Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
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.
I started my car, and the power steering light was on. I tried to tun the wheel, and noted the power steering stopped working. I got the car home, and called for service at my local dealerships. They wouldn't give me an appointment". Researched the web, and noted this issue was a wide spread complaint. I checked the fuses (noted them okay), the steering resumed.... However, this is a real concern, being that the steering appears to be an issue for these cars. What can I do to get this repaired?
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the steering wheel seized and excessive force on the steering wheel was required. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the power steering electronic control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota Matrix. Immediately after the vehicle was started, the warning lights illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.
At 12:30 p.m. I was heading north on oh-25 in bowling green, ohio. My car began shaking, but I was not overly concerned as we often have windy days. I turned right onto oh-582 and became slightly more concerned when the shaking in the cabin did not cease. I noticed that the car did not shake below about 45 MPH but again attributed the shaking I experienced to my car fighting against winds. I turned left onto I-75 n and accelerated to merge with traffic. After merging safely into the right-hand lane, I continued accelerating until I reached 55-60 MPH and merged into the left hand lane. Shortly, I reached 65 MPH. When the shaking, which I had supposed to be due to strong winds, did not cease, I attempted to decelerate. …
I have a 2009 Toyota Matrix that has multiple issues including a steering issue that almost caused my family their life, now I am being told I need new brakes at 19,800 miles. The rear brakes are not adjusting at all which May be causing the steering issues. Car is having interment issues going into 1st and reverse, reported multiple times, Toyota says they cannot duplicate. Car is still under warranty. Also, one tire is wearing on one side which is a known issue. The steering issues has been reported along with the one tire wearing issue by over 500 people but Toyota will not recognize it. I am scared to take my car on the interstate due to the steering issue and this is a new car with low miles. My family is at risk of break failure, or worse due to the defects. When I called Toyota,m they said if I ride my breaks a lot, that could be the cause. I do no such thing. …
On sept 9 2009, I was on my way to las vegas nevada in my 2009 Toyota Matrix sport and noticed when I exceeded alittle over the speed of 65 my car began to swerve side to side nearly looking like I'm about to side swipe the car in the next lane over..and this is not the only time this has happened a few more times on my way to work. And I have taken my car to Toyota and they kept on trying to convince me that I need new tires and I need alignment done, so really they didn't to anything for me my car is still new and I didn't need tires at all I still had alot of tire tread, and if you looked at the tires you would notice I was burning nothing but shoulder were going since I got it. So I've been very unhappy with Toyota they haven't don't anything to make me happen but just want to try and charge me for so many "services" that my car "need". …
Tl contact owns a 2009 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that the power steering failed without warning immediately after the vehicle was started. The steering light illuminated and the steering wheel was very hard to turn to the left or right. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer; however, when he made a left or right turn, it was very difficult. The contact had to use the outer lane to safely make a turn. The dealer told the contact that the computerized power steering unit failed. The failure and current mileage was 18,040. Updated 05/05/11 the consumer stated on April 8, 2011 the same defective power steering unit was placed in the vehicle and failed. Updated 11/28/11
I have a 2009 Toyota Matrix with 5000 miles on it. It will be moving down the road fine and start moving to the left into the nest lane on the highway. Upon trying to correct it will glide to the other lane on the right. It seems like a real struggle trying to keep the car in the lane. I have had this happen several times and my husband has also experienced this. We tried to blame it on the wind and the shape of the car, but it has not been windy every time this has happened. We live in a snow belt and are concerned if this would happen on snow or ice we would not be able to correct as normal.
Steering complaints in other Matrix years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2009 Toyota Matrix?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the steering of the 2009 Toyota Matrix, 11% of the model year's 192 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Toyota Matrix steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2009 Toyota Matrix, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2009 Toyota Matrix steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 29,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to steering 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.