Toyota Corolla Matrix Airbag Problems

Owners have filed 276 complaints about air bags problems with the Toyota Corolla Matrix — 69% of all Corolla Matrix complaints. The worst model years are 2005 (72), 2006 (42) and 2009 (40). Problems typically start around 96,000 miles. 13 related recalls have been issued.

276complaints
2005worst year
96ktypical miles
13related recalls
19crashes
1fires

Airbag complaints by model year

20032004200520062007200820092010201120122013272072423723401041
Airbag complaints per model year, Toyota Corolla Matrix.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
20131100%—
2011467%62,000 miles
20101050%100,000 miles
20094054%58,000 miles
20082374%102,000 miles
20073777%80,000 miles
20064266%101,000 miles
20057281%81,000 miles
20042069%147,000 miles
20032775%115,000 miles

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    56%
  • 25k–50k
    34%
  • 50k–75k
    1519%
  • 75k–100k
    1822%
  • 100k–150k
    2227%
  • 150k+
    1822%

What owners report

Takata inflators. I have not been call for a solution. There remedy is do not operate the vehicle with an occupant in the front passenger seat. I would like to solve this matters since I bought a car for 5 people, not 4. And Toyota don't ant to fix it because they say they don't have the remedy.

2011 Corolla Matrix · 62,000 miles · Jul 2016

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Toyota Corolla Matrix. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V024000(air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. Larry h. Miller Toyota corona located at (1700 w 6th st, corona, ca 92882) was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact was not provided information as to which air bags were affected under the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

2011 Corolla Matrix · Mar 2020

Takata recall, I was traveling down a side road and a car was pulling out of the driveway and I was struck on the passenger side of my vehicle, the airbags on both driver side and passenger side did not deploy. Car was deemed a total loss by the insurance company.

2010 Corolla Matrix · 100,000 miles · Oct 2016 · crash · 2 injuries

Takata recall. NHTSA recall no. 16v-340. Can you help speed up when the remedy will be available? On May 23, 2016 Toyota issued a recall notice for our vehicle. They recommend we do not use the passenger seat until the recall work is complete. But they still have not made a remedy available!! It is January 2, 2017! I believe they have already exceeded a reasonable time frame to make a remedy available. The recall notice recommended submitting a complaint on the NHTSA website if Toyota is not completing the remedy within a reasonable time. Can you help speed up when the remedy will be available? Thanks very much.

2010 Corolla Matrix · May 2016

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix. While approaching a stop sign to make a left turn, another vehicle crashed into the rear driver's side of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The driver of the other vehicle sustained unknown injuries. The contact sustained back and neck injuries that required medical attention. The contact's passenger also sustained neck and back injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was awaiting inspection by the insurance company. The dealer was not contacted for diagnostic testing or repair of the air bag failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,021.

2009 Corolla Matrix · 120,000 miles · May 2018 · crash · 3 injuries

Takata recall Toyota motor corporation USA sent me a notice falsely claiming that the parts to fix my passenger side airbag were in stock. I called the dealer on 5/1/2017 and told them I wanted to get this recall done. I told the dealer the model and year of my car. I was told to bring the car in. When I arrived at the dealer, I was told that they did not have a part in stock that was necessary to perform the recall repair. The dealer further stated that the part was on back order and they did not know when it would come in. I called the Toyota motor corp USA national hot line for the recall and asked when the part(s) would come in. The representative did not know. I was put on hold while the representative called the dealer. …

2009 Corolla Matrix · 54,000 miles · May 2017

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

2008 Corolla Matrix · Dec 2022

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.)

2008 Corolla Matrix · 94,000 miles · Jan 2018 · crash · 1 injury

Related recalls (13)

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-741 · Oct 17, 2019 · 928,220 vehicles

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

NHTSA recall 19V-627 · Aug 28, 2019 · 229,460 vehicles

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

NHTSA recall 19V-005 · Jan 9, 2019 · 1,299,448 vehicles

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

NHTSA recall 18V-025 · Jan 9, 2018 · 116,126 vehicles

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

NHTSA recall 18V-024 · Jan 9, 2018 · 628,018 vehicles

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…

Show 8 more recalls

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 17V-006 · Jan 9, 2017 · 577,875 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana,…

Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of…

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 16V-127 · Mar 3, 2016 · 147,242 vehicles

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

NHTSA recall 16V-128 · Mar 2, 2016 · 71,163 vehicles

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…

Air bags

NHTSA recall 15V-285 · May 13, 2015 · 1,973,468 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 Sequoia vehicles manufactured August 18, 2003, to August 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 Tundra vehicles manufactured March 18, 2003, to August 25, 2004.

Remedy: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-285 are under a Do Not Drive advisory.

Air bags

NHTSA recall 15V-286 · May 13, 2015 · 1,069,055 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, Hawaii,…

Remedy: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-286 are under a Do Not Drive advisory.

Air bags › Frontal

NHTSA recall 15V-043 · Jan 28, 2015 · 1,006,849 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured December 28, 2001, to May 2, 2004, 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2002, to April 29, 2004, 2003-2004 Avalon vehicles manufactured June 5, 2002, to December 20, 2004,…

Remedy: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge. The recall began on August 24, 2015.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 14V-168 · Apr 9, 2014 · 1,486,413 vehicles

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable…

Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Toyota sent owners an interim notification letter in May 2014 to advise owners of the recall.

Air bags

NHTSA recall 13V-029 · Jan 30, 2013 · 887,709 vehicles

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles and 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The supplemental restraint system (SRS) circuits are susceptible to internal shorting. The electrical short may create an abnormal current flow and increased heat which can damage the circuits.

Remedy: Toyota will re-notify their owners who have already had their vehicles repaired with a noise filter, but did not receive a new airbag control module, and General Motors will re-notify theirs.

NHTSA investigations

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

NHTSA investigation PE14016 · opened Jun 11, 2014 · closed Mar 2, 2015 · led to recall 13V-172

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag…

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

NHTSA investigation EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021 · open

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.

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

NHTSA investigation EA15001 · opened Feb 24, 2015 · open · led to recall 14V-668

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag…

Electrical overstress

NHTSA investigation EA19001 · opened Apr 19, 2019 · closed Sep 19, 2024 · led to recall 20V-024

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events.

Frequently asked questions

Which Toyota Corolla Matrix years have airbag problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (72), 2006 (42), 2009 (40), 2007 (37) and 2003 (27) model years. Airbag complaints make up 81% of all complaints for the 2005.

Is there a recall for Toyota Corolla Matrix airbag problems?

Yes — 13 recalls, including 19V-741 (inflator module, Oct 17, 2019); 19V-627 (inflator module, Aug 28, 2019); 19V-005 (inflator module, Jan 9, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Toyota Corolla Matrix airbag problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 96,000 miles; 10% happened 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.