2005 Toyota Matrix problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (89) · Vehicle Speed Control (16) · Electrical System (11)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Matrix model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
124 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Engine And Engine Cooling 2010-08-26 · campaign 10V384000 · 1,128,659 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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
Service bulletins (151)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-07 · T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2026 toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Structure:body 2024-12-05 · T-SB-0061-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
toyota vehicles are currently protected with rapgardtm protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. this material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. follow the removal procedure in this bulletin to remove the rapgardtm protective film wi
Structure:body 2024-12-03 · T-SB-0062-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. this type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surfa
Showing the 6 most recent of 151 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-09-12 · Air Bags · 90,000 mi“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 failu…”
2019-12-19 · Air Bags“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…”
2019-01-04 · Engine · 155,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota matrix. while driving 70 mph, the engine completely shut off. also, the electrical system shut off and the power steering stopped working. perry motors (310 s main st, bishop, ca 93514, (760) 872-4141) stated that there was no recall; therefore, the contact would have to pay for the repairs. the dealer believed th…”
2018-08-19 · Air Bags“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 rev…”
2018-05-10 · Air Bags“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…”
2017-12-05 · Air Bags · 100,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota matrix. the contact stated that the air bag indicator illuminated and remained lit after it was repaired. the vehicle was taken back to the dealer (jay wolfe toyota, prairie view rd, kansas city, mo, 816-788-6877) where the recall repair was completed. the technician stated that nothing could be done about the air…”
2017-07-31 · Engine · 152,000 mi“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. w…”
2016-12-27 · Engine · 90,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota matrix. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would stall as the check engine warning indicator illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis, but the details of the diagnosis could not be provided. the contact stated that the vehicle was repaired, but the failure re…”
2016-12-20 · Air Bags“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.…”
2016-10-28 · Air Bags“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 fo…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.