VehicleVerdict

2007 Toyota Matrix problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2007 Toyota Matrix sits mid-pack among Matrix years: 109 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 83, with 2 recalls and no defect investigations.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 36 reports (33% of the total).

109

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

16

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2007 compare to other Matrix years?

Matrix NHTSA complaints by model year, 2007 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, 2007 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Matrix years to avoid →

What are the most common 2007 Toyota Matrix problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags3633%
Engine1413%
Electrical System1312%
Speed Control1211%
Tires & Wheels87%
Fuel System66%
Body & Structure44%
Transmission44%
Brakes33%
Other33%
Lighting22%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Seats11%
Steering11%
Suspension11%

Does the 2007 Toyota Matrix have recalls?

2 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WAS DRIVING 45 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND REAR-ENDED A TRUCK. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND RESULTED IN A BADLY SPRAINED SHOULDER AND OTHER CONTUSIONS. I AM IN A GREAT DEAL OF PAIN AND CANNOT WORK YET. I HAVE MISSED 3 DAYS OF WORK AND CANNOT RETURN FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER 4. THIS COST ME PAIN,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 30, 2009 · crash

“I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN I NOTICED THE DOOR LIGHT WAS ON THE DISPLAY CONSOLE IN MY CAR. I WAS AT A RED LIGHT AND CHECKED TO SEE IF MY DOOR WAS OPEN, IT WASN'T, THE DOOR LIGHT REMAINED ON. I CONTINUED DRIVING, BUT SMELLED PLASTIC BURNING. I LOOKED DOWN, SAW ORANGE FLICKERS AND REALIZED MY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 5, 2010 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE ENGINE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 10 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER READ 20 MPH. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SMOKE STARTED EMITTING FROM…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 25, 2015 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WHILE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · September 21, 2011 · crash

“1. WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH AND THE CAR BEGAN SHAKING HARDER AND HARDER. 2. THE TIRE'S SIDEWALL WAS COMPLETELY SHREDDED ON BOTH SIDES, AS IF IT WERE DEFECTIVE. 3. THE TIRE WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED, BUT IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AS OF LAST MONTH. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · October 3, 2009

2007 Toyota Matrix — common questions

Is the 2007 Toyota Matrix reliable?

It is close to typical for the Matrix: 109 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2007 Matrix problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (36 complaints), engine (14 complaints), electrical system (13 complaints).

Does the 2007 Toyota Matrix have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2007 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.