Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC)
Every generation
Power
Top speed (220 km/h)
Combined, EPA 2013
What owners say
Our take, from owner reports
Overwhelmingly positive sentiment regarding long-term reliability, practicality, and value for money.
7 problems reported (2 very frequent, 4 recurrent, 1 isolated) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- Very frequentExcessive oil consumption (2.4L engine)
Engine burns a significant amount of oil, potentially requiring a litre every 1,000 miles (1,600 km); a known, severe issue specific to the 2009 2.4L.
- Very frequentRust corrosion
Particularly in rear wheel arches, rocker panels, and around the rear subframe mounting points; can become structural and lead to vehicle being unsafe or scrapped, especially in Canada and northern US states.
- RecurrentCold start VVT-i gear rattle
A rattling noise on cold startup related to the variable valve timing gear; a known issue with a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) for repair within warranty.
+ 4 more issuesShow fewer
- RecurrentInterior component failures
Common failures include the radio display becoming half-lit or fully failed, broken radio knobs, and dome/cargo light electrical issues.
- RecurrentRear brake caliper sticking
Especially in rusty environments, leading to premature brake wear.
- RecurrentGeneral high-mileage maintenance
As vehicles age beyond 150,000 miles (241,000 km), owners report expected wear items: wheel bearings, struts/shocks, motor mounts, tie rods, control arms, and exhaust system components (flex pipe, sensors).
- IsolatedRear differential failure (AWD models)
Complete failure requiring very costly replacement (quoted at $5,000 CAD / ~$3,700 USD), reported on high-mileage examples.
The version owners recommend
Models equipped with the 1.8L engine (either 1ZZ-FE or 2ZR-FE) are strongly preferred over those with the 2.4L engine due to the latter's known oil consumption issues. For the second generation (2009+), a 2010 or newer model is often cited as preferable, with some feedback indicating these later years had fewer issues. The manual transmission is mentioned favorably as a robust option, though the automatic is also reported to be very reliable with proper fluid changes. The XR and higher trims are noted for offering more features, but the base model is still highly regarded for its core reliability.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the Pontiac Vibe, Honda Fit, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic and Mazda3.
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Overall sentiment
Overwhelmingly positive sentiment regarding long-term reliability, practicality, and value for money. The vehicle is consistently praised as an extremely durable and economical choice, with numerous reports of reaching 200,000 miles (322,000 km) and beyond with only routine maintenance. Owners highlight the versatile, flat-folding cargo space as a major strength, enabling the transport of large items, furniture, and pets. The driving experience is described as competent and peppy enough for highway use, though it is universally acknowledged as an economy-focused vehicle, not an engaging driver's car. Criticisms are specific to certain model years and configurations, primarily concerning the 2.4L engine's oil consumption in 2009 models and rust issues in older vehicles, particularly in regions with harsh winters. The consensus is that a well-maintained Matrix, especially with the 1.8L engine, represents one of the most dependable and utilitarian used car purchases available.
Positioning vs competitors
Positioned as a more practical and spacious alternative to the Toyota Corolla sedan, sharing its renowned reliability. Frequently compared to its mechanical twin, the Pontiac Vibe, with owners noting they are identical vehicles from the same factory, differing only in badges and minor styling. The Honda Fit is seen as the closest direct competitor, often praised for its interior magic but sometimes considered less powerful or robust. The Matrix is viewed as offering superior cargo utility and value compared to compact sedans (Civic, Corolla) and as a more fuel-efficient, lower-cost alternative to compact SUVs (RAV4, CR-V, Crosstrek) while offering similar cargo functionality.
Recommended configurations
1.8L engine is the unequivocal recommendation. Manual transmission is suggested for those seeking maximum longevity and simplicity, though the automatic is also reliable if its fluid change history is verified. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard and sufficient for most; all-wheel drive (AWD) is noted but comes with potential concerns about rear differential failure at high mileage. A thorough pre-purchase inspection (PPI) is universally recommended, with a specific focus on checking for rust on the rocker panels, rear wheel arches, and rear subframe mounting points. Checking the vehicle's maintenance history, specifically for transmission fluid changes, is emphasized.
General recommendations
Ideal for buyers seeking a low-cost, high-mileage, utilitarian vehicle for commuting, road trips, and hauling cargo. Highly recommended for first-time car buyers, budget-conscious families, and those who prioritize reliability above all else. Strongly advised to avoid 2009 models with the 2.4L engine due to severe oil consumption problems. For buyers in snowy or coastal regions, a meticulous rust inspection is non-negotiable. Purchase from a private seller is often suggested to get the best value, but a PPI is critical. Negotiate based on needed repairs identified during the inspection. These vehicles hold their value well in the used market, so prices around $5,000-$8,000 USD for examples with 100,000-150,000 miles are frequently discussed as reasonable, depending on condition and location.
Remarks
The Pontiac Vibe is mechanically identical to the Toyota Matrix, built in the same factory (formerly NUMMI, now Tesla's plant). This fact is frequently cited by owners to highlight review bias and the Vibe's value as a less expensive, badge-engineered alternative. The 2.4L oil consumption issue is a defining flaw for affected 2009 models, creating a clear divide in owner satisfaction. Rust is the primary killer of these vehicles in snowy climates, often outweighing mechanical wear. Despite being discontinued, a strong aftermarket and parts commonality with the Corolla platform support long-term ownership. Analysis based on approximately 45 substantive owner discussions and inquiries spanning over a decade of ownership experiences.
Generation by generation
Owner insights per generation and US complaint/recall records (NHTSA).
Complaints and recalls by model yearWorst year: 2003. Years to avoid: 2009, 2003Source: NHTSA (US)Show table
Each year graded against the model's other years: Year Score. See all Toyota Matrix years to avoid
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 5 | 1 | air bags |
| 2011 | 10 | 2 | air bags |
| 2010 | 45 | 4 | air bags |
| 2009 | 192 | 3 | air bags |
| 2008 | 38 | 2 | vehicle speed control |
| 2007 | 96 | 2 | air bags |
| 2006 | 170 | 4 | air bags |
| 2005 | 213 | 2 | air bags |
| 2004 | 138 | 3 | power train |
| 2003 | 269 | 3 | power train |
| 2002 | 2 | 0 | electrical system |
Complaint counts come from owner reports filed with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices26 on record · Source: NHTSA (US)Show recalls
2012 · air bags: air bag/restraint control modulecampaign 20V024000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.
2011 · air bags: air bag/restraint control modulecampaign 20V024000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.
2011 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 16V340000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe 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 model year 2008 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2007-2008 Toyota Yaris, 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350 and 2007-2008 Lexus ES350 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." Vehicles of these model years and models that were not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. 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. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
2010 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 16V340000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe 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 model year 2008 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2007-2008 Toyota Yaris, 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350 and 2007-2008 Lexus ES350 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." Vehicles of these model years and models that were not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. 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. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
2010 · vehicle speed control:accelerator pedalcampaign 10V023000
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, VENZA AND MATRIX PASSENGER VEHICLES. 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. THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF A CAMPAIGN OF 3.8 MILLION OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES ANNOUNCED IN 2009 FOR THE SAME ISSUE (SEE 09V-388).
2010 · equipment:other:labelscampaign 10V036000
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
2010 · equipment:other:labelscampaign 10V035000
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
2009 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 16V340000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe 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 model year 2008 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2007-2008 Toyota Yaris, 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350 and 2007-2008 Lexus ES350 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." Vehicles of these model years and models that were not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. 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. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
2009 · equipment:other:labelscampaign 10V035000
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
2009 · vehicle speed control:accelerator pedalcampaign 10V023000
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, VENZA AND MATRIX PASSENGER VEHICLES. 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. THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF A CAMPAIGN OF 3.8 MILLION OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES ANNOUNCED IN 2009 FOR THE SAME ISSUE (SEE 09V-388).
2008 · engine and engine coolingcampaign 10V384000
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2008 COROLLA AND COROLLA MATRIX VEHICLES. THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) FOR THE SUBJECT MODELS EQUIPPED WITH THE 1ZZ-FE ENGINE AND TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A CRACK MAY DEVELOP AT CERTAIN SOLDER POINTS OR ON VARISTORS ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD.
2008 · equipment:other:labelscampaign 10V035000
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
2007 · engine and engine coolingcampaign 10V384000
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2008 COROLLA AND COROLLA MATRIX VEHICLES. THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) FOR THE SUBJECT MODELS EQUIPPED WITH THE 1ZZ-FE ENGINE AND TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A CRACK MAY DEVELOP AT CERTAIN SOLDER POINTS OR ON VARISTORS ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD.
2007 · equipment:other:labelscampaign 10V035000
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
2006 · engine and engine coolingcampaign 10V384000
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2008 COROLLA AND COROLLA MATRIX VEHICLES. THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) FOR THE SUBJECT MODELS EQUIPPED WITH THE 1ZZ-FE ENGINE AND TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A CRACK MAY DEVELOP AT CERTAIN SOLDER POINTS OR ON VARISTORS ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD.
11 older recalls not shown. Check nhtsa.gov with your VIN for the full history.
Specifications
Enthusiast code: E140
S 2.4
2.4L 4-cylinder · 160 hp · AWD · automatic
Built 2008–2014