2009 Toyota Matrix Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2009 Toyota Matrix.

20082010
Complaints
224
Crashes
44
Fires
1
Injuries
25
Fatalities
Recalls
3

Worst 2009 Toyota Matrix Problems

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

#176 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:42,129 mi
Crash-related:8
#235 complaints

Unintended Acceleration

Avg mileage:23,733 mi
Crash-related:18
#321 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:43,332 mi
Crash-related:2
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2009 Toyota Matrix.

Airbags
76
complaints
Crashes
8
Fires
Avg Miles
42,129
Unintended Acceleration
35
complaints
Crashes
18
Fires
Avg Miles
23,733
Steering Defects
21
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
43,332
Engine Problems
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
77,019
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
10
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
11,812
Hydraulic Brakes
9
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
14,935
Electrical Faults
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
42,510
Engine & Cooling
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
17,040
Brakes
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
80,771
Tire Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Electric
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Air
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Side/Window
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Seats:Front Assembly:Head Restraint
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Body:Bumpers
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2009 Toyota Matrix. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2009 Toyota Matrix

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~3,152,849 vehicles.

16V340000Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
~1,754,517 affected

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.

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.

10V023000Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
~1,126,915 affected

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).

Other Toyota Matrix Years

2009 Toyota Matrix — FAQ

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

Is the 2009 Toyota Matrix reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2009 Toyota Matrix has 224 NHTSA complaints, 44 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 76 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2009 Toyota Matrix?
Top reported problems: Airbags (76 complaints, avg 42,129 mi); Unintended Acceleration (35 complaints, avg 23,733 mi); Steering Defects (21 complaints, avg 43,332 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 2009 Toyota Matrix?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 37,942 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2009 Toyota Matrix?
NHTSA complaints for the 2009 Toyota Matrix include 44 crash-related reports, 1 fire reports, 25 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 2009 Toyota Matrix have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 3,152,849 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 2009 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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