Here Are The Toyota Matrix Years To Avoid
We've identified five Toyota Matrix years to avoid. See which ones (and which Matrix years are considered safe to buy used) so you can focus your car search around reliability.
There’s a lot to love with the ill-fated Toyota Matrix. Toyota made one of the most practical small wagons, offering generous cargo space, good reliability, and solid safety scores. It was a compact car that tried to do several things at once - unfortunately, it was discontinued in 2014.
If you’re looking to buy a used Toyota Matrix, one of the main concerns is its reliability. According to the folks at RepairPal, the Matrix has a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0, which isn’t surprising when it’s essentially a Corolla with a larger trunk.
But some Matrix years are less reliable than the others. Today, we’re rounding up the Toyota Matrix years to avoid along with model years you can safely buy.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE TOYOTA MATRIX
Still, you should only purchase one of these cars from the most reliable Toyota Matrix year. If you’re not sure where to start, read on.
Which Toyota Matrix Years to Avoid?
Here’s a quick list of the Toyota Matrix years to avoid due to reliability issues:
- 2003 Toyota Matrix
- 2004 Toyota Matrix
- 2005 Toyota Matrix
- 2006 Toyota Matrix
- 2009 Toyota Matrix
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2003 Toyota Matrix
The very first Toyota Matrix is a model year we’d rather skip. According to CarComplaints.com, the 2003 Matrix has 387 NHTSA complaints and eight recalls, earning the “Beware of the Clunker” award.
One of its most severe issues is the engine problem. Many owners have noticed that the car consumed too much oil and heard ticking or rattling noises coming from the engine. Eventually, the Matrix engine just failed. This dreaded engine failure reportedly happens at around 103,300 miles and costs $3,400 to repair.
Another area of concern is the car’s transmission system that’s also prone to fail. However, based on the reports, this problem exclusively happens with a manual system.
2004 Toyota Matrix
Compared to the 2003 Matrix, the version has fared better in terms of reliability. The 2003 Matrix has 209 NHTSA complaints and eight recalls, according to Car Complaints.
As part of the first generation Matrix, the 2004 model suffers from engine and transmission problems. Like the previous year, the transmission issue seems only to affect manual models, which have symptoms like loud grinding noises, hesitation while shifting, and no fifth gear.
Although to a lesser degree, a few owners have reported engine problems with their Matrix. Before failure, owners have noticed ticking and rattling noises while driving.
2005 Toyota Matrix
The 2005 Toyota Matrix was a lot better than 2003 in terms of reliability, but it has problems on its own that are hard to overlook. With 372 NHTSA complaints and six recalls, the 2005 Matrix finds itself on this list of Toyota Matrix years to avoid.
Matrix owners have reported knocking noises coming from the transmission. Also, some have reported erratic shifting and whining noises from the floorboard. A few owners claimed that their car’s transmission frequently hesitates - all symptoms of a problematic transmission system.
Another issue that prospective buyers should keep an eye on is the illumination of the check engine light for no apparent reason. According to RepairPal, this issue may have to do with a faulty oxygen sensor that lights up the check engine light.
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2006 Toyota Matrix
Unfortunately, the following year with the 2006 Matrix is still plagued with reliability woes. Based on data by Car Complaints, the 2006 Matrix has 285 NHTSA complaints and eight recalls.
Perhaps the most significant issue with the 2006 Matrix is the widely reported sudden acceleration. Many owners have reported that their Matrix suddenly accelerated while driving at slow speeds, and hitting the brakes did nothing. In many reports, the airbags didn’t even deploy after impact due to sudden acceleration.
This issue prompted a major recall from the Japanese carmaker. Described as “sudden RPM increase/vehicle acceleration due to accelerator pedal sticking,” Toyota had to settle in court with a cool $1.2 billion.
2009 Toyota Matrix
Thanks to its host of reliability issues, the 2009 Matrix is one of the worst Toyota Matrix years to avoid. Once again, the Matrix earned another “Beware of the Clunker” award from Car Complaints with its 2009 iteration - it also happens to be the worst model year, according to the website.
The 2009 Matrix’s primary issue is engine failure. Numerous reports claimed that they first noticed excessive noise coming from the engine. In some cases, the noise turned to rattle after the gas pedal was engaged, eventually followed by the engine dying. This issue rears its head at around 103,300 miles, and it costs $3,400 to fix.
Once again, the Matrix has transmission problems that mainly affect manual transmission models. The standard fix is replacing or overhauling the transmission, which may cost about $2,290 on average.
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Which Toyota Matrix Years are Safe to Buy Used?
That concludes our roundup of the Matrix years to avoid, so let’s get to the model years that you can buy with confidence.
2007 Toyota Matrix
Earning the “Seal of Awesome” award by Car Complaints, the 2007 Toyota Matrix is a satisfying compact car choice for many people. It offers a stable and comfortable, versatile cargo area, roomy backseat, and excellent fuel economy. It’s not exactly a cavernous hatchback, but if you have two kids, the 2007 Matrix is an impressive family vehicle.
As far as reliability issues go, the main concern is the transmission problem, which only affects manual transmissions. Other than that, the 2007 Matrix presents an excellent value proposition if you’re looking for an older hatchback.
2012 Toyota Matrix
If you’re in the market for a newer Matrix model, it’s hard to go wrong with the 2012 Matrix. This compact car offers sporty styling, decent performance, interior comfort, and excellent mpg ratings - all for an affordable pre-owned price.
Most of the severe problems associated with the Matrix, such as engine and transmission failures, are pleasantly absent. Instead, the top complaints about this model are the rear window glare and faulty radio - not exactly dealbreakers. The 2012 Toyota Matrix is a great reliable car that offers great bang for your buck.
Honorable mentions: 2007 Toyota Matrix, 2008 Toyota Matrix, 2010 Toyota Matrix, 2011 Toyota Matrix, 2013 Toyota Matrix
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