Skip to content
EnginePart report

2009 Toyota Matrix Engine Problems

Complaints
11about this part
Share
6%of 192 total for the year
Median mileage
78,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the engine of the 2009 Toyota Matrix, 6% of the 192 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,000 miles. 1 a fire, 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.

“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

“Vehicle stalled sitting at a red light and also stalled making left hand turn at intersection. Speed was approximately 35 MPH. Vehicle was on small highway at the stop light and city street the 2nd incident. We just bought the vehicle used in april of 2017”

NHTSA complaint #11006747, filed 2017-07, 86,000 miles

“Constantly stating it is need of oil for the engine. Have gone to Toyota dealer several times and replaced oil, filters and sensors with no success. Also no known leaks anywhere.”

NHTSA complaint #10578693, filed 2014-04, 5 miles

“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 fix this issue at that time. After restarting the check engine light goes out. Occurred several times in all sorts of weather, but more frequently in hot summer days. Yesterday stalled 4 times within 90 minutes drive. Restart cleared engine computer dealership had difficult time replicating failure. …”

NHTSA complaint #10706554, filed 2015-04, 70,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Matrix. While driving at 40 MPH and coming to a stop, the vehicle shook as if it would stall. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10750003, filed 2015-08, 70,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2012120%
201024%
2009116%
200825%
200722%
200642%
200573%
200443%
200383%

Other parts of the 2009 Toyota Matrix

Air bags
78 complaintsVehicle speed control
45 complaintsSteering
22 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsTires
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsSeats
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2009 Toyota Matrix

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology