ToyotaMatrix2008Electric/toyota/matrix/2008/electric/

2008 Toyota Matrix

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Matrix.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine ElectricTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2008 Toyota Matrix Electric is a compact passenger car that combines a lightweight, efficient electric drivetrain with a practical four‑speed automatic transmission, offering a smooth, low‑maintenance driving experience. With just 38 owner complaints and only two recalls reported for that year, the model reflects Toyota’s continued focus on reliability, especially when contrasted with the broader Matrix lineup’s peak of 269 complaints in 2003 and the low of just two in 2002. This data places the 2008 Matrix Electric among the more dependable years of the series, underscoring its appeal for researchers examining long‑term durability in early hybrid‑electric vehicles.

Model year201420132012201020092008200720062005

Quick specs

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

Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA efficiency25/31/27 MPGeEPA · verified
EPA electric range0 miEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 550 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZN1. 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 · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnHOTOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZN1
Engine air filter17801YZZ03
Spark plug9008091184
Front wiper blades8521202121 alt 8522201011
Serpentine belt9008091139 alt 900809113483
Thermostat90916A3003 alt 1632562010
Cabin air filter8856802020

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined25 / 31 / 27 MPGe
Electric range0 mi
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume94 cu ft
Cargo volume22 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

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. 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
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 Pints
Manual Transmission FluidGL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity4

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.25-1.38 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.50 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque to Knuckle34 ft-lbs / 79 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Runout Limit0.0059 in / 0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.354 in / 0.984 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 5,000 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 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 Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft Flange Yoke (torque) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 20,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · 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)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

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 2008 model year represents the culmination of a five-year decline in consumer complaints, dropping to just 38 reports compared to 269 in 2003 and 96 in 2007, before a subsequent spike to 192 complaints in 2009. While the early years of this generation carried elevated complaint volumes and federal investigations, 2008 marks a low point with zero open investigations and only two recalls, matching 2007's recall count but with less than half the complaint volume and significantly fewer than the four recalls seen in 2006. Technical Service Bulletins remained stable at 141, comparable to 2007's 136, while the top complaint areas of Vehicle Speed Control and Air Bags reflect reported issues without the data specifying root cause. Given that 2008 demonstrates the lowest complaint density of this production cycle alongside moderate recall activity, this appears to be one of the most stable years to purchase within this generation.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
141
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
38
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 38 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Vehicle Speed Control7
Air Bags4
Electrical System2
Tires2
Steering,Electrical System2
Power Train2
Engine & Engine Cooling2
Visibility2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

10V384000Engine And Engine CoolingReported 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… 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…

10V035000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 141 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

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Matrix. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

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 2008 Matrix have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What is the EPA range and efficiency of the Matrix?

EPA figures are 25 city / 31 highway / 27 combined MPGe. EPA electric range is 0 miles.