Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Toyota Matrix owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Takata recall my wife and I had an accident in the freeway on our way home more than 7 years ago. We were travelling at around 50-55 MPH when suddenly the car in front of us stopped. Resulted in hitting the back bumper of the car in front of us. The car sustained just minor scratched but our car was really damaged. My wife was hurt as a result of the accident who was sitting in the front passenger. The car's air bag did not deploy. I was still wondering until now, why? The damaged to the car was worth more than $8,000. Our insurance company, which was state farm did not mention anything about the air bag. I just found that out when I received the recall notice last week form Toyota. I can't really recall the date it happened, but I can get some information from state farm insurance. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Matrix. While driving 45 MPH, a tire detached from a commercial vehicle, struck the contacts vehicle, and caused a crash. The contact stated that the air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V285000 (air bags) and 15V043000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 154,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Matrix. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the contact's vehicle crashed into the rear end of another vehicle. The frontal air bags failed to deploy. It were no injuries sustained. It was unknown if a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000. Updated 5/29/15 the consumer stated there was too much damaged caused for such a low speed impact accident. The bumper, radiator and engine were all damaged durning the accident. Updated 11/6/15
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Toyota Matrix. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the contact rear ended another vehicle. The front end of the contact's vehicle was severely damaged, but the air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained an injured chest and shoulder, which required medical treatment. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. A police report was filed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 190,000.
We have been trying to resolve this safety issue for the last few years to no avail. This letter is in response to your 1/31/15 report re: the electronic components for the above named car. Toyota has been arguing that this problem is our responsibility and not theirs. But based on your latest report, it seems that we are correct in holding them responsible for repairing it. Over the last few years we have had this car into different Toyota dealers in response to air bag system electronic component recalls. To date our vehicle has not been prepared properly. The air bag warning light remains on, which leads to our concern that the air bag system is defective. The dealers and Toyota corporation indicate that this is not part of the recall, but we believe otherwise. …
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. I believe that this part is defective, and that Toyota should cover the replacement cost, including labor.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Matrix. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the brakes were applied and the vehicle failed to stop which resulted in a crash. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact sustained unknown injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to by the insurance company. A representative with the manufacturer also inspected the vehicle and was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileages were 88,208.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Matrix. While the contact was idling at a red light, the seat belt air bag restraint system erroneously activated and forcefully secured the driver into the seat. During the incident, no crash had occurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (baierl Toyota, 19045 perry hwy, mars, pa), but the cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified and an investigator was sent to examine the vehicle. The failure mileage was 200,000.
Takata recall is taking way too long to complete. It has been almost one year, and my Toyota dealer still does not have the necessary parts to complete this recall. Something is wrong. It should not take this long. I think they are stalling and hoping that everyone with a 2003 model year car, sells it. As I understand it, this is a serious problem. They should be made to produce these parts, even if it means working 24 hour shifts until they have sufficient parts.
Airbag complaints in other Matrix years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2003 Toyota Matrix?
NHTSA has 57 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Toyota Matrix, 21% of the model year's 268 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Toyota Matrix airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2003 Toyota Matrix, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Toyota Matrix airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 120,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 1 fire and 8 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.