| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
Expensive Toyota Matrix repairs by problem area
Engine (35%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (28%)
Brakes and Traction Control (6%)
Suspension and Steering (28%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (1%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (1%)
Other (0%)
Chart based on 71 repairs.
Toyota Matrix repair cost distribution
$2500+ (31%)
$1000 - $2499 (69%)
$500 - $999 (0%)
$100 - $499 (0%)
< $100 (0%)
Chart based on 52 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2009 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch
158-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 43500 mi US $1200 |
Replace worn struts replace struts |
| 44000 mi US $168 |
fuel injector service |
2009 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch
158-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 117180 mi C $1800 |
Caliper replacements and parking break fix. Alternator also. |
| 68200 mi C $1150 |
Transmission replaced as a result of issue with car slipping out of fifth gear. |
| 99200 mi C $100 |
Replaced piece of rusted exhaust pipe |
2009 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch
158-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic AWD
| 76260 mi C $784 |
Driver's rear wheel bearing noisy, first noticed at about 122,000 km. Car is AWD. Sounded like tire noise, escalated in volume rapidly in 5 days before repair. Bearing and hub replaced; price competitive with non-dealer shop quote. |
| 114700 mi C $300 |
The thermostat appeared to stick (high engine temp., no heat in cabin on very cold day). Engine coolant was found to be under-strength (either from previous maintenance or recent oil change at non-Toyota shop). Thermo and coolant replaced. |
| 143840 mi C $750 |
Replaced one wheel bearing due to noise, one other also faulty and will be done in new year |
| 126340 mi C $1200 |
Pistons replaced under an Extended Warranty Program. Seals on rear diff replaced at my cost, also one wheel bearing (makes 3 I have changed so far) |
2009 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch
132-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 135000 mi US $2000 |
Total Transmission Failure |
2009 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch
132-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| 42500 mi US $100 |
Aux port stopped working. Part was replaced and now it works fine. |
| 53000 mi US $1200 |
Electric power steering computer failed. Toyota would not cover it under a related TSB for power steering feel. The computer it self is behind the dash so I cost 8 hours of shop labor plus the part to fix it. |
| 36000 mi US $1098 |
Vehicle was making noise upon acceleration. Took it to dealer and water pump needed replacing. Vehicle was making noise upon acceleration. Took it to dealer and water pump needed replacing.also humming noise coming from wheel. |
| 44500 mi US $395 |
Told by dealer drivebelt needed replacing after hearing noise at cold start. Drive belt was replaced but noise continues |
2008 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch
126-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 90520 mi C $250 |
Clamp holding heat shield broke. Heat shield was resting on the exhaust system. New clamp installed. |
| 122760 mi C $1500 |
Oil Pan removed and reinstalled to fix oil leak. T-chain tensioner o-ring replaced to fix oil leak. Serpentine belt tensioner replaced. OEM front driver shock worn. Replaced both front stocks. |
2008 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch
126-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| 110980 mi C $165 |
replaced timing chain tensioner O-ring |
| 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. |
| 133300 mi C $125 |
Check engine light came on and the engine began running rough. The intake manifold gasket needed to be replaced. |
| 145700 mi C $164 |
oil leak - replaced chain tensioner o-ring |
| 167400 mi C $1700 |
replaced both struts and stabilizer link. Also replaced a gas tank strap and had an exhaust link near the resonater welded. |
| 170500 mi C $1000 |
Caliper seized. Replaced both front calipers, pads, and rotors. |
2007 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch
126-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| 91140 mi C $2000 |
Lost all oil. Gaskets and seals replaced |
| 130820 mi C $500 |
The check engine light came on and the faults and follow up test revealed problems with the Fuel cap and Canister purge solenoid. We tried to replace the cap first but had to replace the solenoid as well. Noise from right front wheel when taking my foot off the gas and coasting. Axel passenger side |
2006 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch
126-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 91760 mi C $300 |
Dealer advised replacing the oil pan gasket. Visible oil on crank case but no drips observed on driveway. Replaced only because I intend to keep the car for 5-6 more years. |
| 138880 mi C $1200 |
replaced leaking power steering lines |
| 140813 mi C $625 |
front left wheel bearing replaced, 4 wheel alignment |
| 146320 mi C $270 |
Replaced stabilizer, rhs |
| 151280 mi C $170 |
Exhaust pipe rusted; fixed by the shop by manufacturing a coupling |
| 124000 mi C $3000 |
one tie-rod noisy, the other was needing repair soon while in for tie-rods, told left wheel bearing bad... and to do both recommended |
| 142300 mi US $2300 |
transmission rebuilt due to output bearing failing and jamming up the transmission. all warn components (bearings and gears) replaced. |
| 149000 mi US $300 |
wheel bearing replaced due to wearing out. |
| 145700 mi C $2000 |
replaced transmission and clutch. |
2006 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch
126-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| 124000 mi US $800 |
Radiator hoses have become soft.. replaced hoses, radiator flush. 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. |
| 147900 mi US $960 |
Continued driving with Engine light on.. Transmission began to buck when shifting up the lower gears. Computer was replaced and programmed. Car ran well for two months, when it would not start, |
| 150800 mi US $489 |
Car would not start.. turns over well but won't ignite. Suspected fuel pump, but no.. Diagnostics showed it to be the computer module again. They ordered another computer, but programmer said there was nothing wrong with the first unit. ok |
| 204000 mi US $570 |
O2 Sensor needed replacement.. I purchased an aftermarket model and they installed it.. Engine light still comes on, as part was not OEM. Will need to get a TOYOTA O2 sensor and try again before I need to take the smog test. Check engine light keeps coming on. Took car into TOYOTA DEALER, paid $570, plus rental for the day to get O2 sensor replaced again, have it smog tested and registered. |
| 265000 mi US $2000 |
replaced broken motor mount, as well as new tires, battery, brakes, trans & radiator fluids. |
| 268300 mi US $450 |
Emissions Control.. Error code needed to be cleared and issue repaired before getting registration renewed. $450 paid for replacement of Fuel Tank Carbon cannister. |
2006 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch
118-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic AWD
| 49600 mi C $300 |
right rear differential seal was leaking. Seal replaced, leak stopped. |
| 67460 mi C $2100 |
Replace left rear wheel bearing Replace left rear axle seal Valve cover slight leak, replaced valve cover gaskets replace right front axle boot |
| 78740 mi C $120 |
Replaced serpentine belt, was showing many small cracks on underside |
2005 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch
170-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed manual FWD
| 74000 mi US $380 |
Ball joint replaced |
| 77200 mi US $2600 |
Replace clutch and flywheel Replace belt tensioner and belt Replace water pump |
| 90000 mi US $6000 |
knock in engine, oil dry a month prior; metal in bottom of engine floating around; best option was re-built engine as the price was mounting on all the various issues to be more costly than replacement engine; water pump was also added. |
2005 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch
130-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 81286 mi C $1495 |
Engine would rough idle & gradually no more power from 3K rpm. Also chk/eng light would light up at times. After reading simillar stories over various blogs, i checked the IACV & it really needed cleaning. used proper product no prob since |
| 84632 mi C $150 |
Windshield wiper motor slowly died out, ordered generic from auction site, fitted right in, everything works fine now. |
| 109480 mi C $110 |
wiper Motor & linkage seized, replaced with salvaged recon parts. |
| 111280 mi C $725 |
many small rust patches had to be corrected on the car's roof & tail gate. |
| 124000 mi C $1109 |
Replaced Clutch Ass'y after lining wore out. New synthetic gear oil in transmission. Exhaust donut gasket (CEL P0401). |
| 137800 mi C $450 |
Replaced Catalytic converter. |
| 141980 mi C $187 |
replaced starter assembly |
| 181000 mi US $300 |
Right caliper frozen. Squeaky belt. Replaced belt & tensioner |
| 220590 mi US $100 |
Leaking radiator. Replace with after market part |
| 217400 mi US $1600 |
Noise in manual transmission. Possibly bad bearings, shop replaced with a reconditioned unit. |
2005 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch
130-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| 145700 mi US $1200 |
front bearings, struts and links |
2005 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch
123-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic AWD
| 137000 mi US $1000 |
We just had the bearing done on the Matrix this month at an independent shop that was willing to use the part I bought. Apparently Toyotas are known for the spindle seizing to the bearing and that needed to be replaced as well. |
| 138000 mi US $100 |
Replaced seized piston. (Also replaced rotor and pads; cost of repair is only for piston repair.) |
| 108000 mi US $1050 |
Right rear wheel bearing replaced. |
| 130000 mi US $875 |
2- rear wheel bearing replaced. Right rear wheel bearing replaced in 2016 was not installed correctly and failed. |
2004 Toyota Matrix
Engine not specified
| 31000 mi US $1200 |
Clutch went bad, it's poor design and many XRS owners have problems. |
2004 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch
173-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed manual FWD
| 68000 mi US $1150 |
Replaced clutch which was starting to slip. Apparently this is a common problem with the XRS models, with many needing a clutch replacement before 50k miles |
2004 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch
130-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 221100 mi C $2500 |
new engine needed, new clutch, new brakes and remove catalyser (now illegal for gas emissions but it saved me 500$) bearings and suspension making weird noises, discovered i had about 1 month of usage left. changed it right away so i wont have to tow it away |
| 226300 mi C $450 |
3rd, 4th and 5th gear about to die, tranny rebuilt, found a great mechanic, he did it for cheap! |
| 124000 mi C $850 |
Replace both front shock absorber |
| 136400 mi C $1200 |
catalytic converter replacement |
| 143840 mi C $100 |
Engine check on because error on o2 sensor. Did not replace because not fatal. Mechanic discovered a strap that needed to be replace . Did it for 100$. After this the light went off. No problem since. |
| 176080 mi C $300 |
water pump replaced |
| 182900 mi C $1200 |
Had to replace the clutch |
2004 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch
130-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| 148800 mi C $1800 |
Both front wheel bearings. Bearings were making a grinding noise. both struts replaced |
2003 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch
180-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed manual FWD
| 91640 mi C $1200 |
replace front struts |
| 135780 mi C $1500 |
The clutch was slipping so I couldn't accelerate past an idle. The valve cover and oil pan gaskets were replaced. |
| 139500 mi C $700 |
Driver's door power window motor replacement |
| 29760 mi C $2500 |
transmission internal bearing failed. Transmission replaced under warranty. New clutch paid for. |
| 32860 mi C $250 |
Clutch release bearing replaced under warranty. |
2003 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch
180-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| 99000 mi US $2100 |
Complete emission control system needed to be replaced. |
| 175000 mi US $750 |
Fuel Pump and injectors needed to be replaced |
2003 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch
130-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 60760 mi C $650 |
contershaft bearings started making noise |
| 105400 mi C $1000 |
transmission bearing failing, hearing noise from the transmission. bearing replaced. |
| 107560 mi C $3000 |
Replacement of all transmission bearings. |
| 96000 mi US $3100 |
Transmission bearings replaced New clutch |
| 98000 mi US $200 |
Replaced headlight Oil change and Belt Tensioner was leaking and required repair. The repair added another 1.5 hours to the service. |
| 99000 mi US $3200 |
Manual transmission failed. Needed to be replaced completely. |
| 117000 mi US $5000 |
Piston problem with engine, requiring full rebuild or replacement. |
| 142000 mi US $4000 |
After having 3 shops (including dealer) fail to diagnose the problem, my transmission failed. This vehicle has been my worst experience with Toyota - including service and reliability. |
| 85560 mi C $3200 |
Engine seized at 130,000km due to lack of oil. Caused engine rod to brake. |
| 112000 mi US $600 |
Windshield fluid motor had broken, had to be replaced. Belts replaced. Fluids. |
| 114500 mi US $130 |
Right front low beam light and the "pigtail" of wiring, which had shorted and left minor burn marks at a wiring connection a few inches behind the lamp. |
| 128000 mi US $250 |
Bearings on front left wheel were very bad, and made much noise. Replaced the front right wheel bearings, too. |
| 146000 mi US $2950 |
Internal gears in transmission were damaged, so that it was much harder to shift, and there were metal shavings in the transmission fluid. Also, the clutch plate had to replaced again, only 7 months after having been replaced (at 140,000) |
| 193000 mi US $188 |
retune engine; identified that the CConverter is out, but did not repair. |
| 128960 mi C $2900 |
Manual transmission replaced with a used, but improved, version from a 2007 Corolla. Main bearing was failing. Toyota has since modified the transmission. |
| 140140 mi C $100 |
Oil pressure sender ruptured creating oil leak Part replaced, problem solved. |
| 125700 mi C $828 |
Front Calipers sticking. Prolonged undiagnosed problem. Calipers and disks replaced. Replaced front left wheel bearing. Wear detected by mechanic. |
| 122140 mi C $130 |
Starter replaced. Sturgeon Falls Canadian tire said they had part and did not, then said they would have it the next day and did not. Unresponsive to complaints. Work time included driving time to pick up part and learning time for myslel |
| 130820 mi C $1600 |
Rust damage, seizing calipers Fuel tank rusted through and leaking |
| 139500 mi C $200 |
Alternator seized, also had to repair serpentine belt |
| 139000 mi US $2300 |
Transmission bearing broke inside the housing, necessitating a transmission rebuild. New clutch installed as well. |
| 102000 mi US $230 |
Right headlight bulb failing and replaced; still worked but sometimes needed to be knocked to light up. |
| 143000 mi US $2500 |
Catalytic converter was warranted until 2008. Defect to me appeared in 2012. I managed DIY repair until today. The car runs fine but emissions are above threshold. |
| 171000 mi US $3000 |
replaced worn shock and strut assembly all wheels |
| 139000 mi US $1500 |
Bearings in the transmission failed. This is the exact same failure that happened at ~38,000 miles. Toyota covered the first repair, they were of no help this time round. Very unimpressed. |
| 167580 mi C $2000 |
Worn out absorbers, Front Left rod ends, Front Right upper rod end. |
2003 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch
130-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| 98946 mi C $4500 |
Full engine swap due to a poorly trained mechanic at a seperate shop, forgot to put my oil drain plug back in, engine starved to death. Refused to accept responsibility. full engine swap due to a poorly trained mechanic at a seperate shop, forgot to put my oil drain plug back in, engine starved to death.. |
| 115940 mi C $800 |
problems of the month, driver side cv boot tear (4th time) lead to a 4th drive shaft install, passenger front bearing gave out, passenger side sway link snap. car sits .8" from the floor on 16" rims... go figure... |
| 141360 mi C $450 |
RUST PROBLEM ON TOP, NEAR THE WINDSHIELD, RUST ON INSIDE BOTTOM OF CORNER OF A DOOR. A/C RADIATOR BREAK BY STONE. THERE IS NO PROTECTION FOR INCOMMING OBJECT. AS LISTED ON INTERNET FORUM, IT IS A PROBLEM FOR MATRIX. THE WEAKNESS OF MATRIX A/C. |
| 171520 mi C $265 |
Problem with ignition switch. Change it. Engine never stop when we turn off the key. Have to disconnect battery to stop engine. |
| 158100 mi C $542 |
Front shock broken. Change the fuel tank intake pipe, air leak causes computer problem. |
| 170500 mi C $528 |
Starter |
| 173700 mi C $194 |
Change right back wheel bearing assembly Baffle plate over the gas tank completely rotten, be taken out. Rebuilt an exhaust bracket |
2003 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch
123-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic AWD
| 60000 mi US $850 |
Engine light came on. Replaced O2 sensor, cleaned out fuel system. Toyota O2 sensors are a bit pricey! |
| 98000 mi US $230 |
Pipe welded |
| 99000 mi US $1200 |
New rotors, pads and calipers |
See TrueDelta's information for all Hatchbacks
See TrueDelta's information for all Toyota models.
