2009 Toyota Matrix Problems, Recalls & Reliability
312 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2009 Toyota Matrix, alongside 3 recall campaigns and 2 defect investigations. It scores 100/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Airbags leads the reports, typically around 57,000 miles.
Below average
Where 2009 sits among all Matrix years
What owners report
“Takata recall - it has been months and toyota still has not found a "remedy" to the recall.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2009 Matrix
“We have a 2009 toyota matrix that would not stop as my husband was driving down our long driveway. He went over a curb, hit some bushes, went down thru a field and almost into our pond--this happened twice before he finally got it stopped before hitting a large boulder. We want the scratches fixed.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2009 Matrix
“Had a oil consumption recall that the dealer said it passed the test because it did't lose 1 qt of oil during a 1200 mile time. Was told it is normal for oil to dissappear”— owner report to NHTSA, 2009 Matrix
“Difficult to steer. I have to keep hands gripped on wheel, especially when turning. I'm almost landing in the oncoming lane. If i it a bump in the road, the vehicle leers.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2009 Matrix
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 160 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 37,500 miles. Half of those reports fall between 18,500 and 72,483 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (3)
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,…
Fix: 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…
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…
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, VENZA AND MATRIX PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S…
Fix: TOYOTA WILL MODIFY OR REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDALS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. FLOOR SURFACE MODIFICATIONS ARE ALSO BEING CONSIDERED AND WILL BE INCLUDED FOR ANY MODEL FOR WHICH IT IS DEEMED…
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
Technical service bulletins
278 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and body & structure — are on file for the 2009 Toyota Matrix. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2009 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 2009 Toyota Matrix reliable?
The 2009 Toyota Matrix drew 312 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 100/100, scored against the model's worst year (2009).
What are the most common 2009 Toyota Matrix problems?
The top reported problems for the 2009 Toyota Matrix are airbags (118 complaints), speed control (52), and engine (34).
At what mileage do 2009 Toyota Matrix problems show up?
Owners most often report 2009 Toyota Matrix problems around 37,500 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 18,500 and 72,483 miles.
Does the 2009 Toyota Matrix have recalls?
3 recall campaigns apply to the 2009 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.