ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2006 Toyota Matrix
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 170 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Toyota Matrix, most frequently naming the airbags, tires & wheels and engine categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 138 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 2007 | 2 | 22 |
| Jan 2008 | 2 | 24 |
| Apr 2008 | 6 | 30 |
| May 2008 | 1 | 31 |
| Jul 2008 | 5 | 36 |
| Aug 2008 | 2 | 38 |
| Sep 2008 | 3 | 41 |
| Oct 2008 | 1 | 42 |
| Dec 2008 | 3 | 45 |
| Jan 2009 | 1 | 46 |
| Mar 2009 | 2 | 48 |
| Apr 2009 | 2 | 50 |
| Jun 2009 | 2 | 52 |
| Aug 2009 | 1 | 53 |
| Oct 2009 | 1 | 54 |
| Nov 2009 | 1 | 55 |
| Dec 2009 | 2 | 57 |
| Jan 2010 | 2 | 59 |
| Feb 2010 | 10 | 69 |
| Mar 2010 | 9 | 78 |
| Apr 2010 | 3 | 81 |
| May 2010 | 3 | 84 |
| Jun 2010 | 4 | 88 |
| Jul 2010 | 5 | 93 |
| Aug 2010 | 6 | 99 |
| Sep 2010 | 3 | 102 |
| Nov 2010 | 2 | 104 |
| Dec 2010 | 1 | 105 |
| Feb 2011 | 1 | 106 |
| Mar 2011 | 1 | 107 |
| Apr 2011 | 1 | 108 |
| Jul 2011 | 1 | 109 |
| Oct 2011 | 1 | 110 |
| Feb 2012 | 1 | 111 |
| Apr 2012 | 2 | 113 |
| Jul 2012 | 1 | 114 |
| Dec 2012 | 1 | 115 |
| Sep 2013 | 1 | 116 |
| Feb 2014 | 1 | 117 |
| Apr 2014 | 1 | 118 |
| May 2015 | 1 | 119 |
| Jul 2015 | 3 | 122 |
| Aug 2015 | 5 | 127 |
| Sep 2015 | 8 | 135 |
| Oct 2015 | 7 | 142 |
| Nov 2015 | 5 | 147 |
| Dec 2015 | 5 | 152 |
| Jan 2016 | 2 | 154 |
| Feb 2016 | 1 | 155 |
| Mar 2016 | 2 | 157 |
| Apr 2016 | 3 | 160 |
| May 2016 | 1 | 161 |
| Jun 2016 | 1 | 162 |
| Jul 2016 | 2 | 164 |
| Oct 2016 | 1 | 165 |
| Aug 2017 | 1 | 166 |
| Nov 2017 | 1 | 167 |
| Mar 2018 | 1 | 168 |
| Feb 2020 | 1 | 169 |
| Aug 2025 | 1 | 170 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Airbags5023.6%
- Tires & wheels2712.7%
- Engine2612.3%
- Electrical2210.4%
- Driver assistance219.9%
- Suspension209.4%
- Transmission104.7%
- Powertrain (other)104.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
4 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.govEQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Matrix. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V627000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
- NHTSA ID
- 11678343
- Incident
- Mar 4, 2025
2006 TOYOTA MATRIX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RUSTED RIGHT SIDE REAR STRUT. *LD *JS
- NHTSA ID
- 11301994
- Incident
- Feb 4, 2020
HOW CAN I GET TOYOTA TO QUIT SENDING ME NOTICES. I'M GETTING ABOUT 1 A WEEK NOW FOR A CAR THAT WAS DEMOLISHED AT A JUNKYARD IN JANUARY 2017. I'VE PROVIDED THEM PROOF THAT THEY ARE SENDING TO ME BUT THEY WON'T STOP....PLEASE HELP OR FORWARD ME ON TO SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP. THANKS!
- NHTSA ID
- 11076675
- Incident
- Mar 7, 2018
YOUR WEBSITE WHERE I ENTER MY VIN RETURNS A "REQUEST WAS INVALID" MESSAGE. "ONE OR MORE PARAMETERS WERE INVALID." NOTHING IS EXPLAINED. WHY DID THIS MESSAGE SHOW?
- NHTSA ID
- 11043603
- Incident
- Nov 5, 2017
- Mileage
- 120,000 mi
MY CLOCK STARTED GOING OUT. SOMETIMES IT WOULD BE ON AND OTHER TIMES IT WOULD GO OFF AND NOW IT TURNS ON AND OFF IN ITS OWN TIME FACTOR WHEN I AM DRIVNG AND THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND WHEN I AM STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS.. I ASKED THE TOYOTA DEALER IF THEY COULD FIX MY CLOCK. I HAD THEM DO A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE CLOCK WHICH COST AROUND $110 APPROX.. THEY SAID THEY COULD FIX MY CLOCK FOR $416.31 AND THAT IS WAS CONNECTED TO MY AIR BAGS. MY TOYOTA DEALER SAID THEY REPLACED MY TAKATA AIRBAG ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE ON 2-18-2016, AND TOLD ME THE OTHER AIRBAGS WERE NOT TAKATA. BUT I WONDERED IF MY CLOCK DOESN'T WORK AND IT'S TIED INTO MY AIRBAGS, IF I GET INTO A WRECK WILL MY AIRBAGS DEPLOY OR NOT DEPLOY BECASUSE I HAVEN'T FIXED MY CLOCK?
- NHTSA ID
- 11020675
- Incident
- Mar 16, 2017
- Mileage
- 184,952 mi
LETTER FROM CONGRESSWOMAN CAPPS ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE WHY EFFORTS ARE FOCUSED ON REPLACING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS FIRST AND NOT THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAGS WHICH SEEMS MORE RELEVANT. *SMD
- NHTSA ID
- 10914713
- Incident
- Oct 3, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION IN MAY OF 2016 FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
- NHTSA ID
- 10888887
- Incident
- Jul 27, 2016
I JUST ARRANGED A 3RD APPOINTMENT TO HAVE REPAIRS ON MY TOYOTA MATRIX FOR MY SAFETY RECALL. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS NO PART TO ACCOMPLISH THE REPAIRS TWICE NOW. MY NEXT APPT IS SET FOR THE END OF AUGUST AND I AM HOPING THAT THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE! IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO COMPLY WITH NOT HAVING A PASSENGER RIDE WITH ME. PLEASE ORDER AND DELIVER A SUITABLE PART TO THE OWINGS MILLS TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER.
- NHTSA ID
- 10883217
- Incident
- Jul 7, 2016
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, normal buffing or polishing repair procedures should not be attempted. This can cause further damage and result in visible depressions in the paint surface. The following are the three major categories of acid rain damage: •Minor damage: requires only buffing to repair. •Moderate damage: usually requires neutralizing, color sanding, and buffing. •Severe damage: extending beyond 1/2 mil of clearcoat on a pearl, metallic, or solid color, requires neutralization, sanding, and repainting. In cases where acid rain damage is minor, neutralization and buffing with a liquid-type paint finessing product may provide an adequate repair. Only specially formulated products outlined in this bulletin should be used for that purpose. Unfortunately, other than minor damage, there is no simple method of determining the actual extent (depth) of acid penetration other than color sanding a representative affected area until there is no visible etching or depressions, followed by measuring the amount of paint removed with either a magnetic or digital-type film thickness gauge. The procedures in this bulletin are intended for use by qualified body/paint technicians and should not be attempted by inexperienced personnel. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. Perform frequent vehicle washing, as often as daily, during high heat and humidity periods to minimize the potential for paint damage due to acid rain exposure. This is especially important in geographical areas known for high frequency and concentration of acid rain and industrial fallout.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation and corrosive action also occur more rapidly on dark colored cars as direct sun heat increases. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. In areas known for high frequency and/or concentration of acid rain, frequent vehicle washing during high heat or humidity periods will minimize the potential for paint damage caused by acid rain. It is further recommended that either reverse osmosis or deionized water be used to prevent water spotting.
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.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to remove the RapgardTM protective film within 90 days from initial application.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surface. These particles are often difficult to see on dark color paints but can be easily felt when brushing a hand across horizontal body surfaces such as the hood, roof, or deck lid. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to clean vehicles that may have been subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles such as rail dust during rail transportation or extended storage near industrial areas.
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
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.