2005 Toyota Matrix Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 11%of 213 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 87,856miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Toyota Matrix, 11% of the 213 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 87,856 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 light is on. The Toyota dealer said the air bag wiring is shorting in the clock mechanism and clock parts need to be replaced for the air bag to work. Why do I need to fix the clock for this air bag to work?”
NHTSA complaint #10585483, filed 2014-04, 61,993 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10749232, filed 2015-08, 100,000 miles“I already turned in an incident but did not get an e-mail or any reply back so am doing it again to make sure. My air bag light has been going on intermittently for 1.5 years. I was told by Toyota that it would cost $180 to diagnose the problem and was never told that when my air bag light was on that my air bag would not go off. I recently found this out so had it checked out. Turns out it is a faulty clock. Toyota has the clock as an integral part of their air bags. I can't believe that they put my family at risk because of a clock. It cost me $560 to fix as well. …”
NHTSA complaint #10553154, filed 2013-11, 60,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10304611, filed 2010-02, 1,000 miles“Air bag light came on repeatedly over a period of months. On 17mar2011 Toyota dealer diagnosed two possible causes... Computer or clock assembly. Computer was replaced under extended warranty. Problem returned the next day. Clock was replaced on 30mar2011 under extended warranty. Problem seems to be solved as of 12jul2011.”
NHTSA complaint #10413522, filed 2011-07, 92,406 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10238157May 30, 2023TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered…
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10133654Nov 22, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE November 22, 2017 Rev1: ? Applicability has been updated to include 2014 ? 2018 model year vehicles. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be…
- 10152205Jan 6, 2017TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0101-11. Applicability has been updated to include 2016 ? 2017 model year vehicles…
- 10132930Nov 29, 2016TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE: September 14, 2016: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0134-16.
- 10150418Sep 14, 2016TSB: Supersession Notice. Flash reprogramming allows the ECU software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are…
- 10134223Sep 15, 2015TT: The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been interrupted.
- 10096556Sep 15, 2015Tt: the vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the engine ecm has been interrupted.
- 10132529Aug 24, 2015TechTip: Condition - The vehicle may be difficult to start or have an abnormally low or rough idle after the battery has been disconnected or power to the Engine ECM has been…
- 10111390Apr 10, 2015TSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many…
Electrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 2005 Toyota Matrix
103 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsVehicle speed control
17 complaintsTires
16 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Toyota Matrix
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology