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2011 Toyota Matrix: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2011 Toyota Matrix, most recently filed January 2020. Owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Recalls 4campaigns 3 air bag · 1 visibility Source: NHTSA Complaints 16filed Owner reports, 2004–2013 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Fuel economy 29mpg combined $2,252/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 1.8 L 4-cyl· 5-speed manual 5 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
Compare

Recalls (4)

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2011 Toyota Matrix. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2011 Toyota Matrix. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 20V024000 Filed Jan 17, 2020

Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may not Deploy

Air bags · air bag/restraint control module
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.
Consequence
In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ECU and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk beginning March 2, 2020. A second letter notifying owners of the remedy repair will be mailed between March 16, 2020 and June 27, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB03, 20TA03 and 20TA05.
70% repairedof 2,891,976 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V024000
Listed for 2011 Toyota Matrix. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 19V005000 Filed Jan 9, 2019

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode

Air bags · frontal · passenger side · inflator module
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of 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." Toyota is also recalling certain 2011-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS250, IS350, 2011-2016 4Runner, 2011-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2011-2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, 2011-2017 Lexus GX460, and 2011-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of 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." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010-2013 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Lexus IS350, 2010-2016 4Runner, 2010-2013 Lexus IS250, 2010-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2010-2014 Lexus IS-F, and 2010-2012 Lexus ES350 vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.
90.9% repairedof 1,299,448 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 19V005000
Listed for 2011 Toyota Matrix. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V340000 Filed May 23, 2016

Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

Air bags · frontal · passenger side · inflator module
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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).
87.7% repairedof 1,754,517 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V340000
Listed for 2011 Toyota Matrix. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 15V689000 Filed Oct 22, 2015

Power Window Master Switch may Melt

Visibility · power window devices and controls
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.
Consequence
If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is C0M.
45.7% repairedof 1,814,284 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V689000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which Matrix years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Toyota MatrixAll model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (16)

16 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.

1involved a crash
0involved a fire
1injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Toyota Matrix, by component (top 3). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 16.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2011 compares with other Matrix years

Best and worst Matrix years →
167 301 234 144 69 266 65 16 5 1
2004200520062007200820092010201120122013
This year (2011)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 29 mpg combined

29
mpg combined
26
city
32
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,300
CO₂ tailpipe
306 g/mi
EPA class
Small Station Wagons

What it costs you to run

$2,252per year
$188per month
517gallons a year

Miles ÷ 29 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2011 Toyota Matrix configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive26 / 32 / 29$2,300306
1.8 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive25 / 31 / 27$2,500329
2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive21 / 28 / 24$2,800370
2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive21 / 28 / 24$2,800370
2.4 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive20 / 26 / 22$3,050404

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2011 Matrix for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Matrix years

Where to next

Which Matrix years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2012 Toyota Matrix report5 complaints · 3 campaigns →2010 Toyota Matrix report65 complaints · 11 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2011 Toyota Matrix FAQ

How many recalls does the 2011 Toyota Matrix have?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 20V024000 (air bag), 19V005000 (air bag), 16V340000 (air bag), 15V689000 (visibility). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2011 Toyota Matrix problems?

Owners filed 16 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (14), Engine (1), Vehicle speed control (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2011 Toyota Matrix get?

EPA rates the 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 26 city, 32 highway and 29 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2011 Matrix compare with other years?

Among the 2004–2013 Toyota Matrix model years at least five years old, the 2013 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2005 the most (301). The 2011 drew 16. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

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.
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