Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Toyota Matrix owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced under an unknown recall however, the air bag warning light illuminated after the repair was made. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V627000 (Air Bags); however, the vehicle was not repaired, and the contact was informed that the failure was not related to the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
To the administrator of national highway traffic safety administration: I received the undated airbag recall on Toyota letterhead approximately 12-1-14. I took time off work, made an appointment on 12-15-14 with mossy Toyota, 4555 mission bay dr., san diego, ca 92019. They said they did not have the part, only for gulf states. I returned on 1-9-15 to have my airbag disabled and the cya warning sign installed. Within a few days the same agency called to let me know Toyota has suspended remedies. In feb. 2015 national news reports another recall for a replacement part I have yet not received. I called Toyota corp. Office to get a 2 hour runaround, having me repeat my ownership and VIN#, with their main emphasis on me naming the original owner, no replacement parts in the future, not their problem, letter comes from dmv info. …
I received a recall notice for passenger air bag inflators which May be defective when in contact with moisture. I received this notice 8/15/15 but the date of the recall on the website is 6/15/15 - a difference of 2 months! I called the Toyota recall hotline and was informed that there is no remedy for my location, even though I informed the representative that my car was purchased used and came from a beach area in southern california - a humid and moist area. I was informed that there is no estimated date when parts will be available in my location but to not allow passengers in the front seat. This is certainly not reasonable and very inconvenient. It is ridiculous to have a recall and not have prepared by ordering necessary parts. I am extremely dissatisfied with the "Toyota experience" and am more than peeved that I have to wait for who knows how long to fix the situation. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Matrix. While driving 55 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the air bag sensor failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brakes failed causing the vehicle to drive into an intersection. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure but replaced the master brake cylinder however the failures persisted. The recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 15V285000 (air bags) was received in August 2015. After contacting the dealer on multiple occasions, the contact was informed that the parts needed to repair the vehicle were still not available and no estimated time for receiving the parts could be given. The failure mileage was 100,000.
I do not know the exact date or mileage because I just discovered this site but my dealer would know. My airbag sensor light randomly comes on and stays on for several days to a week. I had dealer look at it and they said there was no problem....just a faulty light or something and nothing needed to be fixed. Also, clock now works off and on. I am concerned because after reading information at other sites, the information says that the airbags will not work if the sensor light is on. I have also read that the airbag sensor light and the clock are connected. I do not want to spend over $400 to replace a clock but it's a whole other story if my airbags will not work without a functioning clock that doesn't mess up the airbag sensor. I don't even know who to ask since the dealer doesn't seems to realize this either.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated and the clock failed to work. The contact later received a recall notice concerning the air bags. The dealer scheduled the recall repair, but the remedy failed. After the repair, the air bag indicator illuminated again and the clock continued not to function. There were also various warning indicators that flashed on the instrument cluster after the repair. The dealer was notified and indicated that they were been unable to replicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was not available. Updated 11/01/16
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. The air bag lights intermittently illuminated for both the passenger and driver side air bags. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,200. Updated 01/12/15 updated 6/3/2015
The reason I am filing this complaint is I don't feel Toyota's airbag recall is adequate. I purchased a four person sedan to carry four people. Toyota is telling me it isn't safe for a person to ride in the front passenger seat, because of this recall. I feel I need to not only have my vehicle repaired but I need Toyota to purchase my car back at market value or give me a loaner that will carry four passengers until my vehicle is fixed. It is unacceptable for them to ask me to not use my vehicle for what I purchased it for. Regards, [redacted] '
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Matrix. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V286000 (air bags). However, the part needed to do the repair was not made available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide the repair. In addition, the contact stated that the passenger air bag light stayed off when a passenger was seated in the front passenger seat. In addition, the air bag light stayed on when no one was seated in the front passenger seat and the electronic clock failed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
I was headed to work like I usually would m-f then out of no where the steering wheel had locked. This caused the car to loose control. The car all of a sudden was spinning around and eventually it flipped landing on its side. To top it off none of the air bags deployed! I was pulled out of the car my whole body aching, especially my arms. This was because I was holding on for dear life praying that I will come out of it alive. Luckily, no one was in the car but myself, but I know I do not need this to happen to me twice so I will no longer will purchase a Toyota.
Airbag complaints in other Matrix years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2005 Toyota Matrix?
NHTSA has 103 complaints about the air bags of the 2005 Toyota Matrix, 48% of the model year's 213 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2005 Toyota Matrix airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2005 Toyota Matrix, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Toyota Matrix airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 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.