Makes›Toyota›Matrix›2009

2009 Toyota Matrix

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2009 models.

Class
Small Station Wagons
Body styles
4dr Wagon FWD Base, 4dr Wagon FWD Xr, 4dr Wagon FWD Xrs
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl
Horsepower
132 hp
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
28 combined · 26 city / 32 hwy
Length
172 in
Curb weight
2,844–3,075 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 28 MPG combined — 19% better than the average 2009 small station wagon (23.5 MPG).
  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 4 similar 2009 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2009 Toyota Matrix is a small station wagon offered with 2 engines (1.8L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl) and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 172 inches long and 70 inches wide on a 102-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,844 lb (4dr Wagon FWD Base).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 28 MPG combined (26 city / 32 highway), 19% better than the 2009 small station wagon average of 23.5 MPG, for an estimated $2,400 a year in fuel.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 86 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2009

  • Engine added: 2.4L 4-cyl
  • All-wheel or four-wheel drive now available

Compared with 2008; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2008 Matrix →

Trims, performance & features

Engine132 hp1.8L 4-cyl

Trims

ZRE142L / AZE141L / AZE144L / AZE146LZRE142L / AZE141L

Built in: Cambridge, Ontario · Blue Springs, Mississippi

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 2 2009 Matrix configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Wagon FWD Base172 in69.7 in61 in102.4 in59.1 / 59.4 in2,844 lb62/38
4dr Wagon FWD Xr172 in69.7 in61 in102.4 in59.1 / 59.4 in2,965 lb62/38
4dr Wagon FWD Xrs172 in69.7 in61.4 in102.4 in59.1 / 59.4 in3,075 lb62/38

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Matrix1.8L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive25 / 31 / 28+19%$2,400317
Matrix1.8L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive26 / 32 / 28+19%$2,400317
Matrix2.4L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive21 / 28 / 24+2%$2,800370
Matrix2.4L 4-cylAutomatic (S5)Front-Wheel Drive21 / 29 / 24+2%$2,800370
Matrix AWD2.4L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive20 / 26 / 22-6%$3,050404
Spend $2,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
23.5 MPG2009 Small Station Wagons average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2009 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2009 Toyota Matrix under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2009 small station wagons

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2009 Toyota Matrix (this car)28 MPGNot rated3
2009 Scion xB24 MPGNot rated8
2009 Pontiac Vibe28 MPGNot rated8
2009 Dodge Caliber27 MPGNot rated0
2009 Kia Rondo22 MPGNot rated1

Recalls (3)

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · May 23, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V340000 · 1,754,517 vehicles

Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2007-2008 Toyota Yaris, 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350 and 2007-2008 Lexus ES350 vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Vehicles of these model years and models that were not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for interim notification for this campaign are G1P (Toyota Zone A), G1R (Toyota Zone B), G2G (Lexus Zone A), and G2H (Lexus Zone B). Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), GLG (Lexus Zone A), and GLH (Lexus Zone B).
Equipment › Other › Labels · Feb 3, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V035000 · 271,417 vehicles

Problem
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Risk
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Fix
DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal · Jan 27, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V023000 · 1,126,915 vehicles

Problem
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, VENZA AND MATRIX PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT. THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF A CAMPAIGN OF 3.8 MILLION OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES ANNOUNCED IN 2009 FOR THE SAME ISSUE (SEE 09V-388).
Risk
A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix
TOYOTA WILL MODIFY OR REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDALS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. FLOOR SURFACE MODIFICATIONS ARE ALSO BEING CONSIDERED AND WILL BE INCLUDED FOR ANY MODEL FOR WHICH IT IS DEEMED APPROPRIATE. INITIALLY, DEALERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO RESHAPE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FOR THE REPAIR. AS REPLACEMENT PARTS WITH THE SAME SHAPE AS THE MODIFIED PEDAL BECOME AVAILABLE, THEY WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE DEALERS FOR THE REPAIR. CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD THE PEDAL RESHAPE REMEDY COMPLETED WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE A NEW PEDAL IF THEY DESIRE, AFTER REPLACEMENT PEDALS BECOME AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION, TOYOTA WILL REPLACE ANY TOYOTA ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT IN A SUBJECT VEHICLE WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED MAT, FREE OF CHARGE. FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE THE PREVIOUS DESIGN ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT BUT DO NOT NEED OR WANT THE NEWLY DESIGNED ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT, TOYOTA WILL RECOVER THE PREVIOUS DESIGN ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MAT AND REIMBURSE ITS PRICE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN MARCH 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2009 Toyota Matrix is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

86Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
5Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
4Injuries reported
78,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags69
Engine7
Steering4
Service Brakes3
Vehicle Speed Control3
Electrical System2
Unknown Or Other1
Visibility/Wiper1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
15/07: 115/08: 115/11: 116/01: 116/03: 216/08: 116/09: 116/10: 416/11: 216/12: 317/01: 217/02: 817/03: 1117/04: 517/05: 617/06: 517/07: 917/08: 1217/09: 117/10: 117/12: 118/03: 118/05: 119/05: 115/0716/0116/0916/1217/0317/0617/0918/03max 12

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2009 Toyota Matrix buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 69 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Engine — 7 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Steering — 4 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 78,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2009 Toyota Matrix. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Matrix years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2013 Matrix29172 inNot rated10
2012 Matrix29172 inNot rated15
2011 Matrix29172 inNot rated210
2010 Matrix28172 inNot rated433
2008 Matrix29–Not rated212
2007 Matrix29171.3 inNot rated241
2006 Matrix29171.3 inNot rated352
2005 Matrix29171.3 inNot rated184

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →