2003 Toyota Matrix Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 4%of 268 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 8,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the body and structure of the 2003 Toyota Matrix, 4% of the 268 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 8,000 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 had a vibration in my dashboard for a month and thought it was the plastic in the dash ... Unfortunately, it is a structure defect in the frame that needs to be welded. I have not had my car for 8 days and it is still totally apart at a body shop. I am discussed.”
NHTSA complaint #10013648, filed 2003-03, 8,000 miles“After washing and waxing the vehical I noticed paint the to be blistering in certain spots of the car. The blistering was caused by bird droppings. This is kind of strange that this poor quality paint would be damaged on 2003 Toyota Matrix. I would expect Toyota to have protected it's vehicles with paint that is not effected by bird droppings. I have never seen this happen to other vehicles. This suggest that Toyota paint is of poor quality. When I approached the dealer that sold me car, they told me it was not covered under warranty. I don't even have this car a year. …”
NHTSA complaint #10025868, filed 2003-07, 6,100 miles“The plastic covering on the drivers side front interior door opening lever has split. This has caused development of a sharp edge which caused me to cut my finger when opening the door.”
NHTSA complaint #10173111, filed 2006-11“The side of the car that holds the windshield together is a blind spot. When people are crossing the street you can't see them. I almost hit some about three times because of how the window is made. The sun visor is not long enough to block the sun making it difficult to see they to make better visors that actually blocks the sun.”
NHTSA complaint #10227924, filed 2008-05“When the sun visor was pulled down it only came down half way. As a result the driver was blinded by the sun. The dashboard has chrome trim so when bright light hits the chrome it blinds the driver. The driver feels its a poor design.”
NHTSA complaint #10059363, filed 2004-02Related service bulletins
- 11012744Dec 6, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
- 11012743Dec 6, 2024To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film…
- 11012742Dec 6, 2024Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an…
- 11012735Dec 5, 2024Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental…
- 11012727Dec 3, 2024Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding…
- 11007445Jul 12, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
- 11007444Jul 12, 2024To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film…
- 11007443Jul 12, 2024Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an…
- 11006151Jul 12, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
- 11006150Jul 12, 2024To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film…
Body and structure: 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 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 27, 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