2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix
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 PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 36 |
| 2004 | 29 |
| 2005 | 88 |
| 2006 | 64 |
| 2007 | 48 |
| 2008 | 31 |
| 2009 | 74 |
| 2010 | 20 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 0 |
| 2013 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
54% of complaints: air bags — 40 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I RAN INTO A LIGHT POLE IN A PARKING LOT ON JANUARY 13, 2013 IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, MAKING A TURN INTO PHARMACY PICKUP LANE BEHIND THE CVS STORE. THE DRIVER AIRBAG DEPLOYED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20190306
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180607
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE A DRIVER T-BONED MY VEHICLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE,THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR TOOK THE WORST DAMAGE ALONG WITH THE ROOF MOLDING,FENDER AND QUARTER PANEL,STATE FARM DECLARED THE CAR A TOTAL.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130418
18% of complaints: engine — 13 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
Subject: Request to Consider Recall for 2009 Toyota Matrix Excessive Oil Consumption Dear Toyota Motor Corporation/NHTSA, I am writing to bring to your attention a persistent issue with my 2009 Toyota Matrix, which has been experiencing excessive...
NHTSA ODI report, 20250304
8% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 6 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD AROUND THE NEIBORHOOD AT THE T INTERSECTION ,I TRY TO BRAKE BUT MY CAR WAS NOT STOP .THEN I TRY TO PUT ON THE BRAKE ALL THE TIME BUT MY CAR STILL KEEP GOING AND HIT A STAIR BRICK IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE .. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20140512
FROM MY APARTMENT PARKING SPACE I HAD TO MAKE A U TURN. GENTLY PUT MY FOOT ON ACCELERATOR, APPROX.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120213
8% of complaints: steering — 6 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I WAS TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE WHEN VEHICLE DRIFTED FROM RIGHT LANE TO LEFT LANE, UNABLE TO CONTROL - THIS DISCONTINUED, APPX 4 - 5 MILES LATER THE VEHICLE DRIFTED FROM RIGHT LANE TO LEFT LANE & HIT SHOULDER.
NHTSA ODI report, 20111105
5% of complaints: service brakes — 4 distinct reports on file.
CRASHSAFETY TIMELINE
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 SCION XD AND MY 2009-2010 COROLLA, AND COROLLA MATRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.8L ENGINE AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES O
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED INTAKE AIR CONNECTOR WHICH WILL RELOCATE THE BRAKE SYSTEM VACUUM PORT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2009. O
Campaign 09V338000 — check if this car was fixed
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 CAMRY, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, COROLLA MATRIX, RAV4, MODEL YEAR 2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 SEQUOIA, AND M
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BAR IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH WILL ALLOW THE PEDAL TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY. GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS FOR THE PONTIAC VIBE PLEASE SEE 10V-018. THIS SERVICE WILL BE
Campaign 10V017000 — check if this car was fixed
Steering Wander or Drift
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles
Remedy: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will inspect the switch and apply a special grease that inhibits heat build up or replace any switch damaged by the defect, free of charge. Toyota owners th
Campaign 12V491000 — check if this car was fixed
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles.
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Toyota sent owners an interim notification letter in May 2014 to advise owners of the recall.
Campaign 14V168000 — check if this car was fixed
Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4,...
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015.
Campaign 15V689000 — check if this car was fixed
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever...
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion 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 charge.
Campaign 17V006000 — check if this car was fixed
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL,...
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly.
Campaign 18V024000 — check if this car was fixed
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F,...
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator.
Campaign 19V741000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (40 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (13 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (6 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 09V338000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V017000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 12V491000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V168000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V689000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V006000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V024000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V741000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 54% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix have?
8 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.