-06, 38,550 miles“Dt: 2003 Toyota Matrix. The consumer states the vehicle is leaking gas from the fuel tank due to internal flapper breaking. This problem has not been fixed, it will cost $688. When pumping gas it would take a long time, and the mileage was real bad. When they looked they found gas was leaking.”
NHTSA complaint #10133320, filed 2005-08, 40,000 miles“While driving, consumer attempted to make turns and steering was very hard. Consumer visually noticed a fluid leaking from under vehicle. Dealer diagnosed that the power steering pump had failed. Ts the next day, consumer noticed more fluid leaking. Dealer replaced crankshaft and keyway. Dome lit inoperative. Bulb replaced. Check engine light was on. Dealer found evaporative system malfunctioned.”
NHTSA complaint #10001302, filed 2002-12, 1,130 miles“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 the failure and disengaged the check engine warning sensor. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken to a second dealer. It was diagnosed that the seal on the fuel cap failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #10928618, filed 2016-11, 145,000 milesFuel system: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Toyota Matrix
83 complaintsAir bags
57 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 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