RoadVitals

2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
74
Latest Mar 4, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
8
Latest Oct 17, 2019
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
1 currently open
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
9
8 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 74 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Toyota Corolla Matrix, most frequently naming the airbags, engine and driver assistance categories. 8 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 77 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

8 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Oct 17, 2019
928,220 units potentially affected
The defect: 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, 2007-2012 Yaris and Lexus ES350, 2010-2017 Lexus GX460, 2002-2010 Lexus SC430, 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 and 2010-2015 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles. These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingManufacturer number J0A, J0B, J0C, JLIView on NHTSA.gov

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 9, 2018
628,018 units potentially affected
The defect: 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, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP (Saipan), and the U.S. VI or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, ES350, IS-F, GX460, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Toyota is also recalling certain 2009 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Lexus IS250, IS350, ES350, IS-F, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles ever registered in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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. The recall began on January 29, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingManufacturer number See attached reportView on NHTSA.gov

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 9, 2017
577,875 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2009 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Yaris HB, Scion xB, Pontiac Vibe, Lexus, ES350, IS250, IS350, and IS-F vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and IS350, 2007-2008 Lexus ES350, Toyota Yaris, Yaris HB, and 2008 Lexus IS-F and Scion xB vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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. The recall began on February 1, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), H0A (Toyota Zone C), GLG (Lexus Zone A), GLH (Lexus Zone B) and HLA (Lexus Zone C).
Toyota Motor Engineering & ManufacturingView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA21002OpenEngineering Analysis

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
PE10008ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

Steering Wander or Drift

Opened Feb 18, 2010
Closed May 4, 2011

On February 18, 2010, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE10-008 to investigate complaints of steering wander or drift in model year (MY) 2009 and 2010 Toyota Corolla and Matrix vehicles.The complaint descriptions indicated dissatisfaction with the on-center steering feel in the subject vehicles. Some drivers (~25%) related the feel to driving in a strong crosswind and others indicated that the effort and attention required to maintain heading increased driver fatigue on long trips.These complaints all relate to the system operating as designed and do not involve failure of any steering system components.The subject vehicles are equipped with an electronic power steering system that was introduced in the MY 2009 vehicles.The power assist, including on-center steering feel, is controlled electronically and is part of the system calibration.Toyota responded to steering feel concerns from some customers by issuing a technical service bulletin (TSB-0140-10 STEERING ON-CENTER FEEL) that released an optional EPS electronic control unit that has a re-calibrated on-center feel.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted by the circumstances.For further details see the attached VRTC and ODI Closing Reports.

STEERING

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Mar 4, 2025

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 oil consumption. Despite regular maintenance and oil changes, the vehicle continues to burn through oil at an alarming rate, posing potential environmental and safety hazards. After researching this issue, I found that numerous 2009 Toyota Matrix owners have reported similar problems, suggesting a possible design or manufacturing flaw. I believe it is essential for Toyota to acknowledge this issue and take corrective action to ensure the safety and well-being of drivers and the environment. I respectfully request that you consider adding excessive oil consumption to the list of recalls for the 2009 Toyota Matrix. I would appreciate it if you could look into this matter and take necessary steps to address this issue. Please find below the details of my vehicle: - Year: 2009 - Make: Toyota - Model: Matrix - Mileage: 92000 - Engine: 2.4L 2AZ-FE Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

NHTSA ID
11646145
Incident
Mar 2, 2020
Fuel system
Filed Jul 19, 2023

Known well issues, faulty thank getting water to canister. Car Scanner ELM OBD2 Version: 1.99.2/1.99.2/iOS DTC report Connection profile: Toyota 2006-2009 OBD-II / EOBD + CAN busDate: [XXX] VIN: [XXX] ============================ OBD-IIOBD-II DTCs: 5 ---------------------------- P043E [0x043E] Evaporative emission (EVAP) leak detection reference orifice - low flow Status: Confirmed ---------------------------- P043F [0x043F] Evaporative emission (EVAP) leak detection system reference orifice - excessive flow detected Status: Confirmed ---------------------------- P2401 [0x2401] Evaporative emission (EVAP) leak detection pump, control - circuit low Status: Confirmed ---------------------------- P2402 [0x2402] Evaporative emission (EVAP) leak detection pump, control - circuit high Status: Confirmed ---------------------------- P2419 [0x2419] Evaporative emission (EVAP) switching valve - circuit low Status: Confirmed ============================ Engine control unit #1Engine control unit #1 DTCs: 5 ---------------------------- P043E [0x043E] Evaporative emission (EVAP) leak detection reference orifice - low flow Status: Confirmed ---------------------------- P043F [0x043F] Evaporative emission (EVAP) leak detection system reference orifice - excessive flow detected Status: Confirmed ---------------------------- P2401 [0x2401] Evaporative emission (EVAP) leak detection pump, control - circuit low Status: Confirmed ---------------------------- P2402 [0x2402] Evaporative emission (EVAP) leak detection pump, control - circuit high Status: Confirmed ---------------------------- P2419 [0x2419] Evaporative emission (EVAP) switching valve - circuit low Status: Confirmed INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11533362
Incident
Jul 10, 2023
Body & structureEngine
Filed Apr 13, 2021
Fire reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11407984
Incident
Apr 13, 2021
Mileage
160,000 mi
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Dec 1, 2020

POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND NEARLY KILLED MYSELF 149,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND THIS IS SUPER DANGEROUS. FROM WHAT I READ, PLENTY OF OTHER MATRIX DOING THE SAME. BRAKES, WINDOWS ALL WENT OUT AS WELL

NHTSA ID
11377340
Incident
Nov 16, 2020
Engine
Filed Nov 16, 2020

MY VEHICLE IS GOING THROUGH SEVERAL QUARTS OF OIL WITHIN THE 3,000 MILE RANGE. EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION.

NHTSA ID
11374929
Incident
Jun 1, 2020
Mileage
110,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 2, 2020

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) WAS BLINKING AND STAY ON YESTERDAY. TODAY IT DOES THE SAME. SO TWO DAYS IN A ROW THIS HAPPENED. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY BOTH DAYS.

NHTSA ID
11292551
Incident
Dec 28, 2019
Mileage
35 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 3, 2019

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

NHTSA ID
11265814
Incident
Aug 24, 2019
Airbags
Filed Mar 6, 2019
Crash reported1 injury reported

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. I SUFFERED 8 FRACTURED RIBS AND NUMEROUS LACERATIONS. I SPENT 4 DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL, AND @ 3 WEEKS IN REHAB. I LOST APPROXIMATELY 4 WEEKS OF WORK. I STILL HAVE SCARS AND NECROTIC BUMPS ON MY CHEST WALL. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. AS FAR AS I KNOW IT'S IN THE LANDFILL. I AM BEGGING ONLY FOR NO MORE RECALL NOTICES TO BE SENT TO ME.

NHTSA ID
11184635
Incident
Jan 13, 2013

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

T-SB-0038-24

STRUCTURE:BODY

To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin No. PD017-04. •The entire bulletin has been updated.

T-SB-0038-24

STRUCTURE:BODY

To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin No. PD017-04. •The entire bulletin has been updated.

T-PANT-2024-004-

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION

This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life Coolant, effective March 1, 2024. These products are ordered through the Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) website.

Toyota PRO19-02

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; TIRES; WHEELS

POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. Customers can find this information on the Owner?s section of Toyota.com. Dealers can locate a copy of this guide on the Claims Processing & Resource Center in Dealer Daily as well.

Toyota Safety Re

AIR BAGS

Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements

ZE7-Toyota POL14

ENGINE

Warranty Policy Bulletin: Toyota has received some reports where vehicles may exhibit excessive engine oil consumption. Toyota is now announcing the part replacement phase of Warranty Enhancement Program ZE7 for vehicles exhibiting excessive engine oil consumption.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Toyota Corolla Matrix by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2013122
2012022
2011622
2010207253.7
2009Viewing748261.5
2008314257.8
2007484256.4
2006644362.2
2005884461.7
2004295363.1
2003365360.4
2002000

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.