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2005 Toyota Matrix

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Matrix years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Toyota Matrix are substantially higher than the model-year median of 70.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

125 reports with mileage · 88 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 103 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports2 fire reports3 injury reports

Power Train complaints

23 reports
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94,000 miles · Mar 16, 2010
Power Train

OUR CAR HAS DEVELOPED VERY HARSH SHIFT OF THE GEARS AND HAS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. WENT TO CAR SHOP AND THEY SAID IT WAS ERROR CODE P2716 AND A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT ONLY COVERED UPTO 80000 MILES OR 96 MONTHS. OUR VEHICLE IS 2005 WITH 94,000 MILES. THE ECM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED - COST ~ 900 $ - OUR COMPLAINT IS THAT SINCE THIS IS A ME…

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OUR CAR HAS DEVELOPED VERY HARSH SHIFT OF THE GEARS AND HAS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. WENT TO CAR SHOP AND THEY SAID IT WAS ERROR CODE P2716 AND A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT ONLY COVERED UPTO 80000 MILES OR 96 MONTHS. OUR VEHICLE IS 2005 WITH 94,000 MILES. THE ECM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED - COST ~ 900 $ - OUR COMPLAINT IS THAT SINCE THIS IS A MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE ITSELF AND NOT THE DRIVER, WE SHOULD NOT NEED TO PAY FOR THIS AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY TOYOTA - PLEASE HELP US. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10320342

102,000 miles · Feb 9, 2010
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS OBSTRUCTED BY THE CARPET AND FOOT REST WHICH MADE IF DIFFICULT TO SHIFT GEARS. THERE ALSO WAS NOT ENOUGH SPACE BETWEEN THE FOOT AND BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS OBSTRUCTED BY THE CARPET AND FOOT REST WHICH MADE IF DIFFICULT TO SHIFT GEARS. THERE ALSO WAS NOT ENOUGH SPACE BETWEEN THE FOOT AND BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2004. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

NHTSA ODI #10307872

80,500 miles · Sep 28, 2009
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

ECM FAILURE ON 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. CAUSED LURCHING,ACCELERATION CHANGES DURING AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFTING., CAUSING UNSAFE DRIVING BY DRIVER. DEALER SAID VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY AND MILEAGE TOO HIGH (80,500) FOR THEM TO REPLACE AT THEIR COST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10285531

65,000 miles · Nov 19, 2008
Power Train

THE CAR IS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX,5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION, THE CAR IS SERVICED BY A TECH AT SCHEDULED SERVICE TIMES. THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED,THE MECHANIC SAID THERE WERE REBUILDS AVAILABLE BUT STATED THE TOYOTA REPLACEMENT WAS THE WAY TO GO, I AGREE. TOYOTA SAYS THERE ARE NO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS…

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THE CAR IS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX,5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION, THE CAR IS SERVICED BY A TECH AT SCHEDULED SERVICE TIMES. THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED,THE MECHANIC SAID THERE WERE REBUILDS AVAILABLE BUT STATED THE TOYOTA REPLACEMENT WAS THE WAY TO GO, I AGREE. TOYOTA SAYS THERE ARE NO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS HOWEVER IF YOU LOOK ON LINE ONE WILL SEE A RASH OF 5 SPEED TOYOTA MATRIX TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH A BEARING ALWAYS BEING BLAMED, I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS MANY PEOPLE BEAT THERE 5 SPEEDS TO DEATH IN A 4 DOOR STATION WAGON. ALSO NOTED WAS TOYOTA HAD 15 TRANSMISSION WAITING WHEN MINE WAS ORDERED-- PERHAPS THEY KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. NO ONE WILL SAY IF THE NEW TRANSMISSION HAS BEING IMPROVED OVER THE OLD UNIT,BECAUSE THAT WOULD MEAN THERE WAS A PROBLEM TO START WITH. THANKS TO TOYOTA I HAVE A CAR WITH A TRANSMISSION THAT MAY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IT STARTED WITH AT A COST OF 3,400.00 MORE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10249329

82,000 miles · Nov 12, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FOLLOWED BY HARSH SHIFTING AND EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FOLLOWED BY HARSH SHIFTING AND EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 82,000.

NHTSA ODI #10248623

700,000 miles · Mar 14, 2008
Power Train

CLUTCH-WAS ALWAYS VERY HARD TO PUT CAR INTO FIRST AND FROM FIRST INTO SECOND. AFTER ONE YEAR, TOOK IT INTO DEALER, WAS TOLD OKAY. AFTER SECOND YEAR, TOOK IT INTO DEALER, TOLD FLOOR MAT TOO THICK. TOOK FLOOR MAT OUT, SAME PROBLEM. AT THIRD YEAR, COULD NOT GET POWER (DIDN'T 'CATCH') IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. TOLD CLUTCH FAILED, MY…

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CLUTCH-WAS ALWAYS VERY HARD TO PUT CAR INTO FIRST AND FROM FIRST INTO SECOND. AFTER ONE YEAR, TOOK IT INTO DEALER, WAS TOLD OKAY. AFTER SECOND YEAR, TOOK IT INTO DEALER, TOLD FLOOR MAT TOO THICK. TOOK FLOOR MAT OUT, SAME PROBLEM. AT THIRD YEAR, COULD NOT GET POWER (DIDN'T 'CATCH') IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. TOLD CLUTCH FAILED, MY FAULT (DRIVING STANDARDS FOR 25 YEARS), NOW QUOTED $1,760. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10221149

64,000 miles · Oct 4, 2007
Power Train

2005 TOYOTA MATRIX XRS CLUTCH IS WEAK AND FAILS MUCH SOONER THAN EXPECTED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10204834

28,000 miles · Dec 8, 2006
Power Train

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THERE WAS A LOSS OF ALL VEHICLE POWER, AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE CLUTCH OF THE MANUAL TRANSMISSIO…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THERE WAS A LOSS OF ALL VEHICLE POWER, AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE CLUTCH OF THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE INITIAL REPLACEMENT, THE PROBLEM LATER PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

NHTSA ODI #10175596

35,000 miles · Apr 6, 2006
Power Train

2005 MATRIX XRS, 6 SPEED MANUAL. CLUTCH BEGAN TO GO AT 35,000 MILES, COMPLETELY BURNED OUT AT 37,000 MILES WITH A HORRID BURNING/SULFUR SMELL. ALSO, SUNROOF WILL NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY, STAYS OPEN AT THE FRONT ABOUT 1/2". IT WILL OPEN FROM THERE, BUT WILL NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. NOTHING IS STUCK OR IN THE WAY, JUST WON'T CLOSE. I…

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2005 MATRIX XRS, 6 SPEED MANUAL. CLUTCH BEGAN TO GO AT 35,000 MILES, COMPLETELY BURNED OUT AT 37,000 MILES WITH A HORRID BURNING/SULFUR SMELL. ALSO, SUNROOF WILL NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY, STAYS OPEN AT THE FRONT ABOUT 1/2". IT WILL OPEN FROM THERE, BUT WILL NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. NOTHING IS STUCK OR IN THE WAY, JUST WON'T CLOSE. I AM REPLACING MY CLUTCH ON MONDAY FOR $900.00, AND THE MECHANIC I AM SEEING JUST REPLACED A CLUTCH ON THE SAME MAKE/MODEL/YEAR/TRIM AS MY CAR. I'VE ALSO SEEN VARIOUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE. CLUTCH IS DEFECTIVE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10154670

35 miles · Nov 3, 2005
Power Train

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT TRANSMISSION MAD E A THUMPING NOISE WHEN APPROACHING A STOP. HE SUSPECTED IT WAS THE SOUND OF THE TRANSMISSION CHANGING GEARS. ALSO, THERE WA S VIBRATION THAT FOLLOWED THE NOISE. THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING …

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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT TRANSMISSION MAD E A THUMPING NOISE WHEN APPROACHING A STOP. HE SUSPECTED IT WAS THE SOUND OF THE TRANSMISSION CHANGING GEARS. ALSO, THERE WA S VIBRATION THAT FOLLOWED THE NOISE. THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE NOISE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. *AK UPDATED 09/16/09 *BF UPDATED 09/17/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10141685

Official recalls

1

10V384000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Aug 26, 2010

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2008 COROLLA AND COROLLA MATRIX VEHICLES. THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) FOR THE SUBJECT MODELS EQUIPPED WITH THE 1ZZ-FE ENGINE AND TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A CRACK MAY DEVELOP AT CERTAIN SOLDER POINTS OR ON VARISTORS ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THERE ARE A VARIETY OF WARNINGS AND CONSEQUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEFECT. THE ENGINE WARNING LAMP COULD BE ILLUMINATED, HARSH SHIFTING COULD RESULT, THE ENGINE MAY NOT START, OR THE ENGINE COULD SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. AN ENGINE SHUTOFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PRODUCTION NUMBER OF THE ECM AND REPLACE THE ECM IF NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. TOYOTA WILL MAIL AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION THE MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER 2010 TO ADVISE OWNERS OF THIS DEFECT AND RECALL. THIS INTERIM NOTIFICATION WILL INFORM OWNERS THAT THEY WILL RECEIVE A FUTURE NOTIFICATION WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO HAVE THE FREE REMEDY PERFORMED ON THEIR VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.