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2006 Toyota Matrix

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Matrix years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Toyota Matrix are substantially higher than the model-year median of 70.5.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

110 reports with mileage · 60 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports0 fire reports8 injury reports

Suspension complaints

20 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2008
Suspension

EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR DUE TO DESIGN FLAW/WORKMANSHIP OF THE MANUFACTURER. THE REAR END ALIGNMENT IS NOT ADJUSTABLE, AND WAS WAY OFF FROM THE FACTORY. HAD TOP REPLACE THE TIRES AT 15K MILES DUE TO CUPPING CAUSED BY CAMBER/TOE IN WAY OUT OF SPEC. TOYOTA SAID THAT TIRE ALIGNMENT WAS WELL WITHIN DESIGN SPECS. DROVE FOR 15K MILES O…

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EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR DUE TO DESIGN FLAW/WORKMANSHIP OF THE MANUFACTURER. THE REAR END ALIGNMENT IS NOT ADJUSTABLE, AND WAS WAY OFF FROM THE FACTORY. HAD TOP REPLACE THE TIRES AT 15K MILES DUE TO CUPPING CAUSED BY CAMBER/TOE IN WAY OUT OF SPEC. TOYOTA SAID THAT TIRE ALIGNMENT WAS WELL WITHIN DESIGN SPECS. DROVE FOR 15K MILES ON SECOND SET, WAS TOLD BY TIRE SPECIALIST THAT 2ND SET OF TIRES (NOT SAME AS ORIGINAL) WAS ALSO CUPPING, AND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DEFINITELY IN THE ALIGNMENT OF THE REAR END. HAD TO THREATEN TOYOTA WITH A LAWSUIT BEFORE THEY ADMITTED THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THEY ADDED SHIMS TO CAR (I HAD TO PAY FOR PARTS), BUT FLAT OUT REFUSED TO RE-IMBURSE FOR RUINED TIRES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10233098

5,000 miles · Jul 2, 2008
SuspensionTires

I OWN A 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX MY TIRES ARE WEARING IMPROPER. THE TIRES ARE CUPPING, AT 3,000 TO 5,000 MILES. AFTER RESEARCHING I FOUND THAT EVERY MATRIX, PONTIAC VIB AND COROLLA OWNER IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. ALL OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. A SOLUTION FOR THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN FOUND BUT THE T…

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I OWN A 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX MY TIRES ARE WEARING IMPROPER. THE TIRES ARE CUPPING, AT 3,000 TO 5,000 MILES. AFTER RESEARCHING I FOUND THAT EVERY MATRIX, PONTIAC VIB AND COROLLA OWNER IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. ALL OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. A SOLUTION FOR THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN FOUND BUT THE TOYOTA DOES NOT WANT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10232992

21,000 miles · May 18, 2008
SuspensionCrash

OWN A 2006 MATRIX AND HAD ALL 4 TIRES WARE OUT ON INSIDE OF THREAD WITH 21000 MILES ON CAR. DID NOT NOTICE THE PROBLEM TILL CAR WENT OFF ROAD HITTING A TREE. REPAIR SHOP SAID TIRES WERE WORN EXCESSIVELY, AND CAR SHOULDN'T BE DRIVEN. UPON REPAIR, CAR WAS TAKEN TO HAVE FRONT END ALIGNED AND WAS TOLD IT WAS WITHIN TOYOTAS SPECKS, B…

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OWN A 2006 MATRIX AND HAD ALL 4 TIRES WARE OUT ON INSIDE OF THREAD WITH 21000 MILES ON CAR. DID NOT NOTICE THE PROBLEM TILL CAR WENT OFF ROAD HITTING A TREE. REPAIR SHOP SAID TIRES WERE WORN EXCESSIVELY, AND CAR SHOULDN'T BE DRIVEN. UPON REPAIR, CAR WAS TAKEN TO HAVE FRONT END ALIGNED AND WAS TOLD IT WAS WITHIN TOYOTAS SPECKS, BUT COULD BE CORRECTED TO A TIGHTER STANDARD. CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE TIRES FAULT, WHEN CONTACTED THE TIRE MANUFACTURE(CONTINENTAL) , THEY STATED IT WAS CLEARLY OUT OF ALIGNMENT, AND THEREFORE CAR CAME FROM THE FACTORY LIKE THAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228102

18,001 miles · Nov 14, 2007
SuspensionTires

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR SERVICE TO INVESTIGATE A LOUD VIBRATION NOISE COMING FROM THE TIRES AS LONG AS VEHICLE WAS ROLLING. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 18,000 MILES ON IT. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE SEVERELY CUPPED. THE DEALER CONTACTED THE FACTORY REFERENCE THE TIRES AND THE FACTORY RECOMMENDED THE TIRES BE REPLACED. ALL FOUR TIRES W…

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VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR SERVICE TO INVESTIGATE A LOUD VIBRATION NOISE COMING FROM THE TIRES AS LONG AS VEHICLE WAS ROLLING. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 18,000 MILES ON IT. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE SEVERELY CUPPED. THE DEALER CONTACTED THE FACTORY REFERENCE THE TIRES AND THE FACTORY RECOMMENDED THE TIRES BE REPLACED. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED AND WERE ALIGNED TO SPEC. UPON LEAVING THE DEALER SERVICE CENTER A NEW TIRE NOISE WAS NOTICED. IT WAS NOT THE SAME VIBRATION NOISE BUT A LOUD ROAR AS LONG AS THE TIRES WERE ROLLING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10208925

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2007
Suspension

PURCHASED 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX ON 14 APRIL 2006 FROM YOUNGER TOYOTA, 1935 DUAL HIGHWAY. HAGERSTOWN, MD. 27140. WITHIN 12,000 TO 13,000 MILES VEHICLE HAD SEVERE ROAD NOISE. BY 15,000 MILES NOTICED SEVERE INSIDE CUPPING OF ALL FOUR TIRES. TIRES WERE ROTATED EVERY 5,000 MILES AT OIL CHANGE. I THOUGHT I HAD BAD TIRES AND PRIOR TO …

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PURCHASED 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX ON 14 APRIL 2006 FROM YOUNGER TOYOTA, 1935 DUAL HIGHWAY. HAGERSTOWN, MD. 27140. WITHIN 12,000 TO 13,000 MILES VEHICLE HAD SEVERE ROAD NOISE. BY 15,000 MILES NOTICED SEVERE INSIDE CUPPING OF ALL FOUR TIRES. TIRES WERE ROTATED EVERY 5,000 MILES AT OIL CHANGE. I THOUGHT I HAD BAD TIRES AND PRIOR TO PURCHASING NEW TIRES WENT TO YOUNGER TOYOTA FOR AN ALIGNMENT ON 19 JULY 2007 (17,410 MILES ON VEHICLE). THE YOUNGER SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT THE MATRIX WAS A LITTLE OUT OF ALIGNMENT. I PURCHASED NEW TIRES FROM DISCOUNT TIRE DIRECT ON 3 AUGUST 2007 AND HAD NEW TIRES INSTALLED (18,714 MILES ON VEHICLE). IN OCTOBER 2007 I CAME ACROSS SEVERAL FORUMS WHERE SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I VISITED YOUNGER TOYOTA AND TALKED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HE HAD MET WITH OTHER MATRIX OWNERS WHO HAD HAD THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I HAD. HIS ANSWER TO ME WAS THAT HE HAD NO SERVICE BULLETINS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND THAT I SHOULD CONTACT A CUSTOMER REPRESENTATIVE AT TOYOTA TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I CONTACTED A CUSTOMER REP AT TOYOTA AND GOT THE SAME ANSWER THAT THE SERVICE MANAGER GAVE ME. NO SERVICE BULLETINS AND NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. I FILED FOR ARBITRATION ON 11 OCTOBER 2007 ( CASE #200710110721). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10206220

13,000 miles · Aug 7, 2007
SuspensionTires

THE TIRES ON MY 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX ARE CUPPING. I HAD TO REPLACE THEM AT 13,000 MILES. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON MATRIXS NO MATTER WHAT TYPE OF TIRE ARE ON THE CAR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10198732

24,707 miles · Aug 1, 2007
SuspensionTires

WITH ONLY 24,707 MILES ON MY 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX, I WAS TOLD THAT ALL FOUR TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE FOUND MANY SUCH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE VEHICLES AFTER DOING AN INTERNET SEARCH. THE PROBLEM WAS DESCRIBED AS EXCESSIVE CUPPING OR WEAR TO THE INSIDE OF THE TIRES. THE SIXTEEN INCH CONTINENTAL TIRES STANDARD ON THESE HAVE…

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WITH ONLY 24,707 MILES ON MY 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX, I WAS TOLD THAT ALL FOUR TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE FOUND MANY SUCH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE VEHICLES AFTER DOING AN INTERNET SEARCH. THE PROBLEM WAS DESCRIBED AS EXCESSIVE CUPPING OR WEAR TO THE INSIDE OF THE TIRES. THE SIXTEEN INCH CONTINENTAL TIRES STANDARD ON THESE HAVE A TREAD LIFE OF 50,000 MILES, BUT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THEY HAVE A TREAD LIFE OF ABOUT 25,000 MILES. I HAVE THE RECORDS TO PROVE THAT I BROUGHT THE AUTO IN EVERY 5,000 MILES FOR A SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. EACH ONE CALLED FOR A TIRE ROTATION. I AM SO ANGRY THAT THE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T MENTION THIS PROBLEM OR MAKE CORRECTIONS TO THE ALIGNMENT OR BALANCE OF THE TIRES, THAT I REFUSE TO GO BACK TO THEM. IN MY OPINION, THIS CONSTITUTES NEGLIGENT BEHAVIOR ON THE PART OF THE DEALERSHIP AND A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW ON THE PART OF THE MANUFACTURER THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED FOR ALL TOYOTA MATRIX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10198015

13,000 miles · Dec 14, 2006
Suspension

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT TIRES KEEP WEARING OUT AT 7000 MILES. THE FRONT TIRES WERE WORN ON THE INSIDE PORTION. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC EXPRESSED THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE ALIGNMENT.

NHTSA ODI #10176107

14,000 miles · Nov 11, 2006
SuspensionTires

I HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX XR 2WD WITH 14000 MI. I HAVE HAD THE TIRES ROTATED 3 TIMES IN THIS PERIOD AND KEEP 32PSI IN EACH TIRE, UPON PRESENTATION TO THE TIRE SHOP (CONTINENTAL ECO PLUS TIRES). THE SHOP REFUSED TO ROTATE THE TIRES SINCE ONE HAD 2/32 TREAD WEAR AND ANOTHER TIRE WAS SHOWING BELTS ON THE VERY INSIDE OF TIRE. THE…

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I HAVE A 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX XR 2WD WITH 14000 MI. I HAVE HAD THE TIRES ROTATED 3 TIMES IN THIS PERIOD AND KEEP 32PSI IN EACH TIRE, UPON PRESENTATION TO THE TIRE SHOP (CONTINENTAL ECO PLUS TIRES). THE SHOP REFUSED TO ROTATE THE TIRES SINCE ONE HAD 2/32 TREAD WEAR AND ANOTHER TIRE WAS SHOWING BELTS ON THE VERY INSIDE OF TIRE. THERE IS ALSO A HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE TIRES AS WELL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10173175

10,000 miles · Oct 13, 2006
SuspensionTires

BOUGHT NEW TOYOTA MATRIX 2 WHEEL DRIVE IN 2006. ALL FOUR TIRES ARE WORN EXCESSIVELY ON THE INSIDE PART OF TIRE. DEALERSHIP SAYS I DROVE THE CAR THEREFORE NOT THEIR PROBLEM. TOYOTA SAYS TIRES NOT THEIR PROBLEM. NEITHER ORGANIZATION SEEMS TO THINK THE CAR MAY HAVE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND O…

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BOUGHT NEW TOYOTA MATRIX 2 WHEEL DRIVE IN 2006. ALL FOUR TIRES ARE WORN EXCESSIVELY ON THE INSIDE PART OF TIRE. DEALERSHIP SAYS I DROVE THE CAR THEREFORE NOT THEIR PROBLEM. TOYOTA SAYS TIRES NOT THEIR PROBLEM. NEITHER ORGANIZATION SEEMS TO THINK THE CAR MAY HAVE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND OTHERS REPORTING SAME TROUBLES. I KNOW AM FACED WITH BUYING 4 NEW TIRES HAVING TO GET AN ALIGNMENT. AND STILL NOT CONVINCED THE PROBLEM WILL GO AWAY. THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE BEEN THEIR WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR. BOTH DEALERSHIP AND TOYOTA WANT TO BLAME ME AND THE TIRE COMPANY. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10170729

Official recalls

3

10V384000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Aug 26, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THERE ARE A VARIETY OF WARNINGS AND CONSEQUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEFECT. THE ENGINE WARNING LAMP COULD BE ILLUMINATED, HARSH SHIFTING COULD RESULT, THE ENGINE MAY NOT START, OR THE ENGINE COULD SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. AN ENGINE SHUTOFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PRODUCTION NUMBER OF THE ECM AND REPLACE THE ECM IF NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. TOYOTA WILL MAIL AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION THE MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER 2010 TO ADVISE OWNERS OF THIS DEFECT AND RECALL. THIS INTERIM NOTIFICATION WILL INFORM OWNERS THAT THEY WILL RECEIVE A FUTURE NOTIFICATION WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO HAVE THE FREE REMEDY PERFORMED ON THEIR VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

10V035000 · Equipment:other:labels

Feb 3, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.

10V036000 · Equipment:other:labels

Feb 3, 2010

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.