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Which year to buy
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year, against this model's usual year.
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
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 2011
- Trim dropped: XRS
- Engine: 2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve VVT-i 4-cylinder → 2.4 Liter DOHC 16-Valve 4-Cylinder with Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) (S)
- Curb weight: 3,360 lb → 3,274 lb (S)
- Engine: 1.8-liter DOHC 16-valve dual VVT-i 4-cylinder → 1.8 Liter DOHC 16-Valve 4-Cylinder with Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) (Base)
- Curb weight: 2,965 lb → 2,888 lb (Base)
2011 Matrix trims
| Base | S | |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine | 1.8 Liter DOHC 16-Valve 4-Cylinder with Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) | 2.4 Liter DOHC 16-Valve 4-Cylinder with Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) |
| 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 |
| 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 | ||
| Apple CarPlay | — | Optional |
| Android Auto | — | Optional |
| Speakers | 4 | 6 |
| Comfort | ||
| Seats | Cloth | — |
| Exterior | ||
| Sunroof | — | Optional |
| Wheels | 16 in | 16 in + option |
| Headlights | Halogen | Halogen |
Packages and options (19)
| Base | S | |
|---|---|---|
| Matrix Sport Package | Optional | — |
| Premium Package | — | Optional |
| S Sport Package | — | Optional |
| 4-speed automatic | Optional | Optional |
| 5-speed automatic | — | Optional |
| All-Wheel Drive (AWD) | — | Optional |
| Accessory roof rack | — | — |
| XM Radio subscription | — | Optional |
| 17-in. 5-Spoke Alloy Wheels | — | — |
| 19-in. TRD alloy wheels | — | Optional |
| Black Sand Pearl | Optional | Optional |
| Classic Silver Metallic | Optional | Optional |
| Magnetic Gray Metallic | Optional | Optional |
| Nautical Blue Metallic | Optional | Optional |
| Radiant Red | 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, 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.
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.