2006 Toyota Matrix Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2006 Toyota Matrix.

20052007
Complaints
212
Crashes
25
Fires
0
Injuries
16
Fatalities
Recalls
3

Worst 2006 Toyota Matrix Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#150 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:98,711 mi
Crash-related:3
#223 complaints

Tire Defects

Avg mileage:19,068 mi
Crash-related:2
#322 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:70,266 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2006 Toyota Matrix.

Airbags
50
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
98,711
Tire Defects
23
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
19,068
Electrical Faults
22
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
70,266
Unintended Acceleration
20
complaints
Crashes
10
Fires
Avg Miles
40,576
Engine & Cooling
15
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
38,300
Suspension Failures
15
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
16,741
Transmission / Drivetrain
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
182,660
Automatic Transmission
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
212,670
Hydraulic Brakes
6
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
20,331
Steering Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
10,241
Engine Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Manual Transmission
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tires:Tread/Belt
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Frame And Members
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Front
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension:Rear
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Driveline
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Electric
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility:Windshield
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2006 Toyota Matrix. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2006 Toyota Matrix

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,553,494 vehicles.

10V384000Engine & Cooling
~1,128,659 affected

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.

10V035000Equipment:other:labels
~271,417 affected

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.

10V036000Equipment:other:labels
~153,418 affected

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.

Other Toyota Matrix Years

2006 Toyota Matrix — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2006 Toyota Matrix reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2006 Toyota Matrix has 212 NHTSA complaints, 25 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 50 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2006 Toyota Matrix?
Top reported problems: Airbags (50 complaints, avg 98,711 mi); Tire Defects (23 complaints, avg 19,068 mi); Electrical Faults (22 complaints, avg 70,266 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2006 Toyota Matrix?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 68,130 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2006 Toyota Matrix?
NHTSA complaints for the 2006 Toyota Matrix include 25 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 16 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2006 Toyota Matrix have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,553,494 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2006 Toyota Matrix?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Toyota Matrix reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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