ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2005 Toyota Matrix
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 213 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Toyota Matrix, most frequently naming the airbags, electrical and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 151 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 2009 | 1 | 54 |
| Feb 2010 | 10 | 64 |
| Mar 2010 | 6 | 70 |
| Apr 2010 | 3 | 73 |
| May 2010 | 1 | 74 |
| Jun 2010 | 2 | 76 |
| Jul 2010 | 3 | 79 |
| Aug 2010 | 4 | 83 |
| Sep 2010 | 3 | 86 |
| Jan 2011 | 3 | 89 |
| Feb 2011 | 1 | 90 |
| Apr 2011 | 4 | 94 |
| Jul 2011 | 6 | 100 |
| Oct 2011 | 2 | 102 |
| Feb 2012 | 2 | 104 |
| Mar 2013 | 2 | 106 |
| Apr 2013 | 1 | 107 |
| Jul 2013 | 1 | 108 |
| Sep 2013 | 1 | 109 |
| Oct 2013 | 2 | 111 |
| Nov 2013 | 1 | 112 |
| Dec 2013 | 1 | 113 |
| Feb 2014 | 1 | 114 |
| Mar 2014 | 1 | 115 |
| Apr 2014 | 3 | 118 |
| May 2014 | 3 | 121 |
| Jul 2014 | 2 | 123 |
| Sep 2014 | 2 | 125 |
| Oct 2014 | 1 | 126 |
| Nov 2014 | 2 | 128 |
| Dec 2014 | 1 | 129 |
| Jan 2015 | 3 | 132 |
| Feb 2015 | 2 | 134 |
| Mar 2015 | 3 | 137 |
| May 2015 | 2 | 139 |
| Jun 2015 | 1 | 140 |
| Jul 2015 | 3 | 143 |
| Aug 2015 | 8 | 151 |
| Sep 2015 | 6 | 157 |
| Oct 2015 | 9 | 166 |
| Nov 2015 | 5 | 171 |
| Dec 2015 | 8 | 179 |
| Jan 2016 | 4 | 183 |
| Feb 2016 | 5 | 188 |
| Mar 2016 | 2 | 190 |
| Apr 2016 | 3 | 193 |
| May 2016 | 1 | 194 |
| Jun 2016 | 2 | 196 |
| Jul 2016 | 1 | 197 |
| Aug 2016 | 1 | 198 |
| Sep 2016 | 3 | 201 |
| Oct 2016 | 3 | 204 |
| Dec 2016 | 2 | 206 |
| Jul 2017 | 1 | 207 |
| Dec 2017 | 1 | 208 |
| May 2018 | 1 | 209 |
| Aug 2018 | 1 | 210 |
| Jan 2019 | 1 | 211 |
| Dec 2019 | 1 | 212 |
| Sep 2024 | 1 | 213 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Airbags10340.9%
- Electrical249.5%
- Engine249.5%
- Driver assistance197.5%
- Tires & wheels176.7%
- Transmission145.6%
- Powertrain (other)93.6%
- Brakes72.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
2 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govEXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11614208
- Incident
- Jan 15, 2019
- Mileage
- 90,000 mi
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
- NHTSA ID
- 11289430
- Incident
- Oct 1, 2017
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 ID
- 11165224
- Incident
- Jun 1, 2015
- Mileage
- 155,000 mi
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)
- NHTSA ID
- 11120945
- Incident
- Jan 30, 2018
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
- NHTSA ID
- 11093108
- Incident
- Mar 26, 2018
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 BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATING. THE CONTACT DID NOT REMEMBER IF THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11052489
- Incident
- Aug 10, 2015
- Mileage
- 100,000 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. 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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11011809
- Incident
- Jul 31, 2016
- Mileage
- 152,000 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 RECURRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V384000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10937618
- Incident
- Dec 12, 2014
- Mileage
- 90,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
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 for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines.
STRUCTURE:BODY
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 surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, normal buffing or polishing repair procedures should not be attempted. This can cause further damage and result in visible depressions in the paint surface. The following are the three major categories of acid rain damage: •Minor damage: requires only buffing to repair. •Moderate damage: usually requires neutralizing, color sanding, and buffing. •Severe damage: extending beyond 1/2 mil of clearcoat on a pearl, metallic, or solid color, requires neutralization, sanding, and repainting. In cases where acid rain damage is minor, neutralization and buffing with a liquid-type paint finessing product may provide an adequate repair. Only specially formulated products outlined in this bulletin should be used for that purpose. Unfortunately, other than minor damage, there is no simple method of determining the actual extent (depth) of acid penetration other than color sanding a representative affected area until there is no visible etching or depressions, followed by measuring the amount of paint removed with either a magnetic or digital-type film thickness gauge. The procedures in this bulletin are intended for use by qualified body/paint technicians and should not be attempted by inexperienced personnel. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. Perform frequent vehicle washing, as often as daily, during high heat and humidity periods to minimize the potential for paint damage due to acid rain exposure. This is especially important in geographical areas known for high frequency and concentration of acid rain and industrial fallout.
STRUCTURE:BODY
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, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation and corrosive action also occur more rapidly on dark colored cars as direct sun heat increases. It is the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. In areas known for high frequency and/or concentration of acid rain, frequent vehicle washing during high heat or humidity periods will minimize the potential for paint damage caused by acid rain. It is further recommended that either reverse osmosis or deionized water be used to prevent water spotting.
STRUCTURE:BODY
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. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.
STRUCTURE:BODY
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 within 90 days from initial application.
STRUCTURE:BODY
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 surface. These particles are often difficult to see on dark color paints but can be easily felt when brushing a hand across horizontal body surfaces such as the hood, roof, or deck lid. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to clean vehicles that may have been subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles such as rail dust during rail transportation or extended storage near industrial areas.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.