Most common 2009 Toyota Matrix problems
Share of the 192 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Matrix complaints by model year
Best Matrix years: 2012, 2011, 2008. Years to avoid: 2003, 2009, 2005, 2006. Compare all years →
2009 Toyota Matrix recalls (3)
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and…
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota 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…
Equipment › Other › Labels
Gulf states Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold between September 1, 2005 and June 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
Remedy: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual.
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 highlander, model year 2009-2010 corolla, venza and matrix passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.
Remedy: Toyota will modify or replace the accelerator pedals on the subject vehicles. Floor surface modifications are also being considered and will be included for any model for which it is deemed appropriate.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2009 Toyota 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.
What 2009 Toyota Matrix owners say
Air bags all 78 →
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owned a 2009 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a head-on collision. The air bags deployed and metal fragments passed through the airbag cushion material. As a result, the metal fragments entered the contacts eye and caused a long term injury. The contact also sustained a fractured upper jaw and nose injury that required medical attention. The contact mentioned having continual doctor visits for his eye injury. The vehicle was totaled and towed to junk yard. A police report was not filed. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V024000 (air bags). The failure mileage was 48,000. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota Matrix. While stationary, the contact's vehicle was rear ended by another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the head, upper back, and neck that required medical attention. The contact drove the vehicle home. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000. Updated 02/07/2017
Speed control & acceleration all 45 →
My Matrix 2009 has had intermittent sudden acceleration problems. I mention it at my regular maintenance check ups, but receive non-committal replies. I figure I must be losing it. Over the last 8 months or so, it got extreme: the car will lurch forward at different times: when I start up the car, idling at a light, or slowing to a stop. Today, Sunday morning, as I was pulling into a parking spot at walmart, I began to brake slowly when the trans roared and lurched forward. It jumped the curb and plowed into the front end of the car facing me. At first, I thought I must have hit the gas - but no. My foot was still on the brake - all the way to the floor. I still owe money on this car. I ruined the front end of another car. I am a single mom of 2 and a teacher. I don't know how I am going to be able to handle this. I do not intend to repair this car. It is not safe. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Toyota Matrix. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the accelerator pedal became stuck. Each time the brake pedal was applied, the vehicle accelerated. The contact drove over three curbs, a yield sign, and a stop sign. The contact sustained back pain and received medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact was treated and released the same day. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an impound yard. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,465. Updated 01/21/16
Steering all 22 →
Bought 2009 Toyota Matrix in sept. 2009... Have experienced both gas pedal issues and steering issues. Gas pedal issue has been "fixed". In regards to the steering issue, I have noticed that when I was driving at speeds over 35mph it does pull to the right and feels like the car is being pushed by wind, my daughter & husband also experienced this while driving the car. I did not report the steering issue to anyone because I did not know it was a defect, this is the first Toyota I have owned and thought it was a Toyota thing. Also, I was involved in an accident in nov. 2009 in the Toyota Matrix, I am unsure of whether the gas pedal issue May have played a role in that incident. I do not own this car now, I traded it in on another vehicle.
My car would not start after I had stopped to get a hair cut. I cleaned the battery terminals and was able to get it to start. When I tried to turn the steering wheel it was very hard to turn the wheel. I managed to drive it a half block to a napa dealer so I could replace the battery and I was going to buy some power steering fluid. I was surprised I could not even find the power steering reservoir. After I replaced the battery the steering returned to normal. Really scary now after I researched and found out than many others have had the steering go out when they were driving at high speeds. Not sure why there is no recall on this.
2009 Toyota Matrix engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 25 / 31 / 28 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 26 / 32 / 28 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 28 / 24 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 21 / 29 / 24 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 20 / 26 / 22 |
EPA ratings. Class: Wagon.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Toyota Matrix a good car?
Based on 192 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Matrix rates avoid: 2.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the Matrix at the same age. It is one of the 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 2009 Toyota Matrix?
The air bags — 78 complaints, 41% of all complaints for this model year, most often about side/window. Next are the speed control & acceleration (45) and steering (22).
How many recalls does the 2009 Toyota Matrix have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2009 Toyota Matrix, the most recent from May 23, 2016 (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 Matrix?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2011 and 2008. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2003, 2009, 2005 and 2006. See the full Toyota Matrix years comparison.
At what mileage do 2009 Toyota Matrix problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 25,000 miles; 72% 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.