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Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year, against this model's usual year.
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.
Trims and features
What changed for 2010
First year we have trim data for.
2010 Matrix trims
| Base | S | XRS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
| Starting MSRP | from $16,550 | from $18,460 | from $20,770 |
| Powertrain | |||
| Engine | 1.8-liter DOHC 16-valve dual VVT-i 4-cylinder | 2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve VVT-i 4-cylinder | 2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve VVT-i 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 132 hp | 158 hp | 158 hp |
| Torque | 128 lb-ft | 162 lb-ft | 162 lb-ft |
| Gears | 4-Speed Automatic: 4 5-Speed Manual: 5 | AWD 4-Speed Automatic: 4 FWD 5-Speed Automatic: 5 FWD 5-Speed Manual: 5 | 5 |
| Drivetrain | 4-Speed Automatic / 5-Speed Manual | AWD 4-Speed Automatic / FWD 5-Speed Automatic / FWD 5-Speed Manual | 5-Speed Automatic / 5-Speed Manual |
| Size and capability | |||
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Ground clearance | 5.8 in | — | 5-Speed Automatic: — 5-Speed Manual: 5.3 in |
| Length | 171.9 in | AWD 4-Speed Automatic: 171.9 in FWD 5-Speed Automatic: 173 in FWD 5-Speed Manual: 173 in | 173 in |
| Curb weight | 4-Speed Automatic: 2,965 lb 5-Speed Manual: 2,865 lb | AWD 4-Speed Automatic: 3,360 lb FWD 5-Speed Automatic: 3,140 lb FWD 5-Speed Manual: 3,065 lb | 5-Speed Automatic: 3,220 lb 5-Speed Manual: 3,140 lb |
| Tech | |||
| Apple CarPlay | — | — | Optional |
| Android Auto | — | — | Optional |
| Audio | — | — | Optional |
| Speakers | 4 + option | 6 | 6 + option |
| Comfort | |||
| Seats | Cloth | Cloth | Cloth |
| Climate zones | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Exterior | |||
| Sunroof | — | Optional | Optional |
| Power liftgate | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Wheels | 16 in + option | 16 in + option | 18 in |
| Headlights | Halogen | Halogen | Halogen |
Packages and options (41)
| Base | S | XRS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All-Weather Guard Package | Optional | — | Optional |
| Cruise Control | Optional | Optional | Standard |
| Power Tilt/Slide Moonroof with Sunshade | — | Optional | Optional |
| Power Package | Optional | — | — |
| Preferred Accessory Package $330 | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Sport Package | Optional | Optional | — |
| Body Side Moldings $209 | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Exhaust Tip $180 | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Hatch-Mounted Roof End Spoiler | — | Optional | Standard |
| Mudguards Front (2pc set) $99 | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Mudguards Rear (2pc set) $36 | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Rear Bumper Protector $79 | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Roof Rack $350 | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Ski/Snowboard Attachment with Mounts $194 | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Alloy Wheel Locks $67 | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Ashtray Cup $26 | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| BLU Logic Hands-Free System $299 | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Cargo Net $51 | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Cargo Tote $40 | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Emergency Assistance Kit | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| First Aid Kit $29 | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Interface Kit for iPod $299 | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| AM/FM 6-Disc In-Dash CD Changer Audio System | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Touch-Screen DVD Navigation System | — | — | Optional |
| JBL 6-Disc In-Dash CD Changer Audio System | — | — | Optional |
| XM Satellite Radio $359 | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| VIP Security System $359 | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| 16-in. Alloy Wheels | Optional | — | — |
| 18-in. Alloy Wheels | — | — | Standard |
| 16-in. Steel Wheels with Full Wheel Covers | Standard | Standard | — |
| 17-in. Alloy Wheels | — | Optional | — |
| Black Sand Pearl | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Blue Streak Metallic | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Classic Silver Metallic | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Magnetic Gray Metallic | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Nautical Blue Metallic | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Radiant Red | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Sundance Metallic | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Super White | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Ash Fabric | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Dark Charcoal Fabric | Optional | Optional | Optional |
Trim data from OpenSpec (ODbL 1.0), built from Oem brochure, Nhtsa vin decode. Still partial for this year: chassis, dimensions, exterior, interior, infotainment, safety, options, option rules, vin decode. "Optional" means a package or option adds it; hover for which.
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.
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.