Motor Almanac

Toyota / Matrix / 2009

2009 Toyota Matrix

Family: Matrix · filed with NHTSA as MATRIX

Summary

  • Of the 186 complaints that name a component, 42% concern Airbags (78).
  • These are complaint counts, not failure rates: they are not divided by how many cars were sold, because no public source reports U.S. sales by model year.
  • Not enough history to compare this year with the rest of its generation.
  • 3 recalls filed for this model year.
  • 1 federal defect investigation covers this model year.

At a glance

Owner complaints
192
Recalls
3
Investigations
1
NCAP overall
Not rated
Combined MPG
22–28
Annual fuel cost
$2,250–$2,850
Median mileage at complaint
25,000 mi (n = 114)
Crashes / fires / injuries / deaths
34 / 1 / 21 / 0

What owners report

Airbags

78 complaints · 42% of complaints that name a component · median 46,000 mi (n = 12)

Owner report TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND METAL FRAGMENTS PASSED THROUGH THE AIRBAG CUSHION MATERIAL. AS A RESULT, THE METAL FRAGMENTS ENTERED THE CONTACTS EYE AND CAUSED A LONG T…
Owner report LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN DEUTCH ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING TOYOTA VEHICLE AIRBAGS: THIS WAS THE THIRD RECALL. *LD *JS

Accelerator & Cruise Control

45 complaints · 24% of complaints that name a component · median 13,800 mi (n = 39)

Owner report MY MATRIX 2009 HAS HAD INTERMITTENT SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. I MENTION IT AT MY REGULAR MAINTENANCE CHECK UPS, BUT RECEIVE NON-COMMITTAL REPLIES. I FIGURE I MUST BE LOSING IT. OVER THE LAST 8 MONTHS OR SO, IT GOT EXTREME: THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD AT DIFFERENT TIMES: WHEN I START UP THE CAR, IDLING AT A LIGHT, OR…
Owner report TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. EACH TIME THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT DROVE OVER THREE CURBS, A YIELD SIGN, AND A STOP SIGN. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK PAIN AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE …

Steering

22 complaints · 12% of complaints that name a component · median 29,000 mi (n = 21)

Owner report I STARTED MY CAR, AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WAS ON. I TRIED TO TUN THE WHEEL, AND NOTED THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. I GOT THE CAR HOME, AND CALLED FOR SERVICE AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIPS. THEY WOULDN'T GIVE ME AN APPOINTMENT". RESEARCHED THE WEB, AND NOTED THIS ISSUE WAS A WIDE SPREAD COMPLAINT. I CHECKED THE…
Owner report TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA MATRIX. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE …

3% of complaints name no specific component and are left out of the shares above.

Across the generation (2009–2013)

To compare years fairly, each year is counted over the same span: complaints received up to two calendar years after its model year. A year is compared only when that span is over and it holds at least 50 complaints.

Model yearAll complaintsFirst three yearsNote
200919283
2010459not compared
2011100not compared
201250not compared
201300not compared

Recalls

Whether a recall has been fixed on a specific car depends on its VIN; check it at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

16V340000 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Filed 2016-05-23 · 1,754,517 vehicles

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.

Risk: 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).

10V035000 · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Filed 2010-02-03 · 271,417 vehicles

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.

Risk: 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.

10V023000 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

Filed 2010-01-27 · 1,126,915 vehicles

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).

Risk: 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.

Federal investigations

ActionComponentOpenedClosedRecall
EA21002AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE2021-09-17open

EA21002: Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Engines and fuel economy

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyCombinedFuel cost / yr
Matrix1.8L 4cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive253128$2250
Matrix1.8L 4cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive263228$2250
Matrix2.4L 4cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive212824$2600
Matrix2.4L 4cylAutomatic (S5)Front-Wheel Drive212924$2600
Matrix AWD2.4L 4cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive202622$2850

Fuel cost is EPA's estimate at the fuel prices of its last update, not today's.

Crash test ratings (NCAP)

VariantOverallFrontalSideRollover
2009 Toyota Matrix 4-DR. w/SABNot RatedNot RatedNot Rated★★★★☆

Service bulletins

Toyota issued 215 service bulletins listed against this model year, most often about equipment.

A bulletin tells dealers how to fix a known condition. It is not a recall and not a defect finding. Most bulletins cover several model years at once, so one listed here may not be specific to this year. The number of bulletins tracks how long and how widely a model was sold, so it is not a measure of reliability.

DateComponentSummary
2026-01-07UNKNOWN OR OTHERSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Serv…
2024-12-06STRUCTURE:BODYAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood…
2024-12-06STRUCTURE:BODYTo prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and in…
2024-12-06STRUCTURE:BODYThe condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicl…
2024-12-05STRUCTURE:BODYToyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure …
2024-12-03STRUCTURE:BODYVehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the …
2024-07-29STRUCTURE:BODYSome 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Serv…
2024-07-29STRUCTURE:BODYSome 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Serv…
2024-07-12STRUCTURE:BODYAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood…
2024-07-12STRUCTURE:BODYTo prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and in…

How to read this page

Complaint counts are not failure rates. A model that sells more cars draws more complaints, and owners file more often after news coverage or a recall. That is why this page compares a model year only with other years of the same generation, never with other models.

Each complaint is counted once, even when it names several components; a complaint that names several systems appears under each of them. Owner reports are quoted as filed and have not been verified by NHTSA or by us.

Every model year of this Matrix, including the ones without a page of their own, is listed on the Toyota Matrix model page.

Sources

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: complaints, recalls and investigations (bulk files, data as of 2026-10-28).
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program: crash test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov: engines, transmissions and fuel economy.

MotorAlmanac is independent and not affiliated with NHTSA, EPA or any manufacturer. This page summarises public records; it is not a mechanical inspection. Before buying a used car, check its VIN for open recalls and have it inspected.