2006 Toyota Matrix Problems, Recalls & Reliability
287 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2006 Toyota Matrix, alongside 4 recall campaigns and 3 defect investigations. It scores 78/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Airbags leads the reports, typically around 98,250 miles.
Below average
Where 2006 sits among all Matrix years
What owners report
“Received notice of recall several months ago. Was told by toyota in hollywood, ca that the parts were not available and i would have to wait. I believe that toyota and its dealer have failed to remedy the defect within a reasonable time.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 Matrix
“Tl-the contact owns a 2006 toyota matrix. While driving approximately 30 mph all the service lights on the dashboard began illuminating before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was then towed to an authorized dealer where the contact was told to replace the battery.…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 Matrix
“The tires on toyota matrix's are wearing out after 15000 miles. This is on all toyota matrix cars and toyota is denying any problems. The following link is one of many that outlines the issues (http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f0eeece/0)”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 Matrix
“Computer failure, quite suddenly the car stopped working, jerked and slowed down. All the service lights on the dash board came on. After a couple minutes the car could be turned on but after about 1.5 miles the same thing would happen. The highway was avoided but it occurred on a local road with…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2006 Matrix
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 185 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 45,556 miles. Half of those reports fall between 20,000 and 98,562 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (4)
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2008 COROLLA AND COROLLA MATRIX VEHICLES. THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) FOR THE SUBJECT MODELS EQUIPPED WITH THE 1ZZ-FE ENGINE AND TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY…
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PRODUCTION NUMBER OF THE ECM AND REPLACE THE ECM IF NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. TOYOTA WILL MAIL AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION THE MIDDLE OF…
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…
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS,…
Fix: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
Federal defect investigations
Still open as of the last data refresh. An investigation is not a recall; it may close with no action. All open investigations →
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade,…
Model years named: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Led to recall campaign 10V384000.
Led to recall campaign 10V384000.
Technical service bulletins
141 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on body & structure and engine — are on file for the 2006 Toyota Matrix. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2006 Matrix TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2006 Toyota Matrix reliable?
The 2006 Toyota Matrix drew 287 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 78/100, scored against the model's worst year (2009).
What are the most common 2006 Toyota Matrix problems?
The top reported problems for the 2006 Toyota Matrix are airbags (92 complaints), engine (34), and wheels & tires (30).
At what mileage do 2006 Toyota Matrix problems show up?
Owners most often report 2006 Toyota Matrix problems around 45,556 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 20,000 and 98,562 miles.
Does the 2006 Toyota Matrix have recalls?
4 recall campaigns apply to the 2006 Toyota Matrix. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.