Model year guide

2006 Toyota Matrix

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2006 Toyota Matrix is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 40 on record.

2006 Toyota Matrix — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2006 Toyota Matrix at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints170
Combined27 mpg
Typical price$4,587

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2006 Toyota Matrix recalls 4

Engine And Engine Cooling NHTSA Campaign #10V384000 · 26/08/2010

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 POINTS OR ON VARISTORS ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD.

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 SEPTEMBER 2010 TO ADVISE OWNERS OF THIS DEFECT AND RECALL. THIS INTERIM NOTIFICATION WILL INFORM OWN…

Equipment:other:labels NHTSA Campaign #10V036000 · 03/02/2010

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

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. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

Equipment:other:labels NHTSA Campaign #10V035000 · 03/02/2010

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.

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.

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #06E023000 · 13/03/2006

CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Fix: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2006 Toyota Matrix common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 170 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2006 Toyota Matrix MPG & running costs

Combined27 mpg
City24 mpg
Highway31 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,483

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2006 Toyota Matrix worth?

Low
$2,700
Typical price
$4,587
High
$6,800

From 40 comparable 2006 Toyota Matrix listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2006 Toyota Matrix costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,415
Depreciation (5 yrs)$2,650
Total$15,065
Per mile$0.20

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($4,587) with the same model 3 model-years older ($3,007), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2006 Toyota Matrix trims & engines on record

Trims
XR · Base
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl

2006 Toyota Matrix vehicles on record

2006 Toyota Matrix 2006 Toyota Matrix XR2T1KR32E36C620669 2006 Toyota Matrix 2006 Toyota Matrix XR2T1KR32E26C584926 2006 Toyota Matrix 2006 Toyota Matrix XR2T1KR32E76C613238 2006 Toyota Matrix 2006 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E66C586453 2006 Toyota Matrix 2006 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E76C568396 2006 Toyota Matrix 2006 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E96C595907 2006 Toyota Matrix 2006 Toyota Matrix XR2T1KR32E66C585917 2006 Toyota Matrix 2006 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E96C620532 2006 Toyota Matrix 2006 Toyota Matrix XR2T1KR32E26C615155 2006 Toyota Matrix 2006 Toyota Matrix XR2T1KR32EX6C604548 2006 Toyota Matrix 2006 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E16C580754 2006 Toyota Matrix 2006 Toyota Matrix XR2T1KR32E46C600365 2006 Toyota Matrix 2006 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E06C562567 2006 Toyota Matrix 2006 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32EX6C561233 2006 Toyota Matrix 2006 Toyota Matrix XR2T1KR32E66C554151 2006 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E46C577363 2006 Toyota Matrix 2006 Toyota Matrix Base2T1LR32E66C561962 2006 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E86C612549 2006 Toyota Matrix 2006 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E86C557603 2006 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E36C617710 2006 Toyota Matrix 2006 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E36C622504 2006 Toyota Matrix 2006 Toyota Matrix XR2T1KR32E06C580406 2006 Toyota Matrix 2006 Toyota Matrix XR2T1LR30E16C561578 2006 Toyota Matrix 2006 Toyota Matrix XR2T1KR32E56C606207

Other Toyota Matrix model years

2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2005 2004 2003

2006 Toyota Matrix — frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Toyota Matrix have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2006 Toyota Matrix. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Toyota Matrix?

Based on 170 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, suspension, electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 2006 Toyota Matrix get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2006 Toyota Matrix at about 27 mpg combined (24 city / 31 highway).

How much is a 2006 Toyota Matrix worth?

Comparable 2006 Toyota Matrix listings run roughly $2,700–$6,800, typically around $4,587 (from 40 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.