ToyotaMatrix2003Electric/toyota/matrix/2003/electric/

2003 Toyota Matrix

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 Matrix.

Engine ElectricTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2003 Toyota Matrix Electric arrives as an electric-powered variant equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission, marking the model's debut year in a production run spanning 2002 through 2013. Its powertrain draws the most owner-reported issues, with 269 complaints logged — the highest annual total across the model's history and a sharp contrast to the mere two recorded for the preceding 2002 model year. Two recalls further punctuate the record, positioning this inaugural electric iteration as the most complaint-prone in the lineup's twelve-year span.

Model year201420132012201020092008200720062003

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA efficiency25/30/27 MPGeEPA · verified
EPA electric range0 miEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 550 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZN1. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnALLOEM · verified
Tire sizeP205-55HR16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZN1
Engine air filter17801YZZ03
Fuel filter233000A020
Spark plug9008091180 alt 9008091184
Front wiper blades8522201011 alt 8521202121
Serpentine belt9091602793 alt 9091602474
Thermostat90916A3003 alt 1632562010
Cabin air filter8856802020

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length171.3 in
Overall width70.1 in
Overall height61 in
Wheelbase102.4 in
Curb weight2930 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined25 / 30 / 27 MPGe
Electric range0 mi
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine GL-5 · 80W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.1 Pints
Engine CoolantHOAT
Power Steering FluidATF
Transfer Case FluidGL-5
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity1.8 Pints

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.25-1.38 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.50 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque to Knuckle34 ft-lbs / 76 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket79 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Runout Limit0.0059 in / 0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.354 in / 0.984 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miAir Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap O-Ring (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2003 Toyota Matrix represents a significant spike in federal records compared to the 2002 model year, which saw only 2 complaints. With 269 complaints, 2 recalls, and 1 investigation, the 2003 model year is the most complained-about year in the early part of this generation. Primary issues for 2003 are concentrated in the Power Train (77) and Air Bags (50), alongside 19 crash and 3 fire complaints, though the data does not specify the root causes of these incidents. While complaint volumes fluctuate across the generation—dropping to 138 in 2004 before rising again in 2005—the 2003 model marks the initial peak of reported issues. Given that it carries the highest volume of complaints in its early production run, this is not a recommended year to buy.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
140
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
269
Owner complaints
19 involved a crash · 3 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 269 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train77
Air Bags50
Engine & Engine Cooling21
Vehicle Speed Control14
Service Brakes, Hydraulic11
Structure7
Unknown Or Other6
Visibility6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

08V162000Visibility:Glass, Side/RearReported 10/04/2008

TOYOTA IS RECALLING 662,178 MY 2003-2004 COROLLA, COROLLA MATRIX AND PONTIAC VIBE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER WINDOWS. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR GLASS BOLTS MAY LOOSEN AND COME OFF, CAUSING THE DOOR GLASS TO… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR GLASS BOLTS WITH NEWLY DESIGNED BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 16, 2008 TO TOYOTA OWNERS. THE RECALL…

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 140 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…
T-SB-0038-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureTo prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film…
T-SB-0039-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureThe condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the…
T-SB-0061-23 Rev22024-12-05StructureToyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to…
T-SB-0062-23 Rev22024-12-03StructureVehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed…

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Matrix. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2003 Matrix have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What is the EPA range and efficiency of the Matrix?

EPA figures are 25 city / 30 highway / 27 combined MPGe. EPA electric range is 0 miles.