KnownCarProblems2004 Toyota Matrix Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 138 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Toyota Matrix, most often about the transmission (27% of complaints, typically around 88,500 miles). It is 5th of 11 Matrix model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2004 Toyota Matrix problems
Transmission
37 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 88,500 miles. Parts named most often: manual transmission, clutch assembly, axle assembly, driveline.
I have a 2004 Matrix (5 speed manual) with 85k and the throwout bearing has failed. I was driving home from a concert with a few youth kids on saturday night. I was entering the 1-10e trying to merge in with traffic when the throwout bearing failed. I tried to shift into 3rd gear, but it was stuck in 2nd. I had to…
2004 manual Toyota Matrix xr 1. I was hearing a very slight tinkling sound when at low rpms in 2nd, 3rd and 5th gears. When the clutch was pressed the sound went away. The sound was occurring for about 2 weeks before the failure. 2. Complete failure of the transmission. Driving in 5th gear and there was a whirring…
Air bags
35 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Takata recall will someone get Toyota to repair my car? I have been trying to get my airbag hazard repaired since 2014 recall came out. No success to date. Meanwhile forced to drive potential bomb. It appears Toyota is giving people the run-around. I stayed on the line for great length of time and was told to call…
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.
Speed control
15 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 34,500 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.
I was leaving a parking lot on an incline when the car accelerated without stepping on gas pedal. I applied significant pressure to the brakes and immediately put car in neutral. The car returned to normal operation. This is the third incident of this type.
Visibility and wipers
14 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 72,500 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, glass, side/rear, windshield.
Due to closing car door while vehicle was stationary, rearview mirror fell off windshield taking a chunk of interior glass with it. Had to replace whole windshield at my own expense.
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that the vehicle would make a loud abnormal noise when the passenger side window was rolled down. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 08v162000 (visibility). However, the failure persisted. The approximate failure…
Engine
10 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
My 2004 Toyota Matrix at 87,000 now needs a new catalytic converter. The check engine light came on and I took it in to be diagnosed. P0420 was the code. Warranty for this part is for 80,000 miles. The cost to replace this part is 1300.00 by the dealer. A new Toyota replacement catalytic converter is being installed…
I have never had mechanical issues with my 2004 Toyota Matrix. Last weekend while trying to merge onto interstate highway 10 in az for a weekend camping trip without warning my engine seized while I was trying to merge onto the highway. The engine stopped and thankfully I was able to drive off onto the shoulder before…
Electrical
9 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 97,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, 12v/24v/48v battery.
2004 Toyota Matrix xr - failure of ECM (engine control module). 2005 - 2009 have been recalled for failure of this part. Toyota will not recognize need to cover failure in this model year.
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Matrix. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate and the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The contact was informed that the catalytic converter…
Body and structure
8 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 35,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Toyota Matrix (na). The dealer informed the contact that a bike rack could be placed on his vehicle. While driving 60 MPH, the bike rack pulled apart the back door metal and loosened the bolts. The dealer stated that Toyota corporation will decide whether or not to repair the door. The current…
I was driving on interstate 88 at about 70 MPH and at mile marker 117 the hood of my car flew open and shattered my windshield. I was stuck in the fast lane of traffic because I was in a construction zone and the shoulders were blocked off. I had nowhere to go, and it was a very scary situation. The hood latch has…
Wheels and tires
8 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: rim.
: the contact stated while driving at various speeds, under normal driving conditions the vehicle veered from left to right and this condition became worse while stopping. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. Upon inspection it was determined the tires were the cause of the steering problems. The dealer…
One year and one month after buying the car new, all four tires were dangerously bald. Had to stop at the nearest tire store where I was told if I had run over a dime I probably would have had a blow out.these defective tires were the original tires on the car. I don't have a record of the tires and was given no…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Toyota Matrix recalls
Visibility and wipers: glass, side/rear
Risk: The door glass may separate from the window regulator, bind and shatter during operation of the power windows, causing driver distraction and/or injury.
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.
Full defect summary
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 windows.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Side front power window shatters
Summary
For the subject vehicles, there is a possibility that the retention force of the regulator bolts which attach the front side window glass to the power window regulator may not be sufficient due to an interference of the retention nut and the bolt shoulder radius.in this condition the bolt may become loose, causing a loud noise to be generated when the window is raised or lowered.if the vehicle and the power window are continuously operated in this condition, the bolt may completely separate, causing the glass to become misaligned, and in the worse case, the glass may shatter during operation of the power window.general motors corporation (gm) and toyota north america, inc. (toyota) will cond
Questions about the 2004 Toyota Matrix
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota Matrix?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (37 complaints, typically around 88,500 miles); air bags (35 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles); speed control (15 complaints, typically around 34,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Toyota Matrix have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 10, 2008 (visibility and wipers). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Toyota Matrix?
- It is 5th of 11 Matrix model years by number of complaints, with 138 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.