The 2006 Toyota Matrix has 4 safety recalls and 170 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (50 complaints).
Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints170filed by owners
Crashes · fires17 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths10 · 0reported in complaints
2006 Toyota Matrix in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA recall 10V384000 · Aug 26, 2010 · 1,128,659 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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 THAT A CRACK MAY DEVELOP AT CERTAIN SOLDER POINTS OR ON VARISTORS ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD.
Risk: THERE ARE A VARIETY OF WARNINGS AND CONSEQUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEFECT. THE ENGINE WARNING LAMP COULD BE ILLUMINATED, HARSH SHIFTING COULD RESULT, THE ENGINE MAY NOT START, OR THE ENGINE COULD SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. AN ENGINE SHUTOFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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 SEPTEMBER 2010 TO ADVISE OWNERS OF THIS DEFECT AND RECALL. THIS INTERIM NOTIFICATION WILL INFORM OWNERS THAT THEY WILL RECEIVE A FUTURE NOTIFICATION WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO HAVE THE FREE REMEDY PERFORMED ON THEIR VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Equipment › Other › Labels
NHTSA recall 10V035000 · Feb 3, 2010 · 271,417 vehicles
Problem: 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 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
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 RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
Equipment › Other › Labels
NHTSA recall 10V036000 · Feb 3, 2010 · 153,418 vehicles
Problem: 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 CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Risk: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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 SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
NHTSA recall 06E023000 · Mar 13, 2006 · 292,000 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
Problem: 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, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2006 Toyota Matrix 4-DR.
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
14%
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Matrix
29mpg combined
City / highway
26 / 33 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel
Matrix
27mpg combined
City / highway
25 / 31 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel
Matrix AWD
25mpg combined
City / highway
22 / 29 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel
Matrix
25mpg combined
City / highway
22 / 29 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,300/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Air bags
50
3
0
3
80,000 mi
Tires Tread/belt
27
2
0
1
16,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Engine › Gasoline
22
1
0
0
40,000 mi
Electrical system
22
1
0
1
60,753 mi
Vehicle speed control
20
10
0
7
34,748 mi
Suspension Front; Rear
20
3
0
1
17,000 mi
Power train Automatic transmission; Manual transmission
20
0
0
0
78,787 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic
6
2
0
1
14,850 mi
Steering
5
3
0
1
10,000 mi
Structure Frame and members
4
0
0
0
18,500 mi
Engine
4
0
0
0
117,500 mi
Visibility Windshield
3
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Mar 4, 2025Air bags The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Matrix. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V627000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Feb 4, 2020Suspension 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RUSTED RIGHT SIDE REAR STRUT. *LD *JS
Mar 7, 2018Air bags HOW CAN I GET TOYOTA TO QUIT SENDING ME NOTICES. I'M GETTING ABOUT 1 A WEEK NOW FOR A CAR THAT WAS DEMOLISHED AT A JUNKYARD IN JANUARY 2017. I'VE PROVIDED THEM PROOF THAT THEY ARE SENDING TO ME BUT THEY WON'T STOP....PLEASE HELP OR FORWARD ME ON TO SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP. THANKS!
Nov 5, 2017 · 120,000 milesAir bags YOUR WEBSITE WHERE I ENTER MY VIN RETURNS A "REQUEST WAS INVALID" MESSAGE. "ONE OR MORE PARAMETERS WERE INVALID." NOTHING IS EXPLAINED. WHY DID THIS MESSAGE SHOW?
Mar 16, 2017 · 184,952 milesAir bags MY CLOCK STARTED GOING OUT. SOMETIMES IT WOULD BE ON AND OTHER TIMES IT WOULD GO OFF AND NOW IT TURNS ON AND OFF IN ITS OWN TIME FACTOR WHEN I AM DRIVNG AND THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND WHEN I AM STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS.. I ASKED THE TOYOTA DEALER IF THEY COULD FIX MY CLOCK. I HAD THEM DO A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE CLOCK WHICH COST AROUND $110 APPROX.. THEY SAID THEY COULD FIX MY CLOCK FOR $416.31 AND THAT IS WAS CONNECTED TO MY AIR BAGS. MY TOYOTA DEALER SAID THEY REPLACED MY TAKATA AIRBAG ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE ON 2-18-2016, AND TOLD ME THE OTHER AIRBAGS WERE NOT TAKATA. BUT I WONDERED IF MY CLOCK DOESN'T WORK AND IT'S TIED INTO MY AIRBAGS, IF I GET INTO A WRECK WILL MY AIRBAGS DEPLOY OR…
Oct 3, 2016Air bags LETTER FROM CONGRESSWOMAN CAPPS ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE WHY EFFORTS ARE FOCUSED ON REPLACING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS FIRST AND NOT THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS WHICH SEEMS MORE RELEVANT. *SMD
Jul 27, 2016Air bags TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION IN MAY OF 2016 FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Jul 7, 2016Air bags I JUST ARRANGED A 3RD APPOINTMENT TO HAVE REPAIRS ON MY TOYOTA MATRIX FOR MY SAFETY RECALL. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS NO PART TO ACCOMPLISH THE REPAIRS TWICE NOW. MY NEXT APPT IS SET FOR THE END OF AUGUST AND I AM HOPING THAT THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE! IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO COMPLY WITH NOT HAVING A PASSENGER RIDE WITH ME. PLEASE ORDER AND DELIVER A SUITABLE PART TO THE OWINGS MILLS TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
