Is the 2009 Toyota Matrix a bad year?
192 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Matrix years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2009 Toyota Matrix are in line with other Matrix years. Air bags stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2009 Matrix owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 44,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 78 (41%) | 17k–72k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 22 (11%) | 18k–72k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Engine | 19 (10%) | 26k–82k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 45 (23%) | 6k–28k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 19 (10%) | 8k–39k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Electrical system | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 44,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 192 complaints: 34 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 18 report an injury · 5 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in May 2019.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2009 Toyota Matrix: 3
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
These vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels. This does not meet the standard requirements.
The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat. A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Toyota: 108
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2009 Toyota Matrix. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
There has been some concern with 3 Piece Ring installations for 2AZ-FE and 2AZ-FXE engines
The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power…
The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide information regarding the installation of the correct torque converter bolts during automatic…
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Neighbouring years
2008 Matrix: 38 complaints, keep it · 2010 Matrix: 45 complaints, keep it.
Every Toyota Matrix year
2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · All Matrix years side by side
Other Toyota models: Toyota 4Runner · Toyota Avalon · Toyota C-HR · Toyota Camry · Toyota Camry Hybrid · Toyota Camry Solara · Toyota Celica · Toyota Corolla · Toyota Corolla Cross · Toyota Corolla Matrix · Toyota Echo · Toyota FJ Cruiser · Toyota Grand Highlander · Toyota Highlander · Toyota Highlander Hybrid · Toyota Prius · Toyota Prius c · Toyota Prius v · Toyota RAV4 · Toyota RAV4 Hybrid · Toyota RAV4 Prime · Toyota Sequoia · Toyota Sienna · Toyota Sienna Hybrid · Toyota Tacoma · Toyota Tundra · Toyota Venza · Toyota Venza Hybrid · Toyota Yaris. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2009 Toyota Matrix a bad year?
192 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Matrix years. At 44,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Toyota Matrix?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: air bags (78), steering (22), engine (19), speed control (45), brakes (19).
How many recalls does the 2009 Toyota Matrix have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 16V-340), Equipment (NHTSA 10V-035), Speed control (NHTSA 10V-023). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.