CarComplaints.com Notes: The Toyota Matrix is the mechanical twin of the Pontiac Vibe.

Both models were a joint GM-Toyota venture, manufactured together at a NUMMI production facility in Fremont, CA. Only the heating & A/C systems are different.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
280,146 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2005 Toyota Matrix engine problems

engine problem

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2005 Toyota Matrix Owner Comments

problem #12

Feb 152020

Matrix

  • 2,300,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #11

Oct 142018

Matrix

  • 140,733 miles
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.

- New Richmond, OH, USA

problem #10

May 182019

Matrix

  • 187,000 miles
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.

- Belchertown, MA, USA

problem #9

Jun 012015

Matrix

  • 155,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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, (760) 872-4141) 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.

- Wheat Ridge, CO, USA

problem #8

Jul 312016

Matrix

  • 152,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Matrix. While driving various high speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle completely lost power on three occasions. The contact coasted the vehicle to the right side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle over a period of 15-20 minutes on each occasion. Warrens auto repair in bishop, California was made aware of the issue, but could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue and stated that there was no recall related to the failure. The failure mileage was 152,000.

- Helendale, CA, USA

problem #7

Dec 082016

Matrix

  • miles
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Corolla matrix. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 10V384000 (engine), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Meadowview, VA, USA

problem #6

Dec 122014

Matrix

  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would stall as the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis, but the details of the diagnosis could not be provided. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V384000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

- Largo, MD, USA

problem #5

Dec 032015

Matrix

  • miles
I had to replace my engine control module (ECM) because the engine would loose power and cut off while driving on street. This became noticeable after a rain storm. I was told because my vehicle was a matrix xrs, it was not included in a recall for the other matrix models; therefore I spent approx. $1000 in having the ECM replaced. I had all of the same cited symptoms. Please include my engine in the recall so I may be reimbursed. Thanks you.

- Moore, SC, USA

problem #4

Dec 072015

Matrix

  • 160,000 miles
Car turns off while I'm driving and will not turn on right away, check engine light turns on and off, there's a lag when it is switching gears, feels very forced.

- Stockton, CA, USA

problem #3

Dec 032014

Matrix

  • 92,000 miles
Air bag panel light has been coming on and off. The model year is 2005, but the car was made possibly in 2004. The dealer refused to inspect without charge then telling me that recall is for not this model year. The brake, when the ABS is on in snow conditions, car take too long to stop, keeps kidding. Also engine revs without driver input when stopped or idling. Toyota dealer denied, to be their problem.

- Prospects Heights , IL, USA

problem #2

Nov 042014

Matrix 4-cyl

  • 20 miles
While driving the car stalls. Mainly the issue appears to happen when turning. Suddenly, and only occasionally, the car dies while turning. All lights are lost and power steering gives out. Since the lights on the car and the power steering give out, it is a scary issue. We have to put the car in neutral (since we're driving) and restart the engine. Back in 2010 we brought our car in for the 2010 recall where they replaced the part, although we never had a stalling issue then. Our car is still at the dealership being looked at but we were told by Toyota corporate that this isn't an issue related to the 2010 stalling recall, so it would not be covered even if the same part that was replaced during the recall is the one that needs to be replaced again. Additionally, the dealership is having trouble identifying the cause of the issue.

- Clearwater, FL, USA

problem #1

Jan 132014

Matrix 4-cyl

  • 85,000 miles
The Matrix began having various electrical problems, including engine warning lights turning off and on, airbag warnings, clock and headlights/brakelights turning off and on. We have brought it in to several mechanics for checks and various repairs, to no avail. Most recently, a dealer shop diagnosed that the ECM is likely failing, and in looking at the records from another dealer shop noticed that the ECM was on back order in 2011 to install a new one after a recall, but that a new one was never installed. However, my service records show that the first dealer shop told me (fraudulently?) that it was in fact installed. The car may not be safe to drive, but I have not been successful to this point in getting it repaired. The second shop informed me that the first dealer shop is responsible.

- Portland, OR, USA

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