VehicleVerdict

2005 Toyota Matrix problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 260 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.2 times the median Matrix year — the 2005 model ranks #2 of 12 Matrix years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 4 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 103 reports (40% of the total).

260

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

14

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

4

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Matrix years?

Matrix NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted314 complaints2002: 2 complaints2003: 314 complaints2004: 175 complaints2005: 260 complaints2006: 212 complaints2007: 109 complaints2008: 56 complaints2009: 224 complaints2010: 55 complaints2011: 10 complaints2012: 5 complaints2013: 0 complaints
Matrix NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Matrix years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Toyota Matrix problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags10340%
Electrical System2811%
Engine249%
Transmission239%
Tires & Wheels208%
Speed Control177%
Brakes83%
Suspension73%
Fuel System62%
Lighting52%
Other52%
Body & Structure42%
Steering42%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Seat Belts31%

Does the 2005 Toyota Matrix have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10V384000EngineAugust 26, 2010 · 1,128,659 units

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.

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.

06E023000LightingMarch 13, 2006 · 292,000 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I WAS HEADED TO WORK LIKE I USUALLY WOULD M-F THEN OUT OF NO WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL HAD LOCKED. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO LOOSE CONTROL. THE CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN WAS SPINNING AROUND AND EVENTUALLY IT FLIPPED LANDING ON ITS SIDE. TO TOP IT OFF NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED! I WAS PULLED OUT OF THE CAR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 7, 2013 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 1, 2015 · fire

“STARTED CAR TO GO TO WORK AND ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE DEPT CAME AND PUT THE FIRE OUT BUT THE FIRE BURNED THE ENGINE AND BURNED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR BURNING THROUGH THE FLOOR BOARD AND DASH. *NM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 30, 2006 · fire

“CLUTCH STARTED SLIPPING JUST BEFORE 30000 MILES. DEALER SAID WITHIN NORMAL OPERATION. CLUTCH NOW AT 33000 MILES AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT. DEALER REFUSES TO REPLACE, STATING NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I FEEL THE CLUTCH IS DEFECTIVE AND THE DEALER WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE IT. I HAVE 18 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE DRIVING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 12, 2005

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL TIRES, SIZE P205/55/R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES LOOK AS IF THEY HAVE BEEN CUT DOWN THE MIDDLE. THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT WARRANTY THE TIRES OR PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT SET. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 23, 2007

2005 Toyota Matrix — common questions

Is the 2005 Toyota Matrix reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 260 complaints put the 2005 model at #2 of 12 Matrix years. It is one of the Matrix years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 Matrix problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (103 complaints), electrical system (28 complaints), engine (24 complaints).

Does the 2005 Toyota Matrix have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Toyota Matrix. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota Matrix years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Matrix years to avoid are 2003, 2005, 2009, 2006, 2004, 2010, 2011. The cleanest record among Matrix years belongs to 2013.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.