Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
I took the Matrix in twice shortly after I bought it because the car would unexpectedly lunge forward while at a complete stop. I also complained that the brakes felt "loose" and did not "catch" as they should. I was advised both times by the service manager that they could not duplicate the problem and that nothing abnormal was found with car. While I was beginning to look into "lemon laws", in September of last year I was at a stop light with the brake pedal fully engaged. Due to my previous experiences with the car lunging forward, I would keep several feet between me and the car in front of me to avoid an accident. This time the car not only lunged forward, but it was like the accelerator stuck-I had my foot on the brake but could not stop the car after it lunged forward and I hit a car that was in front of me at the light. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Matrix. While driving 15 MPH, the engine stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart on the second attempt; however, the failure recurred. The first time the vehicle was diagnosed the dealer was unable to determine the failure and disengaged the check engine warning sensor. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken to a second dealer. It was diagnosed that the seal on the fuel cap failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign number: 10V384000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure continued. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Matrix. While driving approximately 30 MPH, there was a loss of power steering without warning. Additionally, an unusual burning odor emitted inside the vehicle. The steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road for a few moments where the engine was turned off. After restarting the vehicle, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic from the residence. The mechanic discovered that a bolt fractured and the fragments remained in the engine. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 147,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Matrix. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power and stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Prior to the failure, when the vehicle was started, an abnormal knocking sound emitted from under the hood of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 171,580.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Matrix. While driving at 35 MPH, a very loud noise emitted from the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The results of the diagnostic were unknown, but the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000. Ma 10/14 updated 10/19/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Toyota Matrix. While driving, the check engine sensor indicator illuminated and the vehicle experienced hard shifting. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ECM was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 107,000.
On 6 September 2007,my wife was driving the 2003 Matrix, when without warning the motor started to make an excessive noise in the engine, she pulled over a called me, I met her where she was and verified the noise sounded terminal, called for a wrecker, had car towed to the dealer, 2 days later, I was informed that the engine had thrown 3 rods, mileage on the car was 60,886, just out of warranty, spent the next week in Toyota USA arbitration,they deem lack of lubrication caused the damage and washed their hands of the engine repair. On 21 September, I paid almost $4500, for what was supposed to be a new short block. …
I was approaching a stop light and all of a sudden the engine started to accelerate; this has never happened before. I pressed on the brake as hard as I could but the brake wouldn't go all the way down and it was very stiff. Since I was going slow I was able to get the car to stop but the engine was revving as if I had the gas pedal to the floor. I decided to put the car in neutral so it wouldn't accelerate while I was at the stop light (the whole time the engine is revving to its max and the brake was stiff; I also used the hand brake. When the light turned red I placed the car in drive since I had to move and the car wanted to take off so I kept my foot planted on the brake this was at full strength. I was able to get the car into a parking lot and then home an hour later. I was driving the car locally so I was about one mile from home. I have never seen a car do this in my life. …
My son was driving our 2003 Toyota matix, accelerating up to speed after pulling onto the interstate on-ramp when the engine began to make a loud clicking sound. There was no engine warning light or smoking from the engine or exhaust system. He reduced speed, pulled over and exited at the next exit. Although the car had lost significant power, he was able to continue to drive to the dealership, located nearby. The oil pressure switch had failed and the oil had leaked out. There was no level on the dipstick. After replacing the switch, adding oil, the engine still has a loud knocking sound, is low on power and will not idle. It is not burning oil. Diagnosis is internal engine damage and that engine must be replaced. The car has 129,000 miles on it, has been regularly maintained at the dealership and was one month and 1500 miles short of its next oil change. …
I have a 2003 Toyota Matrix with approximately 38,000 miles on it. Vehicle was driven for about 6 or more hours when it began a loud knocking sound, and started to lose power. Then there was a loud bang. As it turned out, the car had thrown a rod through the front of the block, as well as blew the starter from the transmission housing. In addition there was a hole in the back of the oil pan about 3 inches in diameter. From the spot where the engine blew up I took measurements. The initial oil spot was 121" long by 18" wide. From there the car sprayed oil 1104' averaging 15" to 18" wide as it coasted downhill to a stop where it made another oil spot about 15" wide by 24" long. The dealership (newark Toyota 1344 marrows rd.. …
Engine complaints in other Matrix years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2003 Toyota Matrix?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2003 Toyota Matrix, 12% of the model year's 268 complaints. The component named most often is engine (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Toyota Matrix engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.