2006 Toyota Matrix problems
NHTSA has received 212 complaints about the 2006 Toyota Matrix, and 24% of them involve air bags. After that come tires (13%) and engine (12%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 212 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 24% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 25 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 16 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 32,000 miles 145 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 46 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 38 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 16 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 15 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 8 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 8 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 7 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 5 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 145 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 32,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 25 complaints mention a crash; 16 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2006 ranks 2nd most-complained-about out of 8 model years of the Toyota Matrix with enough data (150 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 toyota matrix. While driving at approximately 10 MPH and attempting to slow down, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The vehicle crashed into another vehicle although the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated that there was not enough time to shift into neutral gear; once the vehicle crashed, it spun around in a 180 degree turn and then the engine stopped. There were two people injured and both went to the hospital. There was a police report filed. The vehicle was totaled.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota matrix. While driving at 25 MPH, another vehicle failed to stop for a stop sign and the contact crashed into the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. There was a police report filed. The contact sustained injuries to the head and a sprained right ankle, which required medical attention. The injuries for the other person were unknown. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the front side of the vehicle and tire on the front driver side were repaired.
My complaint was first filed on 3/25/2006 (odi # 10153679). This is the 2nd complaint about the defective toyota matrix that I drove in 2006. I was driving a 2006 toyota matrix and lost total control over the vehicle. I was driving on rt 2 west bound out of boston during evening rush hour. I was trying to change lane to my right and found there was a car approaching and honked at me. I had not left my lane yet and tried to pull my car straight back.
My car is a toyota 2006 matrix AWD; I was pulling into my driveway to park in front of my garage, and took my feet of the accelerator pedal, but before I had any chance to react the car just continued to accelerate up my drive way and crashed through my garage door, causing damage to my car, the garage door, and some dents to my other car parked inside; I have always parked my car outside on the drive way, since there isn't space to park 2 cars in my garage; I am fairly safe and cautious driver; I took my car to…
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 toyota matrix. The driver stated that in 2008 he was driving approximately 70 MPH when the vehicle stalled and it became difficult to drive onto the emergency lane. The vehicle was towed to a toyota dealer who stated that they had received several related complaints. The contact had to rent a vehicle while his vehicle was being repaired. The failure mileage was 24,126 and the current mileage was 37,000.