2003 Toyota Matrix Complaint Log

IT SEEMS TO BE NEARLY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OVER THE 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS USED IN THE MATRIX< COROLLA< VIBE AND A FEW OTHER MODELS AS THE LAY SHAFT BEARINGS FAIL AFTER SO MANY MILES! IS THERE A RECALL OR RECOURSE TO GET FACTORY ASSISTANCE FOR THIS ISSUE! SI THERE ANY FINANCAIL HELP FOR THIS PROBLEM OUT THERE? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V312000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V013000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 14V312000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V312000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME TO RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE.THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V043000 (AIR BAGS). AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE GIVEN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

I WAS EXITING ON A RAMP FROM THE HIGHWAY. I STOPPED THE CAR BEFORE COMING OFF THE RAMP ON AN INCLINE WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED UP WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE SHIFTER IN NEUTRAL AND IT RETURNED TO NORMAL RPMS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THREE WEEKS. *TR

I HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL DIFFERENT RECALL NOTICES FROM TOYOTA REGARDING THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE ALSO HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASING IT. IT IS CURRENTLY NOT RUNNING AT ALL AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER I PAID THE VEHICLE OFF, THINGS LIKE DOOR HANDLES AND INTERIOR FIXTURES BEGAN BREAKING OFF. I WORK FULL TIME AND HAVE A VERY STRICT BUDGET WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW ME TO TAKE TIME OFF OF WORK TO HAVE TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH EVERY RECALL NOTICE I HAVE RECEIVED. I JUST WANT MY MONEY BACK. I PAID MORE THAN THREE TIMES THE VEHICLE BLUE BOOK VALUE BUT I BELIEVE IT IS STILL POSSIBLY WORTH $3500.00. YOUR HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED IN TRYING TO FACILITATE A DEAL WITH TOYOTA WHEREIN THEY PAY ME THE $3500 AND TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK. I WOULD BE SATISFIED WITH THAT AND WILL NOT CONTACT AN ATTORNEY UNTIL I GET A RESPONSE REGARDING THIS REQUEST. THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND GOD BLESS. *TR

MY SON WAS SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING METAL SOUND; HE TOOK THE CAR OUT OF GEAR, COASTED OUT OF HARMS WAY AND THEN GOT THE CAR TOWED. MY SON SAID THAT IT WAS DANGEROUS AND UNEXPECTED. WE HAD JUST HAD OUR MECHANIC CHANGE THE OIL AND TEST DRIVE THE CAR LAST WEEK AFTER PUTTING ON NEW TIRES. THE CAR WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING A NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS IS THE 2ND TRANSMISSION THAT HAS BEEN REPLACED AS DEFECTIVE ON THIS CAR. AM A SINGLE MOM WITH MULTIPLE JOBS AND CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR A BILLION DOLLAR COMPANY'S' MISTAKES..(WHEN PROVIDING A SERVICE OR PRODUCT TO THE PUBLIC THAT COSTS MONEY, IF I MAKE A MISTAKE I ADMIT IT, CORRECT IT, AM SORRY AND MAKE IT RIGHT AT MY EXPENSE). *TR

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, RECEIVED (AIRBAG) RECALL NOTICE AS WELL FROM TOYOTA AND MADE APPOINTMENT FOR AIRBAG RECALL FIX. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SAID THEY FIXED RECALL, BUT AIRBAG LIGHT CAME BACK ON SHORTLY AFTER RECALL FIX. TOOK TO DEALER SECOND TIME, DEALER SAID THERE WAS A SHORT TO DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT SQUIB? SQUIB WORKS WITH AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND SEAT BELT TENSIONER DEPLOYMENT. DEALER WANTED TO REPLACE UNIT AT MY EXPENSE BUT I ARGUED THAT THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL SINCE IT IS PART OF A FAULTY AIR BAG ISSUE. TODAY I FOUND AN ARTICLE ON A CONSUMER RECALL SITE THAT STATES THAT TOYOTA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED FAULTY CIRCUITS ON 2003 -04 COROLLA AND MATRIX THAT ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO SHORING IN AIRBAG / TENSIONER WIRING HARNESS. THE RESULTING HEAT COULD DAMAGE THE COMPONENTS AND CAUSE THE AIRBAGS AND OR SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS TO MALFUNCTION, INCREASING RISK OF INJURY. THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS ARE WHAT IS CAUSING OUR AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ACCORDING TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSTICS. IN THE PAST I HAVE GOTTEN THE RUN AROUND BY TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS ON THIS MATTER AS WELL AS OUR CAR WILL NOT PASS UPCOMING STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. I AM GREATLY CONCERNED FOR MY FAMILIES SAFETY CONCERNING POSSIBLE FAULTY DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS OR SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS NOT WORKING IN AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND HOLD TOYOTA ACCOUNTABLE TO FIX THIS VERY EXTREMELY IMPORTANT AIRBAG / TENSIONER SAFETY ISSUE. THANK YOU *TR

I WENT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER TO HAVE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CHECK AND FOUND OUT THE I NEED TO REPLACE MY CATALYST CONVERTER AND ECU REPLACE. DEALER SAYS THAT I NEED TO PAY $3000 PLUS TAX. THE REASON WHY I NEED TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE BECAUSE THEY HAVE A NEW MODULE. I OWN MY CAR SINCE 2003. THIS IS TOYOTA'S FAULT, I SHOULD BE INFORM WHEN A NEW MODULE COMES OUT IN THE MARKET AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZZARD. IF I DON'T GET IT FIX, MY CAR WILL NOT START AND I AM NOT ABLE TO RENEW MY TAB BECAUSE OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS. *TR

I WENT TO CHANGE LANES TO THE LEFT, AND BEFORE I COULD SPOTTED A CAR THAT HAD BEEN IN MY BLIND SPOT. I VEERED BACK TO THE RIGHT TO STAY IN MY LANE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT FELT LIKE SOMETHING IN THE STEERING WHEEL CLICKED AND THE CAR SUDDENLY JERKED BACK TO THE LEFT, THE BACK TO THE RIGHT, AND LEFT AGAIN, SWERVING OUT OF MY CONTROL. I TRIED TO COLD ON TO THE WHEEL AND STEADY IT STRAIGHT BUT IT JERKED LEFT HARDER AND SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, FLYING STRAIGHT INTO THE HIGHWAY BARRIER. THE CAR CRASHED INTO THE BARRIER ON THE FRONT BUMPER, BOUNCED OFF SLIGHTLY AND I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE CAR THE REST OF THE WAY OFF THE ROAD. UP UNTIL I CRASHED INTO THE BARRIER I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING AT ALL. *TR

ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKING, HARD TO PRESS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DECELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,700.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED, WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE AIR BAG SPIRAL CABLE. THE AIR BAG SPIRAL CABLE WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALER WHERE A SECOND DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,163 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,311. UPDATED 01/09/13*LJ UPDATED 1/22/2013 *JS STATUS UPDATE. 01/24/13 UPDATED 01/30/13*LJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT EXPLODED AND FRACTURED INTO PIECES. THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED AND COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF. IN ADDITION, THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD OPEN INDEPENDENTLY AND COULD NOT BE OPERATED MANUALLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE INSIDE CYLINDER OF THE SEAT BELT CONTROL BEING DEFECTIVE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,514. UPDATED 09/11/12*LJ UPDATED 09/13/2012 *JS

THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE CARPORT. I PUT MY KEYS AND POWERED ON. THE AIR BAGS EXPLODED FOR NO REASON, BREAKING THE WINDSHIELD AND DASH. THERE WAS NOT ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT WITH THE CAR BEFORE OR DURING THIS INCIDENT. *TR

PRIOR TO INCIDENT, VEHICLE RAN AND SHIFTED FINE. VEHICLE WAS NEVER USED FOR TOWING OR OTHER EXTREME USE. TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS CHANGED AT THESE MILEAGES: 31,669; 61,023; 92,012; AND 105,330. VEHICLE WAS OTHERWISE WELL-MAINTAINED, AND DRIVEN WITH CARE BY EXPERIENCED USERS OF MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. THE FIRST THREE TRANNY FLUID CHANGES DONE AT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. ON JAN. 1, 2012, TOYOTA MATRIX (2003) , W/MANUAL 5-SPEED TRANSMISSION HAD SUDDEN, SEVERE FAILURE ON TOLLWAY. ROADWAY WAS CLEAR. VEHICLE DID NOT HIT ANYTHING IN THE ROAD TO PRECIPITATE THIS. VEHICLE WAS JUST STARTING TO DECELERATE FOR TOLL BOOTH WHEN SUDDEN, HARSH, GRINDING, METAL-ON-METAL SOUND BEGAN. CAR WAS THEN UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR, AND SHIFTED INTO SECOND WITH DIFFICULTY. VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD IMMEDIATELY AND TOWED AWAY. AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST REMOVED & DISASSEMBLED TRANNY. DIAGNOSIS IS: EVERYTHING IN 5TH GEAR IS BROKEN. FIFTH GEAR LITERALLY BROKE. PINION SHAFT & EVERYTHING HOUSING RING GEAR IS ALSO BROKEN. APPARENTLY 1ST THROUGH 4TH GEARS LOOK OK. TRANSMISSION RE-BUILD IS ADVISED, USING TOYOTA FACTORY PARTS. ESTIMATED COST $3,100. IN ADDITION, I HAD VEHICLE TOWED 45 MILES FROM RURAL SITE OF FAILURE ($160). AND I HAD TO RENT A CAR TO GET HOME FROM FAILURE SITE ($225+). I STILL MUST RETURN TO FORT WAYNE, IN TO PICK UP REPAIRED VEHICLE WHEN READY. I HAVE NOW READ OF WIDESPREAD TRANNY FAILURES IN MATRIXES. TOYOTA DEALERS AND TOLL-FREE NUMBER PERSONNEL ADMIT NO KNOWLEDGE OF SUCH ISSUES. BUT, EVERY INDEPENDENT SOURCE I'VE CONSULTED ACKNOWLEDGES THESE DRIVETRAIN ISSUES. SINCE THESE FAILURES ARE SO COMMON, TOYOTA SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. A RECALL, OR AT LEAST TOYOTA ADMITTING AND TAKING FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS IS IN ORDER. I LOVED MY 1989 CAMRY, BUT NO LONGER HAVE ANY TRUST IN TOYOTA. NHTSA, PLEASE HELP US. THANK YOU. *TR

EXCESSIVE TRANSMISSION NOISE IN TRANNY AND NOISE STOP WHEN CLUTCH IS PUSH IN. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR SEIZED UP AND LOCKED - DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. LUCKILY WE HAD TAKEN SIDE STREETS AND NOT THE FREEWAY, WHERE WE WOULD HAVE SURELY BEEN REAR ENDED. MY 8-YEAR-OLD WAS IN THE BACKSEAT. MECHANIC IS SAYING A GEAR BLEW OUT AND TORE THROUGH, MELTING PART OF THE TRANSMISSION CORE. WE ALREADY REPLACED CLUTCH AT 80,000. CAR IS NOT SALVAGEABLE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. WE SAT (UNABLE TO PUSH THE CAR, IT WAS LOCKED UP - 6 PEOPLE TRIED) IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET, A FEW FEET FROM THE INTERSECTION - NEARLY HIT SEVERAL TIMES, WITH FLASHERS ON UNTIL TOW TRUCK COULD COME. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST REPORT OF THIS - IT NEEDS TO BE MADE PUBLIC SO PEOPLE CAN GET THEIR TRANSMISSION LOOKED AT AND FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY. THIS SEEMS LIKE IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL CAR. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A MANUFACTURE RECALL ISSUE. THE TRANSMISSION COULD HAVE LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. LOOKS LIKE IT WILL COST BETWEEN $2000 AND $3000 TO REPAIR. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. *TR

5-SPEED MANUAL: FOR THE LAST 10K MILES, ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAS BEEN MAKING AN UNUSUAL NOISE WHEN GAS IS APPLIED OR WHEN DOWNSHIFTING. AT 120K MILES, PROBLEM BECAME MUCH WORSE AND WHEN APPLYING GAS, SOMETIMES A LOUD WHIRRING NOISE, LIKE A SPINNING SAWBLADE, COMES AND GOES. MECHANIC DRAINED TRANSMISSION AND FOUND METAL PARTICLES. $2200 FOR REBUILT TRANSMISSION. *TR

TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON INTERSTATE 15 I CHANGED LANES FROM THE RIGHT HAND LANE INTO THE RIGHT HAND MERGE/EXIT LANE TO FRIAR RD EXIT. I WAS ON MY WAY TO CHURCH ABOVE MISSION VALLEY. I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES PER HOUR, AS I WAS CHANGING LANES THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY NO LONGER CONTROLLED THE WHEELS. I MOVED THE STEERING WHEEL ONLY ENOUGH FOR A LANE CHANGE BUT THE STEERING LOST ALL CONNECTION WITH WHEELS. THE FRONT WHEELS APPEARED TO HAVE LOST CONNECTION WITH THE STEERING, THE CAR LURCHED FIRST LEFT THEN RIGHT, I PUT MY FOOT ON THE CLUTCH TO TRY TO GET IT TO SLOW DOWN. I DIDN'T HIT THE BRAKES WHILE CAR WAS IN UNCONTROLLED MOVEMENT. THEN THE CAR DID AT LEAST ONE COMPLETE 360 SPIN, CAME OUT OF THE SPIN FACING THE CURB AT THE SHOULDER, BOUNCED OVER THE CURB. APPARENTLY IT MAY HAVE GONE AIR BORNE AND SHEARED OFF A SMALL TREE. WENT DOWN THE EMBANKMENT ON ITS WHEELS AND ENDED UP AT THE BOTTOM STILL ON ITS WHEELS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND FOUR TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GROUND WAS DRY AND THERE WERE NO ROAD HAZARDS. THE CONTACT MERGED ONTO THE SHOULDER FOR ABOUT TWENTY MINUTES AND THEN DROVE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A CLAIM WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. UPDATED 09/27/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE VERY LIGHTLY AND THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL. IT APPEARED EITHER THE BRAKE LOCKED OR THE ACCELERATOR LOCKED. UPDATED 09/30/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE ENGINE REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN ONE YEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER WERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

AT THIS MILEAGE, MY CAR STARTED MAKING A LOUD GRINDING NOISE IN THE TRANSMISSION. IT TURNS OUT THE MAIN BEARING IS SHOT. THIS DESPITE ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE BEING METICULOUSLY PERFORMED, FULL TRANSMISSION FLUID, AND THE CLUTCH STILL BEING FINE. THERE IS NO WAY THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD HAVE FAILED AT THIS MILEAGE, AND GETTING A REPLACEMENT IS VERY DIFFICULT AND EXPENSIVE BECAUSE WORKING ONES ARE SO RARE! APPARENTLY THERE IS A VERY HIGH FAILURE RATE ON THE 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS DUE TO THEM BEING UNDER-ENGINEERED. I WANT TOYOTA TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *TR

MY SON WAS DRIVING OUR 2003 TOYOTA MATIX, ACCELERATING UP TO SPEED AFTER PULLING ONTO THE INTERSTATE ON-RAMP WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD CLICKING SOUND. THERE WAS NO ENGINE WARNING LIGHT OR SMOKING FROM THE ENGINE OR EXHAUST SYSTEM. HE REDUCED SPEED, PULLED OVER AND EXITED AT THE NEXT EXIT. ALTHOUGH THE CAR HAD LOST SIGNIFICANT POWER, HE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP, LOCATED NEARBY. THE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH HAD FAILED AND THE OIL HAD LEAKED OUT. THERE WAS NO LEVEL ON THE DIPSTICK. AFTER REPLACING THE SWITCH, ADDING OIL, THE ENGINE STILL HAS A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND, IS LOW ON POWER AND WILL NOT IDLE. IT IS NOT BURNING OIL. DIAGNOSIS IS INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE AND THAT ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED. THE CAR HAS 129,000 MILES ON IT, HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED AT THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS ONE MONTH AND 1500 MILES SHORT OF ITS NEXT OIL CHANGE. DEALER VERBAL ESTIMATE IS $5000 FOR REPLACEMENT ENGINE, FROM A BREAKER'S YARD. INDEPENDENT ESTIMATE IS $3000 - 4000. BASICALLY, THE CAR IS AN ECONOMIC WRITE-OFF. *TR

MY TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN RACING OFF AND ON FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. THE CAR JUST DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT. I WENT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN OUT OF MY STREET AND MY CAR JUST STOPPED MOVING. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL. IT TURNS OUT MY TRANSMISSION DIED AND I HAD TO SPEND SEVERAL THOUSANDS DOLLARS TO HAVE IT REPLACED. AFTER 8 MONTHS MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON AND EVERYTHING I TRY DOESN'T WORK. I'VE REPLACED OXYGEN SENSORS, SPEED CENSORS, ETC. I'VE PUT MORE MONEY INTO THIS CAR IN THE LAST YEAR THAN I SHOULD HAVE. I SEE THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, TOO. I CAN'T IMAGINE WHEY THIS HASN'T BEEN ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA YET. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIGHT REAR DOOR GLASS SEPARATED FROM THE WINDOW REGULATOR. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE RECALL NUMBER: 08V162000 (VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR) ONLY PERTAINED TO THE FRONT WINDOW. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 134,868 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 134,800.

FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE SHATTERED ON OPENING, DOOR WAS UNLOCKED, THIS WAS THE SECOND ONE ON THIS CAR TO SHATTER, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE BROKE IN THE SAME WAY ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO. DOORS ARE UNABLE TO OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE, BESIDES NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN DOORS NORMALLY, THIS OCCURRENCE COULD HAMPER RESCUE MEASURES IF DOOR/HANDLE BREAKS WHEN RESCUERS ARE TRYING TO GET VICTIMS OF AN ACCIDENT OUT OF THE VEHICLE IN AN ACCIDENT PRIOR TO THE PROPER RESCUE EQUIPMENT ARRIVING ON SCENE. MILEAGE CURRENT FAILURE - 110,100 PREVIOUS MILEAGE FAILURE - @90,000. *TR

2003 MATRIX ENGINE QUIT WORKING WHILE DRIVING. TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP AND THEY STATED THE ENGINE HAS CEASED UP. PUZZLED BECAUSE CLEAN OIL, TAKEN EXTREME CARE OF, REGULAR OIL CHANGES. FRUSTRATING. *TR

MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES, MAINTAINED REGULARLY AT THE DEALER. NOTICED A NOISE AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. A FEW THOUSAND MILES LATER, THERE WAS A HIGH PITCHED WHINE OUT OF FIFTH GEAR. UPON STOPPING AND RESTARTING, PRETTY MUCH ALL THE FORWARD GEARS WERE GRINDING, POPPING, SQUEALING. REPAIR AT THE DEALER WAS QUOTED $2500 FOR A USED TRANSMISSION AND $3200 FOR A NEW! ABOUT HALF THE VALUE OF THE CAR. *TR

I HAVE REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER ON MY 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX TWICE ALREADY AND IT'S BAD AGAIN. THE BRAKES SLIP WHEN I TRY TO STOP SHORT AND IT'S VERY DANGEROUS. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

I MET WITH AN ACCIDENT ON 8/23/2010 AT 4 45 PPM APPROXIMATELY IN PLEASOANTON CALIFORNIA. THERE WAS A COLLISION BETWEEN TWO CARS AND THERE WAS HEAVY DAMAGE TO FRONT OF MY CAR. I OWNED A MATRIX TOYOTA 2003 MODEL. CAR LICENSE PLATE..[XXX] VIN NUMBER--[XXX] THE AIR BAG DINT OPEN OR RELEASE. MY CAR WAS TOTALED OFAS THERE WAS HEAVY DAMAGE. I COLLIDED AGAINST A MERCEDES .THE OTHER CAR AIRBAGS OPENED BUT NOT MINE. I HAVE FILED A INSURANCE CLAIM WITH FARMERS INSURANCE . THE CLAIM NUMBER-[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

WHILE I WAS SITTING AT A DRIVE THRU WINDOW AT MCDONALD'S THE TELLER WAS REACHING ME MY ORDER AND ALL OF A SUDDEN SHE AND I HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND SHE SAID WHAT WAS THAT, I SAID I DON'T KNOW SHE SAID IT CAME FROM YOUR CAR SHE SAID MADAM IT CAME FROM INSIDE YOUR CAR, YOUR CAR IS SMOKING SO I TURNED MY HEAD AND NOTICED THE SEAT BELT OVER MY SHOULDER WAS SMOKING AND AS I TURNED MY HEAD AROUND THE SEAT BELT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR POPPED OPEN AND IT STARTED SMOKING SO I SAID WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THIS CAR, AND WHEN I TURNED MY HEAD FORWARD THE AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE POPPED OUT SO I SAID I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THIS CAR BUT I NEED TO GET OUT OF IT. I NOTICED THAT THERE WERE CARS BEHIND ME IN THE DRIVE-THRU SO I PULLED THE CAR OUT FROM UNDER THE WINDOW TO THE MIDDLE OF THE PARKING LOT SO THAT THE CARS BEHIND ME WOULD BE ABLE TO GET OUT AND AS I TURNED THE WHEEL THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG POPPED OUT IN FROM OF ME AND HIT ME IN THE CHEST AND BRUISED MY LEFT ARM THEN THE CAR STARTED FILLING UP WITH SMOKE SO I DIDN'T KNOW IF THE CAR WAS CATCHING ON FIRE OR WHAT I JUST KNEW THAT I NEEDED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PARKING LOT GRABBED MY PURSE AND JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR. ALL THE CUSTOMERS AND WORKERS AT MCDONALD'S RAN OUT WHEN THE CAR STARTED SMOKING AND NO ONE COULD BELIEVE WHAT WAS HAPPENING BECAUSE ALL THESE THINGS POPPED OUT AND THERE WAS NO OTHER CAR THERE THE MANAGER AT MCDONALD'S CAME TO ME AND SAID HE WAS CALLING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SINCE THE CAR WAS SMOKING AND WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT. THE FIRE DEPT. CAME AND SAID MADAM WHAT HAPPENED I TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED AND THEY ASKED IF I HAD HIT ANYTHING AND I TOLD THEM NO I WAS JUST SITTING AT THE DRIVE-THRU WHEN ALL OF THESE THINGS JUST STARTED POPPING OUT OF MY CAR. THE WINDSHIELD ALSO SHATTERED WHEN THE AIRBAG HIT IT. THE FIREMEN TOLD ME TO STAND IN FRONT OF MCDONALD'S AND THEY OPENED THE HOOD TO CHECK FOR FIRE AND DISABLED TO BATTERY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS AT A RED LIGHT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. IT WAS RESTARTED AND THEN DRIVEN ABOUT EIGHT MILES AND IT STALLED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE ECM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 101,000.

ABS, BRAKE, & SERVICE ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON. TOOK IT TO MIDAS, THEY REPLACED SPEED SENSORS. WHEN I GOT CAR BACK IT SHIFTED GEARS (AUTOMATIC) FUNNY & HESITATED SIGNIFICANTLY SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD. IMMEDIATELY RETURNED CAR TO MIDAS. THEY RE-DIAGNOSED & SUGGESTED I TAKE IT TO TOYOTA DEALER (JOHN ELWAY'S CROWN TOYOTA). THEY SAID IT WAS SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER & REPLACED IT WHICH DID NOT RESOLVE MY PROBLEM SO DECLINED TO PAY & ASKED THEM TO PUT BACK MY OLD SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER. THEY DIDN'T & DIDN'T CHARGE ME FOR THE NEW ONE. HAD CAR TOWED BACK TO MIDAS. THEY DISCONNECTED SPEED SENSORS & TOLD ME IT WAS DRIVABLE. GOT ON FREEWAY NEXT DAY & CAR WOULDN'T SHIFT FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR, ENGINE REVVED TO 6000 RPMS, GOT OFF FREEWAY & CALLED MIDAS CORPORATE TO COMPLAIN. THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE FRANCHISE OWNER CALL ME. HE CALLED BUT DID NOT IDENTIFY HIMSELF AS THE PERSON I ORIGINATED DEALT WITH AT MIDAS SHOP, I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I CALLED THE NUMBER THEY CALLED FROM & IT WAS THE MIDAS SHOP. WENT TO MIDAS, TODAY (8/27/10), THEY ASKED ME TO BRING CAR IN TOMORROW & THEY WOULD PUT BACK OLD SPEED SENSORS & SEE WHAT HAPPENS. THEY THINK IT'S THE CAR'S COMPUTER BUT IN THE MEANTIME I'M OUT A THOUSAND DOLLARS. *TR

I RECENTLY NOTICED A STRANGE EXTRA NOISE IN MY TRANSMISSION, NOISE IS A LOW PURRING SOUND AND AT LOWER SPEEDS IN LOWER GEARS. *TR

MORNING OF JUNE 22ND, WHEN I DROVE BACK FROM CHARLOTTE, NC AIRPORT TO UNIVERSITY AREA, ON HIGHWAY I-85, MY TOYOTA MATRIX 2003 STOP ACCELERATION-QUICKLY DROP THE SPEED FROM 70MPH TO 40MPH AND STILL DROPPING. DOESN'T MATTER HOW HARD I APPLY THE GAS PEDAL, IT WON'T ACCELERATE. I STOPPED THE CAR IN AN OPEN AREA CLOSE TO AN EXIT AND STOPPED THE ENGINE--POWER WAS ON AND RADIO WAS WORKING. I STOPPED THE ENGINE AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES. I THEN TURNED THE ENGINE BACK ON, TRIED IT AGAIN. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO HOME. GOD, I WAS LUCKY. *TR

2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. CONSUMER STATES BURNED OUT CATALYTIC CONVERTER *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED TO LET HER KNOW THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND THERE WAS ALSO A SULFUR SMELL AT TIMES. *JB UPDATED 10/08/10

2003 TOYOTA MATRIX XR MANUAL TRANSMISSION - 70,000. THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. SUBTLE ENGINE KNOCKING, MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN LIFT FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR. SUDDEN ONSET WHILE EXITING FREEWAY- RPMS HOVERED WHEN SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, DIFFICULT TO PUT IN 1ST ON START, THEN HORRIBLE NOISE WHEN STARTED MOVING FORWARD THEN COMPLETELY SEIZED IN PLACE. WHOLE PROCESS IN LESS THAN 60 MILES. ASSESSED AT PRIVATE SHOP AND THEN DEALERSHIP WHICH QUOTED OVER $4,000. CORPORATE/REGIONAL DISTRICT OFFICE OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE, COMPENSATION, OR ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF ISSUE. THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED IN NUMEROUS CASES IN THE 5-SPEED MATRIX AND PONTIAC VIBE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED A BOLT DETACHED FROM THE ANCHOR INSIDE OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT. THE ENTIRE SEAT BELT WAS ATTACHED WITH A WIRE AND COULD BE EASILY REMOVED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A SERVICE REPAIR. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000.

I HAVE A TOYOTA MATRIX 2003. ON FEBRUARY 19, 2010 I WAS DRIVING NORTH ON HIGHWAY 101 IN CALIFORNIA. I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH MY DISTANCE FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAS ABOUT 1/2 A BLOCK. SUDDENLY THE TRAFFIC SLOWED DOWN AND I IMMEDIATELY STARTED SLOWING DOWN, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP AND IT FELT LIKE IT WAS ACCELERATING INSTEAD. I CRASH INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WITH SEVERAL DAMAGES TO MY CAR, TOTAL LOSS OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND WITH BODY INJURIES TO MYSELF. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED ON A TOYOTA MATRIX IN 2006 I HAD ANOTHER ACCIDENT THAT PUT ME OUT OF WORK AND WITH PERMANENT DISABILITY PROBLEMS. BOTH INCIDENTS DUE TO SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES. I WILL LIKE TO DO FARTHER INVESTIGATION ON THIS ISSUE. *TR

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY OUR (03 TOYOTA MATRIX, MANUAL TRANS), (NORTH BOUND I-45 CONROE, TEXAS) THE CAR ABRUPTLY STARTED A THUMPING SLAPPING SOUND. FROM THE FROUNT END. ASAP! PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, STOPPED AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. MY HUSBAND ARRIVED, TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. HE HAD ME TURN THE CAR ON WITHOUT STARTING AND PUSHED THE VEHICLE. THE THUMPING, SLAPPING SOUND IS COMING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE. TO BE CONTINUED. *CN

MY 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX XR SOMETIMES ACCELERATES UNCONTROLLABLY. USUALLY WHEN I AM CRUISING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WHEN I LET OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR'S THROTTLE STILL FEELS LIKE IT'S IN THE OPEN POSITION, CAUSING THE CAR TO SPEED UP INSTEAD OF SLOWING DOWN. IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS TURNED ON AND THE CAR IS TRYING TO MAINTAIN SPEED. MY CRUISE CONTROL WAS TURNED OFF DURING EACH OF THESE INCIDENTS, AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THEY WERE TURNED ON AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENTS. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS ONCE EVERY FEW MONTHS AND I USUALLY DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO THEM. THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN EVENTUALLY THE THROTTLE WILL CLOSE AND THE CAR WILL SLOW DOWN AND THEN I WILL APPLY THE BRAKES GENTLY. I HAVE INFORMED MY TOYOTA DEALER OF THIS BUT THEY USUALLY JUST BRUSH THE COMPLAINT OFF AND SAY THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS. I PERSONALLY THINK IT'S AN ELECTRONICS ISSUE WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM OVERRIDE THE MANUAL SYSTEM WITHOUT THE INPUT OF THE DRIVER. *TR

A RATTLING NOISE STARTED UNDER THE CAR. IT WOULD DISAPPEAR WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS PUSHED DOWN. OVER A 2 DAY PERIOD, THE NOISE BECAME VERY LOUD AND BECAME MORE LIKE A CLACKING NOISE, BUT NOT CONSTANT. WE TOOK THE CAR TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST. THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT AND WE'VE ORDERED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I TOLD THE TECHNICIAN THERE WERE LOTS OF REPORTS ABOUT THE '03 AND '04 TRANSMISSIONS. WHEN THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN SPOKE TO TOYOTA ABOUT ANY FREQUENCY OF THIS HAPPENING WITH THE '03 MATRIX, TOYOTA SAID THEY HADN'T HAD ANY REPORTS ON IT. (I UNDERSTAND THEY FIXED PROBLEMS BY '05) THIS IS THE 3RD TOYOTA WE HAVE HAD. NEVER HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I HOPE THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION DOES NOT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ONE EVENING, AN ODD CLICKING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT END OF OUR 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX (MANUAL TRANSMISSION WITH 88,000 MILES). THE SOUND WAS LOUDER WITH ACCELERATION. AFTER GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY, THE SOUND WAS NOTED TO BE LOUDER IN HIGHER GEARS, AND ABSENT WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS PRESSED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE AT OUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER THE NEXT MORNING. AFTER PAYING A $95 DIAGNOSTIC FEE, WE WERE TOLD THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT THE ESTIMATED COST OF $3300, WITH NOTHING BEING COVERED BY ANY WARRANTY OR RECALL. WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST FOR A REBUILD. THE BEARINGS, RINGS, AND TWO TRANSFER GEARS WERE REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE CLUTCH, AT A COST OF $2100. IT IS NOTED THAT THE MECHANIC HAD A DELAY IN GETTING THE PARTS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER BACK ORDER, REPORTEDLY FROM A HIGH DEMAND DUE TO MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL CAR! THIS IS OUR FIRST TOYOTA, WHICH WE BOUGHT DUE TO THEIR GOOD REPUTATION. IT HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED AND SUBJECTED TO ONLY NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. WE HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND ARE SHOCKED THAT THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR WAS NEEDED ON SUCH A YOUNG CAR. TOYOTA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR COVERING THE COST OF WHAT APPEARS TO BE WIDESPREAD TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO DEFECTIVE/INFERIOR PARTS USED ON THIS VEHICLE! *TR

TRANSMISSION WENT BAD BEFORE 100,000 MILES. *TR

I HEARD A SCRAPING AND GRATING NOISE AS I EXITED THE FREEWAY THAT I THOUGHT WAS SOME TRAPPED DEBRIS UNDER THE FRONT END OR IN THE WHEEL WELL. I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION TO INVESTIGATE, FINDING A LOOSE PLASTIC PLATE ( A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE CHEAP PLASTIC SCREWS AND FASTENERS USED) I RIGGED SOMETHING TO HOLD IT UP AND GET HOME. AFTER A FEW MORE BLOCKS THE SOUND INTENSIFIED AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SHUDDER AND SHAKE AND I HEARD A POP. I PULLED OVER, GOT TOWED HOME, AND THE NEXT MORNING HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR ONLY HAS 140,000 MILES ON IT, AND I DO NOT DRIVE IT LIKE SOME CRAZED MANIAC. AN INTERNET CHAT ROOM HAS RECORDED LOTS OF MATRIX OWNERS WITH THE SAME TRANSMISSION ISSUES...I AM GOING TO NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND A NEW CLUTCH. *TR

GETTING READY TO EXIT A SIDE STREET AND CAR WOULDN'T GO. I HEARD A THUMP, CRACKING NOISE AND THEY IT FELT AS IF THE WHEEL WELL HAD SOMETHING STUCK INSIDE. TURNED OUT THAT THE BALL JOINT WAS THE CULPRIT. *TR