Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Toyota Matrix Problems, Recalls and MPG by Year

What this means

NHTSA lists 24 recall campaigns across the Toyota Matrix, 2002–2013. Owners have filed 1,574 complaints with NHTSA. Of the last 12 model years with settled counts, the 2003 drew the most (304) and the 2013 the fewest (1).

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls24campaignsCovering 2002–2013 model yearsSource: NHTSA Complaints1,574filedOwner reports across 12 model yearsSource: NHTSA ODI Fuel economy29mpg combined2013 model, best configurationSource: EPA

Toyota Matrix complaints by model year

1,574 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Red numbers above the columns are recall campaigns for that model year.

ComplaintsStill collecting reports3Recall campaigns

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fewest complaints

  • 2013 · 1 complaints
  • 2002 · 2 complaints
  • 2012 · 5 complaints

Most complaints

  • 2003 · 304 complaints
  • 2005 · 301 complaints
  • 2009 · 266 complaints

Among the last 15 model years at least five years old; newer years are left out because owners are still filing reports. Every year compared →

Problem areas by model year

Complaints that name each component, 2004–2013. Darker cells mean more reports. One complaint can name several components.

Toyota Matrix owner complaints by component and model year (NHTSA ODI)
Component2004200520062007200820092010201120122013
Air bags 55174927329118371441
Vehicle speed control 1618221312526100
Electrical system 1233251511131000
Power train 3826225332000
Engine and engine cooling 61926152101000
Service brakes 6109472411000
Tires 716287240000
Engine 513825242110

Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Toyota Matrix recalls (24)

Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for at least one Matrix model year, newest first.

NHTSA recall campaigns for the Toyota Matrix
CampaignFiledWhatModel yearsRepaired
20V024000Jan 17, 2020Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may not Deploy2011, 2012, 201370%
19V741000Oct 17, 2019Frontal Air Bag Inflators May Explode2009, 201072.6%
19V627000Aug 28, 2019Front Passenger Air Bag May Not Properly Inflate2005–200836.2%
19V005000Jan 9, 2019Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode2010–201390.9%
18V025000Jan 9, 2018Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode2003–200882.9%
18V024000Jan 9, 2018Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode2009, 2010, 201389%
17V006000Jan 9, 2017Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture2009, 201288.6%
16V340000May 23, 2016Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture2009, 2010, 201187.7%
16V127000Mar 3, 2016Passenger Side Front Air Bag Inflator may Rupture200890.2%
16V128000Mar 2, 2016Passenger Side Front Air Bag Inflator may Rupture200887.8%
15V689000Oct 22, 2015Power Window Master Switch may Melt2009, 2010, 201145.7%
15V285000May 13, 2015Passenger Side Front Air Bag Inflator may Rupture2003–200789%
15V286000May 13, 2015Passenger Side Front Air Bag Inflator may Rupture2003–200786.7%
15V043000Jan 28, 2015Inadvertent Air Bag Deployment2003, 200428.7%
14V168000Apr 9, 2014Driver's Air Bag may not Deploy2009, 201057.8%

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. Open a model-year page for each campaign's official text, or check your VIN on NHTSA.

Check on NHTSA ↗

Fuel economy by model year

200324–28 mpg
200424–28 mpg
200525–29 mpg
200625–29 mpg
200727–29 mpg
200827–29 mpg
200922–28 mpg
201022–28 mpg
201122–29 mpg
201222–29 mpg
201322–29 mpg

EPA combined mpg range across engine and transmission configurations. Your mileage will vary. Source: EPA, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Where to next

2013 Toyota Matrix report1 complaints · 3 campaigns →2012 Toyota Matrix report5 complaints · 3 campaigns →2011 Toyota Matrix report16 complaints · 4 campaigns →Every Toyota modelToyota models →

Toyota Matrix FAQ

How many recalls has the Toyota Matrix had?

NHTSA lists 24 recall campaigns that cover at least one Toyota Matrix model year from 2002 to 2013. Each campaign card on the model-year pages has NHTSA's official text and the repair completion rate. Only NHTSA's VIN lookup can tell you whether a specific car was repaired.

Which Toyota Matrix year has the most complaints?

Among the last 12 model years with settled counts, the 2003 drew the most owner complaints filed with NHTSA (304) and the 2013 the fewest (1). Counts are owner reports, not failure rates, and sales volume affects them.

What are the most common Toyota Matrix problems?

Across the 2004–2013 model years, owners most often name the air bags, vehicle speed control, electrical system in complaints filed with NHTSA.

What mpg does the Toyota Matrix get?

EPA rates the 2013 Toyota Matrix at 22 to 29 mpg combined, depending on engine and transmission.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
Report an errorMethodologyHow we use AI
Was this page useful?Report a data error