no report yet
Engine and engine cooling
Risk. THERE ARE A VARIETY OF WARNINGS AND CONSEQUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEFECT.
2008 Toyota MatrixProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 38 owner complaints about the 2008 Toyota Matrix, most often about the vehicle speed control. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 3, 2020. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2008 Toyota Matrix has problems
38 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
11Vehicle speed control3 crash/fire/injury
8Electrical system
6Air bags3 crash/fire/injury
4Steering
3Service brakes, hydraulic
3Power train
3Electronic stability control (ESC)
2Visibility
2Engine
118 other systems3 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 8 | 0 |
| Air bags | 6 | 3 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 3 | 0 |
| Power train | 3 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 |
| 8 other systems | 11 | 3 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
2008 Toyota Matrix recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Toyota.
Best & worst years
2008 vs. every other Matrix year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Matrix median. How we score
'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2008 Toyota Matrix safety ratings
2008 Toyota Matrix 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: Optional
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Matrix owners report
Recent vehicle speed control complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
I HAVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION CAR. WHEN I STARTED IT IN MY DRIVEWAY AND PUT IN REVERSE THE CAR IMMEDIATELY WHEN SPEEDING BACKWARD OUT OF CONTROL. I ENGAGED THE CLUTCH WHILE THE CAR CONTINUED TO SPEED IN REVERSE THEN MOVED TO 1 GEAR AND THE CAR STARTED SPEEDING FORWARD OUT OF CONTROL. I WAS ABLE TO…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM PARK, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE CLUTCH AND SHIFT THE GEAR SHIFTER IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY AND JUMPED A CURB BEFORE CRASHING INTO A TRASH BIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED…
Own a 2008 Matrix?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.