Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH up the mountain and making a turn, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle spun causing the vehicle to crash into the mountain. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The fire department was at the scene but the contact was not sure that a fire report was filed. The contact sustained minor injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was totaled and was towed to a impound lot. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
2009 Toyota Matrix first problem started stalling suddenly in traffic last year, but now very frequently stalls even on highways at high speeds. No warnings. When stalled all lights comes on in dash, including "check engine" light. Completely turn off ignition and restarting is the only way to fix this issue at that time. After restarting the check engine light goes out. Occurred several times in all sorts of weather, but more frequently in hot summer days. Yesterday stalled 4 times within 90 minutes drive. Restart cleared engine computer dealership had difficult time replicating failure. But, advised replacement of the engine control module at a cost of over $1000. Since this year model not recalled by Toyota yet. I do not know how or where to complain so that Toyota acknowledge that it is a safety issue and fix this at their expense.
The brakes on my 2008 Toyota Matrix failed again January 30, 2010. The brake pedal will not depress for a moment and then once the pressure is taken off and reapplied it will engage. It has been an intermittent problem that started sept. 2009. I have taken the car to the original dealer on multiple occasions and the technicians could not find anything wrong. The case went to arbitration and was found in favor of Toyota. I took the car back to Toyota several times after arbitration. They kept it for several days and put 4 miles on the vehicle. They scheduled a "lead" technician to look at the vehicle and canceled the appointment the day before. Unfortunately I felt that no matter how many times I took the vehicle back to Toyota it was not going to be treated as a serious matter.
I'm reading about the recent recall of the Toyota prius involving brake problems - a momentary loss of braking capability while traveling over an uneven road surface, pothole or bump. This has been happening in my 2008 Toyota Matrix since the day I bought it. I'd like to go on record that this problem extends to Matrix models. I have been fortunate to be able to regain control of the car on numerous occasions. I thought this was a something that happened with ibs brakes.
There have been two instances of this problem. The first time, I was completely stopped just back of an intersection, after coming out of my employer's parking lot, preparing to make a right turn on a two lane urban thoroughfare, when all of a sudden I felt the engine rev and my car surge forward, although my foot was on the brake. I pressed hard on the brake to no avail; I thought I was going to be propelled into the intersection into traffic. At the last moment, I managed to stop, I'm not sure now, if I applied the emergency brake or what, because although I relayed this incident to several people, including my brother-in-law, my aunt, and some coworkers, I later dismissed the incident as, other than what it was, possibly due to road conditions (a large building was being built alongside the road at the time). …
1. My car is 2007 Toyota Matrix, before my first accident I took my car twice to be inspected by the dealer shop at fitszgerald because I had two brake failures while riding to my house and both times they blamed on the floor mats, and the second they gave me a report saying that they were unable to find a failure on the brakes after inspecting it for 96mile drive, they found nothing and put on the report that the vehicle had no problems. I was driving on the highway during a high traffic, the vehicles in front of me slowed down, I stooped then when the vehicles in front started to move I let go of the breaks and suddenly the car went out of control and hit the car twice while I was pressing the breaks. 2 this happens not often, this happens when I put the car on park or I slow down, usually when I apply the breaks. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Matrix years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2009 (19), 2003 (17), 2005 (7), 2006 (7) and 2010 (6) model years. Brake complaints make up 10% of all complaints for the 2009.
Is there a recall for Toyota Matrix brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for any Toyota Matrix model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Toyota Matrix brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 37,000 miles; 73% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (5 mentions), followed by the foundation components › disc › rotor (4).
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.