2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix recalls and problems

The 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix has 4 safety recalls and 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer.

Recalls
4
Complaints
31
Crashes / fires
3 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix recalls

Recall 19V-627: Air Bags

Reported Aug 28, 2019 · 229,460 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Corolla, 2005-2008 Corolla Matrix, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall. The air bag may not unfold as designed during inflation under high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly.

Risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly, free of charge. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are K1Q and K0Q. Pontiac owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is N192273760.

Recall 18V-025: Air Bags

Reported Jan 9, 2018 · 116,126 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: On January 9, 2018, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified NHTSA that they are recalling 14,585 model year 2010-2012 Yaris vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. As of January 30, 2018, Toyota is additionally recalling 3,347 model year 2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles located in states listed above. Also included in this recall filing is 98,194 model year 2003-2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles, located throughout the U.S., that previously received a “like-for-like” interim air bag inflator replacement. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag assemblies with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are G0R (Zone B), and H0A (Zone C), J0A (Matrix Zone A), J0A (Matrix Zone A), J0A (Matrix Zone A).

Recall 16V-127: Air Bags

Reported Mar 3, 2016 · 147,242 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Lexus SC vehicles manufactured August 3, 2007, to July 30, 2010, 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured May 25, 2007, to December 21, 2007, 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 18, 2007, and 2008 Pontiac Vibe vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to January 2, 2008. This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts. A replacement air bag may have been installed, as one example, if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitating the replacement of the passenger side frontal air bag.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 23, 2016 for GM owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire front passenger air bag assembly depending on the model. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. This recall expands recall 15V-285.

Recall 16V-128: Air Bags

Reported Mar 2, 2016 · 71,163 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Lexus SC vehicles manufactured August 3, 2007, to July 30, 2010, 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 21, 2007, 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 18, 2007, and 2008 Pontiac Vibe vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to January 2, 2008 that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 8, 2016 for GM owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire front passenger air bag assembly depending on the model. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. This recall expands recall 15V-286.

2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Air Bags23
Electrical System3
Engine3
Structure2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
Fuel System, Gasoline1
Visibility/Wiper1
Vehicle Speed Control1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Service Brakes1
Unknown or Other1

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields — 1
  • Structure › Body — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 94,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Unknown or Other · reported Dec 14, 2024
The seller of this vehicle rolled back the odometer to 135,000 when the carfax reports in April of 2024 the car was at 200,000 miles
Air Bags · reported Dec 6, 2022
Unable to get remedy in a timely manner for air bag recall. Part has been unavailable for over a month and dealer has delayed ordering of part by two weeks. Dealer providing recall service is IRA Toyota of Danvers in Massachusetts
Air Bags · at 184,000 miles · reported Dec 28, 2020
Someone pulled out in front of me and I hit them with the front of my car. I was driving 40 miles an hour on a city street. It crashed in the front end, radiator, fenders and hood. The airbags did not deploy. I had been sent a recall notice and scheduled an appointment at a local toyota dealer immediately. The crash happened two weeks before the appointment. This is a known problem with the manufacturer. Nhtsa recall no. 19v-627
Air Bags · at 223,000 miles · reported Jun 22, 2020
My 2008 toyota matrix was under recall since I was notified in october 2019. At that time I was told that my car was not safe to drive and I was provided with a rental car. My car was repaired with the toyota air bag remedy on june 11, 2020 but it seems that the remedy has caused the cover to pop up and a crease is forming across the middle of the airbag cover. Also, the passenger airbag indicator light says off when a passenger seat is occupied. The passenger indicator light worked properly when I last drove my car in october of 2019.
Air Bags · reported Apr 30, 2020
The contact owns a 2008 toyota corolla matrix. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19v627000 (Air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. Toyota of greer (13770 e wade hampton blvd, greer, sc 29651) was contacted and confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed the part was not available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

Other Toyota Corolla Matrix years

Compare all Toyota Corolla Matrix years · All Toyota models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix: 19V-627 (air bags), 18V-025 (air bags), 16V-127 (air bags), 16V-128 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix?

Owners report air bags problems most often (23 reports), followed by electrical system (3). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 94,000 miles.

Are Toyota recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Toyota dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.