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2005 Toyota Matrix

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Matrix years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Toyota Matrix are substantially higher than the model-year median of 70.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

125 reports with mileage · 88 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 103 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports2 fire reports3 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

23 reports
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155,000 miles · Jan 4, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

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. TH…

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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 THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE WAS THE SOURCE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

NHTSA ODI #11165224

81,000 miles · Sep 16, 2016
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE CLOCK FAILED TO WORK. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING THE AIR BAGS. THE DEALER SCHEDULED THE RECALL REPAIR, BUT THE REMEDY FAILED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUM…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE CLOCK FAILED TO WORK. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING THE AIR BAGS. THE DEALER SCHEDULED THE RECALL REPAIR, BUT THE REMEDY FAILED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND THE CLOCK CONTINUED NOT TO FUNCTION. THERE WERE ALSO VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS THAT FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AFTER THE REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INDICATED THAT THEY WERE BEEN UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/01/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ODI #10907277

Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2016
Electrical SystemFire

HOW CAN I VERIFY THAT THE SAFETY RECALL A0J PHASE 1 ON MY 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX WAS REP[ACED BY A GOOD ECU? I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE ECU WAS BAD. I THINK THEY ARE NOT BEING COMPLETELY HONEST AND DID NOT LOOK UP ANY TYPE OF WARRANTY INFORMATION ON IT BECAUSE THEY DID NOT EVEN MENTION THE RECENT AIR BAG ISSUES IN CE…

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HOW CAN I VERIFY THAT THE SAFETY RECALL A0J PHASE 1 ON MY 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX WAS REP[ACED BY A GOOD ECU? I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE ECU WAS BAD. I THINK THEY ARE NOT BEING COMPLETELY HONEST AND DID NOT LOOK UP ANY TYPE OF WARRANTY INFORMATION ON IT BECAUSE THEY DID NOT EVEN MENTION THE RECENT AIR BAG ISSUES IN CERTAIN STATES.I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED AND I BELIEVE THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN PROPERLY FIXED BY THE ORIGINAL RECALLS / WARRANTIES.

NHTSA ODI #10901972

114,000 miles · Dec 16, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering

CLOCK, HVAC SWITCHES BLINK ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY REGARDLESS OF VEHICLE MOVEMENT. POWER LOCKS WORK INTERMITTENTLY INCLUDING WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT IN GEAR. IT ALMOST SEEMS LIKE A ELECTRICAL SHORT BUT IT COMES AND GOES. THIS PROBLEM RESEMBLES THE MULTITUDE OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS MAKE AND MODEL. THERE IS ALSO A VIBRATION IN …

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CLOCK, HVAC SWITCHES BLINK ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY REGARDLESS OF VEHICLE MOVEMENT. POWER LOCKS WORK INTERMITTENTLY INCLUDING WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT IN GEAR. IT ALMOST SEEMS LIKE A ELECTRICAL SHORT BUT IT COMES AND GOES. THIS PROBLEM RESEMBLES THE MULTITUDE OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS MAKE AND MODEL. THERE IS ALSO A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHICH ALSO RESEMBLES A MULTITUDE OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS MAKE AND MODEL. I AM SURPRISED AFTER READING THE NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL COMPLAINTS THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT OFFERED A REMEDY OR RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10810830

100,000 miles · Aug 17, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting

I DO NOT KNOW THE EXACT DATE OR MILEAGE BECAUSE I JUST DISCOVERED THIS SITE BUT MY DEALER WOULD KNOW. MY AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT RANDOMLY COMES ON AND STAYS ON FOR SEVERAL DAYS TO A WEEK. I HAD DEALER LOOK AT IT AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM....JUST A FAULTY LIGHT OR SOMETHING AND NOTHING NEEDED TO BE FIXED. ALSO, CLOCK NOW …

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I DO NOT KNOW THE EXACT DATE OR MILEAGE BECAUSE I JUST DISCOVERED THIS SITE BUT MY DEALER WOULD KNOW. MY AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT RANDOMLY COMES ON AND STAYS ON FOR SEVERAL DAYS TO A WEEK. I HAD DEALER LOOK AT IT AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM....JUST A FAULTY LIGHT OR SOMETHING AND NOTHING NEEDED TO BE FIXED. ALSO, CLOCK NOW WORKS OFF AND ON. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE AFTER READING INFORMATION AT OTHER SITES, THE INFORMATION SAYS THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT WORK IF THE SENSOR LIGHT IS ON. I HAVE ALSO READ THAT THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT AND THE CLOCK ARE CONNECTED. I DO NOT WANT TO SPEND OVER $400 TO REPLACE A CLOCK BUT IT'S A WHOLE OTHER STORY IF MY AIRBAGS WILL NOT WORK WITHOUT A FUNCTIONING CLOCK THAT DOESN'T MESS UP THE AIRBAG SENSOR. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHO TO ASK SINCE THE DEALER DOESN'T SEEMS TO REALIZE THIS EITHER.

NHTSA ODI #10749232

150,000 miles · Aug 10, 2015
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V286000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT MADE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO PROVIDE THE REPAIR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V286000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT MADE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO PROVIDE THE REPAIR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED OFF WHEN A PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON WHEN NO ONE WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND THE ELECTRONIC CLOCK FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #10747558

55,500 miles · Jul 16, 2015
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CLOCK AND RADIO FAILED TO FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE DOORS FAILED TO LOCK AUTOMATICALLY AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CLOCK AND RADIO FAILED TO FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE DOORS FAILED TO LOCK AUTOMATICALLY AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V286000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,500.

NHTSA ODI #10734641

90,000 miles · Jul 21, 2014
Air BagsElectrical System

AIR BAG (SRS) STARTED GOING ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY, THEN CLOCK WENT ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. NOW CLOCK RARELY COMES ON. THE IGNITION MUST BE TURNED ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO GO OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TOYOTA CARMAX DEALER IN LAUREL, MD. THE REP SAID THERE WAS PROBABLY SOMETHING UNDER T…

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AIR BAG (SRS) STARTED GOING ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY, THEN CLOCK WENT ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. NOW CLOCK RARELY COMES ON. THE IGNITION MUST BE TURNED ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO GO OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TOYOTA CARMAX DEALER IN LAUREL, MD. THE REP SAID THERE WAS PROBABLY SOMETHING UNDER THE SEAT, AND FOUND AN EMPTY WATER BOTTLE. WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNED ON, THE LIGHT WAS GONE, AND HE PRONOUNCED THE CAR FIXED. TWO DAYS LATER IT CAME ON AGAIN AND HAS CONTINUED TO COME ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. THE ITEM UNDER THE SEAT STORY IS BOGUS AND ONLY WORKS BECAUSE THE IGNITION IS TURNED ON AND OFF, NOT BECAUSE ITEMS ARE UNDER THE SEAT. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY TOYOTA. I AM NOW READING MANY MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND TOYOTA WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10617524

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2014
Air BagsElectrical System

DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR IS INTERMITTENT SOMETIMES ON , SOMETIMES OFF. THIS SEEMED TO START AFTER THE 3-YR WARRANTY EXPIRED. BACK THEN, I MENTIONED IT TO A DEALER WHILE IN FOR A SEPARATE RECALL REPAIR AND THE DEALER SUGGESTED MAYBE I HAD STUFF UNDER OR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE CHAIR WHICH COULD TRIGGER THE INDICATOR. …

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DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR IS INTERMITTENT SOMETIMES ON , SOMETIMES OFF. THIS SEEMED TO START AFTER THE 3-YR WARRANTY EXPIRED. BACK THEN, I MENTIONED IT TO A DEALER WHILE IN FOR A SEPARATE RECALL REPAIR AND THE DEALER SUGGESTED MAYBE I HAD STUFF UNDER OR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE CHAIR WHICH COULD TRIGGER THE INDICATOR. I NEVER PAID FOR THEM TO CHECK THE CAR. INDICATOR GOES ON/OFF REGARDLESS OF PASSENGER/OBJECTS ON THE SEAT. BOTH FRONT SEATS DO NOT HAVE STUFF BENEATH THEM. MORE RECENTLY, CLOCK ILLUMINATION FADES IN AND OUT, MOSTLY OUT. THIS SEEMED TO START NO MORE THAN 3 YRS AGO. CAR HAS STILL HAS ORIGINAL AIRBAGS AND CLOCK. I'M AFRAID THAT MY AIR BAGS WON'T DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT. I'M ANGRY THAT MY CAR WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECENT RECALLS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10609942

85,000 miles · May 26, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine

THE MATRIX BEGAN HAVING VARIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, INCLUDING ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS TURNING OFF AND ON, AIRBAG WARNINGS, CLOCK AND HEADLIGHTS/BRAKELIGHTS TURNING OFF AND ON. WE HAVE BROUGHT IT IN TO SEVERAL MECHANICS FOR CHECKS AND VARIOUS REPAIRS, TO NO AVAIL. MOST RECENTLY, A DEALER SHOP DIAGNOSED THAT THE ECM IS LIKELY FAIL…

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THE MATRIX BEGAN HAVING VARIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, INCLUDING ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS TURNING OFF AND ON, AIRBAG WARNINGS, CLOCK AND HEADLIGHTS/BRAKELIGHTS TURNING OFF AND ON. WE HAVE BROUGHT IT IN TO SEVERAL MECHANICS FOR CHECKS AND VARIOUS REPAIRS, TO NO AVAIL. MOST RECENTLY, A DEALER SHOP DIAGNOSED THAT THE ECM IS LIKELY FAILING, AND IN LOOKING AT THE RECORDS FROM ANOTHER DEALER SHOP NOTICED THAT THE ECM WAS ON BACK ORDER IN 2011 TO INSTALL A NEW ONE AFTER A RECALL, BUT THAT A NEW ONE WAS NEVER INSTALLED. HOWEVER, MY SERVICE RECORDS SHOW THAT THE FIRST DEALER SHOP TOLD ME (FRAUDULENTLY?) THAT IT WAS IN FACT INSTALLED. THE CAR MAY NOT BE SAFE TO DRIVE, BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL TO THIS POINT IN GETTING IT REPAIRED. THE SECOND SHOP INFORMED ME THAT THE FIRST DEALER SHOP IS RESPONSIBLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10594046

Official recalls

1

10V384000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Aug 26, 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 MANUFACTURED. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A CRACK MAY DEVELOP AT CERTAIN SOLDER POINTS OR ON VARISTORS ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD.

Consequence & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.