2005 Toyota Matrix Toyota Matrix 2005

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2005 Toyota Matrix repairs by problem area

Engine (44%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (9%)

Brakes and Traction Control (6%)

Suspension and Steering (12%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (19%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (2%)

Other (7%)

Chart based on 121 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2005 Toyota Matrix.

2005 Toyota Matrix repair cost distribution

$2500+ (2%)

$1000 - $2499 (7%)

$500 - $999 (9%)

$100 - $499 (41%)

< $100 (41%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 100 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2005 Toyota Matrix

Engine not specified

Toyota Matrix in Florida, United States
Sep 2013 - Jun 2014
Jun 2014

122000 mi
It still needed an emissions canister. 
Toyota Matrix in Texas, United States
Feb 2008 - Mar 2010
Mar 2008

62000 mi

US $300
Right driver side window fell off the track and has been doing it alot. 

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2005 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

170-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed manual FWD

Toyota Matrix in Arizona, United States
Nov 2015 - Sep 2016
Jan 2016

US $35
Front passenger motor mount was bad. Caused bad vibrations and some jolting. 
Aug 2016

162000 mi

US $550
AC compressor clutch failed. Looks like rubber material squeezed out of the clutch and seized. Had to order and install new compressor. 
Toyota Matrix in Virginia, United States
May 2008 - Nov 2014
Jun 2009

50000 mi

US $68
Belt Tensioner Replaced under warranty Water pump leaking -- replaced under warranty power steering pump leaking - repaired under warranty  
Dec 2011

74000 mi

US $380
Ball joint replaced 
May 2012

76300 mi

US $12
Rt Front low beam headlight replaced; required removing & reinstalling battery 
Oct 2012

77200 mi

US $2600
Replace clutch and flywheel Replace belt tensioner and belt Replace water pump 
Jun 2014

86000 mi

US $96
Rear Left Brake backing shield was rubbing -- shop adjusted it and noise is gone. 
Toyota Matrix in California, United States
Apr 2015 - Apr 2015
Apr 2015

90000 mi

US $6000
knock in engine, oil dry a month prior; metal in bottom of engine floating around; best option was re-built engine as the price was mounting on all the various issues to be more costly than replacement engine; water pump was also added. 
Toyota Matrix in Georgia, United States
Jul 2015 - Sep 2015
Aug 2015

178000 mi

US $350
Drive belt cracked. Was replaced. Catalytic converter Clutch going out (manual transmission) Leaking oil 

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2005 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

130-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Toyota Matrix in Alberta, Canada
Sep 2011 - Jun 2013
Feb 2012

99260 mi
Suspension made a knocking noise, I was told the strut was sticking and will have to be replaced if it gets worse. 
Toyota Matrix in Quebec, Canada
Jul 2012 - Mar 2019
Mar 2012

81286 mi

C $1495
Engine would rough idle & gradually no more power from 3K rpm. Also chk/eng light would light up at times. After reading simillar stories over various blogs, i checked the IACV & it really needed cleaning. used proper product no prob since 
Apr 2012

84632 mi

C $150
Windshield wiper motor slowly died out, ordered generic from auction site, fitted right in, everything works fine now. 
Feb 2014

105480 mi

C $25
CEL would lit up from time to time, always with P0171 showing, at 1st almost always on coldest days, then even when resetted would come back right on. Changed the Intake Manifold Gasket, PN 17171-0D020. 
Apr 2014

109480 mi

C $110
wiper Motor & linkage seized, replaced with salvaged recon parts. 
Oct 2014

111280 mi

C $725
many small rust patches had to be corrected on the car's roof & tail gate. 
Sep 2015

124000 mi

C $1109
Replaced Clutch Ass'y after lining wore out. New synthetic gear oil in transmission. Exhaust donut gasket (CEL P0401). 
Jun 2016

133300 mi
Ac comp. would engage & shut off after few seconds. After checking if recharge was needed, problem was id'd as too much pressure in the system, some moisture got into the system so as temp rose so did the pressure. Purged, now working fine. 
Nov 2016

137800 mi

C $450
Replaced Catalytic converter. 
Apr 2017

142600 mi

C $60
replaced starter assembly Replaced both headlights as original ones were beyond polishable (already did twice). 
Jul 2017

144460 mi

C $50
replaced dried A/C system O-rings then purged & recharged system. 
Toyota Matrix in Quebec, Canada
Dec 2007 - Aug 2010
Feb 2007

32965 mi
ECU malfunction = Change the ECU 
Nov 2008

56607 mi
Water pump leak = replace water pump 
Dec 2008

57191 mi
Replace left axle shaft 
Jan 2009

58212 mi
Grinding noise in transmission when cold = replace clutch throwout bearing, every bearing in the transmission, both axle shaft seals and third gear synchro... did not solve problem 
Toyota Matrix in California, United States
May 2007 - Jun 2011
Jun 2007

23000 mi
(1) Check Engine Light came on. I could not clear CEL by removing EFI relay for five minutes. Toyota checked vehicle and replaced a cannister in the emission system, as being too low in pressure. Problem cured; repaired under warranty.  One of the two remote key units lost "registration" with the car such that the one unit would not lock/unlock anything. Toyota reprogrammed or re-registered the unit under warranty. 
Toyota Matrix in Illinois, United States
Dec 2014 - Sep 2016
Apr 2015

88300 mi

US $815
check engine light was on checked and found that the charcoal canister needed to be replaced. The engine was not running smoothly had the fuel injection system cleaned. 
Toyota Matrix in California, United States
May 2010 - Jun 2022
Nov 2015

168000 mi

US $30
Backup light switch 
Dec 2016

178000 mi

US $25
Car running lean. Replaced intake manifold gasket 
Mar 2017

181000 mi

US $300
Right caliper frozen. Squeaky belt. Replaced belt & tensioner 
May 2021

220590 mi

US $100
Leaking radiator. Replace with after market part 
Dec 2021

217400 mi

US $1600
Noise in manual transmission. Possibly bad bearings, shop replaced with a reconditioned unit. 

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2005 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

130-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Toyota Matrix in Ontario, Canada
Dec 2012 - Jun 2018
Mar 2014

148800 mi

C $100
Wheel bearing.Front drivers side 
Sep 2014

158100 mi
Both rear wheel bearing due to noise 
Toyota Matrix in Washington, United States
Nov 2009 - Dec 2015
Aug 2014

143000 mi
The A/C hose came off and the inside of the car on the passenger side got wet. 
Toyota Matrix in Illinois, United States
Nov 2015 - Jun 2016
Jan 2016

123000 mi

US $287
New oxygen sensor New alternator drive belt 
Toyota Matrix in Colorado, United States
Mar 2017 - Jun 2018
Jun 2018

189000 mi

US $678
Clock spring in passenger air bag. 
Toyota Matrix in British Columbia, Canada
Feb 2017 - Apr 2017
Mar 2017

80600 mi

C $310
Serpentine/accessory belt replaced 
Toyota Matrix in Ohio, United States
- Apr 2006
Apr 2006

20 mi
We took car to dealer to reset "low tire pressure" after a flat. The owner's manual was not useful in getting the sensor to reset. 
Toyota Matrix in Texas, United States
Jan 2016 - Jun 2022
Feb 2016

155800 mi

US $30
Starter replaced. Check engine light was on I replaced the gas cap bought from the dealer. 
Sep 2017

170000 mi

US $400
Check engine light and sluggish acceleration. Replaced the catalytic converter. Noise from front brakes when backing up and steering wheel shaking at a certain speed. Needed new brake pads and rotors turned. Past due for pads. Also new tires. All is good now.  
Dec 2017

173000 mi

US $450
Hard to start in cooler weather poor gas mileage poor acceleration. Intake minifold gasket replaced. Slow oil leak. Replaced valve cover gasket. 
Sep 2020

180000 mi

US $200
Replaced two mtor mounts. 
Apr 2021

198000 mi

US $150
Radiator fan went out. 
Toyota Matrix in Montana, United States
Sep 2012 - Sep 2012
Sep 2012 Engine blew up on highway. #1 wrist pin failed, causing connecting rod to punch through the engine block. 
Toyota Matrix in Michigan, United States
Oct 2012 - Mar 2016
May 2014

119900 mi

US $140
Simple relay needed replaced. $20 part 
Toyota Matrix in Ontario, Canada
Mar 2011 - Mar 2016
Nov 2011

48360 mi

C $60
replaced intake manifold gasket because engine light was on. this is a common problem reported by other owners. replaced intake manifold gasket. it was leaking and causing power loss, rough idle, bad fuel mileage and engine light 
Nov 2012

52700 mi
clock stopped working due to cold solder problem. resoldered 
Mar 2016

70680 mi

C $75
Exhaust pipe leak due to corrosion. Leaky section was cut and a new section was welded in. 
Toyota Matrix in Ontario, Canada
Jun 2010 - May 2018
Dec 2010

73160 mi

C $400
Clock module broke. Had been living with the problem for 6 months, but wife was constantly complaining about it. 
Mar 2012

85560 mi

C $175
The buckling joining the exhaust pipe and muffler was coming apart. Toyota wanted $1500 to install a new exhaust. A third party exhaust shop replaced the clip and welded the issue for a lot $175 
Jan 2014

104360 mi

C $160
Battery died during an intense cold snap. I was still on the original 8+ year old battery, so this was expected. 
Nov 2014

108500 mi

C $240
The strap holding the muffler in place failed. consequently the muffler was banging against the strike plate, causing a lot of audible racket. Part needed was a gas tank strap for $90, plus $110 labour, and taxes. 
Dec 2015

112840 mi

C $400
the manifold gasked needed to be replaced. Check engine light had come on. 
Aug 2016

120900 mi
The head shield between the muffler and the trunk became loose and had to be replaced. A recall wrt airbags was also performed while the car was in the shop. 
Toyota Matrix in California, United States
Jun 2009 - Mar 2010
Jul 2009

53000 mi

US $400
Belt tensioner rattling, replaced. 
Toyota Matrix in Texas, United States
Feb 2009 - Mar 2010
May 2009

128000 mi

US $125
throttle body cleaned and new plugs. 
Toyota Matrix in New Jersey, United States
Dec 2008 - Mar 2010
Jan 2009

87000 mi

US $900
Computer was causing transmission to slip so it had to be replaced. 
Toyota Matrix in Ontario, Canada
Jul 2010 - Mar 2011
Mar 2011

87420 mi

C $600
Oxygen sensor faulty 
Toyota Matrix in Ontario, Canada
Sep 2004 - Jul 2018
Nov 2004

248 mi
Intermittent hardstart/long crank time when trying to restart warm engine after it has been off for at least 20 to 30 minutes. They did not repair denied there was anything wrong. It is normal all Corollas and Matrixs do that. 
Apr 2014

44220 mi
Driver side air bag warning light keeps coming on. Scanned for error code, but not repaired. Car is not part of the Toyota air bag recall they currently have. 
May 2014

44720 mi
Driver side air bag warning light keeps coming on. Scanned for error code, but not repaired. Car is not part of the Toyota air bag recall they currently have. 
Jun 2014

45260 mi
Driver side air bag warning light keeps coming on. Scanned for error code, but not repaired. Too expensive. Car is not part of the Toyota air bag recall they currently have. Still no TSB or Recall. 
Jul 2015

49700 mi

C $160
Check engine light was on, rough idle at red lights and stop signs. Very high idle 2000 rpm when cold engine was started. Intake manifold gasket was replaced. (a known issue with 2005 - 2008 Corollas/Matrixs, no recall) Driver's air bag light comes on. Received a quote of $350 to replace the air bag sensor located in the clock. They could not get a reading on the scanner and said this air bag was not covered by any of the air bag recalls. Update: There is no air bag sensor in the clock. Morons at dealership don't know anything. It is a clock spring in the steering wheel for the air bag. 
May 2018

60760 mi
check for clicking noise from front brakes when lightly braking. Advised it was because of rust from the resurfaced rotor and not a safety issue. 
Toyota Matrix in Nova Scotia, Canada
Jun 2010 - Dec 2016
Jul 2010

73160 mi
Harsh shifts with automatic tranmission and check engine light.Repaired under 8 year 130000km emissions warranty at no cost 
Jul 2012

102500 mi

C $250
Wheel Bearing Replacement 
Dec 2016

142600 mi

C $350
Rear o2 sesor 
Toyota Matrix in Connecticut, United States
Aug 2011 - Mar 2013
Apr 2012

145700 mi

US $1200
front bearings, struts and links 
Toyota Matrix in Ontario, Canada
Feb 2008 - Mar 2010
Apr 2008

45260 mi

C $74
 
Toyota Matrix in Quebec, Canada
Jun 2011 - Dec 2012
Mar 2012

65100 mi

C $130
Intake Manifold Gasket was wear-out, that caused Check Engine light with error codes P0171, P0300, P0301, P0302, P0304. Gasket was replaced. 
Jul 2012

75400 mi

C $100
Rear muffler seal was worn-out. 
Aug 2012

76200 mi

C $300
Charcoal Canister Failure diagnosed 

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2005 Toyota Matrix 4dr Hatch

123-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic AWD

Toyota Matrix in Alberta, Canada
Jan 2007 - Jun 2011
Feb 2007

35340 mi
New rear door seals 
Mar 2007

36580 mi
New blower motor for fan 
Toyota Matrix in Massachusetts, United States
Jun 2018 - Feb 2020
Mar 2019

81000 mi

US $700
Replace 4 Uniroyal Tiger Paw (dry-rot 6yrs old) ... with Pirelli CINTURATO P7 ALL SEASON PLUS - P205/55R16 tires 
Jul 2019

83000 mi

US $120
Synthetic Oil Change 
Toyota Matrix in Ontario, Canada
Dec 2014 - Dec 2021
Mar 2017

48980 mi

C $250
Starter replacement due to malfunction caused by corroded through grounding cable. 
Oct 2021

112220 mi

C $180
Catalytic convertor - rust holes in the outer body patched by welding. 
Toyota Matrix in Illinois, United States
Feb 2007 - Dec 2012
Aug 2007

35975 mi
purchase post-purchase complaint resolved as follows: - replaced left front strut under warranty - put on four new tires - performed alignment 
Jun 2009

56000 mi
Right rear drive axle seal leaks slightly. Will replace at next oil change. 
Aug 2009

57000 mi

US $104
Right rear drive axle seal leaks slightly. SRS (airbag system) warning light on -> passenger occupancy detector ECU faulty. Per TSB EL005-05, not covered by 5/60 powertrain warranty. Mail-ordered part 89952–35010 based on VIN lookup, to be installed by local dealer. Paid $104 diagnostic charge. Dealer claims rear drum brakes had overheated and recommends replacement of brake shoes and wheel cylinders. Ordered parts and will have repaired by independent mechanic. 
Sep 2009

57000 mi

US $339
I provided mail-ordered part 89952–35010 based on VIN lookup. Actual part found in vehicle is 89952–33011. Dealer will order part and provide at cost ($214 plus tax). Replacement of passenger occupant detection ECU (part 89952–33011) did not fix the problem even after recalibration. My own review of repair manual indicates that error code B1660 points to different flowchart not involving occupant ECU; I told them. 
Oct 2009

59000 mi

US $200
They kept the car for several weeks (free loaner provided) and ended up replacing the clock assembly, listed as one of the trouble spots in the correct repair flowchart. No addl. charge for this repair b/c they had already charged for the wrong one. Resurfaced rear brake drums and replaced brake shoes and wheel cylinders. Listed here because of the latter. 
Jul 2012

93000 mi

US $164
Replaced transfer case extension housing oil seal and oil. Also front brake pads. Replaced transfer case extension housing oil seal. 
Toyota Matrix in New York, United States
Sep 2014 - Jun 2018
Sep 2015

135000 mi
Rear struts, both. 
Nov 2015

135600 mi
Currently not driving the vehicle due to needing a passenger rear bearing. I've bought the part, intend to do the work myself. 
Oct 2016

137000 mi

US $1000
We just had the bearing done on the Matrix this month at an independent shop that was willing to use the part I bought. Apparently Toyotas are known for the spindle seizing to the bearing and that needed to be replaced as well. 
Jun 2017

138000 mi

US $100
Replaced seized piston. (Also replaced rotor and pads; cost of repair is only for piston repair.) 
Toyota Matrix in California, United States
Nov 2014 - Dec 2014
Dec 2014

120000 mi
Vehicle lost power and stopped on a short hwy trip. Had to have it towed back to the repair shop. Verdict: Seized crankshaft, engine is toast. Cost to replace with another used engine = $4k. KBB on car is $6k, so I pass. 
Toyota Matrix in Maryland, United States
Nov 2014 - Apr 2015
Apr 2015

220000 mi

US $300
Left rear, ball bearing CV joint 
Toyota Matrix in Florida, United States
Mar 2015 - Jul 2016
May 2015

75900 mi

US $785
REPLACED 2 FRONT TRANS AXLES THAT WERE LEAKING AND ONE IN REAR - PLUS REAR HOUSING SEAL 
Toyota Matrix in Wisconsin, United States
Mar 2015 - Feb 2021
Jun 2016

108000 mi

US $1050
Right rear wheel bearing replaced. 
Jul 2018

130000 mi

US $875
2- rear wheel bearing replaced. Right rear wheel bearing replaced in 2016 was not installed correctly and failed. 
Toyota Matrix in British Columbia, Canada
Mar 2008 - Jul 2015
Aug 2010

33060 mi

C $250
Seals leaking on left side near center of the car. 
Feb 2013

41480 mi

C $490
Replaced muffler and pipes. 

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2005 Toyota Matrix 4-door

4-cylinder automatic AWD

Toyota Matrix in Nova Scotia, Canada
Jun 2007 - May 2008
Sep 2007

20460 mi
Check engine light on 

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2005 Toyota Matrix Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2005 Toyota Matrix problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.