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Toyota MatrixModel year report

2012 Toyota Matrix Problems

Complaints
5filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
79,000miles, 2 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
27 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl FWD · 25 city / 31 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Toyota Matrix (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2012 Toyota Matrix. The part named most often is air bags, with 4 complaints (80% of the total), followed by engine (1). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 79,000 miles. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 218 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 14 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 24 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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.

Example complaints

Air bags: “Takata recall - received notice in january, 2017 and to date no remedy for the airbag recall on my vehicle. Recall advises to avoid having passenger in front seat. I am unable to transport anyone unless in the back seat and am concerned what would happen to me if the airbag goes off while awaiting Toyota's remedy. Please advise.”

NHTSA complaint #10991786, filed 2017-05, 23,000 miles

Engine: “The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Matrix. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle made noises underneath the hood and shut down. The oil and service engine indicators illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and later towed to the contact's home. The next day, the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer stated that there was no recall and the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10954579, filed 2017-02, 135,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 23,000 and 135,000 miles.

0%0–1050%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–10050%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (2 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 79,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20175
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 2012 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 · wagon AWDnot rated———4 · 13.6% risk
Matrix · wagon FWDnot rated———4 · 13.6% risk

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

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2012 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-cyl5-speed manual263229$2,300
Matrix FWD1.8L 4-cyl4-speed automatic253127$2,500
Matrix FWD2.4L 4-cyl5-speed manual212824$2,800
Matrix FWD2.4L 4-cyl5-speed automatic212824$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 2012 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. 218 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 218 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 2012 Toyota Matrix have?

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2012 Toyota Matrix as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 Toyota Matrix is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 4 complaints (80% of the total), followed by engine with 1.

Has the 2012 Toyota Matrix been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Toyota Matrix get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Toyota Matrix (Matrix, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 27 mpg combined, 25 city and 31 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,500 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Toyota Matrix reported?

Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 79,000 miles and the middle half falls between 23,000 and 135,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. 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.