Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 96 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007 Toyota Matrix, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 33 | 34% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 10 | 10% |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 7% |
| Tires | 5 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 5% |
| Structure | 4 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 4% |
| Power train | 3 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 2% |
| Wheels | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an engine misfire, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER TOYOTA WHITTIER LO
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE REAR DRIVER'S DOOR, THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MILTON RUBEN AUTO GROUP (3514 WASHINGTON RD, AUGUSTA, GA 30907) WHER
NHTSA complaint: Structure
MY DAUGHTER TOTALED THIS VEHICLE WITH A FRONT END COLLISION. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
2007 TOYOTA MATRIX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE ROADMASTER TIRES ON VEHICLE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED IN A SPAN OF 2 MONTHS THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED 3 FLAT TIRES. *JS
NHTSA complaint: Tires
I HAVE CALLED TOYOTA 355 3 TIMES. THEY SAY THE WAIT LIST IS VER Y LONG. THEY NEVER CALL ME BACK.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MA
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE DAYTIME RUNNING HEADLIGHTS IN DRIVE MODE, I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE NEW FEATURE FOR THIS MODEL. CAN NOT SWITCH LIGHTS UNTIL CAR IS PARK MODE, ENGINE OFF. I HAVE NOTICED WHEN I HAD EMERGENCY BRAKE
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2007 Toyota Matrix. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2008 COROLLA AND COROLLA MATRIX VEHICLES. THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) FOR THE SUBJECT MODELS EQUIPPED WITH THE 1ZZ-FE ENGINE AND TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A CRACK MAY DEVELOP AT CERTAIN SOLDER
Risk: THERE ARE A VARIETY OF WARNINGS AND CONSEQUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEFECT. THE ENGINE WARNING LAMP COULD BE ILLUMINATED, HARSH SHIFTING COULD RESULT, THE ENGINE MAY NOT START, OR THE ENGINE COULD S
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PRODUCTION NUMBER OF THE ECM AND REPLACE THE ECM IF NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. TOYOTA WILL MAIL AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION THE MIDDLE OF SE
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 CAPA
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 RECAL
| Reliability raw | 72 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 89 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 67 | good |
| Performance | 43 | below average |
| Efficiency | 49 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other wagons in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 96 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 33 of them (34%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 72/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2007 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 71/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.