2006 Toyota Matrix Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Matrix years
- Far more complaints than other years 4th of 12 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 170 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Toyota Matrix. That ranks 4th out of 12 Matrix model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (50 complaints, 29%), typically at around 80,000 miles. Complaints mention 17 crashes, 10 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.
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- 170owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 17complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2006 Toyota Matrix problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags problems | 50 | 29% | 80,000 | “takata air bags” (18%) | — |
| Tires | 27 | 16% | 16,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 22 | 13% | 60,754 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 22 | 13% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 20 | 12% | 17,001 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 20 | 12% | 34,749 | — | — |
| Power Train | 18 | 11% | 72,500 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 6 | 4% | 14,850 | — | — |
| Steering | 5 | 3% | 10,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 4 | 2% | 117,500 | — | — |
| Structure | 4 | 2% | 18,500 | — | — |
| Equipment | 3 | 2% | 88,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 3 | 2% | 41,750 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 1% | 184,952 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 1% | 71,006 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1% | 27,800 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 1 | 1% | 32,497 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 1% | 16,400 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2006 Toyota Matrix recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Engine and engine cooling
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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Equipment:other:labels
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.
Risk: This does not meet the standard requirements.
Fix: 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.
Equipment:other:labels
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.
Risk: A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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…
2006 toyota matrix. Consumer writes in regards to rusted right side rear strut. *ld *js
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!
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?
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…
Other Toyota Matrix years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Matrix | 0 | 1 |
| 2012 Matrix | 5 | 1 |
| 2011 Matrix | 10 | 2 |
| 2010 Matrix | 45 | 4 |
| 2009 Matrix | 192 | 3 |
| 2008 Matrix | 38 | 2 |
| 2007 Matrix | 96 | 2 |
| 2006 | 170 | 3 |
| 2005 Matrix | 213 | 1 |
| 2004 Matrix | 138 | 1 |
| 2003 Matrix | 268 | 1 |
| 2002 Matrix | 2 | 0 |
See all Toyota Matrix problems by year, every Toyota model, or the Toyota VIN decoder.
Similar Toyota models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Toyota Matrix?
Owners most often report air bags, tires, electrical system problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 50 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2006 Toyota Matrix?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2006 Toyota Matrix a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Matrix model years, the 2006 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.