Toyota Matrix Toyota Matrix

We are 103,000+ car owners sharing real-world car information.

Join Us

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%)

Select a problem area

Show all problems

Need advice about a specific Toyota Matrix problem?

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

Toyota Matrix brake repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (12%)

$500 - $999 (27%)

$100 - $499 (45%)

< $100 (15%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 33 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2013 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

132-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

79050 mi

C $180
Seized parking brake cable, probably due to recent detailing and moisture getting into cable housing. No parts needed, just pulled cable out, freed it up, and reinstalled it 

Return to top

2011 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

132-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

121520 mi

C $500
Rear passenger brake pad keeps wearing on an angle, tilting. It has been changed twice in the last 20,000km.From some advice on a forum I filed down the pads this time to make sure they weren't binding in the caliper bracket, but they are wearing unevenly again. Seems to be a common problem in this generation. 
122760 mi

C $250
Premature brake wear on the rear passenger side, pads wearing on an angle again. Took to Toyota for their opinion. They said that the tab on the brake pad was not aligned with the notch in the piston, which was causing the angle. They realigned it. We will see if this solves the issue. 
149420 mi

C $150
Rear passenger brake pads continue to wear prematurely and on an angle. Decided to change caliper to see if issue resolved. 

Return to top

2009 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

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

31264 mi

C $516
Metallic noise was coming from a rear break. Changed both rear break disks and 1 rear break disk pad. 

Return to top

2009 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

158-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD

117180 mi

C $1800
Caliper replacements and parking break fix.  

Return to top

2009 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

132-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

10000 mi Clicking sound coming from right front brake. They duplicated it on the rack but said it was a normal sound... I am not convinced but the brakes feel fine.  
97340 mi

C $850
Brake calipers seized. Replace calipers, rotors and pads. 

Return to top

2008 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

126-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

129580 mi

C $500
When replacing the front pads (first time ever, which is amazing) the calipers also needed replacing which to my mind is not normal maintenance. 
170500 mi

C $1000
Caliper seized. Replaced both front calipers, pads, and rotors. 

Return to top

2007 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

126-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD

55180 mi

C $400
Seized calipers. 

Return to top

2007 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

126-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

54397 mi

US $219
Replaced front brakes 
100400 mi

US $350
replaced rear drums, pads and fixed frozen front caliper 

Return to top

2006 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

126-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD

152306 mi

C $300
Rear brakes replaced 

Return to top

2006 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

126-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

138000 mi

US $120
Replace front brake pads and rotors 

Return to top

2006 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

118-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic AWD

118000 mi

US $100
R&R front disc pads, rear drum shoes. This was the first time the rear shoes required replace, the third set of front disc pads. As is customary rotors and drums were turned. Even though the Toyota manual stats the trans fluids and filtters are supposed to be lifetime, for our peace of mind we will be servicing the trans fluids and filters next month. 

Return to top

2005 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

170-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed manual FWD

86000 mi

US $96
Rear Left Brake backing shield was rubbing -- shop adjusted it and noise is gone. 

Return to top

2005 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

130-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD

181000 mi

US $300
Right caliper frozen. 

Return to top

2005 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

130-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

170000 mi

US $150
Noise from front brakes when backing up and steering wheel shaking at a certain speed. Needed new brake pads and rotors turned. Past due for pads. Also new tires. All is good now.  
60760 mi check for clicking noise from front brakes when lightly braking. Advised it was because of rust from the resurfaced rotor and not a safety issue. 

Return to top

2005 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

123-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic AWD

138000 mi

US $100
Replaced seized piston. (Also replaced rotor and pads; cost of repair is only for piston repair.) 
57000 mi

US $104
Dealer claims rear drum brakes had overheated and recommends replacement of brake shoes and wheel cylinders. Ordered parts and will have repaired by independent mechanic. 
59000 mi

US $200
Resurfaced rear brake drums and replaced brake shoes and wheel cylinders. Listed here because of the latter. 

Return to top

2004 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

123-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic AWD

114080 mi

C $150
replaced rusted front disc brake backing plates - old plates rusted away to nothing, issue discovered at previous shop visit. 

Return to top

2003 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

180-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

182000 mi

US $750
Rebuilt rear brakes, including new hydraulics 

Return to top

2003 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

130-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD

154780 mi park brake cable seizing, new cables installed 
125700 mi

C $828
Front Calipers sticking. Prolonged undiagnosed problem. Calipers and disks replaced. 
130820 mi

C $1600
Rust damage, seizing calipers 
199000 mi

US $400
Brake line leaking 

Return to top

2003 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

130-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

88040 mi

$850
The brakes pump wore out, I had to replace it as well as the rear cylinders. 
140720 mi change pads and rotor as needed 
66300 mi

US $775
sticking caliper, front and back brakes needed attention. 

Return to top

2003 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

123-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic AWD

99000 mi

US $1200
New rotors, pads and calipers 

Return to top

2003 Toyota Matrix 4-door

4-cylinder automatic 2WD

68000 mi

US $600
Both front brake calipers seized. Calipers replaced, rotors machined and brake system serviced 

Return to top

See TrueDelta's information for all Hatchbacks
See TrueDelta's information for all Toyota models.

Toyota Matrix Brake 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.