2010 Toyota Matrix Problems, Recalls & Reliability

79 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2010 Toyota Matrix, alongside 4 recall campaigns and 2 defect investigations. It scores 20/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Airbags leads the reports.

One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 2010 Toyota Matrix has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.

79Complaints
20/100Trouble index
4Recalls

Better year

Where 2010 sits among all Matrix years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Airbags 38 complaints (48%)
“Takata recall recall was on may 23, 2016, over one year ago, no action from toyota”— owner report to NHTSA, 2010 Matrix
Brakes & stability 9 complaints (11%)
Speed control 6 complaints (8%)
Other 6 complaints (8%)
Steering 5 complaints (6%)
Engine 3 complaints (4%)

Recalls (4)

AIR BAGS 16V340000 2016

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…

EQUIPMENT 10V036000 2010

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…

EQUIPMENT 10V035000 2010

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…

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 10V023000 2010

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 →

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture EA21002 opened September 17, 2021 · still open

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

Steering Wander or Drift PE10008 opened 2010, closed 2011

Technical service bulletins

283 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and body & structure — are on file for the 2010 Toyota Matrix. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 2010 Matrix TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

2010peak 27 in 20172025

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2010 Toyota Matrix reliable?

The 2010 Toyota Matrix drew 79 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 20/100, scored against the model's worst year (2009).

What are the most common 2010 Toyota Matrix problems?

The top reported problems for the 2010 Toyota Matrix are airbags (38 complaints), brakes & stability (9), and speed control (6).

Does the 2010 Toyota Matrix have recalls?

4 recall campaigns apply to the 2010 Toyota Matrix. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.

← 2009 Matrix All Matrix years 2011 Matrix →
Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

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.