2012 Toyota Matrix Problems, Recalls & Reliability
5 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2012 Toyota Matrix, alongside 1 recall campaign and 2 defect investigations. It scores 1/100 on the trouble index — too lightly reported for a fair score.
Few reports
Where 2012 sits among all Matrix years
What owners report
Recalls (1)
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…
Fix: 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…
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 20V024.
Technical service bulletins
260 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and body & structure — are on file for the 2012 Toyota Matrix. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2012 Matrix TSB list →
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2012 Toyota Matrix reliable?
The 2012 Toyota Matrix drew 5 complaints in federal safety records — too lightly reported for a fair score. Its trouble index is 1/100, scored against the model's worst year (2009).
Does the 2012 Toyota Matrix have recalls?
1 recall campaign applies to the 2012 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.