2008 Toyota Matrix Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 8%of 38 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 46,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Toyota Matrix, 8% of the 38 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 46,000 miles.
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.
“I noticed a chirping noise from the engine. My husband took the Matrix to a Toyota dealer who advised us, upon inspection that the bolt that holds the lifter arm hadsheared off inside the engine. We are extremely fortunate that this did not result in an injury accident whilst traveling at highway speeds! The service manager said he had only seen this happen before when a belt was replaced. The issue has not been resolved since the dealer and Toyota seem to feel that it is not their problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10415486, filed 2011-07, 46,000 miles“Toyota Matrix xr 2008:bought new. One driver car. Twenty-two months of driving with 11,000 miles on it. Took to dealer on march 12, 2010 because leaking transmission fluid. Diagnosed as faulty harmonic equalizer on front axle which caused scaring on axle and inside transmission installed new axle and transmission. Ten minutes after picking up car after first problem corrected: car lost power while I was driving. Nearly killed by semi-truck but avoided accident. Diagnosed as faulty computer. Dealer installing new computer now. Updated 03/29/10 updated 05/05/10.”
NHTSA complaint #10321870, filed 2010-03, 11,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10134454Aug 24, 2015TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
- 10109408Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to assist in the identification and location of serial numbers on 2006 -2014 model year remanufactured automatic transmissions.
- 10109404Oct 16, 2014TSB: The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic transmission/transaxle…
- 10109493Sep 30, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to assist in the identification and location of serial numbers on 2006 - 2014 model year automatic transmissions.
- 10109492Sep 30, 2014TSB: The purpose of this bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL "ON" shifting issues and/or…
- 10132084Oct 1, 2013The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide precautions to follow when installing an automatic transmission/transaxle assembly to avoid MIL ?ON,? shifting issues, and/or…
- 10133836Feb 20, 2013This bulletin contains general vehicle pulling diagnosis and repair procedures along with specific information to help correct pulling complaints.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2008 Toyota Matrix
11 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
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