Toyota Matrix Air Bags Problems
Owners have filed 406 complaints with NHTSA about air bags problems on the Toyota Matrix across 10 model years. The 2005 model year has the most (103). The words owners use most often: “takata air bags” (20% of reports).
- 406air bags complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 42mention a crash
- 24mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 34%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Takata air bags: mentioned in 83 of 406 complaints (20%)
At what mileage do air bags problems happen?
Based on 111 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 406 complaints, 42 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 24 an injury.
Toyota Matrix air bags complaints by model year
| Model year | Air Bags complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Matrix | 4 | 80% | 23,000 |
| 2011 Matrix | 10 | 100% | 70,000 |
| 2010 Matrix | 27 | 60% | 69,186 |
| 2009 Matrix | 78 | 41% | 42,000 |
| 2008 Matrix | 6 | 16% | 42,651 |
| 2007 Matrix | 36 | 38% | 92,500 |
| 2006 Matrix | 50 | 29% | 80,000 |
| 2005 Matrix | 103 | 48% | 92,000 |
| 2004 Matrix | 35 | 25% | 100,000 |
| 2003 Matrix | 57 | 21% | 120,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Model years: 2011, 2012, 2013
Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.
Risk: In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ECU and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk beginning March 2, 2020. A second letter notifying owners of the remedy repair will be mailed between March 16, 2020 and June 27, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB03, 20TA03 and 20TA05.
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Model years: 2009, 2010, 2011
Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2007-2008 Toyota Yaris, 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350 and 2007-2008 Lexus ES350 vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles of these model years and models that were not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for interim notification for this campaign are G1P (Toyota Zone A), G1R (Toyota Zone B), G2G (Lexus Zone A), and G2H (Lexus Zone B). Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), GLG (Lexus Zone A), and GLH (Lexus Zone B).
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are 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…
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced under an unknown recall however, the air bag warning light illuminated after the repair was made. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V627000 (Air Bags); however, the vehicle was not…
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 toyota matrix. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the passenger's side air bag sensor light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer toyota whittier located at 14577 e, whittier blvd, whittier, ca 90605, who diagnosed that the air…
2005 toyota matrix. Consumer writes in regards to defective passenger side airbag. *ld the consumer stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time completing the recall repair. *js
Tl* takata recall. The contact owned a 2009 toyota matrix. The contact stated that while driving at 50 mph, the vehicle was involved in a head-on collision. The air bags deployed and metal fragments passed through the airbag cushion material. As a result, the metal fragments entered the contacts…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Toyota Matrixs have air bags problems?
No. NHTSA has 406 owner complaints about air bags for the Toyota Matrix. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Toyota Matrix air bags?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list air bags. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about air bags problems on the Toyota Matrix?
The most frequent phrase is “takata air bags”, in 83 of 406 complaints.
Other Toyota Matrix problems
See all Toyota Matrix problems.