Most common 2010 Toyota Matrix problems
Share of the 45 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 →
2010 Toyota Matrix recalls (4)
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.
Equipment › Other › Labels
Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold 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. The safety recall began on May 27, 2010.
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 2010 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 2010 Toyota Matrix owners say
Air bags all 27 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota Matrix. While pulling into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and crashed into an apartment building. The driver stated that the brake pedal was depressed during the failure. The front end of the vehicle was severely damaged, but the air bag did not deploy. The driver sustained a fractured sternum, which required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact indicated that the vehicle was previously serviced for both unintended acceleration and an unknown air bag recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 40,000. The VIN was invalid.
Takata recall - no remedy has been provided and it has been eight months. The car was brought to the local dealer in July 2016 and as it was the family car we were urged to turn over the vehicle to the dealer in favor of a long term rental car until they were able to fix it. We have not heard anything ifrom Toyota since and no one at the local dealer can tell us anything in regards to timeline for the remedy.
Brakes
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota Matrix. While exiting the freeway, the vehicle accelerated without warning. The contact depressed the brake pedal to the floor, but the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into another vehicle. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and then to a collision lot. The vehicle was totaled. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.
Brake pedal suddenly felt soft as if there was air in the brake line. Brake only worked when you pumped fast. Otherwise the pedal would go down to the floor. I took the car to the dealership, they verified the complaint, and fixed the problem for free. They replaced the master cylinder and fluid. Brakes were fine until 3 weeks ago, April 23, 2012. Exactly the same happened, thank goodness as I was driving slowly. Took the car back in and they acknowledged the problem. They concluded it was a faulty part. They replaced the master cylinder again (covered by warranty) and the brakes were fine again. Then today, May 9, 2012, the brakes failed again, exactly the same problem, thank god no accident. My car is in the shop again so I don't know yet what their conclusion is. The scary thing here is that this is the third time the brakes failed within 6 months. …
Speed control & acceleration
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota Matrix. While pulling into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and crashed into an apartment building. The driver stated that the brake pedal was depressed during the failure. The front end of the vehicle was severely damaged, but the air bag did not deploy. The driver sustained a fractured sternum, which required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact indicated that the vehicle was previously serviced for both unintended acceleration and an unknown air bag recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 40,000. The VIN was invalid.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota Matrix. While the contact was placing the vehicle in drive, the accelerator pedal became stuck in the depressed position. As a result, the contact crashed into a wall in the parking garage. There were no injuries. The side and frontal air bags deployed. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home to be retrieved by state farm insurance. The insurance claim number was 372327j90. The failure mileage was 50,000.
2010 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 | AWD | 20 / 26 / 22 |
EPA ratings. Class: Wagon.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2010 Toyota Matrix a good car?
Based on 45 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Matrix rates better than average: 48% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Matrix at the same age. 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 2010 Toyota Matrix?
The air bags — 27 complaints, 60% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the brakes (6) and speed control & acceleration (4).
How many recalls does the 2010 Toyota Matrix have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2010 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 2010 Toyota Matrix problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 42,000 miles; 53% 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.