CarModelProblems.com

2005 Toyota Matrix Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Air Bags — runs 5.7× the fleet median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
213Complaints
2Recalls
10Crashes
2Fires
4Injured
1Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Air Bags (48.4% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Air Bags complaints here are 5.7× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Air Bags103 · 48.4%not available
Electrical System21 · 9.9%not available
Vehicle Speed Control16 · 7.5%not available
Engine And Engine Cooling11 · 5.2%RecalledRecall 10V384000
Tires11 · 5.2%not available
Power Train7 · 3.3%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS103 · 48.4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL16 · 7.5%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING11 · 5.2%
TIRES11 · 5.2%
POWER TRAIN7 · 3.3%
ENGINE7 · 3.3%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE6 · 2.8%
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY6 · 2.8%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION5 · 2.3%

Percentages are the share of the 213 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 2 campaigns

Engine And Engine Cooling

NHTSA campaign 10V384000 · 2010 · reported 08/26/2010

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.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 06E023000 · 2006 · reported 03/13/2006

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON WHILE THE CAR IS ON. I WAS TOLD THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY WHILE THE WARNING…”NHTSA complaint 10585483 — filed 04/29/2014 · AIR BAGS
“TODAY TOYOTA ANNOUNCED A RECALL FOR VARIOUS MODELS DUE TO WEARING OF A SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY IN THE STEERING WHEEL THAT CONNECTS TO THE DRIVER'S…”NHTSA complaint 10578667 — filed 04/09/2014 · AIR BAGS
“SRS AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. CLOCK ALSO GOES IN AND OUT. WAS TOLD THE CLOCK AND THE SRS SYSTEM ARE LINKED, AND…”NHTSA complaint 10576296 — filed 04/01/2014 · AIR BAGS

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

13200691420081245201020320121122201458282016222018312024

Frequently asked questions

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

Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 103 of 213 NHTSA complaints (48.4%), followed by electrical system (21), vehicle speed control (16), engine and engine cooling (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2005 Toyota Matrix have?

213 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 10 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 4 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 2005 Toyota Matrix have any recalls?

Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 10V384000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2005 Toyota Matrix's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.