Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Air Bags — runs 2.8× the fleet median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
138Complaints
3Recalls
18Crashes
2Fires
17Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Air Bags (23.9% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Air Bags complaints here are 2.8× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Air Bags
33 · 23.9%
No official action
—
Power Train:manual Transmission
27 · 19.6%
No official action
—
Vehicle Speed Control
15 · 10.9%
No official action
—
Steering
8 · 5.8%
No official action
—
Fuel System, Gasoline
7 · 5.1%
No official action
—
Electrical System
7 · 5.1%
No official action
—
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS6 · 4.3%
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY5 · 3.6%
SUSPENSION5 · 3.6%
Percentages are the share of the 138 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
THE DOOR GLASS MAY SEPARATE FROM THE WINDOW REGULATOR, BIND AND SHATTER DURING OPERATION OF THE POWER WINDOWS, CAUSING DRIVER DISTRACTION AND/OR INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“I TOOK MY CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER TO FIX THE AIRBAG RECALL ON 8/31/2015 AND 1/20/2016. AFTER FIXING THE AIR BAG, I HEAR SOME…”NHTSA complaint 10884640 — filed 07/13/2016 · AIR BAGS
“TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V043000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER…”NHTSA complaint 10865642 — filed 05/18/2016 · AIR BAGS
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V043000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART…”NHTSA complaint 10836741 — filed 02/17/2016 · AIR BAGS
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota Matrix?
Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 33 of 138 NHTSA complaints (23.9%), followed by power train:manual transmission (27), vehicle speed control (15), steering (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2004 Toyota Matrix have?
138 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 18 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 17 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 2004 Toyota Matrix have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 08V162000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2004 Toyota Matrix's reported problems?
0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
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