KnownCarProblems2006 Toyota Matrix Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 170 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Toyota Matrix, most often about the air bags (29% of complaints, typically around 80,000 miles). It is 4th of 11 Matrix model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2006 Toyota Matrix problems
Air bags
50 complaints · 29%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Matrix. While driving at 25 MPH, another vehicle failed to stop for a stop sign and the contact crashed into the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. There was a police report filed. The contact sustained injuries to the head and a sprained right ankle, which required medical attention.…
I just heard another passenger was killed by an air bag in a Toyota product. I was told over 6 months ago by Toyota I would be contacted for a replacement airbag. I finally got a remedy notice from Toyota to contact my dealer and see about getting it fixed. My dealer said they only can do 7 air bag replacements a week…
Wheels and tires
27 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 16,000 miles. Parts named most often: tread/belt.
2006 Toyota Matrix. Tires wear out every 16,000 miles. The problem is in the rear axle. Toyota has consistently told me there is no problem. Today I am on a discussion board and find it is a common problem for the Matrix/vibe. The solution is an aftermarket rear wheel shim kit costing $50 plus labor. Why is Toyota…
Car wears the inside tread of the tire prematurely (10% left after only 16,000 miles), revealed during the safety inspection. The wheel alignment is within the manufacturer's specification and the tires were rotated every 3,000-5,000 miles.
Engine
26 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 46,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
46,686 miles and the intake manifold gasket needed to be replaces as it was a defective gasket- hard with bubbles- I have the gasket. When I called Toyota I was informed that it was an issue with this make/model, but Toyota wouldn't reimburse costs of replacing the defective part.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that her vehicle continued to stall on numerous occasions while driving into a parking space or whenever driving the vehicle stutters and then it stalled. The vehicle was also taken to the dealer on numerous occasions for service and they could not duplicate the…
Electrical
22 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 61,000 miles.
I was stopped at a busy intersection during morning rush hour when my car stalled. I tried unsuccessfully several times to restart the engine. After allowing it to sit for several minutes, the car finally restarted. I moved the car into a parking lot and allowed it to sit, idling, for several minutes. When I put the…
During normal driving conditions dry weather flat road, car began to miss, run rough and shut down while on the road. I was able to still get vehicle to side of the road without incident. I believe a less experienced driver may have not had the same results. This sounds strangely related to the current ECM recall.…
Speed control
20 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 34,500 miles.
I was driving my 2006 Toyota Matrix I purchased one month ago. I was driving on a very wet road less than 20-25 MPH. Approximately 9:00a.m. Coming home from local gym. I slowed to stop for construction work on slick two lane road. Brakes did not grab as I tried to slow down. I pushed brakes down harder, and as they…
Tl contact owns a 2006 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the brakes were applied but the brake pedal and accelerator pedal were too close and the contact accidentally depressed the accelerator pedal causing the vehicle to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the…
Suspension
20 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 17,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
2006 Toyota Matrix. Tires wear out every 16,000 miles. The problem is in the rear axle. Toyota has consistently told me there is no problem. Today I am on a discussion board and find it is a common problem for the Matrix/vibe. The solution is an aftermarket rear wheel shim kit costing $50 plus labor. Why is Toyota…
Vehicle was taken to dealer for service to investigate a loud vibration noise coming from the tires as long as vehicle was rolling. The car has about 18,000 miles on it. All four tires were severely cupped. The dealer contacted the factory reference the tires and the factory recommended the tires be replaced. All four…
Transmission
18 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, driveline.
They need to issue a recall immediately -- my 2006 Toyota Matrix has been hard shifting with the check engine light on but I was unable to get it serviced because I'm unemployed. It has 90k and the dealer says I must pay out of pocket for the repair, $1000-$1300 because there is no recall on it yet. Had I known there…
My rear differential in my 2006 Toyota Matrix xr 4WD was making a whining noise that increased in volume as speed increased. I took it to the dealership and was informed that it was the rear diff. And would cost $2300 to replace. Car has 68k. Powertrain warr. Is 5 yrs. Or 60k. Dealer quoted me price of $2388 to fix??…
Brakes
6 complaints · 4%This is the second time the engine control unit failed and been replaced on the 2006 Toyota Matrix. The car had just received a very thorough 30,000 mile checkup and there were no causes for the failure. This failure is extremely dangerous and it almost cost me my life. The ecu spontaneously quit while in the high…
On 12/28/09, as I started to brake for a red light, my car unintentionally accelerated while I had my foot on the brake pedal. I was able to slow down by braking hard, but the brakes started to smoke. I turned the ignition key to off, and when I turned it on again the problem went away. Nothing was holding down or…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2006 Toyota Matrix recalls
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: There are a variety of warnings and consequences associated with the defect. The engine warning lamp could be illuminated, harsh shifting could result, the engine may not start, or the engine could shut off while the vehicle is being driven. An engine shutoff while the vehicle is being driven increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the production number of the ECM and replace the ECM if necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Toyota will mail an interim owner notification the middle of september 2010 to advise owners of this defect and recall. This interim notification will inform owners that they will receive a future notification when parts become available to have the free remedy performed on their vehicle. The safety recall began on november 29, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 corolla and corolla matrix vehicles. The engine control module (ECM) for the subject models equipped with the 1zz-fe engine and two-wheel drive may have been improperly manufactured. There is a possibility that a crack may develop at certain solder points or on varistors on the circuit board.
Equipment: labels
Risk: This does not meet the standard requirements.
Fix: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact gulf states toyota at 713-580-3300.
Full defect summary
Gulf states toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
Equipment: labels
Risk: A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2006 Toyota Matrix
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Toyota Matrix?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (50 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); wheels and tires (27 complaints, typically around 16,000 miles); engine (26 complaints, typically around 46,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2006 Toyota Matrix have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 26, 2010 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2006 a bad year for the Toyota Matrix?
- It is 4th of 11 Matrix model years by number of complaints, with 170 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.