2008 Toyota Matrix problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (11) · Steering (3) · Air Bags (3)
🧭 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
30 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 (141)
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 141 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2020-03-03 · Electrical System“2008 toyota matrix. consumer writes in regards to toyota computer safety recall. *ld the consumer stated the dealer had not replaced the ecm, but claimed it was replaced. *js…”
2018-10-26 · Engine · 97,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota matrix. when the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle shut off. the contact would have to turn the vehicle off and on in order to drive properly. the contact stated that the same failure occurred numerous times, especially at red lights. the vehicle was taken to bennett toyota (1951 lehigh st, allentown, pa 1810…”
2017-07-07 · Tires · 105,000 mi“dangerous, poor traction on wet pavement sumitomo tour plus ls-h when on a steep road in san francisco, my tires skidded rather than grab the road on a rainy day in the winter of 2016. this also happened during the winter of 2017. it is dangerous. i need to change the tires before selling my car to another person.…”
2017-04-27 · Air Bags · 235,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota matrix. the contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 mph when the vehicle in front of the contact made an unexpected stop causing the contact to rear end the vehicle in front. there was front-end damage to the vehicle. the air bags did not deploy. the vehicle was not towed and a police report was fil…”
2016-07-28 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2008 toyota matrix. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v127000 (air bags); however, the parts needed to perform the repair were unavailable. the manufacturer was notified of the issue. the contact had not experienced a failure. vin tool confirms parts not available. …”
2016-05-05 · Unknown Or Other“takata recall toyota send me a safety recall notice (interim notice) re front passenger airbag initiator module. they had the audacity to say that "until the remedy becomes available in your location, we recommend that you do not operate the vehicle with an occupant in the front passenger seat"!!! that is unacceptable, especially since we live …”
2016-04-26 · Air Bags“tl* takata recall. the contact owns a 2008 toyota matrix. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v127000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were not available. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was notified of the issue. the conta…”
2016-01-20 · Steering · 55,318 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota matrix. the contact stated that there was an internal electrical short that progressed intermittently for three years. in addition, the instrument cluster flickered, various internal and external lights randomly illuminated, and the power steering failed, which caused the steering wheel to be extremely tight. the …”
2016-01-07 · Electrical System“tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota matrix. when the contact turned the key in the ignition, the engine started but some of the electrical components would not function. the engine warning light illuminated. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer, but no failures were found. as time went on, the vehicle would stall while driving at highway speed…”
2015-11-19 · Vehicle Speed Control · 156,000 mi“i have a manual transmission car. when i started it in my driveway and put in reverse the car immediately when speeding backward out of control. i engaged the clutch while the car continued to speed in reverse then moved to 1 gear and the car started speeding forward out of control. i was able to put the car in neutral and turn it off to stop t…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.