2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags2362.2%
- Electrical38.1%
- Engine38.1%
- Body & structure25.4%
- Fuel system25.4%
- Brakes25.4%
- Driver assistance12.7%
- Visibility12.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
Unable to get remedy in a timely manner for air bag recall. Part has been unavailable for over a month and dealer has delayed ordering of part by two weeks. Dealer providing recall service is IRA Toyota of Danvers in Massachusetts
SOMEONE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND I HIT THEM WITH THE FRONT OF MY CAR. I WAS DRIVING 40 MILES AN HOUR ON A CITY STREET. IT CRASHED IN THE FRONT END, RADIATOR, FENDERS AND HOOD. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAD BEEN SENT A RECALL NOTICE AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AT A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER IMMEDIATELY. THE CRASH HAPPENED TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE MANUFACTURER. NHTSA RECALL NO. 19V-627
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
SUDDEN ACCELLERATION, BRAKES, BATTERY, FUEL INJECTORS, SHUTTING DOWN SUDDENLY, ELECTRICAL
WE BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN GA AUGUST 2012, 3 MONTHS LATER THE ENGINE WOULD COME ON BUT ELECTRICS WOULDN'T, MOVE OUT OF PARK. THE DEALER COULDN'T RE CREATE THE PROBLEM TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG SO WE DELT WITH IT FOR MONTHS UNTIL THE POWER SHUT OFF ON THE HWY. IT SCARED US. IT QUICKLY SHUT BACK ON THANK GOD BUT WE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH CORPORATE AND THE DEALERSHIP WITHOUT ANY LUCK OR HELP ON FIXING IT. FINALLY JULY THEY SAID IT WAS THE ECM AND TRIED TO CHARGE US TO FIX IT. 3 WEEKS LATER THE STALLING CONTINUED. WE WERE SENT HERE BY A FRIEND AND JUST NOW 2 YEARS LATER FIND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL. WE ALSO FOUND OUT THE SAME DEALERSHIP WHERE WE TOOK TO FIX IT THAT COULDN'T IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM WAS THE SAME ONE THAT FIXED IT INITIALLY FOR THE RECALL. NOW CORPORATE AND THE DEALERSHIP IS DENYING THAT THEY FIXED THE ECM IN JULY THOUGH I HAVE AN INVOICE STATING SO. ALSO, DENYING THERE WAS EVER A RECALL. ITS DANGEROUS AND TERRIFYING TO DRIVE NOT KNOWING WHEN AND WHERE THE ENGINE WILL STALL. IT WAS FIXED 2012 A FEW MONTHS BEFORE WE BOUGHT IT, FIXED AGAIN THIS PASSED JULY SUPPOSEDLY BUT IS STILL STALLING SO ITS A RECURRING PROBLEM. HOPEFULLY THE PROPER PROCEDURE IS FOLLOWED TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND WHO EVER THE NEXT OWNER WILL BE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE HAD A SYSTEM LEAK, INCORRECT POWER FLUID, AND A CROSS LEAK THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
WE BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN GA AUGUST 2012, 3 MONTHS LATER THE ENGINE WOULD COME ON BUT ELECTRICS WOULDN'T, MOVE OUT OF PARK. THE DEALER COULDN'T RE CREATE THE PROBLEM TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG SO WE DELT WITH IT FOR MONTHS UNTIL THE POWER SHUT OFF ON THE HWY. IT SCARED US. IT QUICKLY SHUT BACK ON THANK GOD BUT WE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH CORPORATE AND THE DEALERSHIP WITHOUT ANY LUCK OR HELP ON FIXING IT. FINALLY JULY THEY SAID IT WAS THE ECM AND TRIED TO CHARGE US TO FIX IT. 3 WEEKS LATER THE STALLING CONTINUED. WE WERE SENT HERE BY A FRIEND AND JUST NOW 2 YEARS LATER FIND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL. WE ALSO FOUND OUT THE SAME DEALERSHIP WHERE WE TOOK TO FIX IT THAT COULDN'T IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM WAS THE SAME ONE THAT FIXED IT INITIALLY FOR THE RECALL. NOW CORPORATE AND THE DEALERSHIP IS DENYING THAT THEY FIXED THE ECM IN JULY THOUGH I HAVE AN INVOICE STATING SO. ALSO, DENYING THERE WAS EVER A RECALL. ITS DANGEROUS AND TERRIFYING TO DRIVE NOT KNOWING WHEN AND WHERE THE ENGINE WILL STALL. IT WAS FIXED 2012 A FEW MONTHS BEFORE WE BOUGHT IT, FIXED AGAIN THIS PASSED JULY SUPPOSEDLY BUT IS STILL STALLING SO ITS A RECURRING PROBLEM. HOPEFULLY THE PROPER PROCEDURE IS FOLLOWED TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND WHO EVER THE NEXT OWNER WILL BE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
SOMEONE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND I HIT THEM WITH THE FRONT OF MY CAR. I WAS DRIVING 40 MILES AN HOUR ON A CITY STREET. IT CRASHED IN THE FRONT END, RADIATOR, FENDERS AND HOOD. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAD BEEN SENT A RECALL NOTICE AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AT A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER IMMEDIATELY. THE CRASH HAPPENED TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE MANUFACTURER. NHTSA RECALL NO. 19V-627
WAS DRIVING THE 08 MATRIX AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON INTERSTATE 90/94 WEST OF MADISON WI. STOPPED AT REST STOP AND HEAR LOUD, HOLLOW NOISE FROM UNDER VEHICLE. MADE IT TO MILWAUKEE AND BROUGHT CAR TO TOYOTA DEALER. WAS INFORMED ONE OF THE STRAPS HOLDING GAS TANK TO CAR FAILED DUE TO CORROSION, WEAR & TEAR AND AGE OF VEHICLE. WAS TOLD NOISE WAS DUE TO GASOLINE TANK, ROCK AND HEAT SHIELD CLANGING AGAINST CAR'S FRAME/CHASIS UNDERNEATH AND OUT OF SIGHT. WAS TOLD IF SECOND STRAP HAD FAILED IT COULD HAVE CREATED FIREBALL UNDER CAR. WAS TOLD STRAP FAILURE IS NOT UNCOMMON (REALLY?). VEHICLE REPAIRED FOR $129 OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES. NOT FEELING TOO SAFE ABOUT VEHICLE AT THIS POINT IN TIME BUT CANNOT AFFORD A NEW CAR TO REPLACE IT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME WHILE DRIVING TO WORK IN 2008 TOYOTA MATRIX. TOOK CAR TO MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE CHARCOAL CANISTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO OCCURRED WITH A 2005 TOYOTA COROLLA THAT HAD 120000 MILES ON IT. SEEMS TO ME THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITH TOYOTA COROLLAS AND POSSIBLY OTHERS.
WAS DRIVING THE 08 MATRIX AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON INTERSTATE 90/94 WEST OF MADISON WI. STOPPED AT REST STOP AND HEAR LOUD, HOLLOW NOISE FROM UNDER VEHICLE. MADE IT TO MILWAUKEE AND BROUGHT CAR TO TOYOTA DEALER. WAS INFORMED ONE OF THE STRAPS HOLDING GAS TANK TO CAR FAILED DUE TO CORROSION, WEAR & TEAR AND AGE OF VEHICLE. WAS TOLD NOISE WAS DUE TO GASOLINE TANK, ROCK AND HEAT SHIELD CLANGING AGAINST CAR'S FRAME/CHASIS UNDERNEATH AND OUT OF SIGHT. WAS TOLD IF SECOND STRAP HAD FAILED IT COULD HAVE CREATED FIREBALL UNDER CAR. WAS TOLD STRAP FAILURE IS NOT UNCOMMON (REALLY?). VEHICLE REPAIRED FOR $129 OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES. NOT FEELING TOO SAFE ABOUT VEHICLE AT THIS POINT IN TIME BUT CANNOT AFFORD A NEW CAR TO REPLACE IT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
SUDDEN ACCELLERATION, BRAKES, BATTERY, FUEL INJECTORS, SHUTTING DOWN SUDDENLY, ELECTRICAL
WITH THE LAST INCIDENT BEING 2 DAYS AGO, I FINALLY HAD A CHANCE TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE SHOP TODAY. THEY SAID THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD ABOUT 5 INCIDENTS OVER THE LAST 4 YEARS OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. ONE TIME RECENTLY IT HAPPENED ON A FLAT ROAD AS I WAS APPROACHING A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO TURN INTO THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC, CUTTING SOME ONE OFF BUT NO COLLISION TOOK PLACE. TWO DAYS AGO IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHEN MY CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN STOPPED ON A HILL FACING DOWN THE HILL. WHEN I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE IT DID NOT BRAKE THE CAR, INSTEAD I COULD HEAR THE ENGINE REV UP AND PULL FORWARD. THIS IS HOW IT HAPPENED ALSO ON THE PREVIOUS 3 TIMES. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW. I AM SINGLE AND DISABLED AND JUST FINISHED PAYING OFF THIS CAR. I DON'T WANT TO SELL THE CAR AND HAVE SOMEONE DIE BECAUSE I SOLD IT TO THEM. I CERTAINLY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO JUST GO OUT AND BUY A NEW CAR BUT I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR NOW. PLEASE ADVISE ME AS TO WHAT COURSE I SHOULD TAKE. THANK YOU. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE OVER-HEATED TO THE POINT WHERE THE HEAD GASKET BLEW. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS DUE TO CHRONIC OVERHEATING BUT TEMPERATURE GAUGES NEVER INDICATED ANY ISSUE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON UNTIL 2 MINUTES BEFORE THE CAR BROKE DOWN. POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THE MONITORING SYSTEM. ROUTINE MAINTENANCE (OIL CHANGE, FLUIDS CHECKED, ETC.) WAS DONE LESS THAN 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO INCIDENT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T WORK CORRECTLY. SOMETIMES THEY REMAIN ON IN HIGH SPEED, SOMETIMES SLOW. SOMETIMES THEY JUST STOP. WE HAVE TO TAKE THE FUSE OUT TO DRIVE ON CLEAR DAYS, AS THEY WILL JUST COME ON WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT. ALSO, THE FRONT WASHER FLUID NO LONGER WORKS. IN ADDITION TO THOSE ISSUES, THE HEAT SHIELD DROPPED WHILE WE WERE GETTING GAS ONE DAY AND RATTLES SO LOUD IT'S UNBEARABLE. I HAD TO WIRE IT UP. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .