2005 Toyota Matrix: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 213 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (46% of complaints); the 2007 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 213 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced under an unknown recall however, the air bag warning light illuminated after the repair was made. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V627000 (Air Bags); however, the vehicle was not repaired, and the contact was informed that the failure was not related to the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2019
“2005 matrix. Consumer writes in regards to NHTSA recall 18v-025. *ld the consumer stated the parts were unavailable to complete the recall repair. *js”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2018
“Takata recall I've been trying to get help with this problem with toyota for months with nothing but very general responses, none of which, address my issue, explain toyota's position, and negligence, or answer my questions. I'm going to ask you to get all the details from the prior complaints I've sent over the last two months. Please review and advise asap. Thank you, (xxxx) parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“2005 toyota matrix. Consumer writes in regards to defective passenger side airbag. *ld the consumer stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time completing the recall repair. *js”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2017
“Airbag recall. I have been trying to get my car fixed since october. The dealer cannot get the part. Each time I call the dealer they say the part has not arrived. Called the toyota safety resolution team on 11/23 and they hooked me up with dealer. Same story, part is on order but may be months before we get the part.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2016
“Spiral cable assembly with electrical connections damaged. Airbag light stays on when the steering wheel is turned. A recall for 2009-2010 matrix is in effect (http://www.autonews.com/article/20140409/copy01/304099971/toyota-recalls-more-than-6-million-vehicles) but 2005 matrix and other years are actually also affected by these defect. A recall for 2005 matrix to replace airbag module is announced by toyota but not for damaged spiral cable assembly which should be related to the airbag module defect as the airbag module is attached to the spiral cable assembly”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 toyota matrix. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v286000 (air bags). The part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2016
“I encountered a flat tire. I pulled the tire off and placed the spare on. The brake drum came off the car and remained housed in the wheel well. After placing the spare on, I drove about 30 miles to my mechanic with no brake drum. I encountered extensive damage to my break system. The vehicle was stationary when changing the tire and in motion when brake system damage was done.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota matrix. While driving various high speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle completely lost power on three occasions. The contact coasted the vehicle to the right side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle over a period of 15-20 minutes on each occasion. Warrens auto repair in bishop, california was made aware of the issue, but could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue and stated that there was no recall related to the failure. The failure mileage was 152,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 toyota matrix. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v285000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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."
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.
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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Matrix by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Toyota Matrix reliable?
NHTSA has 213 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Toyota Matrix. The most complained-about area is air bags (46% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Toyota Matrix problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 79,000 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Toyota Matrix have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.