2006 Toyota Corolla Matrix

◆ Worse than typical
2006 Toyota Corolla Matrix
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:50:37.983Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Complaints
64
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2006

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

66% of complaints

Complaints per year

2003: 36 complaints 2003 2004: 29 complaints 2005: 89 complaints 2006: 64 complaints 2006 64 2007: 48 complaints 2008: 31 complaints 2009: 74 complaints 2009 2010: 20 complaints 2011: 6 complaints 2011 2012: 0 complaints 2013: 1 complaint 2013
2003: 36 complaints 2003 2004: 29 complaints 2004 2005: 89 complaints 2005 2006: 64 complaints 2006 64 2007: 48 complaints 2007 2008: 31 complaints 2008 2009: 74 complaints 2009 2010: 20 complaints 2010 2011: 6 complaints 2011 2012: 0 complaints 2012 2013: 1 complaint 2013
2003: 36 complaints 2003 2004: 29 complaints 2004 2005: 89 complaints 2005 2006: 64 complaints 2006 64 2007: 48 complaints 2007 2008: 31 complaints 2008 2009: 74 complaints 2009 2010: 20 complaints 2010 2011: 6 complaints 2011 2012: 0 complaints 2012 2013: 1 complaint 2013

2006: 64 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
200336
200429
200589
200664
200748
200831
200974
201020
20116
20120
20131

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

66% · 42 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact called on behalf of her husband who owns a 2006 Toyota matrix. The contact stated that while her husband driving at 5 MPH at a yield, another vehicle behind was driving approximately 40 MPH and rear ended the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-01-10

I was idling at a complete stop waiting for the traffic light to turn when I was rear ended at 50 MPH into the car in front of me and my airbag did not deploy. I have suffered many injuries to my neck and spine.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-10-11

Also filed under Structure

Power train

6% · 4 reports

Engine and engine cooling

6% · 4 reports
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Corolla Matrix. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the check engine warning light and the battery warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-07

Intermittently my 2006 Toyota matrix xr suddenly slows down to about 20 miles per hour and would not respond to pressing gas pedal. When this happens I will have to pull up to the side and turn the engine off for couple of minutes and then start.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-09-09

My 2006 Toyota matrix completely stopped running while I was driving it to work to Virginia from Maryland on feb. 18, 2010. I was unable to restart it and had to have it towed to my mechanic.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-02-26

Engine

6% · 4 reports
FIRE

Structure

6% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing body and door.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2006Complaint volume 64 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2009-11-30Preliminary evaluationClosed 2010-08-19 Engine Stalling
  3. I
    2010-08-18Engineering analysisClosed 2010-09-16 Engine Stall
  4. R
    2015-07-13Air bags15V285000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 Sequoia vehicles manufactured August 18, 2003, to August 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 Tundra vehicles manufactured March...

    Remedy: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-285 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed.

  5. R
    2015-07-13Air bags15V286000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally...

    Remedy: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-286 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed.

  6. R
    2018-01-29Air bags18V025000 On January 9, 2018, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified NHTSA that they are recalling 14,585 model year 2010-2012 Yaris vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware,...

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag assemblies with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

  7. R
    2019-10-18Air bags19V627000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Corolla, 2005-2008 Corolla Matrix, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly, free of charge. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.

  8. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2006 Toyota Corolla Matrix — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 42 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 4 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 4 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 15V285000 · Air bags
  • Recall 15V286000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V025000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V627000 · Air bags

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years2 years

FAQ

Is the 2006 Toyota Corolla Matrix reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2006 Toyota Corolla Matrix is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Toyota Corolla Matrix?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 66% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2006 Toyota Corolla Matrix have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.