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Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)Part report

2009 Toyota Matrix Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
4%of 192 total for the year
Median mileage
31,020miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the visibility of the 2009 Toyota Matrix, 4% of the 192 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 31,020 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.

“The car has an unacceptable blind spot the side mirrors do not compensate for this. It resulted in me while backing up not seeing an elderly lady walking past my car, and I have had several close calls while backing out of spaces with cars behind me just in the blindspot or pedestrians. I am almost tempted to post a warning in back window. Perhaps a mirror insert would prevent this. Backing out while turned looking out rear you miss people in that spot. It is a hazzardous car to back up with.”

NHTSA complaint #10818301, filed 2016-01, 62,000 miles

“I noticed that when making a left turn the front view of where you are turning is block...worse when making u turn....because the left side mirror blocks the entire view... I was lucky enough that my nephew advise me to be careful with the pedestrians as I immediately hit the brakes and the saw the upset pedestrian give me a dirty look. I have since been very careful when turning and I raise my head up to look over the blocking mirrors. I believe this is a structural issue that needs to be corrected.”

NHTSA complaint #10512195, filed 2013-05, 95,000 miles

“The 2009 Toyota Matrix has a safety issue in my opinion. I bought my Matrix (new) from downeast Toyota in brewer, maine, on october 6, 2008. While driving this car during a test drive in the proximity of the dealership about 60 days prior to my purchase, there came a time when I had do make a left-hand turn as directed by the dealers salesman who was with me. Before I made the turn I noticed a young lady on the edge of the road to where I was turning. This brought on a caution in my mind to be extra careful in making the turn. …”

NHTSA complaint #10244924, filed 2008-10, 39 miles

“The side rear-view mirror is large and creates a large blindspot so that it is very difficult to see objects when turning left. I was turning into my subdivision and almost hit a vehicle that was waiting for me to complete my turn before entering the intersection. I believe the vehicle was a red bmw sedan (small), and I didn't saw it until we almost collided. Fortunately I was going slowly enough to make a quick correction when the driver of the other vehicle honked. I have had numerous other similar incidents during the six months I have driven my car.”

NHTSA complaint #10257801, filed 2009-02

“The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Matrix. The exterior side view mirrors on both side of the vehicle block the contact's view whenever a turn is being made. She stated that the mirrors prevented her from properly seeing the road. The dealer stated that the mirrors were placed in the proper position. The failure mileage was 20 and current mileage is 1,100. Updated 07/28/09. Updated 07/30/09.”

NHTSA complaint #10275942, filed 2009-07, 20 miles

Related service bulletins

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201024%
200974%
200825%
200711%
200632%
200531%
20041410%
2003104%

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
Electrical system
9 complaints
Engine cooling
9 complaints
Other or unknown
8 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 29, 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