ToyotaMatrix2012Electric/toyota/matrix/2012/electric/

2012 Toyota Matrix

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Matrix.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine Electric

The 2012 Toyota Matrix Electric is a passenger car built on a compact platform and powered by an electric drivetrain, representing a notably mature iteration of this model line. With only 5 total owner complaints recorded for this model year, it sits near the end of a complaint trajectory that ranged dramatically across the 2002-2013 model years—from a low of just 2 complaints in 2002 to a high of 269 in 2003. The single recall issued for this vehicle targeted the air bag system, which also emerged as the top complaint area among owners. This complaint profile positions the 2012 model as one of the most reliable years in the Matrix's history, suggesting substantial engineering refinement compared to earlier production runs.

Model year201420132012201020092008200720062005

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 355 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZF1. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 355 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnOFFOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-45R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZF1 alt 9030169011
Engine air filter17801YZZ06 alt 178010T030
Spark plug9008091180 alt 9008091184
Front wiper blades852120R020 alt 8522202230
Serpentine belt90916A2011 alt 9091602679
Thermostat9091603136 alt 90916A3002
Cabin air filter8713950100 alt 8713902090

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length172 in
Overall width69.7 in
Overall height61.4 in
Wheelbase102.4 in
Curb weight3274 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)62/38

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.2
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity2.6
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 Pints
Manual Transmission FluidGL-4

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.90-1.25 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.95 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance355 cca
Standard BCI Group Number24F

Service checks

Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Pressure Test17 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-15 psi

Brakes

OtherDOUBLE WISHBONE SUSPENSION
Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle43 ft-lbs
OtherTORSION BEAM SUSPENSION
Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs / 25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle46 ft-lbs / 79 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap O-Ring (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2012 Matrix sits at the favorable tail end of a generation that saw complaint volumes peak in 2003 (269) and 2009 (192) before collapsing to single digits by 2011 (10) and 2012 (5). Recalls remain low and stable across the final three model years (2 each in 2010–2011, 1 in 2012), with zero investigations open for 2012. Technical service bulletins climb steadily throughout the run, reaching 218 for 2012 — the second-highest total — indicating ongoing dealer-level service activity rather than safety defects. The 2012 complaint profile is narrow: four of five reports cite air bags and one cites engine, with no crash or fire complaints recorded; the data does not specify root causes for these categories. This final model year before the 2013 discontinuation benefits from a mature platform with minimal new defect reports. For a buyer, 2012 is a strong candidate provided all 218 TSBs have been addressed on the specific vehicle.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
218
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
5
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 5 complaints on record, top 2 components.

Air Bags4
Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V024000Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control ModuleReported 17/01/2020

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 218 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0055-24 Rev22026-01-07Unknown Or OtherSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…
T-SB-0038-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureTo prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film…
T-SB-0039-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureThe condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the…
T-SB-0061-23 Rev22024-12-05StructureToyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to…

VIN tools

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VIN
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Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
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Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2012 Matrix have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.