CarComplaints.com Notes: The Toyota Matrix is the mechanical twin of the Pontiac Vibe.

Both models were a joint GM-Toyota venture, manufactured together at a NUMMI production facility in Fremont, CA. Only the heating & A/C systems are different.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
33,172 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2009 Toyota Matrix miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2009 Toyota Matrix Owner Comments

problem #11

Apr 132021

Matrix

  • 160,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving home my car started burning. I pulled over with smoke pouring out of the engine area and the car just stopped. I opened the hood and there were flames coming up from behind the engine. The fire grew until it engulfed the front of the car. The fire department came and put out the fire. The 2009 matrix was totally destroyed. I noticed no prior warning signs or symptoms.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #10

Aug 242019

Matrix

  • 0 miles
I have been on Toyota recall list for two years and every time I get another card about recall, I call dealership and they put me on a wait list. As part is not available or supply and demand. Unacceptable and now it seems there is also a loud squealing noise and the gas pedal will rev and accelerate and jerk forward on its on while I just barely got foot of brake. And then it will accelerate until I put foot on gas and it will jerk forward trying to accerlelerate and then I get control

- Londonderry, NH, USA

problem #9

Jan 092017

Matrix

  • 0 miles
"takata recall" I'm not making a complaint because they exploded, yet...although, I have been notified that they could explode, so essentially, this makes my vehicle inoperable since notification and makes me ineligible to work using my vehicle. Furthermore, according to the manufacturers notes: It is suggested that I file a complaint with the NHTSA. Per : if the manufacturer has failed or is unable to remedy this safety recall for your vehicle in a timely manner, please contact the NHTSA vehicle safety hotline at: 1-888-327-4236 or tty: 1-800-424-9153 or file an online complaint with NHTSA.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #8

Jul 152015

Matrix

  • 129,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My passenger window stopped working ( my window is half way open) while driving in 108 degrees weather ( I live in yuma AZ... the hottest city in the United States). The next day I went to Toyota dealer in yuma AZ and they told me to come back the next day because they didnt have a technician available, it was around 3:00 pm. The next day I stopped by right after work 3:00pm (weather 108 degrees). Everything is going fine, I dropped off the vehicle and the service representative tells me that he doesnt know how long its going to take. 3:45pm he called and advised my car will be ready before 5:30pm, I was happy. At 4:00pm he called again and tells me they dont have the part to fix my car, I was mad. At 5:00pm I went back to Toyota dealer to pick up my car and asked the service representative to please advise the technician close up the window up because of the extreme hot weather, the representative said it wasnt possible. So I get in my car and I started it and I noticed my car was shaking (really bad), something it wasnt doing before. I put it on drive but it started shaking even more so I called the service representative and told him about it, he said to come back. The technician checked it and they said it was something about the battery and the computer being disconnected and needed a reset, I really dont know but why they were going to let me drive off with my car like that? its unsafe. After I waited another hour I was finally out of there and they told me to come back again the next day. So today July 17 at 11:00am the service representative called and told me the part to fix my car wasnt in and it wasnt doing to be in until Monday...I am very upset with the dealership service, and they are not resolving the problem, im concern about my safety due to the extreme heat (sand storms) and vehicle theft.

- Winterhven, CA, USA

problem #7

Sep 192008

Matrix

  • 2,788 miles
On April L9, 2008 with 2788 miles on my new car the front tire went soft and when taken to dunn tire they told me the tire was defective. I was naturally upset with so few miles but put a new one on which cost me $L61. A few weeks ago, my car was pulling to the right and the mechanic at monro muffler told me I had a "bad tire" and would have to replace both front tires ($408) I could not afford it and called Goodyear who told me they would check it out and perhaps replace the tires. After two weeks I called again as nothing was done and I feel I am driving on unsafe tires as now it pulls to the left. My contention is that defective Goodyear tires were on my car when purchased. They are eaglers-a sport tires. I do not know if Goodyear will offer to replace them or not but feel there is a safety issue involved here and I should not be responsible for replacing 3 tires on a car that at the time of the last tirre check had L5,701 miles on it. I know Goodyear recalled some of their tires but not sure if the ones on my car are included. Think not.

- Camillus, NY, USA

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problem #6

May 012008

Matrix 4-cyl

  • 20,000 miles
I have a 2009 Toyota Matrix and it continues to have issues. Toyota has never sent notification of recalls and this car has a few. When I bring it up to the dealer they act as if I have no idea what I am talking about. My tires need replacement at 20,000 miles and the brakes grind when stopping even after they were replaced at the dealers expense after they told me there was nothing wrong with them twice! I had to go back to the dealer 3 times as the parts people sent the wrong parts twice!! the tire warning light is constantly coming on even though I have had it to the dealership 3 times and they tell me nothing is wrong. I am told that the change in temperature makes the light come on. I am to the point I am going to replace the tires and be done with it. The last thing I need is a tire blow out on the interstate. The engine gets sluggish and bogs down while on the interstate and the interior features keep having to be slammed back into place because they come out of place. I was told by a salesman at a car show that it happens with the Matrixs and they don't know why. Each trip to the dealership I am treated as a woman who knows nothing about cars. My father is a mechanic and I know my way around a car. Cobb county Toyota in kennesaw, Georgia is the worst dealership. I am going to try another dealership or just head to an independent. I saved for 2 years to buy it and now I feel very upset that Toyota cares so little about the customer. I understand there are a few more recalls out on the 2009 Matrix, yet I haven't been notified of them by Toyota. When I brought up the new recalls to the dealer he looked shocked and tried to tell me that wasn't true. Why are new Toyota buyers getting free service when our cars are the problem. I'm going back to Honda! Toyota use to be great. The president of the company should be ashamed and commit seppuku or at least provide current owners free service too.

- Kennesaw, GA, USA

problem #5

Sep 222010

Matrix

  • 19,400 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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. This car is only driven to work and back everyday and has been serviced on a regular basis only by Toyota dealer in rivergate. I have also reported defects in the gas gauge. When I fill the car up, it registers on empty for at least 2 hours before moving to F. it does not happen every time and since Toyota cannot see it, they said they cannot fix it.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #4

May 222010

Matrix

  • 22,700 miles
My husband and I were on interstate 495 of the Washington beltway sitting in a 3 mile backup where 5 lanes were merging into one. My foot was firmly on the brake leaving plenty of room from the car in front of me. All of a sudden I realized that the car was inching forward and the brake would not stop the acceleration. My husband realized what was happening and looked down and knew that my foot was firmly on the brake. All of a sudden, it just stopped as fast as it started. We came within inches of hitting the car in front of us. As I sat in that mess of a traffic jam and saw the amount of cell phones being used, it hit me. Did all these phones start that car to move? this Matrix 2009 only has 22,700 miles on it but I will be taking it to the Toyota dealership and Toyota will be receiving a letter from me with the details. The recall work on the accelerator was done 2 months ago. I have also made a complaint to the dealership that the car seems to do something between 20 and 40 miles per hour when you are decelerating. I can't tell exactly what it is doing because it seems to jerk. The dealership put it on the computer and said nothing was wrong. It may be unrelated to the other problem but it is one more thing that I have noticed about this car. As a note, my husband and I have had Toyota forever and currently have a 2004 corolla and traded in the 2006 corolla for this Matrix. We have never had any trouble whatsoever with our Toyota until now.

- Dover, DE, USA

problem #3

Feb 212009

Matrix

  • miles
I was sold a defective 2009 Toyota Matrix. My son was driving the vehicle merging into traffic. His lane was ending and there wasn't an opening for him to merge. He wasn't able to stop the car and ended up running into a telephone pole which fell on the vehicle and it was totaled. He said that he didn't understand why he couldn't stop and couldn't explain what happened. The police officer was upset at my son because he said there must have been a reason he crashed into the pole and since no one could figure it out the police officers only conclusion was to assume that my son was sleepy. In March of this year I received a call from the local Toyota dealer stating that our 2009 Matrix is being recalled for the defective accelerator pedal and that I should bring it in to be repaired. I explained to them it was too late the vehicle has been totaled in an accident. I was originally informed that Toyota would do an investigation. Then after several weeks they told me that there is nothing they can do because the vehicle is not available for an investigation and also because no one else has reported problems with the Matrix. The fact is I was sold a defective car and my family and I were in danger every time the vehicle was driven. The steering wheel was also defective. The airbag was coming out of the steering wheel and the whole steering wheel. It was replaced before the accident.

- Yigo, GU, USA

problem #2

Mar 012010

Matrix 4-cyl

  • miles
2009 Matrix consumer has questions regarding sudden acceleration recall.. so far the consumer has not experienced any problems. However, she was under the impression that she would receive a recall notice regarding unwanted acceleration. From what she has read, it appeared that the gas pedal may not be the only, or even the problem for the reported unwanted acceleration, but also an electronic throttle control system problem. The consumer wanted to know can the electronic throttle control system be checked and tested and even upon replacement, how can she be reassured that the electronic control system is properly working?

- Unknown, DC, USA

problem #1

Nov 252009

Matrix

  • 11,000 miles
On several occasions I notice my accelerar /gas pedal sticking. Also at times hard to press the accelerator also.at 1 times I almost had an accident had I not been able to put the car in nuetral and stop, almost getting hit doing it.I didn't realise what it until I read about this recall and was never contacted to this day about it from Toyota or its dealer.

- Kissimmee, FL, USA

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