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2006 Toyota Matrix XRS FWD 6MT

The 2006 Toyota Matrix XRS FWD 6MT is a 164-hp 1.8-liter with a 6-speed manual. It starts at $19,100 MSRP and is rated at 27 mpg combined.

It makes 164 horsepower at 7,600 rpm and 125 lb-ft of torque, spinning to a 8,200 rpm redline. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 25 mpg city and 32 mpg highway (27 mpg combined).

The Matrix measures 171.3 inches long on a 102.4-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,800 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeHatchback
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$19,100 ($30,791 *)
Engine
Engine Type1.8-liter DOHC 16-valve VVTL-i 4-cylinder
Displacement1.8 L
Horsepower164 hp @ 7,600 rpm
Torque125 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm (requires premium fuel) rpm
Redline8,200 rpm
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission6-Speed Manual
1st Gear3.17 (42 mph **)
2nd Gear2.05 (65 mph **)
3rd Gear1.48 (91 mph **)
4th Gear1.17 (115 mph **)
5th Gear0.92 (146 mph **)
6th Gear0.73 (184 mph **)
Reverse3.25
Final Drive4.53
Fuel Economy
City25 MPG
Highway32 MPG
Combined27 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent MacPherson strut
Rear SuspensionTorsion beam, with front and rear stabilizer bars
Brakes
Front Brake DiscVentilated disc
Rear Brake DiscDisc
Tires & Wheels
Tires FrontP205/55R16
Tires RearP205/55R16
Dimensions & Weight
Length171.3 in
Width69.9 in
Height61.6 in
Wheelbase102.4 in
Front Track59.6 in
Rear Track58.9 in
Ground Clearance5.9 in
Cargo Volume21.8 ft³
Curb Weight2,800 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front40.6 in
Headroom Rear39.8 in
Legroom Front41.8 in
Legroom Rear36.3 in
Shoulder Room Front53.2 in
Shoulder Room Rear52.6 in
Hip Room Front51.7 in
Hip Room Rear47.8 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars
** Theoretical max speed per gear at redline

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover ★★★★★ (14.0 % risk)
Tested variant: 2006 Toyota Matrix 4-DR.

Recalls

4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2006 Toyota MATRIX. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Aug 26, 2010 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

Consequence: 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 SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. AN ENGINE SHUTOFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: 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 OWNERS THAT THEY WILL RECEIVE A FUTURE NOTIFICATION WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO HAVE THE FREE REMEDY PERFORMED ON THEIR VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

NHTSA campaign 10V384000

Feb 3, 2010 · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

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.

Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 10V036000

Feb 3, 2010 · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

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.

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 10V035000

Mar 13, 2006 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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."

Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 06E023000

170 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2006 Toyota MATRIX

Owner Complaints

170 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Toyota MATRIX (17 mention a crash, 8 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Air Bags50
Tires29
Electrical System22
Engine And Engine Cooling22
Suspension20
Vehicle Speed Control20
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Aug 4, 2025 · Air Bags
“The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Matrix. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V627000 (AIR BAGS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local…”
Feb 4, 2020 · Suspension
“2006 TOYOTA MATRIX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RUSTED RIGHT SIDE REAR STRUT. *LD *JS”
Mar 7, 2018 · Air Bags
“HOW CAN I GET TOYOTA TO QUIT SENDING ME NOTICES. I'M GETTING ABOUT 1 A WEEK NOW FOR A CAR THAT WAS DEMOLISHED AT A JUNKYARD IN JANUARY 2017. I'VE PROVIDED THEM PROOF THAT THEY ARE SENDING TO ME BUT…”
Nov 5, 2017 · Air Bags
“YOUR WEBSITE WHERE I ENTER MY VIN RETURNS A "REQUEST WAS INVALID" MESSAGE. "ONE OR MORE PARAMETERS WERE INVALID." NOTHING IS EXPLAINED. WHY DID THIS MESSAGE SHOW?”
Aug 30, 2017 · Electrical System, Air Bags, Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
“MY CLOCK STARTED GOING OUT. SOMETIMES IT WOULD BE ON AND OTHER TIMES IT WOULD GO OFF AND NOW IT TURNS ON AND OFF IN ITS OWN TIME FACTOR WHEN I AM DRIVNG AND THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND WHEN I AM STOPPED…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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