Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | −79% | 2 | Airbag | Good |
| 2012 | 0 | −86% | 2 | — | Good |
| 2011 | 6 | −45% | 2 | Airbag | Good |
| 2010 | 20 | 1.9× | 7 | Airbag | Caution |
| 2009 | 74 | 6.2× | 8 | Airbag | Avoid |
| 2008 | 31 | 1.7× | 4 | Airbag | Caution |
| 2007 | 48 | 1.5× | 4 | Airbag | Caution |
| 2006 | 64 | 1.5× | 4 | Airbag | Caution |
| 2005 | 89 | typical | 4 | Airbag | Average |
| 2004 | 29 | −72% | 5 | Airbag | Good |
| 2003 | 36 | −72% | 5 | Airbag | Good |
* Complaints compared with the median Corolla Matrix year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Toyota Corolla Matrix problems
Latest Toyota Corolla Matrix recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430,…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Corolla, 2005-2008 Corolla Matrix, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall.
Remedy: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly, free of charge.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runner, 2014-2015 Scion xB, Lexus IS350C, IS250C, 2014 Toyota Sienna, Lexus IS-F, and 2014-2017 Lexus GX460 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began February 15, 2019.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
On January 9, 2018, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified NHTSA that they are recalling 14,585 model year 2010-2012 Yaris vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine,…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag assemblies with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2018.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP (Saipan), and the U.S.
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag…
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Toyota Corolla Matrix should you avoid?
2009, 2010, 2008, 2006 and 2007 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Corolla Matrix years at the same age, led by air bags problems in the 2009.
What is the best year for the Toyota Corolla Matrix?
2012 has the fewest complaints compared with other Corolla Matrix years at the same age, followed by 2013 and 2003. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Toyota Corolla Matrix problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (276), engine & cooling (40) and electrical system (30). Airbag complaints peak in the 2005 model year.
How many recalls has the Toyota Corolla Matrix had?
17 recalls across 2003–2013. The model year with the most is 2009. See all Toyota Corolla Matrix recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.