2005 Toyota Matrix problems
NHTSA has received 260 complaints about the 2005 Toyota Matrix, and 40% of them involve air bags. After that come electrical system (10%) and engine (9%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 260 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 40% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 14 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 4 and 1
- Typical mileage
- 78,000 miles 160 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 30 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 23 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 14 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 15 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 43 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 14 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 5 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 6 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 2 |
| 200k+ miles | 6 |
What the data shows
Among the 160 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 78,000 miles. For air bags specifically, the median reported mileage is about 92,000 miles (38 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 14 complaints mention a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 4 injuries reported; 1 death reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2005 ranks 4th most-complained-about out of 8 model years of the Toyota Matrix with enough data (120 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
2005 toyota matrix. Our son was driving at a high speed, he ran a red light and swerved to avoid a car and crashed without slowing at all. He was killed. He was a cautious driver and was fearful of high speeds. Updated 05/10/10 updated 10/14/10 update 9/21/2011
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota matrix. While driving at an unknown speed, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained whiplash and the passenger sustained head injuries from hitting the windshield and whiplash, but no medical attention was required. The air bags were inspected by an independent mechanic who deemed the vehicle fit to drive.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 toyota matrix. The contact was driving approximately 40 MPH with an unexpected increase of acceleration. The vehicle continued to travel with difficulty in slowing down, and crashed into a vehicle. The driver sustained injury to the arm; the front seat passenger sustained back injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer with front end damages. The vehicle was repaired for the body damages.
At several places (all slight upgrades, constant speed, constant throttle), about 5-10% of the time, throttle sticks. Releases after 3 - 5 seconds if I do not brake, about 2 seconds after braking if I do. Has been happening for over 70,000 miles, dealer service manager said it was a gas-saving feature. I now anticipate it happening, so have had no accident, but a few close calls early on. 2005 toyota matrix 4wd, now with 95,000 miles.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 toyota matrix. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 10v384000 (engine and engine cooling). The repair was performed and within 30 miles of driving, the engine warning light was illuminated and the engine stalled sporadically. The vehicle was towed to a second dealer where the contact was informed that the transmission had failed.