2005 Toyota Matrix recalls and problems

The 2005 Toyota Matrix has 1 recall and 213 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is air bags.

How the 2005 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Highest complaint count among 11 Matrix model years — 2nd most.

1recalls
213complaints
10crashes
2fires
4injuries
73,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
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1 recall

Engine

Aug 26, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V384000 · 1,128,659 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Original NHTSA wording

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 & notes

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.

Owners May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Air Bags103
Engine24
Electrical System23
Power Train23
Vehicle Speed Control17
Tires16
Service Brakes7
Suspension7
Fuel System6
Exterior Lighting4

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2004: 3 complaints20042005: 11 complaints2006: 10 complaints20062007: 9 complaints2008: 11 complaints20082009: 10 complaints2010: 32 complaints20102011: 16 complaints2012: 2 complaints20122013: 9 complaints2014: 16 complaints20142015: 50 complaints502016: 27 complaints20162017: 2 complaints2018: 2 complaints20182019: 2 complaints2024: 1 complaints20241

2005 vs. other Toyota Matrix years

2002: 2 complaints20022003: 268 complaints20032682004: 138 complaints20042005: 213 complaints20052006: 170 complaints20062007: 96 complaints20072008: 38 complaints20082009: 192 complaints20092010: 45 complaints20102011: 10 complaints20112012: 5 complaints20125

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2005. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2005 Toyota Matrix have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign covering the 2005 Toyota Matrix, the latest from Aug 26, 2010 (engine). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Toyota Matrix?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention air bags (103), engine (24), electrical system (23). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.