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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2002–2013

Toyota Matrix recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns and 1,177 owner complaints for the Toyota Matrix, covering model years 2002 to 2013. The 2003 model year drew the most complaints (268), and Air Bags is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Toyota Matrix VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 7 recall campaigns on file
  • 1,177 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 12 model years with data (2002–2013)
  • most complaints: 2003 (268 for that model year)
  • top component: Air Bags (406 complaints)
  • latest recall 20V024000 (reported Jan 17, 2020)
  • 121 complaints reporting a crash (10.3%)
  • 11 complaints reporting a fire (0.9%)
  • 64 complaints reporting an injury (5.4%)
  • 2 complaints reporting a death (0.2%)

Toyota Matrix complaints by model year

11 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2003 model year has the most complaints: 268 of 1,177, or 22.8%. Next come 2005 (213) and 2009 (192). The fewest are for 2002, with 2 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Toyota Matrix owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2002–2012Column chart of 1,177 complaints across 11 model years. The highest is 2003 with 268. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2002: 2 complaints220022003: 268 complaints26820032004: 138 complaints13820042005: 213 complaints21320052006: 170 complaints17020062007: 96 complaints9620072008: 38 complaints3820082009: 192 complaints19220092010: 45 complaints4520102011: 10 complaints1020112012: 5 complaints52012
Toyota Matrix complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Toyota Matrix complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
200220100
2003268193131
2004138182120
200521310231
200617017080
20079611260
2008386020
2009192341180
2010455010
2011101010
201250000
All model years1,17712111642

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Toyota Matrix components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Air Bags is the component named most often, in 406 complaints (34.5% of all 1,177), followed by Power Train (173) and Vehicle Speed Control (145).

Components named most often in Toyota Matrix complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Toyota Matrix complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Air Bags40634.5%
Power Train17314.7%
Vehicle Speed Control14512.3%
Electrical System978.2%
Engine and Engine Cooling948.0%
Tires675.7%
Steering554.7%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic423.6%
Engine413.5%
Suspension393.3%
Structure373.1%
Visibility373.1%
Unknown or Other353.0%
Fuel System, Gasoline171.4%
Service Brakes141.2%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Toyota Matrix recalls

7 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Matrix, newest first. The 7 campaigns cover model years 2003 to 2013. The 2010 model year appears in the most campaigns (4).

  • 7 recall campaigns
Toyota Matrix recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
2003: 1 campaign2004: 1 campaign2005: 1 campaign2006: 3 campaigns2007: 2 campaigns2008: 2 campaigns2009: 3 campaigns
2010: 4 campaigns2011: 2 campaigns2012: 1 campaign2013: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 20V024000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module

    Model years 2011–2013

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.

    Consequence:
    In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase the risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ECU and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk beginning March 2, 2020. A second letter notifying owners of the remedy repair will be mailed between March 16, 2020 and June 27, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB03, 20TA03 and 20TA05.

    Filed by Toyota Motor Corporation

  2. NHTSA campaign 16V340000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module

    Model years 2009–2011

    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).

    Filed by Toyota Motor Corporation

  3. NHTSA campaign 10V384000

    Reported

    Engine and Engine Cooling

    Model years 2005–2008

    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.

    Filed by Toyota Motor Corporation

  4. NHTSA campaign 10V036000

    Reported

    Equipment › Other › Labels

    Model years 2006, 2010

    Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, "tire selection and rims." These vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.

    Consequence:
    A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
    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. The safety recall began on May 27, 2010. Owners may contact southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

    Filed by Toyota Motor Corporation

  5. NHTSA campaign 10V035000

    Reported

    Equipment › Other › Labels

    Model years 2006–2010

    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.

    Filed by Toyota Motor Corporation

  6. NHTSA campaign 10V023000

    Reported

    Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal

    Model years 2009–2010

    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.

    Filed by Toyota Motor Corporation

  7. NHTSA campaign 08V162000

    Reported

    Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear

    Model years 2003–2004

    Toyota is recalling 662,178 MY 2003-2004 corolla, corolla matrix and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with power windows. The driver and front passenger door glass bolts may loosen and come off, causing the door glass to separate from the window regulator. Due to the components becoming loose and possibly rattling, an abnormal noise may be heard from the driver and /or front passenger door when operating the power windows.

    Consequence:
    The door glass may separate from the window regulator, bind and shatter during operation of the power windows, causing driver distraction and/or injury.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger door glass bolts with newly designed bolts free of charge. The recall began on April 16, 2008 to Toyota owners. The recall began on May 21, 2008, for Pontiac owners. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-888-270-9371 or Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.

    Filed by Toyota Motor Corporation

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Toyota Matrix questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Toyota Matrix have?

NHTSA lists 7 vehicle recall campaigns for the Toyota Matrix, covering model years 2002 to 2013. The most recent, 20V024000, was reported on January 17, 2020 and is filed under “Air bags”. The 2010 model year is covered by the most campaigns (4).

Which Toyota Matrix model year has the most complaints?

The 2003 model year, with 268 of the 1,177 complaints in NHTSA’s file (22.8%). The next are 2005 (213) and 2009 (192). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Toyota Matrix complaint?

Air Bags is the component named most often: 406 complaints, or 34.5% of all 1,177. Power Train (173) and Vehicle Speed Control (145) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Toyota Matrix?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Toyota dealer.

How many Toyota Matrix complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 1,177 complaints, 121 report a crash, 11 a fire, 64 at least one injury and 2 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Toyota models

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The Toyota models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Toyota VIN decoder with every Toyota model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Toyota models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.