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2008 Toyota Matrix XR FWD Auto

The 2008 Toyota Matrix XR FWD Auto is a 126-hp 1.8-liter with a 4-speed automatic. It starts at $17,820 MSRP.

It makes 126 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 122 lb-ft of torque at 4200 rpm, spinning to a 6,500 rpm redline. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 25 mpg city and 31 mpg highway.

The Matrix measures 171.3 inches long on a 102.4-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,822 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeHatchback
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$17,820 ($26,900 *)
Engine
Engine Type1.8-liter DOHC 16-valve VVT-i 4-cylinder
Displacement1.8 L
Horsepower126 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque122 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm
Redline6,500 rpm
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission4-Speed Automatic
1st Gear4.01 (41 mph **)
2nd Gear2.21 (74 mph **)
3rd Gear1.43 (114 mph **)
4th Gear0.98 (166 mph **)
Reverse3.27
Final Drive2.96
Fuel Economy
City25 MPG
Highway31 MPG
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent MacPherson strut
Rear SuspensionTorsion beam, with front and rear stabilizer bars
Brakes
Front Brake DiscVentilated disc
Rear Brake DiscDrum
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 Weight2,822 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 Not rated
Tested variant: 2008 Toyota Matrix 4-DR.
Other tested variants (1)
  • 2008 Toyota Matrix 4-DR. w/SAB: overall not rated

Recalls

2 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2008 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

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

38 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2008 Toyota MATRIX

Owner Complaints

38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Toyota MATRIX (6 mention a crash, 2 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Vehicle Speed Control11
Electrical System8
Air Bags6
Service Brakes5
Steering4
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)3
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Mar 3, 2020 · Electrical System
“2008 TOYOTA MATRIX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TOYOTA COMPUTER SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER HAD NOT REPLACED THE ECM, BUT CLAIMED IT WAS REPLACED. *JS”
Oct 26, 2018 · Electrical System, Engine
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON IN ORDER TO DRIVE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT…”
Jul 7, 2017 · Tires
“DANGEROUS, POOR TRACTION ON WET PAVEMENT SUMITOMO TOUR PLUS LS-H WHEN ON A STEEP ROAD IN SAN FRANCISCO, MY TIRES SKIDDED RATHER THAN GRAB THE ROAD ON A RAINY DAY IN THE WINTER OF 2016. THIS ALSO…”
Apr 27, 2017 · Air Bags Crash 1 injury
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT MADE AN UNEXPECTED STOP CAUSING THE CONTACT TO REAR…”
Jul 28, 2016 · Air Bags
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V127000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WERE…”

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 2008 TOYOTA MATRIX. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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