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EnginePart report

2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix Engine Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
10%of 31 total for the year
Median mileage
134,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine of the 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix, 10% of the 31 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 134,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Engine over-heated to the point where the head gasket blew. Dealership said it was due to chronic overheating but temperature gauges never indicated any issue and the check engine light did not come on until 2 minutes before the car broke down. Potential problem with the monitoring system. Routine maintenance (oil change, fluids checked, etc.) was done less than 2 weeks prior to incident.”

NHTSA complaint #10637183, filed 2014-09, 166,000 miles

“We bought the car used in ga august 2012, 3 months later the engine would come on but electrics wouldn't, move out of park. The dealer couldn't re create the problem to find out what was wrong so we delt with it for months until the power shut off on the hwy. It scared us. It quickly shut back on thank god but we been in touch with corporate and the dealership without any luck or help on fixing it. Finally july they said it was the ECM and tried to charge us to fix it. 3 weeks later the stalling continued. We were sent here by a friend and just now 2 years later find out about the recall. …”

NHTSA complaint #10644172, filed 2014-10

“The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix. While driving various speeds, the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15v285000 (air bags). While driving approximately 50 MPH, the engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine had a system leak, incorrect power fluid, and a cross leak that needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …”

NHTSA complaint #10940206, filed 2017-01, 102,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2011117%
20091318%
2008310%
200646%
200567%
200413%
200313%

Other parts of the 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix

Air bags
23 complaints
Electrical system
3 complaints
Brakes
2 complaints
Fuel system
2 complaints
Body and structure
2 complaints
Other or unknown
1 complaints
Vehicle speed control
1 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology