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Toyota MatrixModel year report

2004 Toyota Matrix Problems

Complaints
138filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
70,000miles, 96 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
27 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl FWD · 25 city / 30 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Toyota Matrix (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write in about manual-transmission trouble — grinding or whining noises that can end in a transmission replacement — and about the front-passenger airbag inflator recall, where parts have often been unavailable. Unexpected acceleration from low speed, front window regulator noises, and a few engine oil-consumption and fuel-system complaints round out the sample. Reports are spread from very low mileage up past 150,000 miles, so both early and high-mileage vehicles appear.

  1. Transmission and drivetrain

    Manual transmission grinding noise and failure

    • 32 complaints (23%)
    • median 92,000 mi at 6.2 yrs old (32 state mileage)
    • owner-quoted repair $2,900 (median of 8 quotes)
    • filed 2004–2013

    Owners describe a whining, rattling or metal-grinding noise from the transmission area that is often quiet when the clutch is pressed and returns in gear or while coasting. In many complaints the noise is followed within days or weeks by the car jumping out of gear, locking up, or losing gears entirely, and shops then recommend a full transmission and clutch replacement. Several owners say the dealer or independent shop described worn or failed bearings as the cause. Mostly reported between roughly 40,000 and 130,000 miles, with a cluster of reports under 80,000 miles.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: On a manual car, listen for whine or grind in each gear and with the clutch pressed versus released, and check for a rebuild or replacement receipt. Ask whether the transmission fluid has ever been serviced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “While on the highway, our 2004 Toyota Matrix, approx. 98k miles started to buck and make a terrible grinding noise. We then lost 4th and 5th gears. We were fortunate to be able to take control of the vehicle and get to the side however we were stuck at night on the highway. The transmission bearings shredded causing the clutch to fail. Replacement cost $3500.00. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10297505, filed 2009-12, 98,000 miles

    “My car started making a weird noise. When the clutch was pushed in, the noise would stop. 3 weeks later I had to go to work so I got on the highway and the noise was getting louder and louder. My front wheels locked up and my transmission shot me out of gear. A car almost hit me which would of cost my life. I will never buy a Toyota again. It costs $2000 to fix. Hopefully you guys do something before someone gets seriously injured.”

    NHTSA complaint #10497822, filed 2013-02, 150,000 miles
  2. Vehicle speed control

    Unexpected acceleration at low speed

    • 13 complaints (9%)
    • median 34,300 mi at 9.9 yrs old (13 state mileage)
    • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2005–2017

    Owners describe the car revving and surging forward at very low speed — pulling out of a parking lot, at a stop sign, or while parking — even with a foot on the brake. In several accounts shifting to neutral or turning the engine off brought the revs back to normal; some say the dealer could not reproduce the problem. Reported from a few hundred miles up to about 150,000 miles, often during low-speed maneuvering or on an incline.

    What to check: During a test drive, try slow-speed maneuvering and light parking-lot pulls and note any surging; ask whether the throttle body has been cleaned or replaced and whether any related repairs were done.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I was leaving a supermarket parking lot on an incline. The speed was approximately less than 2 MPH. The vehicle suddenly revved loudly, attempting to lunge forward. I immediately applied brakes with substantial force, barely stopping the vehicle. I then put the car in neutral. The engine returned to normal rpms. I placed the car in drive without problem, returning home.”

    NHTSA complaint #10558455, filed 2014-01, 32,500 miles

    “As I was leaving the highway via the exit, I stopped at the end of ramp leading to secondary highway. The vehicle's engine then unexpectedly accelerated while my foot was on the brake. The brakes seemed to barely keep it from propelling. I immediately put the car in neutral and the rpms returned to normal.”

    NHTSA complaint #10561966, filed 2014-01, 34,300 miles
  3. Air bags

    Front passenger airbag inflator recall parts unavailable

    • 35 complaints (25%)
    • median 100,000 mi at 12.2 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
    • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2004–2019

    Many complaints concern the front-passenger airbag inflator campaign rather than a failure the owner experienced: owners say they were told the replacement part was back-ordered, sometimes for many months, and that no passenger should ride in the front seat in the meantime. A few describe an airbag warning light staying on, and one reports a passenger airbag deploying without an impact. Complaints also note repeated follow-up notices without a completed repair. Reported across all mileages, including vehicles well past 100,000 miles; timing follows when recall notices went out.

    5 related service bulletins

    What to check: Check the VIN with a dealer for open airbag campaigns and ask for proof the inflator was replaced. A bulletin in the data describes dealer procedures tied to a do-not-drive advisory for the front passenger airbag.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I was driving below speed limit near my home in my neighborhood street when my passenger side front airbag went off spontaneously. No outside impact was involved it just went off on its own. Thankfully, I was alone in the car so no one was behind the airbag. The force of the airbag cracked the windshield of the car.”

    NHTSA complaint #10515812, filed 2013-06, 170,000 miles

    “Takata recall. I was told by a local portland, or Toyota dealer that the replacement parts for the takata inflator recall are back-ordered for an indefinite 6-12 month period and warned that it could possibly take even longer. Toyota corporate customer service confirmed that timeline by speaking with a different portland, or Toyota dealer. Toyota further informed me that I cannot have a passenger in the front seat until the takata inflator has been replaced. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10910668, filed 2016-09, 69,700 miles
  4. Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

    Front door window regulator rattle and detachment

    • 13 complaints (9%)
    • median 78,000 mi at 6.9 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
    • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2006–2021

    Owners report clicking, rattling or clunking from the front door glass when the window is raised or lowered, and in some cases the glass coming loose from its regulator. Some mention the recall for door glass bolts and say the noise returned or appeared after the remedy was performed; one describes a finger being caught by a power window. Reported from low mileage up to about 143,000 miles, often after several years of use.

    Recall 08V162000

    What to check: Operate both front windows fully up and down and listen for rattles; ask whether recall 08V162000 (door glass bolts) was completed and whether the regulators have been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I am a 53-year-old woman who got the tip of my right index finger caught in the power window of a 2004 Toyota Matrix. It felt as if it would have cut it off had I not been able to press the release button with my other hand. As it is, one week after the event occurred, the tip of my finger is still numb. This was so easy to do, and so potentially damaging. Pressure-sensitive power windows need to be implemented asap!”

    NHTSA complaint #10286194, filed 2009-10, 35,000 miles

    “Metal part that window regulator attaches to came loose from driver window. Toyota claim that they replaced the bolt that passes through the metal part that came detached, and refuse to repair the problem. This failure results in the same issue underlying the recall for the bolt replacement.”

    NHTSA complaint #10659134, filed 2014-11, 98,000 miles

Buying note. These are older vehicles, so condition and service history matter more than age. Pay particular attention to the manual transmission for noise, verify that open airbag campaigns were completed, and confirm oil level and consumption habits before buying.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 138 consumer complaints for the 2004 Toyota Matrix. 96 of the complaints include a mileage, and 36% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 70,000 miles. Of all complaints, 18 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 17 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 123 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Suspension (5), Brakes (4), Engine (4), Other or unknown (4), Electronic stability control (2), Equipment (2), Seat belts (2), Wheels (2).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “I have a 2004 Toyota Matrix with mileage of 52,811 and a standard transmission. I had to replace the clutch. The warranty covers 60,000 miles or five years, so I was under the mileage but six months over the years. I understand that people are having problems with clutch/transmission with the 2003-2006 matrixes. It seems very early to me for the clutch to have failed and it cost $1,295 to fix.”

NHTSA complaint #10281010, filed 2009-08, 52,811 miles

Air bags: “Takata recall I received a letter from Toyota about a recall concerning my vehicle. In this letter, it states that my local dealership is stocked ( with a sub-wire harness and srs ecu ) and ready to complete my repair. I showed up to my local dealership on 12/12. I was told that the parts needed are not actually in stock and needed to be ordered. Possibly taking up to two weeks. After pointing out the difference in what what they are telling me versus what the notice states, I was dismissed. …”

NHTSA complaint #10809875, filed 2015-12, 216,200 miles

Vehicle speed control: “I was backing down my driveway when my car suddenly accelerated-the brakes and steering also went out-I crashed into a bank on one side of the road, then the car swung around and I ended up suspended over a ditch. I was finally able to switch gears and turn the car off”

NHTSA complaint #10893747, filed 2016-08, 149,280 miles

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Takata recall not addressed by the manufacturer in a timely manner. Recall number: 08v162 from 2008, recall status is incomplete. Leading to power windows completely immovable. Manufacturer failed to remedy these recalls in a timely manner.”

NHTSA complaint #11014888, filed 2017-08, 95,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

36% of the 96 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 31,492 and 107,000 miles.

9%0–1013%10–2515%25–5017%50–7516%75–10021%100–15010%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (96 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 70,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’05’0823’11’1423’17’21
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Toyota Matrix. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Matrix · sedan not rated5 / 5——4 · 14.0% risk

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2004 Toyota Matrix version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Matrix FWD1.8L 4-cyl5-speed manual253328$2,400
Matrix FWD1.8L 4-cyl4-speed automatic253027$2,500
Matrix FWD1.8L 4-cyl6-speed manual222924$3,400
Matrix AWD1.8L 4-cyl4-speed automatic222925$2,700

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2004 Toyota Matrix → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 123 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 123 bulletins →

Other model years of the Toyota Matrix

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2012579,0001—27—Not enough data
20111070,0002—27—Not enough data
20104542,0004—2850 · TypicalStable
200919225,0003—28100 · MoreStable
20083835,1692—2946 · TypicalFalling
20079644,6502—29Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200617037,0003—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200521371,0001—27Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200413870,0001—27Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200326875,5001—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Toyota Matrix model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota Matrix?

Owners of this model year most often write in about manual-transmission trouble — grinding or whining noises that can end in a transmission replacement — and about the front-passenger airbag inflator recall, where parts have often been unavailable. The issues reported most often: Manual transmission grinding noise and failure; Unexpected acceleration at low speed; Front passenger airbag inflator recall parts unavailable.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Toyota Matrix have?

NHTSA recorded 138 consumer complaints for the 2004 Toyota Matrix as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2004 Toyota Matrix is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 37 complaints (27% of the total), followed by air bags with 35.

Has the 2004 Toyota Matrix been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2004 Toyota Matrix get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Toyota Matrix (Matrix, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 27 mpg combined, 25 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,500 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Toyota Matrix reported?

Among the 96 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 70,000 miles and the middle half falls between 31,492 and 107,000 miles; 36% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.