2006 Toyota Matrix: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 170 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (28% of complaints); the 2007 and 2008 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 170 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Matrix. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V627000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2025
“How can I get toyota to quit sending me notices. I'm getting about 1 a week now for a car that was demolished at a junkyard in january 2017. I've provided them proof that they are sending to me but they won't stop....please help or forward me on to someone who can help. Thanks!”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2018
“Your website where I enter my VIN returns a "request was invalid" message. "one or more parameters were invalid." nothing is explained. Why did this message show?”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Letter from congresswoman capps on behalf of constituent re why efforts are focused on replacing the passenger side airbags first and not the driver side airbags which seems more relevant. *smd”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 toyota matrix. The contact received a recall notification in may of 2016 for NHTSA campaign number: 15v285000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2016
“I just arranged a 3rd appointment to have repairs on my toyota matrix for my safety recall. I have been told that there is no part to accomplish the repairs twice now. My next appt is set for the end of august and I am hoping that the part will be available! It is very difficult to comply with not having a passenger ride with me. Please order and deliver a suitable part to the owings mills toyota service center.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2016
“Initial recall was issued for car nearly 1 year ago today. Remedy was not available at the time. Received a notice that the part was available and replacement could be scheduled approximately 2 months ago but was informed the part had to be ordered by the dealer. Follow up call today indicates the part is still back ordered and I am unable to have the repair done. This is unacceptable when the recall notice indicates that a passenger in the car could be seriously injured or killed in the event of an accident. Toyota has not remedied the problem in a year, and is not making satisfactory progress in obtaining the part or scheduling the repair.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2016
“Takata recall I finally received my instructions for replacing the dangerous passenger airbag on my toyota matrix after close to a year of waiting on their follow-up. When I reached out to my local toyota dealership, mcgeorge toyota in richmond va, I was told that they had to order the part and it would be 3 months before it could be fixed. I supposed free repairs are much more difficult to schedule.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 toyota matrix. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v285000 (air bags); however, the parts for the recall repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 toyota matrix. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v285000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 17 of these complaints and injuries in 10 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Matrix by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Toyota Matrix reliable?
NHTSA has 170 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 Toyota Matrix. The most complained-about area is air bags (28% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Toyota Matrix problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 37,000 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Toyota Matrix have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.