YearToAvoid

2010 Toyota Matrix Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 4 Matrix years

The 2010 Toyota Matrix ranks worst of 4 model years with data, holding a Complaint Index of 100 and 45 complaints, mostly airbags (60%). It carries 4 recalls, including Takata airbags and a sticking accelerator pedal, earning it an Avoid verdict relative to 2011-2013.

Complaints
45
Recalls
4
Crashes / fires
5 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
24
21 city / 29 hwy

Top 2010 Toyota Matrix problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags27 (60%)
  2. Engine7 (16%)
  3. Brakes6 (13%)
  4. Other3 (7%)
  5. Steering3 (7%)
  6. Structure & Body2 (4%)
  7. Visibility & Wipers2 (4%)
  8. Electrical System1 (2%)
  9. Seat Belts1 (2%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (2%)

What owners report

  • Owners report airbags failing to deploy in rear-end and frontal crashes, with median failure mileage of 69,186 for airbag complaints.
  • Some drivers describe the accelerator pedal sticking in the depressed position, causing crashes into walls or buildings.
  • Brake pedals reportedly went to the floor without stopping the vehicle, in one case after a car reached high speed unexpectedly.
  • Electric power steering has been described as failing to self-center, forcing constant correction while driving.
  • A driver's seat reportedly popped loose from its floor bracket, creating a rocking motion during sharp maneuvers.
  • Owners with the Takata airbag recall report long waits for replacement parts with no clear repair timeline from dealers.
2010 Toyota Matrix complaints: complaints filed per month8Feb 2010Jan 2012Sep 2014Feb 2016Dec 2016Jun 2017Dec 2017
54 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2010 to Jun 2019; peak Jan 2017 (8).

2010 Toyota Matrix recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 16V340000May 23, 2016Airbags1,754,517 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2007-2008 Toyota Yaris, 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350 and 2007-2008 Lexus ES350 vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles of these model years and models that were not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for interim notification for this campaign are G1P (Toyota Zone A), G1R (Toyota Zone B), G2G (Lexus Zone A), and G2H (Lexus Zone B). Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), GLG (Lexus Zone A), and GLH (Lexus Zone B).

  2. NHTSA 10V035000Feb 3, 2010Other271,417 vehicles

    Equipment:other:labels

    Gulf states toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.

    Risk: This does not meet the standard requirements.

    Remedy: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact gulf states toyota at 713-580-3300.

  3. NHTSA 10V036000Feb 3, 2010Other153,418 vehicles

    Equipment:other:labels

    Southeast toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.

    Risk: A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

See all 4 recalls for the 2010 Toyota Matrix →

2010 Toyota Matrix fuel economy and fuel cost

City
21 MPG
Highway
29 MPG
Combined
24 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,700
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2010 compared with other Matrix years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002010201120122013
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Avoid10045424
2011Caution6710224
2012Good335124

All Toyota Matrix years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Toyota Matrix reliable?
Among the 4 Matrix model years with data, 2010 ranks worst, with a Complaint Index of 100 and 45 NHTSA complaints, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2010 Toyota Matrix?
Airbags are the top problem area, making up 60% of complaints (27 of 45), including reports of non-deployment in crashes, with a median failure mileage of 69,186.
Does the 2010 Toyota Matrix have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls, covering Takata airbags, a sticking accelerator pedal, and tire/rim labeling issues; none are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2010 Matrix compare to later years?
The 2011 Matrix has a Complaint Index of 67 with 10 complaints, and 2012 has an index of 33 with 5 complaints, both ranking better than the 2010 model.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.