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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
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 2012
- New trim: L
- Trim dropped: Base
2012 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 |
| 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 | Cloth |
| Exterior | ||
| Sunroof | — | Optional |
| Wheels | 16 in | 16 in + option |
| Headlights | Halogen | Halogen |
Packages and options (50)
| L | S | |
|---|---|---|
| L Sport Package | Optional | — |
| Premium Package $1,410 | — | Optional |
| S Sport Package $1,240 | — | Optional |
| 4-speed automatic | Optional | — |
| 5-speed automatic | — | Optional |
| All-Wheel Drive (AWD) | — | Optional |
| Body Side Moldings | — | — |
| Chrome Exhaust Tip | — | — |
| Doorsill Enhancements $197 | — | — |
| Mudguards | — | — |
| Paint protection film for the leading hood edges/fenders | — | — |
| Paint protection film for the front bumper | — | — |
| Rear Bumper Protector | — | — |
| Roof Rack | — | — |
| TRD Air Filter | — | — |
| TRD Air Filter Cleaning Kit | — | — |
| TRD clutches | — | — |
| TRD front strut bar | — | — |
| TRD Lowering Springs | — | — |
| TRD Oil Cap | — | — |
| TRD Oil Filter | — | — |
| TRD Performance Brake Pads | — | — |
| TRD Radiator Cap | — | — |
| TRD Rear Sway Bar | — | — |
| TRD torque biasing differential | — | — |
| TRD Wheel Installation Kit | — | — |
| Vehicle Intrusion Protection (VIP) RS3200 Plus Security System | — | — |
| Alloy Wheel Locks $67 | — | — |
| Ashtray Cup $26 | — | — |
| BLU Logic Hands-Free System $299 | — | — |
| Cargo Net | — | — |
| Cargo Tote $49 | — | — |
| Carpet Cargo Mat | — | — |
| Carpet Floor Mats $299 | — | — |
| Emergency Assistance Kit $70 | — | — |
| First Aid Kit $29 | — | — |
| Remote Engine Starter | — | — |
| XM Select Package | — | — |
| TRD 18-in. 5-spoke wheels | — | — |
| TRD 18-in. mesh alloy wheels | — | — |
| TRD 19-in. 5-spoke 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. 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.