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 2004 Toyota Matrix owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Takata recall - while driving on a highway, there was a slow up, and I braked, but stopped right at the rear bumper of the car in front of me. However, another car was coming behind me and couldn't stop, or didn't notice that traffice had stopped. He pushed me into the car in front of me. At that moment, which was not a severe front end hit, I saw fire, an explosion, and the airbag blew out the entire dash on the passenger side, and flew to the back seat behind the driver's side. Also, the driver's side airbag deployed. Metal was flying out of the passenger side airbag in the front. We could not believe the damage that resulted from such a somewhat minor accident. Additionally, the car was totaled which has been a strain on us! Now, about 30 days after the accident, we just received a card in the mail telling us of the recall. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Toyota Matrix. While driving 3 MPH, the vehicle accelerated rapidly without warning and caused a crash. The contact crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. It was unknown if the vehicle was towed because the contact could not remember. Motter auto repair of oakland, california was made aware of the crash and repaired the front passenger side of the vehicle and the passenger door. The manufacturer was not made aware of the crash. In addition, the failure recurred on two separate occasions. While driving 2 MPH, the vehicle accelerated rapidly without warning again. There was no crash and the contact was able to regain control of the vehicle. Also, while driving 2 MPH, the vehicle accelerated rapidly without warning and crashed into the contact's garage door. …
Received a recall in the mail stating front passenger airbag inflator module is defective. Report to you nearest dealer to have part replaced. When I did they said they have not received the part to replace. Waiting until they receive the part from Toyota main branch. Meanwhile in the safety notice for recall it specifically states do not operate vehicle with occupants in the front passenger seat. This vehicle is used for picking people up to be transported to appointments. How long can this be an inconvenience on not allowing anyone in the front seat. When asked how long will this take. I get no response for an answer on how long before parts will be shipped out to local dealerships. This is ridiculous to make a consumer wait for such a long period of time without any conclusion on how long to get a part. …
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. This recall is a very important recall that received much press due to the fact that the airbags May deploy without warning, causing injury. My main complaint is with the dealership's overall concern with the recall process. When I spoke to the service manager, I was told I wasn't understanding the notice completely. …
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. Toyota has been very upfront and helpful in attempting to resolve this issue, which is commendable, but I'm filing this vehicle safety complaint because 6-12 months for a safety recall repair does not qualify for being done in a "timely manner" and not being able to have a passenger in the front seat for up to a year will be very difficult and problematic. To be clear, the passenger airbag in my vehicle has not deployed.
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 back later and cut off. Dealer is not calling back. Any help will be greatly appreciated, thank you,
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Matrix. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 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 notified of the issue. Updated 09/18/15 the consumer stated the air bag never deployed in two separate head-on collisions. The consumer has since traded the vehicle. Updated 09/22/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated continuously. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V285000 (air bags); however, the parts were unavailable to perform the repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 161,000.
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.
Takata recall. I've been receiving recall notices for this vehicle for years. I have been attempting to have three issues resolved, only one of which is the Takata airbag problem. I have attempted to make an appointment for the repairs at the nearest Toyota dealer to me (about a 2.5 hour-rt drive from my home) for the past year+, but I am repeatedly told that they are awaiting the part(s) for the Takata airbag repair. To make things worse, I constantly receive flyers from Toyota urging me to have the repairs done asap. I would like to. But apparently, Toyota is having problems getting the parts to their dealerships. In the meanwhile, I'm driving a potentially dangerous car.
Airbag complaints in other Matrix years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2004 Toyota Matrix?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the air bags of the 2004 Toyota Matrix, 25% of the model year's 138 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Toyota Matrix airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2004 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 2004 Toyota Matrix airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury 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.