Owners have filed 24 complaints
about the 2010 Toyota Corolla Matrix with NHTSA between 2010 and 2025.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 8 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 20
Against the median year of the Toyota Corolla Matrix. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 43
8.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 99
58% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2010 compares with every other Toyota Corolla Matrix
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
216.7%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
325.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
216.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
18.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
18.3%
150,000+ miles
325.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 2010peak 3Mar 2025
NHTSA investigations into the 2010 Toyota Corolla Matrix
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
PE10008Opened 18 Feb 2010Closed 4 May 2011STEERING
Steering Wander or Drift
On February 18, 2010, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE10-008 to investigate complaints of steering wander or drift in model year (MY) 2009 and 2010 Toyota Corolla and Matrix vehicles.The complaint descriptions indicated dissatisfaction with the on-center steering feel in the subject vehicles. Some drivers (~25%) related the feel to driving in a strong crosswind and others indicated that the effort and attention required to maintain heading increased driver fatigue on long trips.These complaints all relate to the system operating as designed and do not...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 100,000 milesRembert, SCCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL, I WAS TRAVELING DOWN A SIDE ROAD AND A CAR WAS PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND I WAS STRUCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE, THE AIRBAGS ON BOTH DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY. CAR WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY.
NHTSA complaint #10927757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Union, NJ
STRUCTURE:BODY
The paint on the car's hood is chipping and the paint on the car's hood, roof, and back hatch is fading to white and becoming rough to the touch, as if a coating is coming off.
NHTSA complaint #11647459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 169,630 milesReynoldsville, PA
POWER TRAIN
IN A STATIONARY POSITION, AS SOON AS I TURN MY CAR OVER MY ENGINE WILL BE AT A HIGHER RPM THAN WHAT IT SHOULD AND IT WONT RUN AS GOOD AS IT SHOULD. ITS HARDER ON SHIFTING INTO THE NEXT GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #11344115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 169,630 milesReynoldsville, PA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
IN A STATIONARY POSITION, AS SOON AS I TURN MY CAR OVER MY ENGINE WILL BE AT A HIGHER RPM THAN WHAT IT SHOULD AND IT WONT RUN AS GOOD AS IT SHOULD. ITS HARDER ON SHIFTING INTO THE NEXT GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #11344115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 169,630 milesReynoldsville, PA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
IN A STATIONARY POSITION, AS SOON AS I TURN MY CAR OVER MY ENGINE WILL BE AT A HIGHER RPM THAN WHAT IT SHOULD AND IT WONT RUN AS GOOD AS IT SHOULD. ITS HARDER ON SHIFTING INTO THE NEXT GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #11344115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 121 milesElicott City, MD
WHEELS
A NAIL GOT STUCK IN THE TIRE WHEN THE VE HIKE WAS IN MOTION
NHTSA complaint #11122906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesHermann, MO
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. NOTHING HAS HAPPENED YET, BUT I WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THE RECALL AT ALL. I HAPPENED TO FIND OUT ABOUT IT ONLINE AND MY CAR IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11048583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albany, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO TOYOTA OF BERKELEY (2400 SHATTUCK AVE, BERKELEY, CA 94704) AND DOWNTOWN TOYOTA OF OAKLAND (4145 BROADWAY, OAKLAND, CA 94611) WHO STATED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11000091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ojai, CA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL - IT'S BEEN OVER A YEAR WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR TOYOTA TO PROVIDE PARTS FOR THIS RECALL - AT LEAST VENTURA TOYOTA REPORTS THEY ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. WE NEED TO GET THIS REPAIRED. NOTE - RECALL NUMBER 16V340
NHTSA complaint #10994228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint George, UT
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. NHTSA RECALL NO. 16V-340. CAN YOU HELP SPEED UP WHEN THE REMEDY WILL BE AVAILABLE? ON MAY 23, 2016 TOYOTA ISSUED A RECALL NOTICE FOR OUR VEHICLE. THEY RECOMMEND WE DO NOT USE THE PASSENGER SEAT UNTIL THE RECALL WORK IS COMPLETE. BUT THEY STILL HAVE NOT MADE A REMEDY AVAILABLE!! IT IS JANUARY 2, 2017! I BELIEVE THEY HAVE ALREADY EXCEEDED A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO MAKE A REMEDY AVAILABLE. THE RECALL NOTICE RECOMMENDED SUBMITTING A COMPLAINT ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE IF TOYOTA IS NOT COMPLETING THE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME. CAN YOU HELP SPEED UP WHEN THE REMEDY WILL BE AVAILABLE? THANKS VERY MUCH.
NHTSA complaint #10939034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Katy, TX
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL, REPAIR NOT PERFORMED, NO PARTS AVAIL.
NHTSA complaint #10935161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa ANA, CA
AIR BAGS
MY COMPLAINT IS THAT TOYOTA GIVES ME DIFFERENT ANSWERS EACH TIME I HAVE CALLED REGARDING PASSENGER AIRBAG RECALL. RECALL #16V-340. EVEN IF THE PASSENGER AIRBAG EXPLODES IT CAN SHOOT METAL PARTS ACROSS AT DRIVER OR IN BACK AT PASSENGERS. I LIVE IN ZONE A AND ALSO DRIVE TO ARIZONA WHICH IS A LOT HOTTER THAN CA THE LAST CALL I MADE TO TOYOTA I WAS TOLD THEY HADN'T DECIDED THE BEST AVENUE TO GO!!! THAT TELLS ME THAT THEY HAVE NOT STARTED ON THE PROBLEM!!! MAYBE IF THINGS WERE MADE IN THE USA WE WOULDN'T HAVE ALL THESE RECALLS!!! THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10934410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesRembert, SCCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL, I WAS TRAVELING DOWN A SIDE ROAD AND A CAR WAS PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND I WAS STRUCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE, THE AIRBAGS ON BOTH DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY. CAR WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY.
NHTSA complaint #10927757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. THIS HAS NOT BEEN DEALT WITH IN A TIMELY MANNER.
NHTSA complaint #10927684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Willis, TX
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. TOYOTA WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD AND FIX OUR AIRBAG ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #10923830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakdale, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 03/17/17*LJ UPDATED 6/26/18
NHTSA complaint #10918640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,000 milesClayton, NC
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKES ARE SCRUBBING HARSHLY WHEN WEATHER IS DAMP. HAD IT INSPECTED AT LEITH TOYOTA IN RALEIGH,NC AND WAS TOLD THAT WAS NORMAL FOR THIS CAR. TWO MONTHS AGO IN WET COLD HIGH ALTITUDE THERE WAS EXTREME SCRUBBING OF FRONT WHEEL BRAKES, AGAIN WAS INSPECTED AND TOLD THAT BRAKES WERE GOOD AND WOULD PROBABLY NEED NEW PADS AT NEXT INSPECTION. THIS SCRUBBING STARTED ABOUT 6-8 MONTHS AFTER WE PURCHASED IT NEW.
NHTSA complaint #10660994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,000 milesSaint Marys, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN DRIVING 5 MPH AND BELOW WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE RUSTED AND A SMALL PEBBLE WAS LODGED IN THE PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES FOR REPAIRS BUT NONE OF THE REPAIRS CORRECTED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,000. UPDATED 02/15/12 *LJ UPDATED 02/17/12
NHTSA complaint #10445095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10 milesDavis, CA
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN HOLDING THE STEERING WHEEL STEADY, THE VEHICLE WOULD VEER FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED BUT WAS MORE EXTENSIVE WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND WAS LOOKING INTO A REMEDY FOR HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 525. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA. UPDATED 10/26/10*JB UPDATED 11/03/10 *BF THE CONSUMER BELIEVED TOYOTA FAILED TO USE FLASHABLE ROM'S IN ORDER TO CHANGE THE STEERING. UPDATED 11/04/10
NHTSA complaint #10342948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown, DC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
2010 TOYOTA COROLLA. POWER BRAKE ASSIST. DELAY OR LAG WHEN APPLYING BRAKES*CW WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WOULD HAVE A SOFT SPOT WITH NO REACTION AND THEN BECOME RESPONSIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10317575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown, DC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2010 TOYOTA COROLLA. POWER BRAKE ASSIST. DELAY OR LAG WHEN APPLYING BRAKES*CW WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WOULD HAVE A SOFT SPOT WITH NO REACTION AND THEN BECOME RESPONSIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10317575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Moose Jaw, SK Canada, 00
STEERING
MY CAR WANDERS WHEN I AM DRIVING IT. THERE HAVE BEEN TOO MANY INSTANCES TO NARROW DOWN THE DATE WHEN IT HAPPENS. WHEN I AM DRIVING MY CAR SEEMS TO WANDER FROM ITS LANE. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND IN TOWN. IF THE WHEEL IS HELD STRAIGHT THE CAR TENDS TO WANDER TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER, USUALLY IT SEEMS TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. SOMETIMES WHEN I AM ON A GRADUAL CURVE I MUST MAKE CONSTANT CORRECTIONS JUST TO STAY IN MY LANE. I HAVE YET TO BRING THIS TO TOYOTAS ATTENTION. I AM BRING MY CAR TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM 9 MONTHS AGO AND HAVE THEM LOOK AT ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH MY BRAKES FAILING, SO I WILL ALSO HAVE THEM INSPECT THIS PROBLEM AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10315002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,320 milesMoose Jaw, SK Canada, 00
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT WITH A FRIEND OF MINE AS PASSENGER. I WAS COMING UP TO A STOP SIGN WITH 2 CARS WAITING AT THE SIGN. I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO BEGIN SLOWING MY CAR AND WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES THEY DID NOT ENGAGE FOR AT LEAST A SECOND OR SO. WHEN THE PEDAL WAS HIT IT MOVED TOWARDS THE FLOOR VERY EASILY AND AFTER A SECOND OR SO THE CAR JERKED AND BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN AS IT SHOULD HAVE. I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT INCIDENT, BUT IT WAS A CLOSE CALL WITH THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. IF I HAD NOT DEVELOPED A HABIT OF EARLY BRAKING WE WOULD HAVE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF US. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT IT HAPPENED BUT THE CAR ONLY HAS 8000K ON IT. I AM TAKING TO THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW WHERE I BOUGHT IT 9 MONTHS AGO TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIND A PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10314999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesEllicott City, MD
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TWO PROBLEMS, 1) ACCELERATOR IS HARD TO MODULATE WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP, WILL GO AT HIGHER SPEED THAN WANTED. 2) ONCE IN A WHILE WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY PULSE, OR THE VEHICLE JUST HIT A SMALL PATCH OF ICE WHEN THERE WAS NO ICE. A WEIRD FEELING. I DON'T KNOW IF THE CAR ACTUALLY GOES A FEW FEET FURTHER THAN I WANTED IT TO OR IF THERE IS JUST A PULSE THAT MAKES YOU FEEL THAT WAY.
NHTSA complaint #10302552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesEllicott City, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TWO PROBLEMS, 1) ACCELERATOR IS HARD TO MODULATE WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP, WILL GO AT HIGHER SPEED THAN WANTED. 2) ONCE IN A WHILE WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY PULSE, OR THE VEHICLE JUST HIT A SMALL PATCH OF ICE WHEN THERE WAS NO ICE. A WEIRD FEELING. I DON'T KNOW IF THE CAR ACTUALLY GOES A FEW FEET FURTHER THAN I WANTED IT TO OR IF THERE IS JUST A PULSE THAT MAKES YOU FEEL THAT WAY.
NHTSA complaint #10302552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.