Toyota Matrix problems, recalls & best years
The deets on every Matrix from 2002 to 2013: 1,575 owner complaints and 68 recalls across 12 model years.
The model years with the most owner complaints are 2003 (304), 2005 (302), 2009 (266). Best fuel economy: 29 mpg combined (2013).

Problem areas across all years
Year by year
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Best mpg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 0 | 2 | – | |
| 2003 | 6 | 304 | 28 | |
| 2004 | 6 | 167 | 28 | |
| 2005 | 5 | 302 | 29 | |
| 2006 | 7 | 234 | 29 | |
| 2007 | 6 | 144 | 29 | |
| 2008 | 6 | 69 | 29 | |
| 2009 | 11 | 266 | 28 | |
| 2010 | 11 | 65 | 28 | |
| 2011 | 4 | 16 | 29 | |
| 2012 | 3 | 5 | 29 | |
| 2013 | 3 | 1 | 29 |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the Toyota Matrix.
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FAQ
What is the worst year for the Toyota Matrix?
The model years with the most owner complaints are 2003 (304), 2005 (302), 2009 (266).
How many recalls has the Toyota Matrix had?
Across 2002–2013, NHTSA lists 68 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).