2009 Toyota MATRIX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
192 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
25,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 114 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 76 of 192 complaints (39.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 48 | 25.0% |
| Steering behavior | 21 | 10.9% |
| Engine operation | 14 | 7.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 4.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 2.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 76 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 35 |
| Steering | 21 |
| Engine | 11 |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 10 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 9 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
Air Bags: 76; Vehicle Speed Control: 35; Steering: 21; Engine: 11; Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal: 10; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 9; Electrical System: 8; Unknown Or Other: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 56 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 26 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 12 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 13 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 56; 25,000 to 49,999: 26; 50,000 to 74,999: 12; 75,000 to 99,999: 13; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (56). 78 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 62 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 11 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 14 |
| 2017 | 61 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2008: 3; 2009: 10; 2010: 62; 2011: 8; 2012: 4; 2013: 11; 2014: 8; 2015: 8; 2016: 14; 2017: 61; 2018: 2; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 48 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 14 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10246636 · 2008-10-24 (October 24, 2008)
I SIGNED UP A LEASE WITH HUDSON TOYOTA FOR A MATRIX 2009 PRESUMABLY A BRAND NEW ONE. I SIGNED THE PAPERS AND BROUGHT IT HOME ON SEPT.3,2008. I DRIVE IT TO NYC ON SEPT.4,5,6 THEN IT WAS PARKED ON MY DRIVEWAY THE WHOLE DAY ON SEPT.7. ON SEPT.9,IT WAS DEAD. I CALLED SERVICE AND DESCRIBED THEM THE PROBLEM,THE SERVICE PERSON SAID "THE BATTERY IS DEAD ,GO GET A JUMPER AND START AS SOON AS IT STARTS BRING IT TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA SERVICE". AND I DID JUST THAT,I FOLLOWED HIS INSTRUCTIONS TO A TEE. I BRING IT TO THE TOYOTA ROCKLAND SERVICE,THEY TESTED …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10246636 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10285825 · 2009-09-30 (September 30, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT INTERFERED WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO EXPERIENCE UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCLERATION. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH IF THE FLOOR MAT INTERFERED WITH THE ACCELERATOR OR BRAKE PEDALS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 400. UPDATED 12/7/09 *CN UPDATED 12/08/09.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10285825 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10293523 · 2009-11-25 (November 25, 2009)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED, AND THEN THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 72483. UPDATED 12/17/09 *BF THE WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ON UNTIL THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER…
Owner-reported narrative. 72,483 miles reported. Look up ODI 10293523 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10311226 · 2010-02-17 (February 17, 2010)
WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY PULLS TO THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT THEN WHEN TRYING TO CORRECT THE STEERING OVER CORRECTS THUS JERKING THE CAR IN WHICH EVER DIRECTION YOU ARE TRYING TO CORRECT. THIS ACTION OCCURS EVERY DAY. WE HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENTS, AT ONE WE WERE TOLD THE FRONT TIRES WERE SWAPPED AND AT THE OTHER THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE STEERING AND THAT WITHOUT A RECALL THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD OR WOULD DO TO…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,873 miles reported. Look up ODI 10311226 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10268305 · 2009-05-09 (May 9, 2009)
I HAVE A 2009 TOYOTA MATRIX XR. IT STALL INTERMITTENTLY , MORE FREQUENTLY IN HUMID WEATHER. CAN NOT "RECREATE" SITUATION, BUT HAPPENS AT LEAST 5 TIMES PER WEEK NOW THAT WE ARE IN A MORE RAINY SEASON. I FIRST NOTICED THIS PROBLEM IN NOVEMBER BUT IT CLEARED UP DURING THE COLD MONTHS AND NOW IS BACK WITH THE FURY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN DECEMBER--AGAIN COULD NOT RECREATE FOR DEALER. YESTERDAY IT HAPPENED TWICE IN CITY TRAFFIC. I HAVE DROPPED OFF CAR AT DEALER AND THEY LOOKED AT IT TODAY AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE CAR HAD …
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10268305 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10305257 · 2010-02-04 (February 4, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, SHE DECREASED SPEED AND PLACED HER FOOT ON THE BRAKES; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE EVEN AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED UNTIL THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL GEAR AND CAME TO A STOP. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER TO BE INSPECTED BY A TECHNICIAN. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10305257 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10552619 · 2013-11-17 (November 17, 2013)
POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION OCCURRED AND WARNING LIGHT (ON THE DASHBOARD) WAS ON. STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO TURN. LUCKILY THIS HAPPENED ON THE PARKING LOT, AND NOT ON MY WAY BACK HOME (TRIP ON THE HIGHWAY) WHICH FOR SURE WOULD RESULTED IN CAR ACCIDENT WITH SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. I HAVE CONTACT TOYOTA HOWEVER AT THIS POINT THEY ARE NOT CONCERNED IN THIS MATTER AS SAFETY ISSUE AND WILL NOT COVER ANY EXPENSES FOR SUCH REPAIR (POWER STEERING ELECTRICAL UNIT/ RELAY WAS REPLACED_PARTS~ 900$ AND LABOR ~500$). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 44,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10552619 at NHTSA ↗