2009 Toyota MATRIX: complaints, problems and recalls

AS A OWNER OF A BRAND NEW 2009 TOYOTA MATRIX, I WAS RECENTLY HIT BY A BICYCLE RIDER RIDING HIS BIKE IN A OPPOSITE DIRECTION ON A SIDE WALK. HE HIT MY FRONT BUMPER AND THE BUMPER WAS SLIGHTLY DAMAGED. THE BIKE RIDER HAD MINOR INJURIES. THE POLICE ISSUED THE RIDER A CITATION FOR RIDING HIS BIKE IN THE WRONG DIRECTION. I WENT TO A LOCAL CERTIFIED AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND GOT MY FRONT BUMPER REPAIRED INCLUDING A PAINT FINISH. THE COST CAME OUT TO BE $500 FOR THIS VERY MINOR DAMAGE. WHY? IT TURNED OUT TO BE SO COSTLY ? BECAUSE NOWADAYS ALL THE BUMPERS--…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10241952 at NHTSA ↗

THE 2009 TOYOTA MATRIX HAS A SAFETY ISSUE IN MY OPINION. I BOUGHT MY MATRIX (NEW) FROM DOWNEAST TOYOTA IN BREWER, MAINE, ON OCTOBER 6, 2008. WHILE DRIVING THIS CAR DURING A TEST DRIVE IN THE PROXIMITY OF THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT 60 DAYS PRIOR TO MY PURCHASE, THERE CAME A TIME WHEN I HAD DO MAKE A LEFT-HAND TURN AS DIRECTED BY THE DEALERS SALESMAN WHO WAS WITH ME. BEFORE I MADE THE TURN I NOTICED A YOUNG LADY ON THE EDGE OF THE ROAD TO WHERE I WAS TURNING. THIS BROUGHT ON A CAUTION IN MY MIND TO BE EXTRA CAREFUL IN MAKING THE TURN. AS I PROCEED…

Owner-reported narrative. 39 miles reported. Look up ODI 10244924 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR-ENDED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS A STEEL PLATE ON THE LOWER PORTION OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT, WHICH IS A NEW DESIGN ON THE 2009 TOYOTA MATRIX MODELS (ACTIVE HEADREST). AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HIS LOWER BACK, A HERNIATED DISC, AND OTHER MAJOR INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT TO HIS BODY. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,535 AND CURRENT MILEAG…

Owner-reported narrative. 6,535 miles reported. Look up ODI 10257643 at NHTSA ↗

THE SIDE REAR-VIEW MIRROR IS LARGE AND CREATES A LARGE BLINDSPOT SO THAT IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE OBJECTS WHEN TURNING LEFT. I WAS TURNING INTO MY SUBDIVISION AND ALMOST HIT A VEHICLE THAT WAS WAITING FOR ME TO COMPLETE MY TURN BEFORE ENTERING THE INTERSECTION. I BELIEVE THE VEHICLE WAS A RED BMW SEDAN (SMALL), AND I DIDN'T SAW IT UNTIL WE ALMOST COLLIDED. FORTUNATELY I WAS GOING SLOWLY ENOUGH TO MAKE A QUICK CORRECTION WHEN THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE HONKED. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS DURING THE SIX MONTHS I HAVE D…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10257801 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

I WAS TRAVELING AT EASTBOUND AT 25 MPH AND ENTERED A CONTROLLED INTERSECTION IN MANITOWOC, WISCONSIN. A MOTORCYCLIST TRAVELING NORTHBOUND APPROACHING SPEEDS OF 60 MPH RAN A YIELD SIGN AND T-BONED MY 2009 TOYOTA MATRIX S 5 SPD MANUAL IN THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR AND BACK QUARTER PANEL. THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT SPUN MY MATRIX 180 DEGREES SO I ENDED UP FACING WESTBOUND AT THE CURB. THE PASSENGER-SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED. HOWEVER, THE DRIVER'S SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY AND I ENDED UP WITH A MILD HEAD INJURY AND A SPRAIN/POSSIBLE DI…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10274688 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE EXTERIOR SIDE VIEW MIRRORS ON BOTH SIDE OF THE VEHICLE BLOCK THE CONTACT'S VIEW WHENEVER A TURN IS BEING MADE. SHE STATED THAT THE MIRRORS PREVENTED HER FROM PROPERLY SEEING THE ROAD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MIRRORS WERE PLACED IN THE PROPER POSITION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 1,100. UPDATED 07/28/09. *LJ UPDATED 07/30/09.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 10275942 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2010-01-27 (January 27, 2010)

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.

Reported: 2010-02-03 (February 3, 2010)

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.

Reported: 2016-05-23 (May 23, 2016)

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).