VehicleVerdict

2006 Toyota Matrix problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 212 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.6 times the median Matrix year — the 2006 model ranks #4 of 12 Matrix years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 16 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (50), tires & wheels (28), and engine (26), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

212

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

25

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

16

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Matrix years?

Matrix NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted314 complaints2002: 2 complaints2003: 314 complaints2004: 175 complaints2005: 260 complaints2006: 212 complaints2007: 109 complaints2008: 56 complaints2009: 224 complaints2010: 55 complaints2011: 10 complaints2012: 5 complaints2013: 0 complaints
Matrix NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Matrix years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Toyota Matrix problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags5024%
Tires & Wheels2813%
Engine2612%
Electrical System2311%
Speed Control209%
Suspension209%
Transmission209%
Brakes73%
Steering52%
Body & Structure42%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Other31%
Fuel System21%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2006 Toyota Matrix have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10V384000EngineAugust 26, 2010 · 1,128,659 units

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

10V035000OtherFebruary 3, 2010 · 271,417 units

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.

Consequence

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy

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.

10V036000OtherFebruary 3, 2010 · 153,418 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

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.

06E023000LightingMarch 13, 2006 · 292,000 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP FOR A STOP SIGN AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND A SPRAINED RIGHT ANKLE, WHICH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 23, 2015 · crash

“EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR/MISALIGNMENT ON 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX: I HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR ABOUT 2 AND 1/2 YEARS, ABOUT 35,000 MILES. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE TIRES THREE TIMES DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR, AND HAD SEVERAL FOUR-WHEEL ALIGNMENTS DONE. I'VE NOTICED ON THE CHAT BOARDS THAT SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS WITH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · December 16, 2007 · crash

“WAS DRIVING THE CAR NORMALLY TO WORK AS I HAVE FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS. WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN WITH A VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT. TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO ALLOW THE CAR TO ROLL FORWARD AND THE CAR TOOK OFF ABOUT 4-6 FEET INTO THE CAR IN FRONT. THE ONLY SIGN OF A PROBLEM WAS THE RPMS JUMPED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 10, 2008 · crash

“MY COMPLAINT WAS FIRST FILED ON 3/25/2006 (ODI # 10153679). THIS IS THE 2ND COMPLAINT ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE TOYOTA MATRIX THAT I DROVE IN 2006. I WAS DRIVING A 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX AND LOST TOTAL CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. I WAS DRIVING ON RT 2 WEST BOUND OUT OF BOSTON DURING EVENING RUSH HOUR. I WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 25, 2006 · crash

“I WAS PARKING OUR TOYOTA MATRIX, 2006 AND IT "JUMPED" AHEAD AND I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY ACCIDENT REPORT INDICATED A JUMP IN THE CAR. WHEN I READ ABOUT THE TOYOTA ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS, I AM CONVINCED OUR CAR SUFFERS THE SAME FLAW AND I HOPE THAT 2006 WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I HAVE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · November 18, 2008 · crash

2006 Toyota Matrix — common questions

Is the 2006 Toyota Matrix reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 212 complaints put the 2006 model at #4 of 12 Matrix years. It is one of the Matrix years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 Matrix problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (50 complaints), tires & wheels (28 complaints), engine (26 complaints).

Does the 2006 Toyota Matrix have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Toyota Matrix. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota Matrix years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Matrix years to avoid are 2003, 2005, 2009, 2006, 2004, 2010, 2011. The cleanest record among Matrix years belongs to 2013.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.