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EnginePart report

2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix Engine Problems

Complaints
13about this part
Share
18%of 74 total for the year
Median mileage
110,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the engine of the 2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix, 18% of the 74 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 110,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

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.

“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! I checked my oil one day at random after I heard knocking again and she was very low on oil. …”

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

“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. Another time I was coming out of a dark tunnel with a blind turn doing approx 55mph and only by the grace of god did somebody not plow into the back of me. …”

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

“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 has stalled several times. All instances the vehicle stalls while driving. Problem is random and non-repeatable. I have had the vehicle stall while at various speeds ranging from 15 MPH to 55+ MPH (on highways or even local roads). Most recent stall was 09/17/2018. Making a right hand turn, vehicle stalled. Turned the ignition off, went to turn back on, stalled again. Turned off, waited for a moment, started the motor and vehicle ran without any further issues for the remainder of the day. …”

NHTSA complaint #11130045, filed 2018-09, 114,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

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

Other parts of the 2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix

Air bags
40 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2009 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