CarModelProblems.com

2006 Toyota Matrix Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Air Bags — runs 3.5× the fleet median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
170Complaints
4Recalls
17Crashes
0Fires
10Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Air Bags (29.4% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Air Bags complaints here are 3.5× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Air Bags50 · 29.4%not available
Tires23 · 13.5%not available
Electrical System22 · 12.9%not available
Vehicle Speed Control20 · 11.8%not available
Suspension15 · 8.8%not available
Engine And Engine Cooling15 · 8.8%RecalledRecall 10V384000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS50 · 29.4%
TIRES23 · 13.5%
SUSPENSION15 · 8.8%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING15 · 8.8%
POWER TRAIN9 · 5.3%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC6 · 3.5%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION6 · 3.5%
STEERING5 · 2.9%

Percentages are the share of the 170 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 4 campaigns

Engine And Engine Cooling

NHTSA campaign 10V384000 · 2010 · reported 08/26/2010

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.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment:other:labels

NHTSA campaign 10V036000 · 2010 · reported 02/03/2010

A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment:other:labels

NHTSA campaign 10V035000 · 2010 · reported 02/03/2010

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 06E023000 · 2006 · reported 03/13/2006

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V286000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED TO DO THE…”NHTSA complaint 10750087 — filed 08/20/2015 · AIR BAGS
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V286000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE…”NHTSA complaint 10748473 — filed 08/13/2015 · AIR BAGS
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V286000 (AIR BAGS) AND 10V384000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS…”NHTSA complaint 10745700 — filed 08/03/2015 · AIR BAGS

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

102006213120081561201077201222201436132016412018112025

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Toyota Matrix?

Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 50 of 170 NHTSA complaints (29.4%), followed by tires (23), electrical system (22), vehicle speed control (20). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2006 Toyota Matrix have?

170 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 17 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 10 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2006 Toyota Matrix have any recalls?

Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 10V384000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2006 Toyota Matrix's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.