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2012 Toyota MatrixProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 5 owner complaints about the 2012 Toyota Matrix, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 20V-024 the manufacturer reports only 58% of affected cars repaired.

2012 Toyota Matrix
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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Lowest repair rate 58%Owner complaints50 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage23kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 17, 2020. Updated daily. Photo: qJake, CC BY-SA 2.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2012 Toyota Matrix has problems

5 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags40
Engine10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2012 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.

58%repaired · 2022 Q1

Air bags: air bag/restraint control module

Recall 20V-024 · Jan 17, 2020 · 2,891,976 vehicles · 1,672,902 repaired

Risk. In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended may increase the risk of injury.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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

2012 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

2012 Toyota Matrix safety ratings

2012 Toyota Matrix SW AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Rollover: 4 stars (13.6% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Matrix owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION IN JANUARY OF 2018. THE DEALER (EASTERN SHORE TOYOTA 29732 FREDRICK BLVD, DAPHNE, AL,…
Complaint 11004249 · Jul 11, 2017
TAKATA RECALL - RECEIVED NOTICE IN JANUARY, 2017 AND TO DATE "NO REMEDY" FOR THE AIRBAG RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. RECALL ADVISES TO AVOID HAVING PASSENGER IN FRONT SEAT. I AM UNABLE TO TRANSPORT ANYONE UNLESS IN THE BACK SEAT AND AM CONCERNED WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO ME IF THE AIRBAG GOES OFF WHILE…
Complaint 10991786 · May 26, 2017 · 23,000 miles
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR.…
Complaint 10990577 · May 19, 2017

Own a 2012 Matrix?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.