TOYOTA MATRIX · model year

2006 TOYOTA MATRIX

212 NHTSA complaints, 25 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006TOYOTAMATRIX carries 212 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 25 crashes, 0 fires, 16 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2006 MATRIX is air bags with 50 filings, followed by tires (23) and electrical system (22). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 51 investigation files overlapping the 2006 MATRIX, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

212
Complaints
25
Crashes
0
Fires
16
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

212 filings

Crashes Reported

25 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS50
TIRES23
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM22
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL20
SUSPENSION15
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING15
POWER TRAIN9
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC6
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION6
STEERING5
TIRES:TREAD/BELT4
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE4
ENGINE4
SUSPENSION:FRONT3

Recalls (4)

10V38400026/08/2010

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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

06E02300013/03/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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 EQUIPME

10V03600003/02/2010

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

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.

10V03500003/02/2010

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

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 CAPA

Recent Complaints

20250804AIR BAGS

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.

20200204SUSPENSION

2006 TOYOTA MATRIX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RUSTED RIGHT SIDE REAR STRUT. *LD *JS

20180307AIR BAGS

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!

20171105AIR BAGS

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?

Mileage: 120,000

20170830AIR BAGS

MY CLOCK STARTED GOING OUT. SOMETIMES IT WOULD BE ON AND OTHER TIMES IT WOULD GO OFF AND NOW IT TURNS ON AND OFF IN ITS OWN TIME FACTOR WHEN I AM DRIVNG AND THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND WHEN I AM STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS.. I ASKED THE TOYOTA DEALER IF THEY COULD FIX MY CLOCK. I HAD THEM DO A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE CLOCK WHICH COST AROUND $110 APPROX.. THEY SAID THEY COULD FIX MY CLOCK FOR $416.31 AND THAT IS WAS CONNECTED TO MY AIR BAGS. MY TOYOTA DEALER SAID THEY REPLACED MY TAKATA AIRBAG ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE ON 2-18-2016, AND TOLD ME THE OTHER AIRBAGS WERE NOT TAKATA. BUT I WONDERED IF MY CLOCK DOESN'T WORK AND IT'S TIED INTO MY AIRBAGS, IF I GET INTO A WRECK WILL MY AIRBAGS DEPLOY OR NOT DEPLOY BECASUSE I HAVEN'T FIXED MY CLOCK?

Mileage: 184,952

20170830ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

MY CLOCK STARTED GOING OUT. SOMETIMES IT WOULD BE ON AND OTHER TIMES IT WOULD GO OFF AND NOW IT TURNS ON AND OFF IN ITS OWN TIME FACTOR WHEN I AM DRIVNG AND THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND WHEN I AM STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS.. I ASKED THE TOYOTA DEALER IF THEY COULD FIX MY CLOCK. I HAD THEM DO A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE CLOCK WHICH COST AROUND $110 APPROX.. THEY SAID THEY COULD FIX MY CLOCK FOR $416.31 AND THAT IS WAS CONNECTED TO MY AIR BAGS. MY TOYOTA DEALER SAID THEY REPLACED MY TAKATA AIRBAG ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE ON 2-18-2016, AND TOLD ME THE OTHER AIRBAGS WERE NOT TAKATA. BUT I WONDERED IF MY CLOCK DOESN'T WORK AND IT'S TIED INTO MY AIRBAGS, IF I GET INTO A WRECK WILL MY AIRBAGS DEPLOY OR NOT DEPLOY BECASUSE I HAVEN'T FIXED MY CLOCK?

Mileage: 184,952

20170830ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY CLOCK STARTED GOING OUT. SOMETIMES IT WOULD BE ON AND OTHER TIMES IT WOULD GO OFF AND NOW IT TURNS ON AND OFF IN ITS OWN TIME FACTOR WHEN I AM DRIVNG AND THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND WHEN I AM STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS.. I ASKED THE TOYOTA DEALER IF THEY COULD FIX MY CLOCK. I HAD THEM DO A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE CLOCK WHICH COST AROUND $110 APPROX.. THEY SAID THEY COULD FIX MY CLOCK FOR $416.31 AND THAT IS WAS CONNECTED TO MY AIR BAGS. MY TOYOTA DEALER SAID THEY REPLACED MY TAKATA AIRBAG ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE ON 2-18-2016, AND TOLD ME THE OTHER AIRBAGS WERE NOT TAKATA. BUT I WONDERED IF MY CLOCK DOESN'T WORK AND IT'S TIED INTO MY AIRBAGS, IF I GET INTO A WRECK WILL MY AIRBAGS DEPLOY OR NOT DEPLOY BECASUSE I HAVEN'T FIXED MY CLOCK?

Mileage: 184,952

20161006AIR BAGS

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

20160727AIR BAGS

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.

20160707AIR BAGS

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.

20160613AIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 97,000

20160503AIR BAGS

"TAKATA RECALL" RECEIVED INTERIM NOTICE APPROX MAY 2015 RECEIVED REMIDY NOTICE MAY 2016 PURCHASED CAR NEW AND HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA OF INVERGROVE HEIGHTS MN. SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT RECALL REPAIR, ONLY TO BE TOLD NO PARTS AVAILABLE! I AM AFRAID OF LIABILITY AND OR DEATH FROM DEPLOYED AIR BAGS TO BOTH DRIVER & PASSENGER. ALSO PAID OPTION FOR ADDITIONAL SIDE AIR BAG PACKAGE. WHEN CAN WE EXPECT RESOLVE AND WHY IS MY LIFE AND PASSENGERS OF LESS VALUE THAN THOSE IN PRIORITY STATES? WHY ARE NO FINES TO TAKATA OR THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS BEING INITIATED? WE OWNERS FEEL AS LIFE AND LIMB & VEHICLE VALUATION ARE AT RISK. IT SEEMS VOLKSWAGON DIESEL OWNERS ARE RECEIVING PREFERENTIAL ATTENTION AND POSSIBLE BUY BACKS, WHILE NOT AS RISK OF THE SAME EXPOSURE. TAKATA INDUSTRIES MAY GO BANKRUPT OR TOTALLY FAIL WITH NO RESOLVE FROM THEM OR AUTO MANUFACTURERS. LEAVING THE VEHICLE OWNERS OPEN TO DEATH, INJURY,LAWSUITS AND FINANCIAL LOSS OF VEHICLE VALUE. PLEASE HELP! PLEASE HELP!

20160419AIR BAGS

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.

20160407AIR BAGS

I JUST HEARD ANOTHER PASSENGER WAS KILLED BY AN AIR BAG IN A TOYOTA PRODUCT. I WAS TOLD OVER 6 MONTHS AGO BY TOYOTA I WOULD BE CONTACTED FOR A REPLACEMENT AIRBAG. I FINALLY GOT A REMEDY NOTICE FROM TOYOTA TO CONTACT MY DEALER AND SEE ABOUT GETTING IT FIXED. MY DEALER SAID THEY ONLY CAN DO 7 AIR BAG REPLACEMENTS A WEEK AND IT WOULD BE 8-9 MONTHS BEFORE THEY COULD GET TO MY CAR. I CONTACTED TOYOTA US HEADQUARTERS AND THEY SAID IT SHOULD ONLY BE 2-3 WEEKS. (REF # 1604011854) . I CONTACTED THE DEALER AGAIN WHO REITERATED IT WOULD BE 8-9 MONTHS. THIS DELAY SEEMS LIKE A STRATEGY ON TOYOTA'S PART AND NOT A SHORTAGE OF PARTS. WHO IS NEGLECTING THEIR DUTY ON THIS POTENTIALLY FATAL DEFECT. TOYOTA, THE DEALER, OR THE NHTSA. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. PEOPLE LOSING THEIR LIVES BECAUSE OF A LACK OF GOVERNMENT ACTION. IF THEY CAN'T FIX THE AIRBAG, THEY SHOULD PROVIDE OWNERS WITH CARS WITHOUT THE DEFECT. DO YOUR JOB. I AM CONTACTING MY CONGRESSMAN AND SENATORS ABOUT THIS.

Mileage: 70,000

20160404AIR BAGS

AFTER RECEIVING THE NOTICE FROM TOYOTA, I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AND TOOK MY CAR IN TO HAVE THE RECALL FIXED - TAKING A DAY OFF OF WORK TO DO SO. I THEN TOOK A SHUTTLE RIDE HOME AND AFTER SEVEN HOURS OF WAITING I CALLED ASKING ABOUT THE STATUS OF MY CAR. AFTER ANOTHER SHUTTLE RIDE TO THE DEALER I FOUND OUT THAT THEY ONLY DID THE INSPECTION AND DID NOT FIX THE AIR BAG. THEY SAID THEY WOULD CALL ME WHEN THE PART WAS IN TO RESCHEDULE THE ACTUAL REPAIR. ALL I GOT WAS "SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE." QUESTIONS: WHY DOES DOES TOYOTA SEND OUT A RECALL NOTICE WITHOUT ENSURING THAT THE DEALERSHIPS HAVE ALL OF THE NECESSARY PARTS TO HANDLE ALL OF THE RECALL REPAIRS? WHY WOULDN'T THE DEALER INFORM THE CUSTOMER ABOUT THE PARTS SITUATION BEFORE THEY BRING THEIR CAR IN TO BE FIXED? HOW WILL I BE COMPENSATED FOR THE SEVEN HOURS OF WAGES THAT I GAVE UP TO GET MY CAR FIXED? HOW MANY HOURS WILL I LOSE FOR THE SECOND REPAIR? HOW MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS ARE HAVING A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE????

20160322AIR BAGS

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 NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. ...UPDATED 04/12/16 *BF

20160321AIR BAGS

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.

20160201AIR BAGS

TL* 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.

20160122AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER IN AUGUST OF 2015. IT IS NOW 1/22/16 AND THE PROBLEM HAS STILL NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE ON 10/22/15 AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE REPAIRS WERE CURRENTLY IN PHASE 2 AND THAT CALIFORNIA WAS PHASE 4. SINCE THEN, I HAVE HAD TO RENT A CAR ON ONE OCCASION WHEN I NEEDED TO ACCOMMODATE 4 PASSENGERS AND UNLESS THIS GETS FIXED BY MID-MARCH, I WILL LIKELY NEED TO RENT A CAR FOR 4 DAYS FOR A FAMILY TRIP. THIS IS NOW COSTING ME MONEY WHICH I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY IF MY CAR WAS SERVICED IN A REASONABLE TIME-FRAME. IT'S NOW BEEN 5 MONTHS SINCE RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE AND I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE A LETTER AS TO WHEN I CAN GET MY CAR FIXED. FRANKLY, THIS IS VERY UNACCEPTABLE AND I FEEL THAT IF TOYOTA CAN'T MAKE THIS RIGHT, THEN THEY SHOULD PAY FOR THE RENTAL CAR I WILL NEED IN MARCH.

20160107AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V286000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/07/16*LJ UPDATED 04/11/16.*JB

Compare 2006TOYOTAMATRIX to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX have?
The 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX has 212 NHTSA complaints, 25 crashes, 0 fires, 16 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX?
Yes, the 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX?
The most-complained component for the 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX is AIR BAGS with 50 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include TIRES and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.