Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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
These 3 things may be related to each other because they all are connected to the steering wheel. My car can be scheduled for an inspection regarding these safety problems. 1. The Airbag warning light is sometimes on when I drive the car. I'm worried it won't work if I'm in a wreck. 2. The horn doesn't work when I press on the part of the steering wheel that should make it work. It does make a loud sound when I press the panic button on my key fob, but only when the car is turned off. I had to stick my head out of the window and yell at a driver who was getting close to hitting my car in a parking lot. I was parked, and they were backing out of their parking stall. They stopped inches away from my car. 3. The cruise control does not work in the car. I think by using this feature, and maintaining a steady speed, it reduces the chances of accidents. …
Estava en el estap enla calle cherri en ukiah cal, parada esperando y mirando queno biniera carro para dar buelta a mano derecha ala caye state str , novenia carro en el primer carril para dar buelta a mano derecha, solte el freno para pizar el aselerador ,escuanto solte el freno el carro se aselero trate de frenar pero los frenos no funcionaron y pege con el otro carro que estava en el otro carril tuve que darlebuelta al bolante asia mi mano derecha los frenos no funcionaron cayi en un hoyo y las yantas se atascaron, nunca salieron las bolsas de hayre mi hijo y yo nos lastimamos del cueyo, mi carro quedo inservivle , mi hijo de 16 aos que hiya conmigo en el asiento del pasajero selastimo el cueyo y sufre de dolor de caveza, mequede sin carro, la aseguransa nome arresuelto nada asta este momento. Gracias
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.
Takata recall. Where to start. I received a letter in June 2015 about the recall. In December 2015 I filed a complaint with you because nothing was being done. Still nothing. In May 2016 my daughter received a letter also for the Takata recall on her yaris with a letter saying not to let anyone ride in her front seat. Seriously? I was not told this. I could have killed someone or seriously injured them. (my daughter needs a rental btw because I doint want her driving her car till it is safe) when my dad found out he went to Toyota and guess what? Suddenly they had the part for my car and ordered my daughters. They put it in yesterday. When I went to get my car I was informed that my passenger air bag light was on and that it needed a spiral assembly. For 476.00. Right. They said it was not related or covered. …
Airbag light on main instrument panel comes on intermittently, when the car is running. When this light is on, the airbags will not be deployed in an accident. There is a very serious safety concern. Having done just a quick search of the internet, it appears that this particular problem is very common, yet there is no recall. It seems most of the issues causing this problem are related to either the spiral airbag cable or the vehicle clock. Please consider the urgency of this, as I have read of folks having high speed head on collisions while the light was on, and the airbags did not deploy.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix. The contact stated that the air bag light remained illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V285000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 53,608. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated constantly. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V285000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated intermittently. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V285000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Related recalls
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 investigations
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…
Airbag complaints in other Corolla Matrix years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix?
NHTSA has 72 complaints about the air bags of the 2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix, 81% of the model year's 89 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 19V-627 (inflator module, Aug 28, 2019); NHTSA recall 18V-025 (inflator module, Jan 9, 2018); NHTSA recall 15V-285 (air bags, May 13, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.