VehicleVerdict

2009 Toyota Matrix problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2009 Toyota Matrix carries two red flags at once: 224 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 2.7× the Matrix norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture). It is one of the Matrix years to avoid. Complainants reported 25 injuries in total across these filings.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 78 reports (35% of the total).

224

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations · 1 open

44

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

25

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Matrix years?

Matrix NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 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, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Matrix years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Toyota Matrix problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags7835%
Speed Control4520%
Steering2210%
Engine209%
Brakes198%
Electrical System104%
Other94%
Visibility & Wipers73%
Tires & Wheels52%
Body & Structure31%
Transmission31%
Seats21%
Suspension10%

Does the 2009 Toyota Matrix have recalls?

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

16V340000AirbagsMay 23, 2016 · 1,754,517 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe 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 included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2007-2008 Toyota Yaris, 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350 and 2007-2008 Lexus ES350 vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles of these model years and models that were not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Toyota will notify the Toyota 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 December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for interim notification for this campaign are G1P (Toyota Zone A), G1R (Toyota Zone B), G2G (Lexus Zone A), and G2H (Lexus Zone B). Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), GLG (Lexus Zone A), and GLH (Lexus Zone B).

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.

10V023000Speed ControlJanuary 27, 2010 · 1,126,915 units

Defect

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, VENZA AND MATRIX PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT. THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF A CAMPAIGN OF 3.8 MILLION OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES ANNOUNCED IN 2009 FOR THE SAME ISSUE (SEE 09V-388).

Consequence

A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

TOYOTA WILL MODIFY OR REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDALS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. FLOOR SURFACE MODIFICATIONS ARE ALSO BEING CONSIDERED AND WILL BE INCLUDED FOR ANY MODEL FOR WHICH IT IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE. INITIALLY, DEALERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO RESHAPE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FOR THE REPAIR. AS REPLACEMENT PARTS WITH THE SAME SHAPE AS THE MODIFIED PEDAL BECOME AVAILABLE, THEY WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE DEALERS FOR THE REPAIR. CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD THE PEDAL RESHAPE REMEDY COMPLETED WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE A NEW PEDAL IF THEY DESIRE, AFTER REPLACEMENT PEDALS BECOME AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION, TOYOTA WILL REPLACE ANY TOYOTA ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT IN A SUBJECT VEHICLE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MAT, FREE OF CHARGE. FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE THE PREVIOUS DESIGN ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT BUT DO NOT NEED OR WANT THE NEWLY DESIGNED ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT, TOYOTA WILL RECOVER THE PREVIOUS DESIGN ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT AND REIMBURSE ITS PRICE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN MARCH 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Open NHTSA investigations

EA21002

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND AN INJURY WAS REPORTED WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 13, 2014 · crash

“DRIVING MY 2009 TOYOTA MATRIX - I WAS DRIVING IN BACK OF A TRUCK AND HE SLAMMED HIS BRAKES ON. I HAD TO BE DRIVING ONE CAR AWAY FROM HIM THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN HE SLAMMED ON HIS BRAKES - I HAD TO BE GOING 25 MILE PER HOUR. MY CAR ACCELERATE UP AND BY THE TIME I PUT MY BRAKES ON I HAD SLAMMED INTO HIS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · November 7, 2009 · crash

“BOUGHT 2009 TOYOTA MATRIX IN SEPT. 2009... HAVE EXPERIENCED BOTH GAS PEDAL ISSUES AND STEERING ISSUES. GAS PEDAL ISSUE HAS BEEN "FIXED". IN REGARDS TO THE STEERING ISSUE, I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN I WAS DRIVING AT SPEEDS OVER 35MPH IT DOES PULL TO THE RIGHT AND FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS BEING PUSHED BY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · November 26, 2009 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ALL OF THE WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED. THE BRAKES ALSO FAILED TO ENGAGE WHEN DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SHE HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BREAK IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 20, 2012 · fire

“DRIVING MY 2009 TOYOTA MATRIX - I WAS DRIVING IN BACK OF A TRUCK AND HE SLAMMED HIS BRAKES ON. I HAD TO BE DRIVING ONE CAR AWAY FROM HIM THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN HE SLAMMED ON HIS BRAKES - I HAD TO BE GOING 25 MILE PER HOUR. MY CAR ACCELERATE UP AND BY THE TIME I PUT MY BRAKES ON I HAD SLAMMED INTO HIS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 7, 2009 · crash

2009 Toyota Matrix — common questions

Is the 2009 Toyota Matrix reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 224 complaints put the 2009 model at #3 of 12 Matrix years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Matrix years to avoid.

What are the most common 2009 Matrix problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (78 complaints), speed control (45 complaints), steering (22 complaints).

Does the 2009 Toyota Matrix have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Toyota Matrix. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2009 Toyota Matrix under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

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.