2006 Toyota Matrix recalls and problems

The 2006 Toyota Matrix has 3 recalls and 170 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is air bags.

How the 2006 compares

High

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

High complaint count among 11 Matrix model years — 4th most.

3recalls

170complaints

17crashes

0fires

10injuries

37,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

3 recalls

Engine

Aug 26, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V384000 · 1,128,659 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Risk: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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 & notes

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.

Owners May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .

Equipment

Feb 3, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V036000 · 153,418 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Risk: A driver May overload a vehicle which May increase the risk of a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

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

Remedy & notes

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.

Equipment

Feb 3, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V035000 · 271,417 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Risk: This does not meet the standard requirements.

Original NHTSA wording

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy & notes

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.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Air Bags50

Tires27

Engine26

Electrical System22

Suspension20

Vehicle Speed Control20

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2006 vs. other Toyota Matrix years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2006. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2006 Toyota Matrix have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns covering the 2006 Toyota Matrix, the latest from Aug 26, 2010 (engine). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Toyota Matrix?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention air bags (50), tires (27), engine (26). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.