Toyota Matrix Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Toyota Matrix model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2013 drew the fewest (1) and the 2003 the most (304).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 3 | Air bags | — | 22–29 |
| 2002 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 0 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 2012 Among the fewest complaints |
5 | 3 | Air bags | — | 22–29 |
| 2011 | 16 | 4 | Air bags | — | 22–29 |
| 2010 | 65 | 11 | Air bags | — | 22–28 |
| 2008 | 69 | 6 | Air bags | — | 27–29 |
| 2007 | 144 | 6 | Air bags | — | 27–29 |
| 2004 | 167 | 6 | Air bags | — | 24–28 |
| 2006 | 234 | 7 | Air bags | — | 25–29 |
| 2009 Among the most complaints |
266 | 11 | Air bags | — | 22–28 |
| 2005 Among the most complaints |
301 | 5 | Air bags | — | 25–29 |
| 2003 Among the most complaints |
304 | 6 | Air bags | — | 24–28 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Toyota Matrix years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2003 Toyota Matrix: 304 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 84 (28%); Power train 84 (28%); Engine and engine cooling 26 (9%).
Reports mention 21 crashes, 3 fires, 26 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 76,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2005 Toyota Matrix: 301 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 174 (58%); Electrical system 33 (11%); Power train 26 (9%).
Reports mention 14 crashes, 4 fires, 8 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 73,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2009 Toyota Matrix: 266 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 118 (44%); Vehicle speed control 52 (20%); Steering 28 (11%).
Reports mention 42 crashes, 2 fires, 29 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 25,000 miles. 11 recall campaigns listed.
The Toyota Matrix years with the fewest complaints
2002 Toyota Matrix: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 1 (50%); Power train 1 (50%).
Reports mention 1 fire. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2012 Toyota Matrix: 5 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 4 (80%); Engine 1 (20%).
3 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Toyota Matrix owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2012 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2011 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2010 | 65 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 42,000 |
| 2009 | 266 | 42 | 2 | 29 | 0 | 25,000 |
| 2008 | 69 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 38,218 |
| 2007 | 144 | 14 | 2 | 12 | 0 | 44,650 |
| 2006 | 234 | 22 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 37,000 |
| 2005 | 301 | 14 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 73,000 |
| 2004 | 167 | 19 | 2 | 18 | 0 | 70,000 |
| 2003 | 304 | 21 | 3 | 26 | 1 | 76,000 |
| 2002 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Toyota Matrix recalls
- Air Bags/Seat Belt Pretensioners may not Deploy (2011–2013 model years; 2,891,976 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2020; 20V024000)
- Power Window Master Switch may Melt (2009 model year; 2,519,424 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2012; 12V491000)
- STICKING ACCELERATOR PEDAL (2009–2010 model years; 2,230,661 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2010; 10V017000)
- Passenger Side Front Air Bag Inflator may Rupture (2003–2007 model years; 1,973,468 vehicles across all models; filed May 2015; 15V285000)
- Power Window Master Switch may Melt (2009–2011 model years; 1,814,284 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2015; 15V689000)
All 24 Toyota Matrix recall campaigns · Toyota Matrix problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Toyota Matrix years FAQ
Which Toyota Matrix year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2013 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Toyota Matrix years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2003, 2005 and 2009 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the air bags. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Toyota Matrix problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the air bags (681 of 1,574 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Toyota Matrix have?
NHTSA lists 24 recall campaigns covering the Toyota Matrix. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Toyota Matrix recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
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.