2009 Toyota Matrix: common problems and reliability
One of the worst Matrix years.
One of the Toyota Matrix years to avoid. All Matrix years
192 owner complaints, most about air bags. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 2009 Matrix?The 2009 Toyota Matrix has 192 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and vehicle speed control. Owners most often flag excessive 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.
Safety record for the 2009 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2009 Toyota Matrix vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Matrix years only. How we score it
Is 2009 a good year for the Matrix?
Across the 11 Matrix model years we track, complaint volume runs from 2 (2002) to 269 (2003). With 192 complaints, the 2009 Matrix sits above the model's median of 96.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2009 Matrix
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 16V340000Toyota 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.
equipment:other:labels
Campaign 10V035000GULF 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.
vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal
Campaign 10V023000TOYOTA 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).
What owners say across generations
Overwhelmingly positive sentiment regarding long-term reliability, practicality, and value for money.
- 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.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Matrix. See the full Matrix owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Matrix listings typically run $7,075–$9,498 across 2003 to 2013 model years.
Other Matrix model years
Compare every Matrix year side by side to see how 2009 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Matrix against its rivals
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