2006 Toyota Matrix Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 3%of 170 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 10,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the steering of the 2006 Toyota Matrix, 3% of the 170 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 10,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“1. Driving down road at 35mph on a clear sunny day. 2. 2006 Toyota Matrix jerked uncontrollably to the side as if the steering wheel was turned even though it was held straight for normal driving. This resulted in losing control of the car and nearly causing an accident with our infant in the backseat. 3. Towed to maintenance center and they mentioned they had seen this problem several times before. They told us of a steering technical service bulletin st005-01 that mentioned this problem. We have now towed it to the dealer and are waiting final resolution.”
NHTSA complaint #10274742, filed 2009-06, 19,000 miles“I drove a 2006 Toyota Matrix and lost control over the vehicle. I was trying to change lane to my right and found there was a car approaching and horned me. I had not left my lane and tried to pull my car straight. The car reacted by shifting too much to the left and I tried only to adjust it, keeping in mind that it was a power-steered system. To keep it straight. There was a 1-2 seconds afterwards the car seemed to be on track and I was driving fine. After that time period, the car veered toward the left all of a sudden. …”
NHTSA complaint #10153679, filed 2006-03Steering: other model years
Other parts of the 2006 Toyota Matrix
50 complaintsTires
27 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsEngine cooling
22 complaintsSuspension
20 complaintsVehicle speed control
20 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Toyota 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