Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Toyota Matrix owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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
I was traveling at eastbound at 25 MPH and entered a controlled intersection in manitowoc, wisconsin. A motorcyclist traveling northbound approaching speeds of 60 MPH ran a yield sign and t-boned my 2009 Toyota Matrix s 5 spd manual in the back passenger door and back quarter panel. The force of the impact spun my Matrix 180 degrees so I ended up facing westbound at the curb. The passenger-side curtain airbag deployed. However, the driver's side curtain airbag failed to deploy and I ended up with a mild head injury and a sprain/possible dislocation of my left shoulder from where I struck the inside of the vehicle. My concern is why the driver's side airbag curtain failed to deploy when I was t-boned by a motorcycle at 60 MPH turning my car 180 degrees to face the opposite direction I was traveling. …
Toyota accident I drive a leased 2009 Toyota Matrix. At 8:24 am on November 16, 2009. Pulling into a parking space at the doctors office building boca raton. The car was almost stopped and my foot was on the brake, when the car revved up to the maximum, jumped the curb and hit a palm tree. I immediately switched off the engine. I was dazed, and after a couple of minutes I got out the car to see the damage. Having heard of car mat problems, I inspected the mats, but nothing was out of place. After a few minutes, I went to my doctors appointment , but had to leave before I saw the doctor, as I didn't feel well. Despite a lot of front end damage, the car was drivable, so I decided to drive the car to my home , but I was frightened all the way as I thought the car might do the same thing again in traffic. When I got home I called allstate and reported the accident. …
On February 11, I took my 2009 Toyota Matrix to motorcars Toyota of cleveland heights, ohio, to have the car repaired in the gas pedal recall. While there, I was informed of another recall on the car, on its brakes. Both of these issues were address and I picked the car up on February 13th. On February 24 at 7:45 am, I was driving westbound on I-90 in westlake, ohio; it was snowing and the roads were wet, unsalted. As I was rounding a corner near the crocker bassett exit, my car began to skid. I immediately began to pump the brakes and attempt to straighten my car out, but the brakes did not engage. I firmly pressed down on the brakes and nothing happened; I then tried the emergency brake and the car still did not slow down. I was unable to regain control of the vehicle and it began to spin out and to the left. …
Tl contact owns a 2009 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly accelerated rapidly after she depressed the accelerator pedal to make a left turn. The vehicle crashed into another vehice. The air bags did not deploy. Both the contact and driver of the other vehicle sustained neck injuries; a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealership where it was repaired at the contacts expense. The manufacturer called the contact and requested to take the vehicle apart to repair the problem. The contact wanted reimbursement for the repairs and wanted to give the vehicle back ,as she was still experiencing sudden acceleration intermittently. The failure mileage was approximately 289. The current mileage was approximately 2,900.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Matrix. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V340000 (air bags); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator for the passenger side air bag was illuminated. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. Parts distribution disconnect. ..updated 06/21/17 air bag has been replaced.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota Matrix. The contact was driving approximately 55 MPH on a mountainous road and unexpectedly fell asleep. The vehicle rolled down a ravine and crashed into two trees and boulders. The contact fractured his sternum and sustained bruises from the seat belt. A police report was filed of the incident. The air bags failed to deploy with the impact and the vehicle was towed to a collision center to determine the severity of the damage. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,000.
Takata recall. Toyota has repeatedly assured us that the new airbag parts will be ready in "one month". Toyota has been saying this for the past 5 months leaving us with a car that is unsafe to drive and we are unable to sell. Toyota's best advice was to not drive the car and come in for a rental while we wait, they have been out of rentals for the entire time we've been waiting. I understand most of this is Takata's fault but Toyota has done a terrible job keeping us informed and is allowing my family to drive a potential death trap covered in their badges.
Takata recall. I received the interim notice from Toyota that states "...we recommend that you do not operate the vehicle with an occupant in the front passenger seat...". I use my vehicle for my family and toyo is recommending that I not use it. Does Toyota plan to provide loaner vehicles or rental car re-imbursement for the period when my vehicle is not operable as a 5-passenger vehicle with passenger air bags? I don't understand how they can sell me a vehicle and then not use it for its described purpose. Clarification would be appreciated. Thanks.
Related recalls
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…
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 Matrix years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2009 Toyota Matrix?
NHTSA has 78 complaints about the air bags of the 2009 Toyota Matrix, 41% of the model year's 192 complaints. The component named most often is side/window (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Toyota Matrix airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-340 (inflator module, May 23, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2009 Toyota Matrix airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 46,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 0 fires and 9 injuries 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.