Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.)
Someone pulled out in front of me and I hit them with the front of my car. I was driving 40 miles an hour on a city street. It crashed in the front end, radiator, fenders and hood. The airbags did not deploy. I had been sent a recall notice and scheduled an appointment at a local Toyota dealer immediately. The crash happened two weeks before the appointment. This is a known problem with the manufacturer. NHTSA recall no. 19v-627
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.
My 2008 Toyota Matrix was under recall since I was notified in October 2019. At that time I was told that my car was not safe to drive and I was provided with a rental car. My car was repaired with the Toyota air bag remedy on June 11, 2020 but it seems that the remedy has caused the cover to pop up and a crease is forming across the middle of the airbag cover. Also, the passenger airbag indicator light says off when a passenger seat is occupied. The passenger indicator light worked properly when I last drove my car in October of 2019.
"Takata recall"? Undated letter from Toyota in May 2016 advised vehicle subject to recall because of defective air bag inflators. Undated letter from Toyota later in May 2016 advised that parts preparation completed for our area and to schedule repair with dealer. On 06 June 2016 dealer inspected vehicle and advised that parts not available and had been ordered. On 14 June, 19 July, & 29 July checked with dealer & parts still not available. On 24 June & 24 August called Toyota customer experience center to complain that parts not available although advised by Toyota in May that they were. Told it was a major problem and they were doing the best they could. …
Please advise Toyota to recall the 2008 Matrix, as it has an affected Takata airbag that May lead to catastrophic injury during deployment. I own a 2008 Toyota Matrix which is in the same generation as the 2005-2007 Toyota Matrix models. The airbag used in the 2008 Matrix is identical to that which is used in the 2005-2007 Toyota Matrix models. However, the 2008 Toyota Matrix airbag was not recalled (unlike the 05-07 models) even though it has the same airbag part number as the recalled models. I believe that Toyota May have overlooked the 08 Matrix as it occurred during a limited production run (there were very few 08 matrixes produced; they began selling the 09 in early 08). The airbag in my vehicle is not deployed, but I feel unsafe knowing the same airbag was recalled but my model year was overlooked.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix. While the vehicle was undergoing an emissions test, the contact was informed that the vehicle was included in an unknown recall regarding the air bags. The contact spoke with earnhardt Toyota (6136 e auto loop ave, mesa, az 85206, [phone]) and was informed that they were waiting to hear from the manufacturer to determine whether they would take action to find a remedy for this potential defect. The manufacturer was not notified directly by the contact. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 16V127000 (air bags) . The dealer was unable to provide a reasonable time frame to supply the part for the recall repair. The contact called the dealer for weeks and they kept indicating that they would call when the parts were available, but the contact received no follow up response from the dealer. The contact was unable to determine when the vehicle would be repaired. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 08/30/16
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V627000 (air bags), however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Koons arlington Toyota located at (4045 lee hwy, arlington, va 22207, [phone]) was contacted and it was confirmed that the remedy part was not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Related recalls
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 investigations
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.
Airbag complaints in other Corolla Matrix years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix, 74% of the model year's 31 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 19V-627 (inflator module, Aug 28, 2019); NHTSA recall 18V-025 (inflator module, Jan 9, 2018); NHTSA recall 16V-127 (inflator module, Mar 3, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 102,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.