2003 Toyota Matrix air bags problems
58 complaints about air bags have been filed for the 2003 Toyota Matrix, which is 18% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 58 19% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 120,000 miles 22 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 11 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 9 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When air bags problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 1 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 1 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 0 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 0 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 7 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 2 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 2 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 2 |
| 200k+ miles | 3 |
What the data shows
Of the 22 air bags complaints that report mileage, the median is about 120,000 miles, and 9% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 11 crashes, 1 fire, 9 injuries.
What owners wrote
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota matrix. While making a left turn at a yellow light, another vehicle crashed into the front passenger side of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The driver sustained minor abrasions and the passenger suffered a fractured thumb, which required medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The speed was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.
The airbag indicator on my car lit up. I scheduled an appointment with toyota to have it diagnosed, and they said that I needed a new spiral clock spring cable, which is part number 84306-02110. This is an expensive part, over $300. After doing some searching, I found out that 1) many other toyota matrix and corolla owners have had this issue and 2) there was a recall on this part for toyotas of a slightly different make, model, and year.
Other problems reported for the 2003 Toyota Matrix
- Transmission 48 complaints
- Drivetrain & axles 40 complaints
- Engine 34 complaints
- Cruise control 21 complaints
- Brakes 19 complaints