KnownCarProblems2008 Toyota Matrix Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 38 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Toyota Matrix, most often about the speed control (29% of complaints, typically around 29,000 miles). It is 8th of 11 Matrix model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2008 Toyota Matrix problems
Speed control
11 complaints · 29%Half of these problems showed up before 29,000 miles.
My 2008 Matrix engine races up, and reaches speeds of 90 with out my foot on the gas. It happened for the first time almost a year ago. I was told that it was nothing, could it have been the mats.... I didn't have mats in my car. I haven't been able to use my cruise control, the engine RPM goes really high, like it is…
After purchasing gas at 6:30 a.m., I started my 2008 Toyota Matrix and was rolling slowly out a slight incline to the street. The car lurched forward and I jammed first one foot then both feet on the brake while pulling up the emergency brake. It felt like holding back a horse at the starting gate. I put the car in…
Electrical
8 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles.
Several months ago I drove through a puddle of water in our parking lot at work. It was storming with the wind blowing as well. When I drove through the puddle, my battery light came on and I lost steering. Then engine never stopped. Once I traveled a few yards, the steering started working and the battery light went…
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that there was an internal electrical short that progressed intermittently for three years. In addition, the instrument cluster flickered, various internal and external lights randomly illuminated, and the power steering failed, which caused the steering wheel…
Air bags
6 complaints · 16%Parts named most often: frontal.
On may 16th I was rear-ended while stopped at a red light. My 2008 Matrix xr was pushed into the back of a school bus. The force of the impact crumpled the front end of my car, yet the airbag didn't deploy. Should it have? I can send you photos of the accident and the damage to my car.
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Matrix. The contact was driving 5 MPH and attempting a left turn into a parking space when the vehicle accelerated unexpectedly and jumped a curb before crashing into a trash bin. The vehicle was not destroyed. There were no injuries but the police were contacted and report was filed.…
Steering
4 complaints · 11%2008 Toyota Matrix xr....car drifts severely to the left at highway speeds...especially when in the left lane. I realize there is a crown to every road, but our other vehicles do not do this on the same stretch of highway in any lanes. To give an indication of the severity, at 65+MPH, the car would be in the median…
Several months ago I drove through a puddle of water in our parking lot at work. It was storming with the wind blowing as well. When I drove through the puddle, my battery light came on and I lost steering. Then engine never stopped. Once I traveled a few yards, the steering started working and the battery light went…
Engine
4 complaints · 11%The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Matrix. The vehicle was included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 10v384000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was told that the parts necessary to remedy the recall were unavailable. Approximately six months…
The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Matrix. The contacted received notification of concerning NHTSA campaign id number: 10v384000 (engine and engine cooling) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for repairs february 2011. The dealer advised that the part needed for repairs was not readily available and that he would be…
Transmission
3 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
Toyota Matrix xr 2008:bought new. One driver car. Twenty-two months of driving with 11,000 miles on it. Took to dealer on march 12, 2010 because leaking transmission fluid. Diagnosed as faulty harmonic equalizer on front axle which caused scaring on axle and inside transmission installed new axle and transmission. Ten…
I noticed a chirping noise from the engine. My husband took the Matrix to a Toyota dealer who advised US, upon inspection that the bolt that holds the lifter arm hadsheared off inside the engine. We are extremely fortunate that this did not result in an injury accident whilst traveling at highway speeds! The service…
Brakes
3 complaints · 8%The brakes on my 2008 Toyota Matrix failed again january 30, 2010. The brake pedal will not depress for a moment and then once the pressure is taken off and reapplied it will engage. It has been an intermittent problem that started sept. 2009. I have taken the car to the original dealer on multiple occasions and the…
Stability control
3 complaints · 8%
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 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.
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 2008 Toyota Matrix
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Toyota Matrix?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: speed control (11 complaints, typically around 29,000 miles); electrical (8 complaints, typically around 48,000 miles); air bags (6 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota Matrix have?
- 2 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 2008 a bad year for the Toyota Matrix?
- It is 8th of 11 Matrix model years by number of complaints, with 38 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.