2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (35) · Engine (12) · Vehicle Speed Control (6)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Corolla Matrix model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
31 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (7)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2019-10-17 · campaign 19V741000 · 928,220 vehicles
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2018-01-09 · campaign 18V024000 · 628,018 vehicles
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP (Saipan), and the U.S. VI or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, ES350, IS-F, GX460, and Pontiac Vib
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began on January 29, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota:
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2017-01-09 · campaign 17V006000 · 577,875 vehicles
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA 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 inclu
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, Scion 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 February 1, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), H0A (Toyota Zone C), G
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls 2015-10-22 · campaign 15V689000 · 1,814,284 vehicles
Defect: Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.
Risk: If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is C0M.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2014-04-09 · campaign 14V168000 · 1,486,413 vehicles
Defect: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable assembly, which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC). Due to the shape and location of the FFC's retainer, the FFC could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned.
Risk: If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated. The failure of the driver's air bag to deploy in the event of a crash that typically necessitates deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver.
Fix: Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Toyota sent owners an interim notification letter in May 2014 to advise owners of the recall. Toyota will mail owners a second letter when remedy parts are available. General Motors sent Pontiac Vibe owners an Interim letter on June 20, 2014 notifying them that parts are currently unavailable. General Motors sent notices to the Pontiac Vibe owners on September 15, 2014, that a remedy is avail
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls 2012-10-10 · campaign 12V491000 · 2,519,424 vehicles
Defect: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The power window master switch assemblies in some of these vehicles were built using a less precise process for lubricating the internal components of the switch assemblies. Irregularities in this lubrication process may cause the power window master switch assemblies to malfunction and overheat
Risk: If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.
Fix: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will inspect the switch and apply a special grease that inhibits heat build up or replace any switch damaged by the defect, free of charge. Toyota owners that experience a problem with a switch should not attempt to make repairs, but should contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331. General Motors will contact the Pontiac Vibe owners affected by this recall and GM dealers will inspect and repair switches
Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal 2010-01-21 · campaign 10V017000 · 2,230,661 vehicles
Defect: TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 CAMRY, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, COROLLA MATRIX, RAV4, MODEL YEAR 2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 SEQUOIA, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 TUNDRA VEHICLES. DUE TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THE FRICTION LEVER INTERACTS WITH THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INSIDE THE PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY, THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE LEVER MAY BECOME SMOOTH DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IN THIS CONDITION, IF CONDENSATION OCCURS ON
Risk: THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BECOME HARD TO DEPRESS, SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BAR IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH WILL ALLOW THE PEDAL TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY. GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS FOR THE PONTIAC VIBE PLEASE SEE 10V-018. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2010 AND WILL BE COMPLETED ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Service bulletins (77)
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.
Structure:body 2024-04-19 · T-SB-0038-24 · 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 2024-04-19 · T-SB-0038-24 · 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/Lubrication 2024-03-04 · T-PANT-2024-004- · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect toyota genuine motor oil and long life coolant, effective march 1, 2024. these products are ordered through the toyota complete maintenance care (tcmc) website.
Wheels 2022-01-12 · Toyota PRO19-02 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pol: this consolidated tire warranty guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by toyota. this information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. customers can find this information
Air Bags 2021-03-17 · Toyota Safety Re · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
toyota safety recall and service campaign - technician certification requirements
Engine 2017-11-09 · ZE7-Toyota POL14 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
warranty policy bulletin: toyota has received some reports where vehicles may exhibit excessive engine oil consumption. toyota is now announcing the part replacement phase of warranty enhancement program ze7 for vehicles exhibiting excessive engine oil consumption.
Showing the 6 most recent of 77 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-03-04 · Engine“ subject: request to consider recall for 2009 toyota matrix excessive oil consumption dear toyota motor corporation/nhtsa, i am writing to bring to your attention a persistent issue with my 2009 toyota matrix, which has been experiencing excessive oil consumption. despite regular maintenance and oil changes, the vehicle continues to burn through…”
2023-07-19 · Fuel/Propulsion System“known well issues, faulty thank getting water to canister. car scanner elm obd2 version: 1.99.2/1.99.2/ios dtc report connection profile: toyota 2006-2009 obd-ii / eobd + can busdate: [xxx] vin: [xxx] ============================ obd-iiobd-ii dtcs: 5 ---------------------------- p043e [0x043e] evaporative emission (evap) leak detection reference…”
2021-04-13 · Unknown Or Other · 160,000 mi · 🔥 fire“while driving home my car started burning. i pulled over with smoke pouring out of the engine area and the car just stopped. i opened the hood and there were flames coming up from behind the engine. the fire grew until it engulfed the front of the car. the fire department came and put out the fire. the 2009 matrix was totally destroyed. i not…”
2020-12-01 · Service Brakes“power steering went out while i was driving and nearly killed myself 149,000 miles on my car and this is super dangerous. from what i read, plenty of other matrix doing the same. brakes, windows all went out as well…”
2020-11-16 · Engine · 110,000 mi“my vehicle is going through several quarts of oil within the 3,000 mile range. excessive oil consumption.…”
2020-01-02 · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · 35 mi“electric power steering (eps) was blinking and stay on yesterday. today it does the same. so two days in a row this happened. this happened when i was driving on the freeway both days.…”
2019-10-03 · Unknown Or Other“i have been on toyota recall list for two years and every time i get another card about recall , i call dealership and they put me on a wait list . as part is not available or supply and demand . unacceptable and now it seems there is also a loud squealing noise and the gas pedal will rev and accelerate and jerk forward on its on while i just bare…”
2019-03-06 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“i ran into a light pole in a parking lot on january 13, 2013 in kansas city, missouri. i was driving approximately 15 mph, making a turn into pharmacy pickup lane behind the cvs store. the driver airbag deployed. i suffered 8 fractured ribs and numerous lacerations. i spent 4 days in the hospital, and @ 3 weeks in rehab. i lost approximately 4 week…”
2018-10-03 · Steering · 167,000 mi“sudden loss of power steering assist. i parked my toyota matrix which was running perfectly. i stay up to date on tuneups and oil changes and any other maintenance issues that arise. when i came back to my parked car i noticed a red exclamation light on which turns out to be the warning light for electric power steering. when i turned on my ca…”
2018-09-18 · Engine · 114,000 mi“vehicle has stalled several times. all instances the vehicle stalls while driving. problem is random and non-repeatable. i have had the vehicle stall while at various speeds ranging from 15 mph to 55+ mph (on highways or even local roads). most recent stall was 09/17/2018. making a right hand turn, vehicle stalled. turned the ignition off, went to …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.