Most common 2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix problems
Share of the 89 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Corolla Matrix complaints by model year
Best Corolla Matrix years: 2012, 2013, 2003. Years to avoid: 2009, 2010, 2008, 2006, 2007. Compare all years →
2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix recalls (4)
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Corolla, 2005-2008 Corolla Matrix, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall.
Remedy: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly, free of charge.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
On January 9, 2018, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified NHTSA that they are recalling 14,585 model year 2010-2012 Yaris vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine,…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag assemblies with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2018.
Air bags
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 Sequoia vehicles manufactured August 18, 2003, to August 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 Tundra vehicles manufactured March 18, 2003, to August 25, 2004.
Remedy: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-285 are under a Do Not Drive advisory.
Air bags
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, Hawaii,…
Remedy: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-286 are under a Do Not Drive advisory.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix:
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag…
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag…
Engine Stall
On August 26, 2010, Toyota submitted a Defect Information Report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding problems with Engine Control Modules that could result in engine stall while driving in certain model year (MY) 2005 through 2008 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with the 1ZZ-FE engine and two-wheel drive and manufactured between April 19, 2004 and…
What 2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix owners say
Air bags all 72 →
The contact's client owned a 2005 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that while her client was driving at approximately 35 MPH, he crashed into another vehicle that had merged into his lane of traffic. The air bags deployed upon impact. Her client claimed that shrapnel was released from one of the air bags upon deployment; however, the claim had yet to be verified by the contact. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the vehicle was currently under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V025000(Air Bags) which she linked to the failure. The contact sought medical treatment at the hospital for a severe burn to an arm (arm unknown) as a result of the air bag deployment. He was also treated for pain to his neck, back and both knees. The whereabouts of the other driver were unknown. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene to an unknown facility. …
I took my vehicle for the airbag recall. When the technician gave me my car back I noticed the airbag warning light was still on. The technician said the warning airbag light is something else but he could not say what. Please add additional recalls to fix passenger airbag. But he said "the light was on before the recall" and I would have to pay to find out what the warning is for. I waited 2 hours for the recall work to be finished and when I entered my car the warning light was still on. This vehicle has not been in an accident. This situation I read in the reviews online is happening to this car and many complaints. I feel unsafe and I think all possible recalls should be put in place for this to be taken care of by Toyota. It is dangerous and it is a liability. Please help me get this resolved with AutoNation Toyota in Winter Park. [redacted] Thank you
Electrical system
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled and the entire instrument panel illuminated. The vehicle could be restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,000.
Stopped at a stop light after coming off of a highway exit, and car stalled. Battery light came on. Restarted ignition and car worked fine for a few miles. Stalled again after coming to a complete stop at a stop sign. Strongly believe ECM is faulty. Could be connected to Toyota recall 10V384000.
Engine & cooling
Vehicle at 35mpg, hit head on by 40-45mpg vehicle.seat belt on- airbag inflated size of large grapefruit. Caused cardiac contusion, pulmonary embolism, 2 fractured vertebrae, fractured sternum, broken ribs both sides. Have traffic report for 10/14/18- vehicle salvaged through ins. Co. Driver only occupant on this vehicle.
My friend was driving down southside when his car began to uncontrollably accelerate and he lost all his power assist features like power steering and brakes it caused him to be t boned by a SUV no airbags deployed and he almost died I just want this to be resolved I dont want this to happen to someone else
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix a good car?
Based on 89 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Corolla Matrix rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Corolla Matrix at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix?
The air bags — 72 complaints, 81% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (10) and engine & cooling (8).
How many recalls does the 2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix, the most recent from August 28, 2019 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Corolla Matrix?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2013 and 2003. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2009, 2010, 2008, 2006 and 2007. See the full Toyota Corolla Matrix years comparison.
At what mileage do 2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 100,000 miles; 11% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.