Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
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.
I own a 2005 Toyota Matrix. On 10/29/09 they had to replace the whole computer system. Mechanic said that they had trouble with alot of the matrixs and corollas. Cost me about $1000.00 to replace. My clock has been coming on every so often,but mostly stays off.the doors are not suppose to lock if key is in ignition or running. Three times it has locked me out. The dash board lights are medded up only half light up,this has been this way for well over a year. When I took it to the dealer when I had the work done they never fixed it. I think that someone should look into this matter because if they had to replace the computer on so many cars they should have a recall. Also, my pedal got stuck and caused me to run into a snow bank and mess up my front fender.
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. 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.
Clock, HVAC switches blink on and off intermittently regardless of vehicle movement. Power locks work intermittently including when vehicle is put in gear. It almost seems like a electrical short but it comes and goes. This problem resembles the multitude of complaints regarding this make and model. There is also a vibration in the steering wheel at highway speeds which also resembles a multitude of complaints regarding this make and model. I am surprised after reading the numerous electrical complaints that Toyota has not offered a remedy or recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Matrix. While driving 70 MPH, the engine completely shut off. Also, the electrical system shut off and the power steering stopped working. Perry motors (310 s main st, bishop, ca 93514, [phone]) stated that there was no recall; therefore, the contact would have to pay for the repairs. The dealer believed that the engine control module was the source of the failure. The manufacturer stated that they could not assist since there was no recall. The failure mileage was 155,000.
How can I verify that the safety recall a0j phase 1 on my 2005 Toyota Matrix was rep[aced by a good ECU? I took it to the dealer and they said the ECU was bad. I think they are not being completely honest and did not look up any type of warranty information on it because they did not even mention the recent air bag issues in certain states.I bought this vehicle used and I believe the vehicle has never been properly fixed by the original recalls / warranties.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Matrix. While driving 35 MPH, the clock and radio failed to function. In addition, the doors failed to lock automatically and the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V286000 (air bags). The failure mileage was 55,500.
2005 Toyota Matrix with automatic transmission had check engine light come and immediately start shifting hard. No prior symptoms. Called Toyota service they said it was a loose gas cap, I asked are you sure it has nothing to do with transmission because when the light is on it shifts harshly. No pretty sure it is gas cap if it comes back on you have to pay $110 to check it. After it came back on drove for a week to see if problem continued then took to transmission specialist who said it had pressure control solenoid out. Took it for second opinion to transmission repair shop and they said it is common problem with Toyota Matrix and corolla similar to rav4 problem that ECM is bad and causes transmission issues which in this case cause damage to transmission. …
Dt: the clutch was difficult to depress/to engage the starter. The consumer stated that there was a problem when trying to work the clutch because there was not enough room in the floor area ,and the wheel well made a hump in this area. Also, the vehicle was designed with a foot rest that the consumer had removed because it made it more difficult to drive. On several different occasions the vehicle stalled. Twice it put the consumer in dangerous situation although, there were no accidents. The first time was in August 2004. The second time was in September or October 2004. When the consumer took vehicle to a dealer they basically told him they could not find the stalling problem. When he contacted the manufacturer, they told him basically the same hing. The consumer stated he believed that the area problem was a design flaw.
Electrical complaints in other Matrix years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2005 Toyota Matrix?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Toyota Matrix, 11% of the model year's 213 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Toyota Matrix electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.