2008 Toyota Matrix: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 38 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is vehicle speed control (27% of complaints).
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 38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota matrix. When the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle shut off. The contact would have to turn the vehicle off and on in order to drive properly. The contact stated that the same failure occurred numerous times, especially at red lights. The vehicle was taken to bennett toyota (1951 lehigh st, allentown, pa 18103), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was also contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2018
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 toyota matrix. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v127000 (air bags); however, the parts needed to perform the repair were unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 toyota matrix. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v127000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Dangerous, poor traction on wet pavement sumitomo tour plus ls-h when on a steep road in san francisco, my tires skidded rather than grab the road on a rainy day in the winter of 2016. This also happened during the winter of 2017. It is dangerous. I need to change the tires before selling my car to another person.”Owner report · Tires · Feb 2016
“I have a manual transmission car. When I started it in my driveway and put in reverse the car immediately when speeding backward out of control. I engaged the clutch while the car continued to speed in reverse then moved to 1 gear and the car started speeding forward out of control. I was able to put the car in neutral and turn it off to stop the acceleration of the car.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Nov 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota matrix. While attempting to accelerate from park, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle accelerated excessively. The contact had to depress the clutch and shift the gear shifter in neutral in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Nov 2015
“I noticed a chirping noise from the engine. My husband took the matrix to a toyota dealer who advised us, upon inspection that the bolt that holds the lifter arm hadsheared off inside the engine. We are extremely fortunate that this did not result in an injury accident whilst traveling at highway speeds! The service manager said he had only seen this happen before when a belt was replaced. The issue has not been resolved since the dealer and toyota seem to feel that it is not their problem. The dealer quoted $2200+ and advised that if they cannot drill the bolt out, that the short block would need to be replaced. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota matrix. The contacted received notification of concerning NHTSA campaign id number: 10v384000 (engine and engine cooling) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for repairs february 2011. The dealer advised that the part needed for repairs was not readily available and that he would be contacted when the part became available for repairs. The contact stated that the repair wait had exceeded a reasonable amount of time. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 81,300. Updated 3/28/11 *cn the consumer stated the recall was performed on march 17, 2011. Updated 03/30/11”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2011
“2008 toyota matrix. Consumer writes in regards to toyota computer safety recall. *ld the consumer stated the dealer had not replaced the ecm, but claimed it was replaced. *js”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2010
“Safety recall letter received november 2010, part available march 2011 made appointment with dealer march 5th 2011 dealer said I need the replacement part for the ecm but no part available will call when part is available. No contact since. Received yet another recall letter august 15, 2011 starting the process all over again. I have complied but wasted my time already with no results. It is now august 2011. *kb”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Nov 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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 2008 Toyota Matrix reliable?
NHTSA has 38 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Toyota Matrix. The most complained-about area is vehicle speed control (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Toyota Matrix problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 42,651 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Toyota Matrix have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:other:labels. 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.