Model year record

2009 Toyota Matrix recalls & problems

The 2009 Toyota Matrix has 3 safety recalls and 192 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (78 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints192filed by owners

Crashes · fires34 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths21 · 0reported in complaints

2009 Toyota Matrix in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Air bagsMay 23, 2016

Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

Recall 16V3400001,754,517 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2007-2008 Toyota Yaris, 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350 and 2007-2008 Lexus ES350 vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles of these model years and models that were not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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 assembly, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for interim notification for this campaign are G1P (Toyota Zone A), G1R (Toyota Zone B), G2G (Lexus Zone A), and G2H (Lexus Zone B). Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), GLG (Lexus Zone A), and GLH (Lexus Zone B).

EquipmentFeb 3, 2010

Other › Labels

Recall 10V035000271,417 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.

Vehicle speed controlJan 27, 2010

Accelerator pedal

Recall 10V0230001,126,915 vehicles

Problem: 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 FLOOR MAT. THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF A CAMPAIGN OF 3.8 MILLION OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES ANNOUNCED IN 2009 FOR THE SAME ISSUE (SEE 09V-388).
Risk: A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
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 APPROPRIATE. INITIALLY, DEALERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO RESHAPE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FOR THE REPAIR. AS REPLACEMENT PARTS WITH THE SAME SHAPE AS THE MODIFIED PEDAL BECOME AVAILABLE, THEY WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE DEALERS FOR THE REPAIR. CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD THE PEDAL RESHAPE REMEDY COMPLETED WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE A NEW PEDAL IF THEY DESIRE, AFTER REPLACEMENT PEDALS BECOME AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION, TOYOTA WILL REPLACE ANY TOYOTA ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT IN A SUBJECT VEHICLE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MAT, FREE OF CHARGE. FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE THE PREVIOUS DESIGN ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT BUT DO NOT NEED OR WANT THE NEWLY DESIGNED ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT, TOYOTA WILL RECOVER THE PREVIOUS DESIGN ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT AND REIMBURSE ITS PRICE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN MARCH 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

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

2009 Toyota Matrix 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	13.6%

2009 Toyota Matrix NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

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

28mpg combined

City / highway	25 / 31 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

Matrix

28mpg combined

City / highway	26 / 32 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

Matrix

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Matrix

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Matrix AWD

22mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/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 bagsSide/window; Frontal › Sensor/control module	78	10	0	9	42,000 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	45	22	0	11	13,800 mi
SteeringHydraulic power assist system	22	2	0	1	29,000 mi
Engine	11	0	1	0	78,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system; Engine	9	0	0	0	23,000 mi
Electrical systemAlternator/generator/regulator	9	0	0	0	44,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	9	3	0	0	12,000 mi
Unknown or other	8	1	0	1	19,700 mi
VisibilityRearview mirrors/devices › Exterior; Glass, side/rear	5	0	0	0	—
TiresPressure monitoring and regulating systems	5	0	0	0	20,000 mi
Service brakes	5	1	0	1	70,000 mi
StructureBody › Bumpers	3	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Air bagsCrash1 injury
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND METAL FRAGMENTS PASSED THROUGH THE AIRBAG CUSHION MATERIAL. AS A RESULT, THE METAL FRAGMENTS ENTERED THE CONTACTS EYE AND CAUSED A LONG TERM INJURY. THE CONTACT ALSO SUSTAINED A FRACTURED UPPER JAW AND NOSE INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED HAVING CONTINUAL DOCTOR VISITS FOR HIS EYE INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED TO JUNK YARD. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN…
May 1, 2012 · 48,000 miles
Air bags
LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN DEUTCH ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING TOYOTA VEHICLE AIRBAGS: THIS WAS THE THIRD RECALL. *LD *JS
Dec 5, 2017
Air bags
"TAKATA RECALL" WE RECEIVED OUR RECALL NOTICE LETTER AND IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED OUR LOCAL AUTHORISED TOYOTA IN RHINELANDER WI AND WERE TOLD IT WOULD TAKE A FEW WEEKS FOR THE REPLACEMENT PARTS TO ARRIVE. AFTER NOT HEARING FROM THEM IN THAT TIME WE PHONED AGAIN, AND AFTER ONCE AGAIN GIVING OUR VIN AND INFORMATION , WE WERE TOLD WHO EVER TOOK THE CALL HAD NOT SUBMITTED THE ORDER . SO ONCE AGAIN WE ARE TOLD IT'S ON BACKORDER AND THEY WILL CONTACT US WHEN IT COMES IN SO THEY CAN SET UP A APPOINTMENT TIME TO FIX IT. THE RECALL NOTICE RECOMMENDED NOT HAVING A OCCUPANT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. WE SHOULD BE PROVIDED WITH A SAFE VEHICLE BY TOYOTA TO USE WITH THE LENGTH OF TIME THIS IS TAKING UNTIL…
Feb 1, 2018
Air bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. HERITAGE TOYOTA OWINGS MILL (9801 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117, 844-202-9429) CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Dec 5, 2017
Air bags
"TAKATA RECALL" I AM WONDERING WHEN THE FIX FOR THIS RECALL WILL BE AVAILABLE IN MY AREA.
Oct 4, 2017
Air bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED TOYOTA OF RIVER OAKS AT (708) 862-0700 (1970 RIVER OAKS DR, CALUMET CITY, IL 60409) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
May 23, 2016
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL INDEPENDENT MECHANIC IN DETROIT MICHIGAN. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER OR MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.
Aug 15, 2017 · 170,000 miles
Air bags
TAKATA RECALL THE NHTSA IS AWARE OF THIS RECALL BUT MAY NOT APPRECIATE THE FULL IMPACT ON THE OWNER OF THE CAR. I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING IT DUE TO THIS RECALL BUT THERE IS NO REMEDY. I CAN'T GET IT FIXED. WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALER AND ASKED WHEN REMEDY IS AVAILABLE NO ONE KNOWS. SO I SAID FINE LET ME TRADE IT IN AND BUY A NEW CAR. HOWEVER, SINCE THERE IS A RECALL THE DEALER SAID HE COULDN'T OFFER FULL TRADE IN PRICE BECAUSE HE WOULD BE UNABLE TO SELL IT UNTIL THE REMEDY IS MADE. SO I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT AND I CAN'T SELL IT WITHOUT A LOSS IN VALUE. NEITHER ARE MY FAULT. TAKATA HAS ME STUCK IN A VERY POOR POSITION AND I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH TOYOTA'S RESPONSE
Mar 20, 2017

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
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, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled…
EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021