What is the best year for the Toyota Matrix?

The 2012 Matrix is rated Best with a complaint index of 13, the lowest of the 9 model years with data. The 2008 and 2011 model years are also rated Good.

Is the 2009 Toyota Matrix reliable?

The 2009 Matrix has the highest complaint index (100) of any Matrix year and the most crashes reported (34), with airbags and engine problems as the top complaint areas, so it ranks as an Avoid year relative to other Matrix model years.

Does the Toyota Matrix have airbag recalls?

Yes. Airbags are the top complaint area across all Matrix years, accounting for 314 complaints (41% of the total 769), and a 2016 recall campaign covered airbag issues on 2009-2011 Corolla Matrix models among other Toyota vehicles.

How many complaints and recalls does the Toyota Matrix have overall?

Across the 2005-2013 model years, NHTSA lists 769 total complaints and 6 recall campaigns for the Toyota Matrix.

Toyota Matrix Best and Worst Years (2005–2013)

The 2005, 2006, and 2009 Toyota Matrix years rank worst, with complaint index scores of 75, 88, and 100 out of the 9 model years covered, driven mainly by airbag and engine complaints. The 2012 Matrix is the Best year with a complaint index of just 13, and 2008 and 2011 are also Good picks.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2005 Avoid 2006 Avoid 2009 Best 2012

Model years: 9; 2005–2013
NHTSA complaints: 769
Recall campaigns: 6
Crashes reported: 84
Fires reported: 5
Top problem area: Airbags

Matrix Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Toyota Matrix problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	Avoid	75	213	10	2	1	Airbags	26	—
2006	Avoid	88	170	17	0	3	Airbags	26	—
2007	Caution	63	96	11	2	2	Airbags	28	—
2008	Good	38	38	6	0	2	Engine	28	—
2009	Avoid	100	192	34	1	3	Airbags	24	—
2010	Caution	50	45	5	0	4	Airbags	24	—
2011	Good	25	10	1	0	2	Airbags	24	—
2012	Best	13	5	0	0	1	Airbags	24	—
2013	No verdict	0	0	0	0	1	—	24	—

Matrix years to avoid: what went wrong

2009 Toyota Matrix Index 100 · 192 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2009 Matrix has the highest complaint index of any year, 100, and the most crashes reported among avoid years, 34. Airbags make up 41% of complaints with a median mileage of 42,000 miles, and engine complaints follow at 33% with a median mileage of 22,160 miles. Owners describe sudden acceleration while parking at low mileage, airbags not deploying in side-impact crashes, and a seat-mounted steel plate linked to back injuries in rear-end collisions. NHTSA lists three recalls, including an airbag recall and a stuck accelerator pedal recall.

2009 airbags problems →2009 engine problems →2009 steering problems →

2006 Toyota Matrix Index 88 · 170 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2006 Matrix has a complaint index of 88, the second-worst of all years covered. Airbags lead complaints at 29% with a median mileage of 80,000 miles, and engine problems follow at 27% with a median mileage of 40,000 miles. Owners report loss of steering control while changing lanes, sudden unintended acceleration while stopped in traffic, and premature tire wear tied to suspension alignment. NHTSA lists three recalls for this year, covering the engine control module and tire label compliance.

2006 airbags problems →2006 engine problems →2006 suspension, wheels & tires problems →

2005 Toyota Matrix Index 75 · 213 complaints · 1 recalls

The 2005 Matrix carries a complaint index of 75, ranked third-worst of the nine years covered. Airbags account for 48% of complaints for the year, with a median mileage at failure of 92,000 miles, followed by engine problems at 18% with a median mileage of about 49,287 miles. Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration at low speed, an engine fire, and a steering wheel locking up while driving. NHTSA lists one recall covering an engine control module issue on 2005-2008 models equipped with the 1ZZ-FE engine.

2005 airbags problems →2005 engine problems →2005 electrical system problems →

Most common Toyota Matrix problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Airbags314 (41%)
Engine198 (26%)
Electrical System78 (10%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires78 (10%)
Brakes53 (7%)
Transmission & Powertrain52 (7%)
Steering39 (5%)
Other27 (4%)
Structure & Body22 (3%)
Visibility & Wipers18 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What year Toyota Matrix should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2005, 2006, and 2009 Toyota Matrix years rank worst, with complaint index scores of 75, 88, and 100 respectively, mostly tied to airbag and engine complaints.
What is the best year for the Toyota Matrix?: The 2012 Matrix is rated Best with a complaint index of 13, the lowest of the 9 model years with data. The 2008 and 2011 model years are also rated Good.
Is the 2009 Toyota Matrix reliable?: The 2009 Matrix has the highest complaint index (100) of any Matrix year and the most crashes reported (34), with airbags and engine problems as the top complaint areas, so it ranks as an Avoid year relative to other Matrix model years.
Does the Toyota Matrix have airbag recalls?: Yes. Airbags are the top complaint area across all Matrix years, accounting for 314 complaints (41% of the total 769), and a 2016 recall campaign covered airbag issues on 2009-2011 Corolla Matrix models among other Toyota vehicles.
How many complaints and recalls does the Toyota Matrix have overall?: Across the 2005-2013 model years, NHTSA lists 769 total complaints and 6 recall campaigns for the Toyota Matrix.