2008 Toyota Matrix Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 16%of 38 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,651miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Toyota Matrix, 16% of the 38 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,651 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.
“On may 16th I was rear-ended while stopped at a red light. My 2008 Matrix xr was pushed into the back of a school bus. The force of the impact crumpled the front end of my car, yet the airbag didn't deploy. Should it have? I can send you photos of the accident and the damage to my car.”
NHTSA complaint #10241400, filed 2008-09, 4,735 miles“Takata recall Toyota send me a safety recall notice (interim notice) re front passenger airbag initiator module. They had the audacity to say that until the remedy becomes available in your location, we recommend that you do not operate the vehicle with an occupant in the front passenger seat !!! That is unacceptable, especially since we live in an area that receives lots of humidity (Toyota says they are prioritizing part replacements in geographic locations that are subject to consistently high absolute humidity, but they do not list which areas they think this applies to. …”
NHTSA complaint #10863511, filed 2016-05“The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH when the vehicle in front of the contact made an unexpected stop causing the contact to rear end the vehicle in front. There was front-end damage to the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was not towed and a police report was filed. The contact received injuries to their nose and needed medical attention. The vehicle was taken to a collision center however, was not repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #10981078, filed 2017-04, 235,000 miles“Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Matrix. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v127000 (air bags); however, the parts needed to perform the repair were unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.”
NHTSA complaint #10889287, filed 2016-07“Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Matrix. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v127000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
NHTSA complaint #10861462, filed 2016-04Related service bulletins
- 10251073Jan 25, 2024DP: The subject vehicles are equipped with a front passenger airbag. A part inside the airbag could explode, shooting sharp metal fragments at vehicle occupants. This could cause…
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most…
- 10227898Nov 23, 2022TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this…
- 10217806Jul 28, 2022CSP: Takata CSP Coverage Job Aid - published 7.28.2022
- 10217804Jul 28, 2022CSP: On July 30, 2018, a settlement of claims for Economic Loss related to Takata airbag inflators was approved for full implementation. The settlement includes Toyota?s…
- 10190460Mar 17, 2021Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- 10132410Jul 20, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 20, 2017 Rev1: Applicability has been updated to exclude 2007 ? 2017 model year Avanza vehicles. Some hazardous material treatment and handling…
- 10131961Jan 14, 2014Toyota vehicles are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury…
- 10132055Nov 4, 2013Beginning in 1998, Toyota introduced side airbags as optional equipment. Toyota does NOT recommend replacement of original seat covers with non-Toyota leather or other seat cover…
- 10133915Jan 3, 2013Toyota vehicles are equipped with SRS, including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury in a collision. If a customer…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 4 | 80% |
| 2011 | 10 | 100% |
| 2010 | 27 | 60% |
| 2009 | 78 | 41% |
| 2008 | 6 | 16% |
| 2007 | 36 | 38% |
| 2006 | 50 | 29% |
| 2005 | 103 | 48% |
| 2004 | 35 | 25% |
| 2003 | 57 | 21% |
Other parts of the 2008 Toyota Matrix
11 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Toyota Matrix
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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