Skip to content
Electrical systemPart report

2009 Toyota Matrix Electrical system Problems

Complaints
9about this part
Share
5%of 192 total for the year
Median mileage
44,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the electrical system of the 2009 Toyota Matrix, 5% of the 192 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 44,500 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 just narrowly missed an accident with a train. My car engine shut off right over the train track today. My 2009 Toyota Matrix first problem started stalling suddenly in traffic last year, but now very frequently stalls even on highways at high speeds. No warnings. When stalled all lights comes on in dash, including check engine light. Completely turn off ignition and restarting is the only way to start the car again. After restarting the check engine light goes out. Occurred several times in all sorts of weather, but more frequent on hot summer days. …”

NHTSA complaint #10851993, filed 2016-03, 100,000 miles

“Power steering malfunction occurred and warning light (on the dashboard) was on. Steering wheel became very hard to turn. Luckily this happened on the parking lot, and not on my way back home (trip on the highway) which for sure would resulted in car accident with serious consequences. I have contact Toyota however at this point they are not concerned in this matter as safety issue and will not cover any expenses for such repair (power steering electrical unit/ relay was replaced_parts~ 900$ and labor ~500$).”

NHTSA complaint #10552619, filed 2013-11, 44,500 miles

“While driving, the car stalls. Everything turns off and I'm dead on the street, turnpike or highway. I have taken the car in twice, but Toyota has no idea what is happening. Sometimes it does not happen for a while, and then it will start stalling again. I have taken the car in again after stalling on the pa turnpike. This is a major safety issue. I am stalling on city roads, highways, turnpikes, and I risk an accident or being killed. This is a dangerous issue. I have informed the Toyota car dealership this will be their last time to find the problem and fix it.”

NHTSA complaint #10849740, filed 2016-03, 60,000 miles

“I have a 2009 Toyota Matrix and it continues to have issues. Toyota has never sent notification of recalls and this car has a few. When I bring it up to the dealer they act as if I have no idea what I am talking about. My tires need replacement at 20,000 miles and the brakes grind when stopping even after they were replaced at the dealers expense after they told me there was nothing wrong with them twice! I had to go back to the dealer 3 times as the parts people sent the wrong parts twice!! …”

NHTSA complaint #10375423, filed 2011-01, 20,000 miles

“Bought 2009 Toyota Matrix s new. I commute approximately 45 miles one way to work on freeway, normally with cruise control on. I have experienced several occasions of acceleration surge (relatively minor increases in acceleration without touching accelerator). My wife also experienced unintended acceleration while taking our son to school under normal street speed. I would also experience several situations of difficult vehicle control on freeway due to steering issues. I thought at the time it was just wind pushing against the car until I read other drivers experiencing the same thing.”

NHTSA complaint #10317498, filed 2010-03, 20,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201012%
200995%
2008821%
20071213%
20062213%
20052311%
200497%
2003124%

Other parts of the 2009 Toyota Matrix

Air bags
78 complaints
Vehicle speed control
45 complaints
Steering
22 complaints
Brakes
19 complaints
Engine
11 complaints
Engine cooling
9 complaints
Other or unknown
8 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaints
Tires
4 complaints
Body and structure
3 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
3 complaints
Seats
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2009 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