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Toyota MatrixModel year report

2010 Toyota Matrix Problems

Compared with other Toyota Matrix years

Typical for this model

50/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with a typical complaint level and no open NHTSA investigation: 2008

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
45filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
42,000miles, 19 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
28 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl FWD · 25 city / 31 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2010 Toyota Matrix (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 45 consumer complaints for the 2010 Toyota Matrix. The part named most often is air bags, with 27 complaints (60% of the total), followed by brakes (6) and vehicle speed control (4). 19 of the complaints include a mileage, and 53% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 42,000 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 222 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the inflator module and 12 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 2 Toyota Matrix model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 50 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Seat belts (1), Seats (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Takata recall - no remedy has been provided and it has been eight months. The car was brought to the local dealer in july 2016 and as it was the family car we were urged to turn over the vehicle to the dealer in favor of a long term rental car until they were able to fix it. We have not heard anything ifrom Toyota since and no one at the local dealer can tell us anything in regards to timeline for the remedy.”

NHTSA complaint #10966094, filed 2017-03, 69,186 miles

Brakes: “Brake pedal suddenly felt soft as if there was air in the brake line. Brake only worked when you pumped fast. Otherwise the pedal would go down to the floor. I took the car to the dealership, they verified the complaint, and fixed the problem for free. They replaced the master cylinder and fluid. Brakes were fine until 3 weeks ago, april 23, 2012. Exactly the same happened, thank goodness as I was driving slowly. Took the car back in and they acknowledged the problem. They concluded it was a faulty part. …”

NHTSA complaint #10457946, filed 2012-05, 39,000 miles

Vehicle speed control: “The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic stop, the vehicle exhibited an abnormal increase in engine rpms. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing where the dealer could not duplicate the problem. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure persisted. The failure mileage was 5,800.”

NHTSA complaint #10442672, filed 2012-01, 5,800 miles

Steering: “2010 Toyota Matrix purchased brand new november of 2009 with only 5 miles reading on the odometer. Although there has been no accident with this vehicle I am very concerned about two operational issues: steering on highways at highway speed and brakes not engaging. On straightaways this vehicle swerves back and forth. I am constantly having to correct its direction. We tried adjusting the tire inflation with no help. Took it to the dealership who readjusted the tires back and said the vehicle was still within design specs. …”

NHTSA complaint #10311246, filed 2010-02, 10 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

53% of the 19 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 18,000 and 77,000 miles.

21%0–1011%10–2521%25–5021%50–7516%75–1005%100–1505%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (19 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 42,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

20102012201320142015201620172020182019
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Toyota Matrix. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Matrix · sedan FWD/AWDnot rated5 / 5——4 · 13.6% risk

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2010 Toyota Matrix version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Matrix FWD1.8L 4-cyl4-speed automatic253128$2,400
Matrix FWD1.8L 4-cyl5-speed manual263228$2,400
Matrix FWD2.4L 4-cyl5-speed manual212824$2,800
Matrix FWD2.4L 4-cyl5-speed automatic212924$2,800
Matrix AWD2.4L 4-cyl4-speed automatic202622$3,050

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2010 Toyota Matrix → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 222 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 222 bulletins →

Other model years of the Toyota Matrix

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2012579,0001—27—Not enough data
20111070,0002—27—Not enough data
20104542,0004—2850 · TypicalStable
200919225,0003—28100 · MoreStable
20083835,1692—2946 · TypicalFalling
20079644,6502—29Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200617037,0003—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200521371,0001—27Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200413870,0001—27Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200326875,5001—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Toyota Matrix model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2010 Toyota Matrix have?

NHTSA recorded 45 consumer complaints for the 2010 Toyota Matrix as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2010 Toyota Matrix is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 27 complaints (60% of the total), followed by brakes with 6.

Has the 2010 Toyota Matrix been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2010 Toyota Matrix get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Toyota Matrix (Matrix, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 28 mpg combined, 25 city and 31 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,400 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2010 Toyota Matrix reported?

Among the 19 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 42,000 miles and the middle half falls between 18,000 and 77,000 miles; 53% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.