KnownCarProblems2005 Toyota Matrix Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 213 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Toyota Matrix, most often about the air bags (48% of complaints, typically around 92,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Matrix model year since 2000 and has 1 recall.
Most common 2005 Toyota Matrix problems
Air bags
103 complaints · 48%Half of these problems showed up before 92,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that the air bag light was illuminated on the instrument panel on a consistent basis. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized dealer where they recoded the vehicle. The failure recurred a few days later. The vehicle was taken back to the authorized dealer…
Air bag panel light has been coming on and off. The model year is 2005,but the car was made possibly in 2004. The dealer refused to inspect without charge then telling me that recall is for not this model year. The brake, when the ABS is on in snow conditions, car take too long to stop,keeps kidding. Also engine revs…
Engine
24 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 81,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Toyota Matrix. While driving approximately 65 MPH on normal road conditions, pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal followed by harsh shifting and excessive vibration. The check engine warning indicator illuminated intermittently on the instrument panel. The vehicle has not been repaired.…
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated while traveling at speeds of 55mph, the vehicle stalled and the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact was able to maneuver the vehicle off the roadway. The dealer advised the vehicles computer had malfunctioned and a technical…
Transmission
23 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 80,500 miles. Parts named most often: clutch assembly, automatic transmission, manual transmission, axle assembly.
Ecm failure on 2005 Toyota Matrix. Caused lurching,acceleration changes during automatic gear shifting., causing unsafe driving by driver. Dealer said vehicle out of warranty and mileage too high (80,500) for them to replace at their cost.
I went to the dealer a month ago reporting a loud noise coming from the engine area when in gear. Toyota dealer claimed nothing was wrong. Yesterday transmission gave up.
Electrical
23 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 88,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, starter assembly, instrument cluster/panel.
I am the original owner of a 2005 Toyota Matrix with 88k miles. The ECM in the vehicle(model 89661-01132) died. The dealer says this is a common problem with this series of ECM parts and they will install a new "updated" version (model 89661-02k41) for a mere $650. From searching online it appears to be a fairly…
2005 Toyota Matrix with automatic transmission had check engine light come and immediately start shifting hard. No prior symptoms. Called Toyota service they said it was a loose gas cap, I asked are you sure it has nothing to do with transmission because when the light is on it shifts harshly. No pretty sure it is gas…
Wheels and tires
19 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 23,500 miles. Parts named most often: tread/belt, sidewall, rim, pressure monitoring and regulating systems.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that all four kumho 20550r15 tires are experiencing uneven tire wear. The vehicle has not been diagnosed. The dot number, VIN, and engine size were unavailable. The current mileage is 28,000 and failure mileage was 24,000.
Tl 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 current and failure…
Speed control
17 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 19,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that whenever she came to a complete stop the vehicle acted as if it wanted to accelerate although her foot was on the brake pedal. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they were unable to diagnose the failure. They test…
My wife experience an acceleration of our 2005 Toyota Matrix about 3 years ago. We did not think much of it at the time, but with the current recalls we thought it would be included. It was not, Toyota will not look at it or replace it. They said it must be done at our own expense. I filed a complaint with Toyota, the…
Brakes
7 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 73,500 miles. Parts named most often: pedals and linkages, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components.
2005 Toyota Matrix, when brakes are applied for panic stop while air conditioner running, car will not stop quickly and rolls into objects. This is second accident with the vehicle doing this.
Air bag panel light has been coming on and off. The model year is 2005,but the car was made possibly in 2004. The dealer refused to inspect without charge then telling me that recall is for not this model year. The brake, when the ABS is on in snow conditions, car take too long to stop,keeps kidding. Also engine revs…
Suspension
7 complaints · 3%Parts named most often: front, rear.
I have to replace tires due to them wearing on the outside that the tire companies say is not a consequence of the tires but rather my car.
Request to the government: please look into suspension problems in the 2005 Toyota Matrix and similar toyotas that cause irregular and premature tire wear, including "cupping" which could lead to unexpected tire failure and which cause owners to be required to replace tires prematurely. I experienced this problem…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Toyota Matrix recalls
Engine: engine and engine cooling
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 at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2005 Toyota Matrix
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Toyota Matrix?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (103 complaints, typically around 92,000 miles); engine (24 complaints, typically around 81,500 miles); transmission (23 complaints, typically around 80,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Toyota Matrix have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 26, 2010 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Toyota Matrix?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Matrix model year since 2000, with 213 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.