Steering complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
2010 Toyota Matrix purchased brand new November of 2009 with only 5 miles reading on the odometer. Although there has been no accident with this vehicle I am very concerned about two operational issues: steering on highways at highway speed and brakes not engaging. On straightaways this vehicle swerves back and forth. I am constantly having to correct its direction. We tried adjusting the tire inflation with no help. Took it to the dealership who readjusted the tires back and said the vehicle was still within design specs. Our newest attempt was to try extra weight in the back which is not helping either. The other big issue that has happened with this vehicle was 3 separate events I had to pump the brakes to before they would engage. The dealership could not reproduce the problem and questioned operator error. All manufacture specs again were within design limits. …
While driving a 2010 Matrix, Tuesday oct. 19,2010, approx. 30mphs. The car made a clicking sound as if a cruise control had been set but this car doesn't have cruise control. The car then took off a very high speed like a jet plane at take off. I was unable to control the brakes or steering. The vehicle travel approx. A half of a mile before hitting an embankment and then jumping out of the ditch and back onto the highway where it landed and stopped. The car is suppose to be equipped with six air bags but none of them deployed upon impact.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that there was an internal electrical short that progressed intermittently for three years. In addition, the instrument cluster flickered, various internal and external lights randomly illuminated, and the power steering failed, which caused the steering wheel to be extremely tight. The contact also indicated that the vehicle stalled multiple times without warning. The first dealer diagnosed that the battery would not hold a charge. The dealer replaced the battery and the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the first dealer who then flushed the engine assembly, replaced the drive belt, and inspected the ECU for an internal failure. The first dealer replaced the ECU and restructured the main control plug on the body control module, but the vehicle continued to randomly stall without warning. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the accelerator pedal failed to respond. The contact attempted to pull over and discovered that the steering wheel was difficult to turn after the engine and power steering fluid warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was powered off and back on, the warning indicators were no longer illuminated and the vehicle was able to be driven. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the engine control module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer and was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V384000 (engine and engine cooling). …
Hello I am the proud owner of a 2006 Toyota Matrix. In late 2007 while driving the car would shut off. I had it towed to sun Toyota (new port richey fl) in which they stated this model car has a faulty engine security device which causes the car to shut off. They replaced the computer and assured me there were no other problems. In early 2008 I started noticing when I would turn it would feel as if I lost total control of the steering, then suddenly I could straighten the wheel again. For months there was nothing Toyota would do. Just last week I started seeing reports of other Matrix/corrola owners experiencing the same incident. Yesterday I contacted sun Toyota to see if they will finally check my car out and to see if it had anything to do with the past computer/engine issue. Toyota informs me they have no record of my ever being there or the part being replaced. …
My complaint was first filed on 3/25/2006 (odi # 10153679). This is the 2nd complaint about the defective Toyota Matrix that I drove in 2006. I was driving a 2006 Toyota Matrix and lost total control over the vehicle. I was driving on rt 2 west bound out of boston during evening rush hour. I was trying to change lane to my right and found there was a car approaching and honked at me. I had not left my lane yet and tried to pull my car straight back. The car reacted by shifting too much to the left and I tried only to adjust it, keeping in mind that was a power-steered system, to keep it straight. There was a 1-2 seconds afterwards the car seemed to be on track and I was driving fine. After that 2 seconds, the car accelerated all of a sudden, gas pedal was down to the floor, the car veered toward the left on it's own. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Matrix years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2009 (22), 2003 (8), 2004 (8) and 2006 (5) model years. Steering complaints make up 11% of all complaints for the 2009.
Is there a recall for Toyota Matrix steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles; 60% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the hydraulic power assist system (3 mentions), followed by the rack and pinion (1).
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.