Model-year record

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2012 Toyota Matrix

Name: 2012 Toyota Matrix
Brand: Toyota

See the complaints, recalls, crash rating, and fuel economy in the public record. Then check the mileage and history of the car you found.

Check a specific 2012 Matrix

This page shows records, not a buy or avoid call.

The same model year can include a well-kept car and a neglected one. Use these records to plan what to check. Use the specific-car check when you know the mileage.

Complaints filed

Reports to NHTSA, 2012

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns on record

NHTSA crash test

Not rated

Overall NCAP rating

Combined MPG

EPA estimate

Known issues

Air Bags issues lead owner complaints (80% of 5 reports), followed by engine (20%).

Air Bags80% · 4 reports

Engine20% · 1 report

Share of all 5 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11022419, ODI 11004249, ODI 10991786, ODI 10990577.

Individual complaint reports(5)

Showing the 5 most recent reports

Air BagsSep 2017 · ODI 11022419Details +

TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL. REPEATED ATTEMPTS FOR FIXING AIRBAG UNRESPONSIVE FROM TOYOTA DEALERS

Reported: Sep 2017
Incident date: May 2017
Mileage: Not provided
Outcome flags: None reported

Open ODI 11022419 at NHTSA →

Air BagsJul 2017 · ODI 11004249Details +

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, 36526) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Reported: Jul 2017
Incident date: Jan 2017
Mileage: Not provided
Outcome flags: None reported

Open ODI 11004249 at NHTSA →

Air BagsMay 2017 · ODI 10991786Details +

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 AWAITING TOYOTA'S REMEDY. PLEASE ADVISE.

Reported: May 2017
Incident date: May 2017
Mileage: Not provided
Outcome flags: None reported

Open ODI 10991786 at NHTSA →

Air BagsMay 2017 · ODI 10990577Details +

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. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Reported: May 2017
Incident date: May 2017
Mileage: Not provided
Outcome flags: None reported

Open ODI 10990577 at NHTSA →

EngineFeb 2017 · ODI 10954579Details +

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE NOISES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND SHUT DOWN. THE OIL AND SERVICE ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND LATER TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE NEXT DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000.

Reported: Feb 2017
Incident date: Feb 2017
Mileage: Not provided
Outcome flags: None reported

Open ODI 10954579 at NHTSA →

Recalls(1)

Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.

Air Bags · 20V024000Details +

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2011-2019 Corolla, 2011-2013 Matrix, 2012-2018 Avalon, and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid vehicles. During certain crashes, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly disabling the deployment of the air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners.

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.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ECU and install a noise filter between the air bag control module and its wire harness, as necessary, free of charge. Owners were notified of the safety risk beginning March 2, 2020. A second letter notifying owners of the remedy repair will be mailed between March 16, 2020 and June 27, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 20TB03, 20TA03 and 20TA05.

Open full NHTSA recall record →

A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.

Investigations

0 NHTSA investigations on record

No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.

Crash-test ratings

2012 Toyota Matrix SW FWD NHTSA source

Overall: Not rated
Frontal: Not rated
Side: Not rated
Rollover

2012 Toyota Matrix SW AWD NHTSA source

Overall: Not rated
Frontal: Not rated
Side: Not rated
Rollover

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Fuel economy by trim

Trim	Engine	Drivetrain	Transmission	City	Hwy	Combined
Matrix	1.8L 4-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Manual 5-spd	26	32	29
Matrix	1.8L 4-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic 4-spd	25	31	27
Matrix	2.4L 4-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Manual 5-spd	21	28	24
Matrix	2.4L 4-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S5)	21	28	24
Matrix	2.4L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic 4-spd	20	26	22

EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.

Before you buy

Useful next checks

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Compare the year-by-year record

2010 2011 2012 2013

Open another year for its own evidence-gated decision. TireKick does not crown a best year from raw complaint totals.

2012 Toyota Matrix: frequently asked

What does the complaint record show for the 2012 Toyota Matrix?

Owners filed 5 NHTSA complaints about the 2012 Toyota Matrix. This is raw owner-reported complaint volume with no production or exposure normalization, so it is not a reliability score or a best/worst-year ranking.

What are the most common problems on the 2012 Toyota Matrix?

The most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (80% of complaints) and engine (20%).

How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota Matrix have?

1 recall has been issued that affect the 2012 Toyota Matrix, covering components such as air bags. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Toyota Matrix get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Toyota Matrix between 22 and 29 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.