Model year guide

2005 Toyota Matrix

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2005 Toyota Matrix is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 46 on record.

2005 Toyota Matrix — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2005 Toyota Matrix at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints213
Combined27 mpg
Typical price$3,750

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2005 Toyota Matrix recalls 2

Engine And Engine Cooling NHTSA Campaign #10V384000 · 26/08/2010

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.

Fix: 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 OWN…

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #06E023000 · 13/03/2006

CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Fix: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2005 Toyota Matrix common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 213 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

2005 Toyota Matrix safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2005 Toyota Matrix 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2005 Toyota Matrix MPG & running costs

Combined27 mpg
City24 mpg
Highway31 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,483

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2005 Toyota Matrix worth?

Low
$2,200
Typical price
$3,750
High
$5,700

From 46 comparable 2005 Toyota Matrix listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2005 Toyota Matrix costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,415
Fuel only$12,415
Per mile$0.17

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2005 Toyota Matrix trims & engines on record

Trims
Base · XR · XRS
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl

2005 Toyota Matrix vehicles on record

2005 Toyota Matrix 2005 Toyota Matrix XR2T1KR32E95C445407 2005 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E85C453241 2005 Toyota Matrix 2005 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E45C451289 2005 Toyota Matrix 2005 Toyota Matrix XR2T1LR30EX5C508022 2005 Toyota Matrix 2005 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E65C360492 2005 Toyota Matrix 2005 Toyota Matrix XR2T1KR32E15C390998 2005 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E25C341860 2005 Toyota Matrix 2005 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E75C325122 2005 Toyota Matrix 2005 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E65C489445 2005 Toyota Matrix XR2T1KR32EX5C391180 2005 Toyota Matrix 2005 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E05C342280 2005 Toyota Matrix 2005 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E25C457737 2005 Toyota Matrix 2005 Toyota Matrix XR2T1LR32E25C377097 2005 Toyota Matrix 2005 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E05C477520 2005 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E65C367099 2005 Toyota Matrix 2005 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E05C389079 2005 Toyota Matrix 2005 Toyota Matrix Base2T1LR32EX5C328097 2005 Toyota Matrix XRS2T1KY32E95C427119 2005 Toyota Matrix 2005 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E85C345511 2005 Toyota Matrix 2005 Toyota Matrix XRS2T1KY32E05C472448 2005 Toyota Matrix 2005 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E65C491289 2005 Toyota Matrix 2005 Toyota Matrix XR2T1KR32E65C350142 2005 Toyota Matrix 2005 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E35C469072 2005 Toyota Matrix Base2T1KR32E15C552452

Other Toyota Matrix model years

2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2004 2003

2005 Toyota Matrix — frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Toyota Matrix have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2005 Toyota Matrix. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Toyota Matrix?

Based on 213 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, engine, electrical system.

What is the 2005 Toyota Matrix safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2005 Toyota Matrix crash-test ratings of frontal 5★, side 3★, rollover 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2005 Toyota Matrix get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2005 Toyota Matrix at about 27 mpg combined (24 city / 31 highway).

How much is a 2005 Toyota Matrix worth?

Comparable 2005 Toyota Matrix listings run roughly $2,200–$5,700, typically around $3,750 (from 46 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.