ToyotaMatrix2004Electric/toyota/matrix/2004/electric/

2004 Toyota Matrix

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Matrix.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine ElectricTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2004 Toyota Matrix Electric is a passenger car combining an electric engine with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Owner feedback for this model year totals 138 complaints, predominantly centered on the powertrain, alongside three recalls. Within the Matrix’s 2002–2013 complaint history, this count sits well below the 269 complaints of the 2003 high point but far above the 2 complaints of the 2002 low, positioning the 2004 edition as a mid-range reliability choice that still demands careful attention to its electric powertrain.

Model year201420132012201020092008200720062004

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 blades8521202121 alt 8522201011
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
Passenger volume96 cu ft
Cargo volume22 cu ft
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. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.2
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity2.2
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 80W-90
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.1 Pints
Manual Transmission FluidGL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity4.9

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 / 79 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket25 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 5,000 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 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 5,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAir Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
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 2004 Toyota Matrix sits in a generation that saw a pronounced spike in complaints beginning in 2003 (269 complaints), followed by a marked decline to 138 in 2004 before rebounding to 213 in 2005. When viewed across the full arc, 2004 represents an intermediate year in a volatile complaint cycle—elevated above the 2002 baseline of just 2 complaints, yet lower than the surrounding model years through 2006. The recall count for 2004 (3) was the highest of the early-generation years and coincided with one ongoing NHTSA investigation, suggesting the manufacturer was actively addressing defect concerns during this period. Technical Service Bulletins remained high at 133, consistent with the elevated TSB counts across the generation. The top complaint categories for 2004—Power Train (34), Air Bags (28), Visibility (10), and Vehicle Speed Control (9)—accounted for the majority of the 138 total complaints, with 18 crash-related complaints and 2 fire-related complaints noted. Compared to the years immediately following (20072008 saw complaints drop to 96 and 38, respectively), the 2004 model year does not represent the worst of the generation, but it also does not fall in the calmer years at either end. The concrete takeaway: 2004 is neither the most troubled nor the most reliable model year within this generation—buyers should budget for potential Power Train or Air Bag-related repairs given the complaint patterns, but the year is not disqualifying on its own.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
133
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
138
Owner complaints
18 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 138 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train34
Air Bags28
Visibility10
Vehicle Speed Control9
Tires5
Electrical System5
Structure5
Steering4

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 133 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

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VIN
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Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
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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 2004 Matrix have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 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.