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.

1.5

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
109,536 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2005 Toyota Matrix Owner Comments

problem #9

Oct 172016

Matrix 4-cyl

  • 94,000 miles

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

Only 94,000 miles, fully dealer maintained, 5 speed manual transmission. Traveling at expressway speeds and loud screeching/banging from transmission. Was able to drive 6 more miles to dealership, but moved to right lane and went slower. Still was able to shift, lower gears weren't engaging properly and car started dying on the road. Dealer diagnosis for $100 is that it needs an entire new 5 spd trans and clutch assembly, although clutch seems fine.I've driven manual trans for over 40 yrs. This car never even had a clutch repair. Research on the web indicates that this is a known point of failure that Toyota has chosen not to fix and the potential danger of having this transmission blowing out at high speed could have caused a major crash on the highway had I not been skilled at getting the car into a safe area.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #8

Apr 222016

Matrix

  • 100,000 miles
Reporting suspicious car behavior, in response to recent concern for car hacking and cyber attacks on cars.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

problem #7

Aug 312014

Matrix

  • 173,000 miles
Car moves forward smoothly but doesn't move in reverse gear.

- Lynnwood, WA, USA

problem #6

Dec 122013

Matrix

  • 145,000 miles

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

I was driving to work one morning and I heard a loud grinding and whining sound coming from what sounded like the engine. I came to a red light and got out to see if I could see anything out of the ordinary but saw nothing. I then got back in and put it in gear to go and nothing I would let out the clutch and it wouldn't move. I tried to put it in reverse to move it out of the street and when I would let off the clutch it would pop out of gear it wouldn't stay in reverse. I had to get it towed and found out that it was my transmission. I did some research and found many people with the same problem. Evidently Toyota made a bad design with the 5 speed transmission and one of the bearings dose not get lubricated and burns out falling apart and ruining the entire transmission. Toyota claims that they know nothing about this and will not fix this.

- St Johns , FL, USA

problem #5

Oct 102011

Matrix 4-cyl

  • 99,823 miles
The differential and both rear wheel bearing failed at 99,823, the axial boots failed earlier at 92,55 miles. Total cost was $4,240. Car was driven into repair shop making loud noises.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

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problem #4

Oct 132011

Matrix 4-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
I went to the dealer a month ago reporting a loud noise coming from the engine area when in gear. Toyota dealer claimed nothing was wrong. Yesterday transmission gave up.

- San Marcos, CA, USA

problem #3

Mar 252010

Matrix

  • 94,000 miles

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

After reaching 94,000 miles mark like what some other Toyota Matrix owners experienced, there was a harsh in the transmission when you shift to reverse and the check engine light is on.

- Burbank, CA, USA

problem #2

Jun 172010

Matrix

  • 118,000 miles
Transmission went out in 2005 Toyota Matrix.

- Overland Park, KS, USA

problem #1

Nov 072008

Matrix

  • 82,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Matrix. While driving approximately 65 mph on normal road conditions, pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal followed by harsh shifting and excessive vibration. The check engine warning indicator illuminated intermittently on the instrument panel. The vehicle has not been repaired. The contact is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The failure and current mileages were 82,000.

- Rocky River, OH, USA

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