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Toyota Corolla MatrixModel year report

2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix Problems

Complaints
74filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
66,000miles, 31 complaints with mileage
Recalls
8campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about the Takata passenger-side airbag inflator recall and the long waits for replacement parts, with many complaints filed in 2016-2017. A second recurring theme is engine oil consumption at higher mileages, along with intermittent stalling or loss of power that some owners link to engine control electronics. Steering and throttle complaints appear as well, at a wide range of mileages.

  1. Air bags

    Takata airbag inflator recall not completed

    • 35 complaints (47%)
    • median 58,000 mi at 8.6 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
    • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2015–2019

    Owners describe receiving recall notices for the passenger-side airbag inflator and being told not to carry a passenger in the front seat until it is repaired. Complaints say dealers and Toyota customer service could not give a date for parts, that parts were on back order, and that some owners made repeated trips to a dealer without the repair being done. Several owners also describe the airbag warning light coming on intermittently, and a few report airbags not deploying in a collision. Reported across a wide mileage range, with most complaints filed in 2016-2017 well after the notices were mailed.

    Recall 19V741000Recall 18V024000Recall 17V006000Recall 14V1680001 related service bulletin

    What to check: Ask whether the passenger-side inflator was replaced under the recall and get the recall work documented, since parts availability varied by region and date. Confirm the airbag warning light is off on a test drive.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Takata recall 16v-340: I was notified by Toyota that my vehicle was subject to the takata airbag recall for passenger side airbags 3 months ago. The dealer indicated that a replacement part was not yet available and was unable to give me an estimated timeframe in which it would be available for replacement. I am concerned about the safety risk. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10919656, filed 2016-10, 58,000 miles

    “Takata recall: the NHTSA attendant I talked to about airbag recall on 09 matrix didn't seem to know anything about when it was to take place and told me to call Toyota. I need to have this fixed also Toyota doesn't have answer either! I can't afford a new car and you say this one isn't safe but what are you doing to make Toyota fix it?”

    NHTSA complaint #10940092, filed 2017-01, 80,000 miles
  2. Engine

    Intermittent stalling or sudden loss of power

    • 6 complaints (8%)
    • median 109,000 mi at 6.2 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2012–2018

    Owners describe the engine quitting without warning while driving, sometimes with the instrument panel going dark, and restarting after a pause. Some complaints connect the behavior to the engine control module or to a throttle body fault code found during diagnosis, and note that recall coverage for similar modules ended with earlier model years. Others report rough running or a miss on start-up on humid mornings. Reported from roughly 65,000 to 167,000 miles, at varied speeds and sometimes shortly after start-up.

    What to check: Ask whether the throttle body or engine control module has been replaced and whether any stored fault codes were cleared without repair. Note whether warning lights come on intermittently during a test drive.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Multiple episodes of engine stall without warning. Instrument panel goes black and complete loss of power. A few times it sputtered and bucked before it stalled. Have had it in to Toyota twice now. The first time they were able to replicate the malfunction and said it was a loose fuse. I picked up the car and it stalled again while driving another 4 times. In the middle of a busy intersection with my toddler grandson in the back seat. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10690577, filed 2015-02, 65,000 miles

    “While driving on the highway on february 23, 2012, I lost acceleration with no warning whatsoever. No other problems were encountered at that time. I was able to get off the highway and have my car towed to the dealership. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10449313, filed 2012-02, 74,523 miles
  3. Vehicle speed control

    Sudden acceleration or throttle response complaints

    • 8 complaints (11%)
    • median 17,250 mi at 2.8 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
    • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2009–2019

    Owners describe the engine revving or the car surging forward at low speed, in parking lots or at a stop, sometimes after the accelerator pedal was already replaced. Others report the opposite: the car losing power and refusing to accelerate on the highway. Several complaints say a dealer inspection found nothing wrong. Reported at low to moderate mileages, including within the first few thousand miles and again around 60,000 miles.

    Recall 10V017000

    What to check: Ask whether the accelerator pedal assembly recall was completed and whether the pedal has been replaced since. During a test drive, note any hesitation, surging, or pedal feel that seems inconsistent.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I was crossing the bump on the road and after that I lost control. I hit a mail box in my community and I crashed in my one of my neighbor car in the lot. I contacted Toyota and sent pictures after the incident. They denied my claim. I had to pay for everything even thought Toyota knew about that acceleration problem.”

    NHTSA complaint #10658729, filed 2014-11, 16,000 miles

    “On may 30,2012 while driving my 2009 Toyota corolla with 27,000 miles , we are the original owners, down route one in peabody, massachusetts in heavy fast lane traffic the auto, for no reason slowed to almost a stop and could not be accelerated. With the hazard lights on it was difficult to get to the side of the highway as no one seemed to recognize the meaning of hazard lights.I let the car rest and when I started it everything seemed fine and I drove to revere without a problem. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10460446, filed 2012-06, 65 miles
  4. Engine

    Excessive engine oil consumption

    Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

    Owners report the engine using large amounts of oil between changes, in some cases adding several quarts well before the next service and running low without a clear warning. Some describe knocking or rough running, and a few say an oil consumption test at the dealer did not lead to a repair. Complaints mention that a warranty enhancement program for this symptom had mileage or time limits that their vehicle had already passed. Mostly reported from around 75,000 miles upward, often noticed after several years of ownership.

    9 related service bulletins

    What to check: Check the oil level and look for a fuel or burning smell, and ask for service records showing oil top-offs between changes. Ask whether the oil consumption warranty enhancement was ever applied to the vehicle.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “While driving home my car started burning. I pulled over with smoke pouring out of the engine area and the car just stopped. I opened the hood and there were flames coming up from behind the engine. The fire grew until it engulfed the front of the car. The fire department came and put out the fire. The 2009 matrix was totally destroyed. I noticed no prior warning signs or symptoms.”

    NHTSA complaint #11407984, filed 2021-04, 160,000 miles

    “I started noticing a knocking in my engine. I reported it to the Toyota service department on 9-9-14. I was told by the Toyota service department( the one that has done all of my scheduled maintenance) no abnormal sounds heard at this time. In hind sight maybe they didn't hear the noise because she was low on oil and only listend for the noise after the oil change. I was never told that I should check my oil for leakage in between my scheduled maintenance! …”

    NHTSA complaint #11080304, filed 2018-03, 105,801 miles
  5. Steering

    Loss of power steering assist

    • 5 complaints (7%)
    • median 84,000 mi at 8.9 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2010–2020

    Owners report the electric power steering warning light coming on and steering effort increasing sharply, sometimes at start-up and sometimes while driving. Complaints describe a dealer diagnosing a steering column or steering computer fault, and one owner reports difficulty keeping the car in its lane over bumps. Some say the problem returned after a fuse replacement. Reported from around 35,000 to 149,000 miles, with several cases in the 65,000-85,000 mile range.

    Recall 14V168000

    What to check: Watch that the power steering warning light goes out after start-up, and check for any steering assist warning during a slow-speed turn. Ask whether the steering column assembly or its electrical connections were serviced under the recall.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Difficult to steer. I have to keep hands gripped on wheel, especially when turning. I'm almost landing in the oncoming lane. If I it a bump in the road, the vehicle leers.”

    NHTSA complaint #11019071, filed 2017-08, 66,000 miles

    “Sudden loss of power steering assist. I parked my Toyota matrix which was running perfectly. I stay up to date on tuneups and oil changes and any other maintenance issues that arise. When I came back to my parked car I noticed a red exclamation light on which turns out to be the warning light for electric power steering. When I turned on my car I quickly realized that I had no power steering assist. I took the car to the mechanics and they could not figure out the issue. They replaced the fuse thinking it was a broken fuse, but nothing. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11133096, filed 2018-10, 167,000 miles

Buying note. For this model year, the most important thing to confirm is documented completion of the airbag inflator recalls, since parts were scarce for a long period. Also check oil level and consumption habits, and verify the accelerator pedal and steering column recalls were performed before purchase.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 74 consumer complaints for the 2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix. 31 of the complaints include a mileage, and 26% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 66,000 miles. Of all complaints, 8 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 8 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns and 77 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Exterior lighting (1), Fuel system (1), Suspension (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Takata recall Toyota motor corporation USA sent me a notice falsely claiming that the parts to fix my passenger side airbag were in stock. I called the dealer on 5/1/2017 and told them I wanted to get this recall done. I told the dealer the model and year of my car. I was told to bring the car in. When I arrived at the dealer, I was told that they did not have a part in stock that was necessary to perform the recall repair. The dealer further stated that the part was on back order and they did not know when it would come in. …”

NHTSA complaint #10982959, filed 2017-05, 54,000 miles

Engine: “On humid mornings, engine occasionally misses on start up then clears. Engine stalled with no warning and almost caused a rear end collision when it suddenly lost power on acceleration onto busy road. Next morning engine would not start until later in day after warming up. It started with extreme miss then cleared. The 08 matrix has an ECM recall for same reason however no notice was received for the 09 model manufactured on 5/08.”

NHTSA complaint #10654102, filed 2014-11, 131,500 miles

Vehicle speed control: “I was driving on the road around the neiborhood at the t intersection ,I try to brake but my car was not stop .then I try to put on the brake all the time but my car still keep going and hit a stair brick in front of the house ..”

NHTSA complaint #10587909, filed 2014-05, 54,000 miles

Steering: “The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix. When the vehicle was started, the electronic power steering indicator illuminated and the steering ability seized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering shaft computer needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10794370, filed 2015-11, 84,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

26% of the 31 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 54,000 and 109,648 miles.

13%0–106%10–256%25–5032%50–756%75–10026%100–15010%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (31 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 66,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’09’11’13’15’1727’19’21’25
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Recalls and investigations

See all 8 recalls for the 2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 77 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 77 bulletins →

Other model years of the Toyota Corolla Matrix

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2011662,0002———Not enough data
2010208,3207———Stable
20097466,0008——Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
20083194,0004——Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
20074887,0004——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200664100,2504——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20058998,6784——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200429143,7205——Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200336117,6365——Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Toyota Corolla Matrix model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix?

Owners of this model year most often write about the Takata passenger-side airbag inflator recall and the long waits for replacement parts, with many complaints filed in 2016-2017. The issues reported most often: Takata airbag inflator recall not completed; Intermittent stalling or sudden loss of power; Sudden acceleration or throttle response complaints.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix have?

NHTSA recorded 74 consumer complaints for the 2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 40 complaints (54% of the total), followed by engine with 13.

Has the 2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix been recalled?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix reported?

Among the 31 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 66,000 miles and the middle half falls between 54,000 and 109,648 miles; 26% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.