Toyota Matrix: Years to Avoid and Best Years to Buy
The Toyota Matrix has 3 model year(s) in the federal index and no scored complaint record yet, so this page carries the catalogue entry and the years we hold rather than a verdict.
Year-by-year data table
| Year | Score | Verdict | Running cost / yr | NHTSA complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | — | DATA PENDING | $4,760 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | 90 | BUY | $4,906 | 5 | 1 |
| 2011 | 84 | BUY | $5,302 | 10 | 2 |
Running cost is fuel or energy plus the maintenance band midpoint for that car at its age today, re-priced to your country. Purchase price, insurance and depreciation are not included.
Photographs and every generation of the Matrix, through the years →
What goes wrong on the Toyota Matrix
Across every Matrix model year in our index, owners report these component groups most often. The cost beside each one is the representative repair for that group at a US independent shop, re-priced to your country.
- Air Bags14 complaints across all Matrix years · typical job: Airbag module, clockspring or sensor replacement$600–$1,700
- Engine1 complaints across all Matrix years · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair$1,040–$2,220
Flat-rate labour hours x local shop rate plus a parts band. An estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote. Formula.
FAQ
What is the most common Toyota Matrix problem?
14 of the complaints filed against the Matrix across all its model years sit in the Air Bags group — more than any other component.
Sources: NHTSA, EPA · Methodology · Updated 2026-10-04