Toyota Matrix Toyota Matrix

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Toyota Matrix repairs by problem area

Engine (41%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (10%)

Brakes and Traction Control (6%)

Suspension and Steering (14%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (18%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (7%)

Other (4%)

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Chart based on 593 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the Toyota Matrix.

Toyota Matrix body repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (3%)

$500 - $999 (11%)

$100 - $499 (18%)

< $100 (68%)

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Chart based on 38 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2011 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

132-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

121520 mi

C $500
Sunroof is rusting very badly, bits of rust fall inside when opening it. Outer metal edge of the glass is heavily corroded. Seems to be mentioned frequently in forums as well as a problem with the Vibe/Matrix 2nd Gen. 
132060 mi

C $450
Sunroof is rusting so badly that metal is falling into car when sunroof is opened. Sunroof panel with glass replaced. 
158100 mi Rattling metallic noise from bottom of the car. Found the heat shield near the catalytic converter is only attached in one area, other connections have disintegrated. Cut heat shield off. 

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2009 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

158-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD

26040 mi Plastic door moulding on the inside door pillar came loose. Had to be put back in-not a big deal, but really shouldn't be that easy to come off. Seemed very cheaply manufactured 
24000 mi Large amount of water noticed on front passenger floor soaking carpeting & floor mat. AC hose had detatched. Dealer replaced plastic piece with metal piece. Dealer also replaced rug in entire car. Did give me a loaner to use all 5 days.  

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2009 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

158-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic AWD

5704 mi Dealer replaced aftermarket dealer-installed rear license plate cover. Was a flexible clear plastic cover with dealer logo screened on. Made loud slapping noises in cross-winds from either rear quarter of car. When replaced with stiff cover, no more noise 

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2009 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

132-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD

24000 mi B pillar molding on driver side will not stay in place 

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2009 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

132-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

1223 mi Left front interior B pillar (inside trim) popped out.......... 
11000 mi Hubcab broke and fell off on its own accord.  

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2008 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

126-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

81840 mi

C $23
Gas tank cover bolt rusted and fell out. Loud rattling when car running. Replaced with random bolt from Canadian Tire. 

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2007 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

126-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

34100 mi Rear hatch seal was leaking so they replaced it. 
158720 mi

C $47
The roof leaks when it rains. I start to drive and water pours in from the top left and top right where the roof rails end. Had to seal the rail tracks with caulking type silicone. 
186 mi the hood front end was touching left headlamp. regulated by myself using rubber bosses that support the hood. took to the dealer to verify that it's the only thing that could be done. they confirmed. apparently, manufacturing tolerances are quite big. 
682 mi rattling noice in cabin. comes from glovebox. dealer told that nothing could be done. just keep driving with it. annoying. 
37000 mi

US $5
Rocker panel was coming loose at the end. I bought clips from the dealer and re-attached it myself. 

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2006 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

126-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD

82300 mi

US $200
Replaced front driver side wheel well liner 
88300 mi

US $50
Door pillar cover came loose 

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2006 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

126-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

124000 mi

US $800
Front Plastic Wheel Well Covers came loose and were partially damaged or ground down with tire tread. Mechanic was able to resecure to frame with plastic zip ties. 
165540 mi Hood latch failed at 90 km/h, hood flipped back destroying the hood, windshield, and roof. Vehicle written off. 

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2006 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

118-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic AWD

13392 mi

C $96
Door sill tape kit TSB 2423 was done to all 4 door lower sills. Total warranty claim amount $239.92, but no charge to me as under warranty. Replaced engine oil and filter and cabin air filter. 
20460 mi The body door seal on driver side rear door was popping out at 2 corners. That door rarely used on this car, only 15000 kms driven in 1 year since I purchased it. 
22940 mi Annoying ticking noise from radio housing on dashboard 
27280 mi Annoying ticking noise from radio housing on dashboard. It's intermittent, very odd - can be driving on rough road and no noise or drive on smooth road with the noise. Toyota now says they can't fix it, must live with it. 

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2005 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

130-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD

111280 mi

C $725
many small rust patches had to be corrected on the car's roof & tail gate. 
142600 mi

C $60
Replaced both headlights as original ones were beyond polishable (already did twice). 

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2005 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

123-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic AWD

35340 mi New rear door seals 

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2004 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

130-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD

141980 mi

C $100
Drivers side support rattling. Needed to be shimmed and fastened. 
73300 mi

US $400
Clutch squeaked upon depression and it didn't matter whether engine on or off. No slipping of clutch and repair simply included lubrication. No squeaking since then. 

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2004 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

130-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

129000 mi

US $55
The piece that holds the buttons that control automatic window controls needed to be secured. 

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2004 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

123-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic AWD

115320 mi

C $250
Replaced rusty rear hatch assembly with parts sourced from a scrap yard. 

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2004 Toyota Matrix 4-door

4-cylinder automatic 2WD

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2003 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

180-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed manual FWD

213000 mi

US $70
Bought more clips for the rocker moldings and the spoiler on the rear bumper. (they are always falling off!) 
244500 mi

US $80
Replaced the dash covering for the stereo. The previous one had become scratched and loose. 

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2003 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

130-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD

117800 mi Leak located around the top of the windshield and the side supports. Water coming through to the inside of the car at the top molding of the vertical windshield supports. Falling onto seat and driver passenger. Mostly accumulates when car is parked. Unresolved 
31282 mi Trim paint around radio and drivers door power window switch peeling. Both trim panels replaced for free under warranty. 

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2003 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

130-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

82000 mi Drver side door electric window/lock switch cluster not secure, clips broken. Took apart the door and glued it in place. Drver side door electric window/lock switch cluster not secure, clips broken. Took apart the door and glued it in place. Front and rear bumper spoilers were damaged. Took them off and glued the rear back together, put it back on, looks good. The front spoilers are back on but only a temp fix. I will take them off soon for a better fix and repaint. 
87000 mi

US $150
Right front door stop was making a loud popping noise every time the door was opened or closed. It was adjusted and is now silent. 
141360 mi

C $1340
RUST PROBLEM ON TOP, NEAR THE WINDSHIELD, RUST ON INSIDE BOTTOM OF CORNER OF A DOOR. 
173700 mi

C $194
Baffle plate over the gas tank completely rotten, be taken out. 

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Toyota Matrix Body Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently Toyota Matrix problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.