Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Air Bags — runs 5.7× the fleet median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
213Complaints
2Recalls
10Crashes
2Fires
4Injured
1Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Air Bags (48.4% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Air Bags complaints here are 5.7× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Air Bags
103 · 48.4%
No official action
—
Electrical System
21 · 9.9%
No official action
—
Vehicle Speed Control
16 · 7.5%
No official action
—
Engine And Engine Cooling
11 · 5.2%
Recalled
Recall 10V384000
Tires
11 · 5.2%
No official action
—
Power Train
7 · 3.3%
No official action
—
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 213 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
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.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON WHILE THE CAR IS ON. I WAS TOLD THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY WHILE THE WARNING…”NHTSA complaint 10585483 — filed 04/29/2014 · AIR BAGS
“TODAY TOYOTA ANNOUNCED A RECALL FOR VARIOUS MODELS DUE TO WEARING OF A SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY IN THE STEERING WHEEL THAT CONNECTS TO THE DRIVER'S…”NHTSA complaint 10578667 — filed 04/09/2014 · AIR BAGS
“SRS AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. CLOCK ALSO GOES IN AND OUT. WAS TOLD THE CLOCK AND THE SRS SYSTEM ARE LINKED, AND…”NHTSA complaint 10576296 — filed 04/01/2014 · AIR BAGS
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Toyota Matrix?
Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 103 of 213 NHTSA complaints (48.4%), followed by electrical system (21), vehicle speed control (16), engine and engine cooling (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2005 Toyota Matrix have?
213 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 10 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 4 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Does the 2005 Toyota Matrix have any recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 10V384000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2005 Toyota Matrix's reported problems?
1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
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