2007 Toyota Matrix problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (30) · Vehicle Speed Control (12) · Engine And Engine Cooling (8)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Matrix model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
59 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling 2010-08-26 · campaign 10V384000 · 1,128,659 vehicles
Defect: 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
Equipment:other:labels 2010-02-03 · campaign 10V035000 · 271,417 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Service bulletins (136)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-07 · T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2026 toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Structure:body 2024-12-05 · T-SB-0061-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
toyota vehicles are currently protected with rapgardtm protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. this material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. follow the removal procedure in this bulletin to remove the rapgardtm protective film wi
Structure:body 2024-12-03 · T-SB-0062-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. this type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surfa
Showing the 6 most recent of 136 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-12-06 · Engine · 140,000 mi“the contact owns a 2007 toyota matrix. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an engine misfire, with the check engine warning light illuminated. the vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. the dealer was not contacted. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of …”
2020-08-31 · Air Bags · 100,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2007 toyota matrix. the contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the passenger's side air bag sensor light remained illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the local dealer toyota whittier located at 14577 e, whittier blvd, whittier, ca 90605, who diagnosed that the air bag coil was defective and needed to be replaced. …”
2018-01-30 · Structure:body:door · 130,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2007 toyota matrix. while attempting to open the rear driver's door, the exterior door handle detached. the vehicle was taken to milton ruben auto group (3514 washington rd, augusta, ga 30907) where it was diagnosed that the handle needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired. several months later, while attempting to ente…”
2018-01-25 · Air Bags · 120,000 mi · 💥 crash“my daughter totaled this vehicle with a front end collision. the air bag did not deploy.…”
2018-01-23 · Tires“2007 toyota matrix. consumer writes in regards to defective roadmaster tires on vehicle. *ld the consumer stated in a span of 2 months the vehicle experienced 3 flat tires. *js…”
2017-10-26 · Air Bags · 115,000 mi“i have called toyota 355 3 times. they say the wait list is ver y long. they never call me back.…”
2017-03-24 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2007 toyota matrix. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v285000 (air bags); however, the part for the repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the contact had not experienced a failure. the manufacturer…”
2017-02-10 · Exterior Lighting“i have complained about the daytime running headlights in drive mode, i was told it was the new feature for this model. can not switch lights until car is park mode, engine off. i have noticed when i had emergency brake on and started the engine, the lights where off until i released the brake and they came back on. there are times i need to have c…”
2017-02-02 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2007 toyota matrix. the contact received notification of 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…”
2017-01-13 · Vehicle Speed Control · 145,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owns a 2007 toyota matrix. while the vehicle was exiting a parking garage and waiting at a toll booth, it suddenly accelerated out of control and crashed into another vehicle and a retaining wall. the air bags did not deploy. a police report was filed. there were minor injuries, which required medical attention. the vehicle was towe…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.