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Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year, against this model's usual year.
2012GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual Extended coverage
5 serious complaints of 5, the most about air bags (4) and engine (1); 0.5× this model's usual share of all serious complaints about 2012 vehicles. 1 recall.
What owners report
“Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 toyota matrix. The contact stated that nhtsa campaign number: 17v006000 (air bags) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The contact received notification in january of 2018.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the air bags, Jul 2017
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage Toyota has received some reports where vehicles may exhibit excessive engine oil consumption. (ZE7, Apr 2015)
- Extended coverage On July 30, 2018, a settlement of claims for Economic Loss related to Takata airbag inflators was approved for full implementation. The settlement includes Toyota's agreement to provide a Customer Support Program (?CSP?) for 2002-2019 model year (MY) vehicles originally equipped with certain… (22TE04, Jul 2022)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
5 owner complaints · 1 recall (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 22–29 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2012 trims and features
2011GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual Extended coverage
10 serious complaints of 10, the most about air bags (10); 1.0× this model's usual share of all serious complaints about 2011 vehicles. 2 recalls. NHTSA investigation EA21002: desiccated air bag inflator rupture.
What owners report
“Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 toyota matrix. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v340000 (air bags). The part needed to repair the vehicle 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.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the air bags, Jul 2016
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage Toyota has received some reports where vehicles may exhibit excessive engine oil consumption. (ZE7, Apr 2015)
- Extended coverage On July 30, 2018, a settlement of claims for Economic Loss related to Takata airbag inflators was approved for full implementation. The settlement includes Toyota's agreement to provide a Customer Support Program (?CSP?) for 2002-2019 model year (MY) vehicles originally equipped with certain… (22TE04, Jul 2022)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
10 owner complaints · 2 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 22–29 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2011 trims and features
2010AVOIDSerious complaints 4.1× usual, mostly air bags and speed control Extended coverage
40 serious complaints of 45, the most about air bags (27) and speed control (4); 4.1× this model's usual share of all serious complaints about 2010 vehicles. 4 recalls. NHTSA investigation EA21002: desiccated air bag inflator rupture.
What owners report
“Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 toyota matrix. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v340000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the air bags, Jul 2017
“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.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the speed control, Oct 2018
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage Toyota has received some reports where vehicles may exhibit excessive engine oil consumption. (ZE7, Apr 2015)
- Extended coverage On July 30, 2018, a settlement of claims for Economic Loss related to Takata airbag inflators was approved for full implementation. The settlement includes Toyota's agreement to provide a Customer Support Program (?CSP?) for 2002-2019 model year (MY) vehicles originally equipped with certain… (22TE04, Jul 2022)
- Repair program Initial notification informing customers of the availability of Smart Stop Technology on certain models was handled by the court appointed administrator Gilardi and Company at the onset of the Class Action Settlement for Economic Loss. (BST Renotificati, Jul 2014)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
45 owner complaints · 4 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 22–28 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2010 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. NHTSA doesn't publish sales, so only big differences count. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1.8L 4-cyl 2.4L 4-cyl manual available | AWD, FWD | 22–29 mpg | Not rated | 1 | 0 | — | — |
| 2012 | 1.8L 4-cyl 2.4L 4-cyl manual available | AWD, FWD | 22–29 mpg | Not rated | 1 | 5 | Air bags (4) | — |
| 2011 | 1.8L 4-cyl 2.4L 4-cyl manual available | AWD, FWD | 22–29 mpg | Not rated | 2 | 10 | Air bags (10) | — |
| 2010 | 1.8L 4-cyl 2.4L 4-cyl manual available | AWD, FWD | 22–28 mpg | Not rated | 4 | 45 | Air bags (27) | — |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Trims and features
What changed for 2013
- Speakers: 4 → 6 (L)
2013 Matrix trims
| L | S | |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | ||
| Horsepower | 132 hp | 158 hp |
| Torque | 128 lb-ft | 162 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 4-Speed Automatic: ECT-i 5-Speed Manual: — | AWD 4-Speed Automatic: ECT-i FWD 5-Speed Manual: — |
| Gears | 4-Speed Automatic: 4 5-Speed Manual: 5 | AWD 4-Speed Automatic: 4 FWD 5-Speed Automatic: 5 FWD 5-Speed Manual: 5 |
| Drivetrain | 4-Speed Automatic / 5-Speed Manual | AWD 4-Speed Automatic / FWD 5-Speed Automatic / FWD 5-Speed Manual |
| Fuel economy (combined) | 4-Speed Automatic: 28 mpg 5-Speed Manual: 29 mpg | AWD 4-Speed Automatic: 22 mpg FWD 5-Speed Automatic: 24 mpg FWD 5-Speed Manual: 24 mpg |
| Size and capability | ||
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Cargo behind last row | 19.8 cu ft | 19.8 cu ft |
| Max cargo | 49.4 cu ft | 49.4 cu ft |
| Ground clearance | 5.8 in | 5.3 in |
| Length | 171.9 in | 171.9 in |
| Curb weight | 4-Speed Automatic: 2,888 lb 5-Speed Manual: 2,844 lb | AWD 4-Speed Automatic: 3,274 lb FWD 5-Speed Automatic: 3,053 lb FWD 5-Speed Manual: 2,976 lb |
| Tech | ||
| Touchscreen | — | 6.1 in |
| Speakers | 6 | 6 |
| Comfort | ||
| Seats | Cloth | Cloth |
| Exterior | ||
| Wheels | 16 in | 16 in |
| Headlights | Halogen | Halogen |
Packages and options (43)
| L | S | |
|---|---|---|
| Sport Package | Optional | Optional |
| 5-speed Electronically Controlled automatic (ECT-i) | — | Optional |
| All-Wheel Drive (AWD) with active torque control | — | Optional |
| Body Side Moldings $209 | — | — |
| Emergency Assistance Kit | — | — |
| Exhaust Tip $180 | — | — |
| Paint Protection Film $395 | — | — |
| Rear Bumper Protector $89 | — | — |
| Remote Engine Starter $499 | — | — |
| Roof Rack | — | — |
| TRD Performance Air Filter | — | — |
| TRD Air Filter Cleaning Kit | — | — |
| TRD clutches | — | — |
| TRD Forged Oil Cap | — | — |
| TRD Front Strut Brace | — | — |
| TRD Lowering Springs | — | — |
| TRD Oil Filter | — | — |
| TRD Performance Brake Pads | — | — |
| TRD Radiator Cap | — | — |
| TRD Rear Sway Bar | — | — |
| TRD Wheel Installation Kit | — | — |
| Vehicle Intrusion Protection (VIP) RS3200 Plus Security System | — | — |
| Alloy Wheel Locks $67 | — | — |
| Ashtray Cup | — | — |
| Auto-Dimming Mirror | — | — |
| Cargo Net — Spider | — | — |
| Cargo Tote $49 | — | — |
| Carpet Cargo Mat | — | — |
| Carpet Floor Mats $299 | — | — |
| Doorsill Enhancements | — | — |
| First Aid Kit $29 | — | — |
| 17-in. 5-spoke alloy wheels with P215/45R17 87W tires | — | — |
| TRD 18-in. 5-spoke wheels | — | — |
| TRD 19-in. 5-spoke wheels | — | — |
| Barcelona Red Metallic | Optional | Optional |
| Black Sand Pearl | Optional | Optional |
| Classic Silver Metallic | Optional | Optional |
| Magnetic Gray Metallic | Optional | Optional |
| Nautical Blue Metallic | Optional | Optional |
| Spruce Mica | Optional | Optional |
| Super White | Optional | Optional |
| Ash | Optional | Optional |
| Dark Charcoal | Optional | Optional |
Trim data from OpenSpec (ODbL 1.0), built from Oem brochure, Nhtsa vin decode. Still partial for this year: model, trims, powertrain, fuel economy, chassis, dimensions, exterior, interior, infotainment, safety, warranty, options, option rules, vin decode. "Optional" means a package or option adds it; hover for which.
Which years have…
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Toyota Matrix SW AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | Toyota Matrix SW FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 | Toyota Matrix SW AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 5 |
| 2012 | Toyota Matrix SW FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 5 |
| 2011 | Toyota Matrix SW AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 10 |
| 2011 | Toyota Matrix SW FWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 10 |
| 2010 | Toyota Matrix 4-DR. w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 4 | 45 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Matrix | Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.4 L Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L |
22–29 |
| 2012 | Matrix | Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.4 L Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L |
22–29 |
| 2011 | Matrix | Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.4 L Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L |
22–29 |
| 2010 | Matrix | Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.4 L Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L |
22–28 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.