Most common 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix problems
Share of the 31 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Corolla Matrix complaints by model year
Best Corolla Matrix years: 2012, 2013, 2003. Years to avoid: 2009, 2010, 2008, 2006, 2007. Compare all years →
2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix recalls (4)
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
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 model year 2008-2010 Lexus SC vehicles manufactured August 3, 2007, to July 30, 2010, 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured May 25, 2007, to December 21, 2007, 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 18, 2007, and 2008…
Remedy: The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 23, 2016 for GM owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire…
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Lexus SC vehicles manufactured August 3, 2007, to July 30, 2010, 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 21, 2007, 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 18, 2007, and 2008…
Remedy: The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 8, 2016 for GM owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire front…
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Engine Stall
On August 26, 2010, Toyota submitted a Defect Information Report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding problems with Engine Control Modules that could result in engine stall while driving in certain model year (MY) 2005 through 2008 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with the 1ZZ-FE engine and two-wheel drive and manufactured between April 19, 2004 and…
What 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix owners say
Air bags all 23 →
Unable to get remedy in a timely manner for air bag recall. Part has been unavailable for over a month and dealer has delayed ordering of part by two weeks. Dealer providing recall service is IRA Toyota of Danvers in Massachusetts
I was in an accident. My driver's side airbag deployed and then instantly collapsed. It offered no protection whatsoever. I experienced severe pain in my chest and right breast from where the seat belt locked. This pain lasted for 6 weeks. If the airbag had worked properly, it would have cushioned the impact and likely made it possible to lessen the need for the seatbelt to do all of the work. This must be fixed! (my vehicle was in motion on a city street when a person driving the opposite direction made a left turn in front of me and totaled my vehicle. I no longer have the car, but I have a photo of the defective airbag.)
Electrical system
Please see below. Dealership failed to install recalled part. Now I have a non-operating car. I feel this was done on purpose to save parts as it is now obvious that my part failed.2010 ECM recall [incident: [redacted]] I reviewed my paperwork and noticed that the ECM was ordered and never installed. The dealership fo whatever reason decided not to install it on 5/21/11 and now it has failed. The techs comments are" no action required/inspected OK". Why would they order a part and not install. I feel I am owed this part and the install as I thought it was done and from comments on the dealer invoice it was not. Even if it was replaced it only lasted 2 years and a few months what gives? Look at invoice tocs738578 moss bros. Moreno valley, ca I feel ripped off for a hard to get recalled part.
Sudden accelleration, brakes, battery, fuel injectors, shutting down suddenly, electrical
Engine & cooling
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix. While driving various speeds, the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V285000 (air bags). While driving approximately 50 MPH, the engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine had a system leak, incorrect power fluid, and a cross leak that needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.
Engine over-heated to the point where the head gasket blew. Dealership said it was due to chronic overheating but temperature gauges never indicated any issue and the check engine light did not come on until 2 minutes before the car broke down. Potential problem with the monitoring system. Routine maintenance (oil change, fluids checked, etc.) was done less than 2 weeks prior to incident.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix a good car?
Based on 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Corolla Matrix rates use caution: 1.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the Corolla Matrix at the same age. It is one of the Corolla Matrix years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix?
The air bags — 23 complaints, 74% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (3) and engine & cooling (3).
How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix, the most recent from August 28, 2019 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Corolla Matrix?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2013 and 2003. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2009, 2010, 2008, 2006 and 2007. See the full Toyota Corolla Matrix years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 94,000 miles; 27% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.