2010 Toyota Matrix problems
NHTSA has received 55 complaints about the 2010 Toyota Matrix, and 51% of them involve air bags. After that come brakes (11%) and cruise control (7%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 55 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 51% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 10 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 41,000 miles 22 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 | 7 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 1 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 6 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 5 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 1 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 1 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 22 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 41,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 10 complaints mention a crash; 2 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2010 ranks 8th most-complained-about out of 8 model years of the Toyota Matrix with enough data (22 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 4 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 2010 toyota matrix. While pulling into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and crashed into an apartment building. The driver stated that the brake pedal was depressed during the failure. The front end of the vehicle was severely damaged, but the air bag did not deploy. The driver sustained a fractured sternum, which required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The cause of the failure was not determined.
While driving a 2010 matrix, tuesday oct. 19,2010, approx. 30mphs. The car made a clicking sound as if a cruise control had been set but this car doesn't have cruise control. The car then took off a very high speed like a jet plane at take off. I was unable to control the brakes or steering. The vehicle travel approx. A half of a mile before hitting an embankment and then jumping out of the ditch and back onto the highway where it landed and stopped.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 toyota matrix. While exiting the freeway, the vehicle accelerated without warning. The contact depressed the brake pedal to the floor, but the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into another vehicle. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and then to a collision lot. The vehicle was totaled. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.
On several occasions while city driving in july 2016 my 2010 toyota matrix vcs light began blinking, both the skid light and the engine light came on and the acceleration had little to no response.though it has not resolved the cause of the problem, I was able to reset the system so the lights are now off. My vehicle will then accelerate and work for a period before repeating the symptoms. I don't know if this issue is a program error or a part defect.