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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2009 Toyota Matrix Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
2%of 192 total for the year
Median mileage
76,660miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2009 Toyota Matrix, 2% of the 192 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,660 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.

“When going up a hill in 4th gear car shifts down to 3rd gear to maintain speed & there is a loud noise that shakes the car (as if the engine's going to fall out). Happened about 20 times so far. Toyota dealer mechanics got car to repeat this 3 times (once hooked up to a computer). The mechanics & the service manager all feel that the transmission needs to be replaced. I have 100,000 mi. Extended warranty. The person from Toyota (not from the dealership) that has to approve putting in a new transmission refused saying it is an intermittent problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #10509007, filed 2013-04, 83,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the check engine warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the computer was not sending the correct voltage to the transmission. As a result, the torque converter clutch solenoid malfunctioned, the transmission and PCM needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 76,660.”

NHTSA complaint #10579001, filed 2014-04, 76,660 miles

“The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that the transmission would not allow the vehicle to freely move; it seemed as if the vehicle was in the neutral position while it was engaged. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the dealer stated that all the models had the feature and there was nothing wrong with the transmission. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance in the matter. The current mileage was 10,107. The failure mileage was approximately 400.”

NHTSA complaint #10358270, filed 2010-09, 400 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201012%
200932%
200838%
200744%
20061811%
20052311%
20043727%
20038331%

Other parts of the 2009 Toyota Matrix

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