Toyota Matrix Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 1,175 consumer complaints across the 10 model years of the Toyota Matrix (2003–2012) that have at least 5 complaints. 2003 has the most, with 268. Across all years, the part named most often is air bags (406 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Matrix model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 5 | 79,000 | 1 | 218 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 10 | 70,000 | 2 | 211 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 45 | 42,000 | 4 | 222 | 50 · Typical | Stable |
| 2009 | 192 | 25,000 | 3 | 215 | 100 · More | Stable |
| 2008 | 38 | 35,169 | 2 | 141 | 46 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 96 | 44,650 | 2 | 136 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2006 | 170 | 37,000 | 3 | 138 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 213 | 71,000 | 1 | 144 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2004 | 138 | 70,000 | 1 | 123 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 268 | 75,500 | 1 | 111 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Air bags406 37%
- Transmission and drivetrain172 16%
- Vehicle speed control145 13%
- Electrical system96 8.7%
- Engine cooling94 8.5%
- Brakes68 6.2%
- Tires67 6.1%
- Steering55 5.0%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2012: “Takata recall - received notice in january, 2017 and to date no remedy for the airbag recall on my vehicle. Recall advises to avoid having passenger in front seat. I am unable to transport anyone unless in the back seat and am concerned what would happen to me if the airbag goes off while awaiting Toyota's remedy. Please advise.”
NHTSA complaint #10991786, filed 2017-05, 23,000 miles2011: “Takata recall- this car has had a recall for the faulty passenger airbag and I use this car for transporting my child. I would like to have this problem fixed as soon as possible as I'm putting my child's safety at risk in its current condition. If Toyota can't resolve this in a timely manner I need a rental car until they are able to resolve it. Thanks”
NHTSA complaint #10934807, filed 2016-12, 75,000 miles2008: “Dangerous, poor traction on wet pavement sumitomo tour plus ls-h when on a steep road in san francisco, my tires skidded rather than grab the road on a rainy day in the winter of 2016. This also happened during the winter of 2017. It is dangerous. I need to change the tires before selling my car to another person.”
NHTSA complaint #11003652, filed 2017-07, 105,000 milesOther Toyota models
18,207 complaintsToyota Prius
12,519 complaintsToyota Corolla
11,738 complaintsToyota RAV4
9,401 complaintsToyota Sienna
8,831 complaintsToyota Tacoma
8,476 complaintsToyota Tundra
6,944 complaintsToyota 4RUNNER
5,900 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology