19 of the
314 complaints about the 2003 Toyota Matrix are about the
braking system — 6% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
33,000 miles.
I WAS SLOWLY PULLING INTO MY GARAGE (IN THE BASEMENT OF MY HOUSE), GRADUALLY BRAKING AS I HAD DONE MANY TIMES BEFORE. I WAS STOPPING THE VEHICLE IN ITS USUAL POSITION WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY BEGAN RACING AND THE CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD. IT STRUCK SOME SHELVES I HAD AGAINST THE WALL OF THE GARAGE, CRUMPLING BOTH THE SHELVES AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR'S HOOD. EVERYTHING HAPPENED SO FAST AT THAT POINT THAT I AM NOT SURE JUST WHAT HAPPENED, BUT I ENDED UP WITH THE CAR STOPPED UP AGAINST THE GARAGE WALL AND THE CAR IN PARK. I BELIEVE I THREW IT INTO NEUTRAL, THEN APPLIED THE BRAKE SINCE IT WAS STILL MOVING, THEN TRIED TO BACK UP, AND FINALLY PUT IT INTO PARK. THE CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN STOPPING SEVERAL TIMES PREVIOUSLY, BUT NONE OF THOSE INCIDENTS CAUSED ANY DAMAGE. IN EACH OF THOSE SITUATIONS I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, STOP IT WITH THE BRAKE, AND CONTINUE ON MY WAY. IN THIS INSTANCE THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH SPACE AHEAD OF ME TO DO THAT SUCCESSFULLY. I KNOW THAT A NUMBER OF INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF A TOYOTA MATRIX HAVE ALREADY BEEN REPORTED FOR A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT MODEL YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #10745479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 182,000 milesClarksburg, MD
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE STARTED TO ACCELERATE; THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD BUT THE BRAKE WOULDN'T GO ALL THE WAY DOWN AND IT WAS VERY STIFF. SINCE I WAS GOING SLOW I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO STOP BUT THE ENGINE WAS REVVING AS IF I HAD THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. I DECIDED TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL SO IT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE WHILE I WAS AT THE STOP LIGHT (THE WHOLE TIME THE ENGINE IS REVVING TO ITS MAX AND THE BRAKE WAS STIFF; I ALSO USED THE HAND BRAKE. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED RED I PLACED THE CAR IN DRIVE SINCE I HAD TO MOVE AND THE CAR WANTED TO TAKE OFF SO I KEPT MY FOOT PLANTED ON THE BRAKE THIS WAS AT FULL STRENGTH. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO A PARKING LOT AND THEN HOME AN HOUR LATER. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR LOCALLY SO I WAS ABOUT ONE MILE FROM HOME. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A CAR DO THIS IN MY LIFE. I DID CALL TOYOTA ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID IT WASN'T SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND SAID WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM TOYOTA WHICH I THOUGHT WAS EXTREMELY RUDE. I FEEL IF I WAS GOING FASTER SAY ON THE HIGHWAY I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10640815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesChaska, MN
SERVICE BRAKES
PARKING BRAKE DOESN'T HOLD VEHICLE ON SLOPE. MECHANIC HAS FIXED TWICE, BUT PROBLEM RE-OCCURS IN ABOUT TWO YEARS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THIS IS ALSO THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN BRAKE WILL START SLIPPING AGAIN AFTER REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #10466608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesChaska, MN
PARKING BRAKE
PARKING BRAKE DOESN'T HOLD VEHICLE ON SLOPE. MECHANIC HAS FIXED TWICE, BUT PROBLEM RE-OCCURS IN ABOUT TWO YEARS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THIS IS ALSO THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THERE IS NO WARNING WHEN BRAKE WILL START SLIPPING AGAIN AFTER REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #10466608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,000 milesBristow, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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
NHTSA complaint #10424509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesST Louis, MO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
NHTSA complaint #10362422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,208 milesHesperia, CACrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. A REPRESENTATIVE WITH THE MANUFACTURER ALSO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88,208.
NHTSA complaint #10331603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Frisco, COCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED THE CONTACT HAD APPLIED THE BRAKES AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP MOVING CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. NO ONE WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR BODY DAMAGE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10318437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 41,230 milesGlen Rock, PAFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FRONT BRAKE CALIPER / PISTON LOCKED UP UNDER PRESSURE. WITH 5MILES AND UNDER HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT CREATED INTENSE AND IMMEDIATE VIBRATION AND SMOKE. SUDDEN FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10264367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,000 milesRenton, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DRIVING CAR AND IT HAD UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, 2 TIMES. FIRST TIME IT DID NOT STOP WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. SECOND TIME BRAKES WERE HIT AND CAR QUITE ACCELERATING.
NHTSA complaint #10259512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Claymont, DECrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
IN 9/02 I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH ON WET A ROAD, I APPLIED THE BRAKES HARD AND DID NOT STOP BEFORE HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS ADEQUATE STOPPING DISTANCE & I KNOW THAT OUR SATURN WAGON WOULD HAVE STOPPED ON TIME. ON 11/30/06, MY HUSBAND WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON A DRY ROAD HE APPLIED THE BRAKES HARD AND DID NOT STOP BEFORE HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. HE ALSO HAD ADEQUATE STOPPING DISTANCE AND HE STATES THAT OUR PREVIOUS SATURN WAGON OR OUR SUBARU WAGON WOULD HAVE STOPPED IN TIME. I HAVE NEVER HIT A VEHICLE WHILE BRAKING HARD IN A VEHICLE W/ ABS UNTIL THE TOYOTA MATRIX. WE GOT ONE OF THE EARLY MATRIX'S IN 7/2002. NOW THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO BOTH OF US, WE WONDER IF THE ABS WAS FAULTY ON THE EARLY VERSIONS OF THE MATRIX.
NHTSA complaint #10174981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,000 milesHaymarket, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
I OWN A 2003 MATRIX XR000 WITH 53000 MILES. I HAD THE FRONT PADS AND ROTORS TURNED AT 33000 MILES BY TOYOTA. LAST MONTH I FELT THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING WHEN APPLYING MY BRAKES AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40-70 MPH. *AK I WAS TOLD LAST WEEK BY THE LOCAL TOYOTA MECHANIC THAT BOTH MY DRUMS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THEY SAID THAT BLUE SPECS WERE IDENTIFIED INDICATING WEAR ON MY DRUMS. I ASKED WHAT WOULD CAUSE THE DRUMS TO WEAR SO FAST AND THEIR REPLY WAS NORMAL WEAR OR EMERGENCY BRAKE BEING APPLIED BY DRIVER. I ASKED IF ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAS EVER BEEN REPORTED BY OTHER DRIVERS AND THE ANSWER WAS NEVER. THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THE DRUMS BECAUSE IT WAS NOT SOMETHING THEY HAVE SEEN BEFORE. I SPOKE TO THE CORPORATE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE REPRESENTATIVE AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT A DEFECT AND WAS FROM NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR BASED ON THE TOYOTA MECHANIC ANALYSIS. I CALLED ANOTHER BRAKE SPECIALIST AND PROVIDED HIM THE SAME INFORMATION THAT TOYOTA DIAGNOSED AND THEY SAID THAT THEY NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING THAT THE DRUMS NEEDED REPLACED AT 53K MILES IN THE 15 YEARS HE HAS DONE BUSINESS IN BRAKES. THE FAILURE AND CONSEQUENCES BY TOYOTA NOT IDENTIFYING THIS AS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTORY CAUSES ME TO DISH OUT ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO FIX THE DEFECT ENDURED BY THEIR PRODUCT. MY QUESTION TO TOYOTA: THIS IS 1 IN A MILLION ODDS OF HAPPENING, ISN'T IT POSSIBLE THAT THIS INDEED IS A MANUFACTORY DEFECT AND NOT CUSTOMER RELATED? WHY DIDN'T TOYOTA IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM EARLIER AT THE BRAKE INSPECTION SERVICED AT 33K MILES? I ADVISED OTHERS NOT TO PURCHASE A TOYOTA VEHICLE, THE COST PAID FOR TOYOTA VEHICLES AND POOR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION WARRANTS A "F" IN MY BOOK.
NHTSA complaint #10116809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,000 milesHaymarket, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
I OWN A 2003 MATRIX XR000 WITH 53000 MILES. I HAD THE FRONT PADS AND ROTORS TURNED AT 33000 MILES BY TOYOTA. LAST MONTH I FELT THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING WHEN APPLYING MY BRAKES AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 40-70 MPH. *AK I WAS TOLD LAST WEEK BY THE LOCAL TOYOTA MECHANIC THAT BOTH MY DRUMS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THEY SAID THAT BLUE SPECS WERE IDENTIFIED INDICATING WEAR ON MY DRUMS. I ASKED WHAT WOULD CAUSE THE DRUMS TO WEAR SO FAST AND THEIR REPLY WAS NORMAL WEAR OR EMERGENCY BRAKE BEING APPLIED BY DRIVER. I ASKED IF ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAS EVER BEEN REPORTED BY OTHER DRIVERS AND THE ANSWER WAS NEVER. THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THE DRUMS BECAUSE IT WAS NOT SOMETHING THEY HAVE SEEN BEFORE. I SPOKE TO THE CORPORATE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE REPRESENTATIVE AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT A DEFECT AND WAS FROM NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR BASED ON THE TOYOTA MECHANIC ANALYSIS. I CALLED ANOTHER BRAKE SPECIALIST AND PROVIDED HIM THE SAME INFORMATION THAT TOYOTA DIAGNOSED AND THEY SAID THAT THEY NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING THAT THE DRUMS NEEDED REPLACED AT 53K MILES IN THE 15 YEARS HE HAS DONE BUSINESS IN BRAKES. THE FAILURE AND CONSEQUENCES BY TOYOTA NOT IDENTIFYING THIS AS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTORY CAUSES ME TO DISH OUT ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO FIX THE DEFECT ENDURED BY THEIR PRODUCT. MY QUESTION TO TOYOTA: THIS IS 1 IN A MILLION ODDS OF HAPPENING, ISN'T IT POSSIBLE THAT THIS INDEED IS A MANUFACTORY DEFECT AND NOT CUSTOMER RELATED? WHY DIDN'T TOYOTA IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM EARLIER AT THE BRAKE INSPECTION SERVICED AT 33K MILES? I ADVISED OTHERS NOT TO PURCHASE A TOYOTA VEHICLE, THE COST PAID FOR TOYOTA VEHICLES AND POOR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION WARRANTS A "F" IN MY BOOK.
NHTSA complaint #10116809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesTucson, AZ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO HIT THE BRAKES REAL HARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10117518 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mountlake Terrace, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
I HAD A FLAT TIRE AND CHANGED IT BUT WHEN I TOOK OFF THE TIRE THE BRAKE DRUM CAME OFF WITH THE RIM. I PUT ON THE SPARE AND THE NEXT DAY DRIVING TO DISCOUNT TIRES IN LYNNWOOD ON THE FREEWAY I HAD NO BRAKES, THE BRAKE FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MAGIC TOYOTA IN EDMONDS AND THEY SAID IT WAS MY FAULT BECAUSE I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN AND THAT IT " SOMETIMES HAPPENS." I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF IT HAPPENING AND NOT BEING A MECHANIC I HAD NO IDEA, OTHER MECHANICS I HAVE TALKED TO SAY IT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. TOYOTA REFUSED TO COVER BRAKE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10047451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Weldon, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
FRONT BRAKES JERK BACK AND FORTH WHEN APPLIED.
NHTSA complaint #10038531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesGoshen, KY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WENT TO DEALER TWICE;COMPLAINED ABOUT BRAKES PULLING RIGHT; TOLD THEY COULDN'T REPRODUCE PROBLEM AND THE BRAKES WERE JUST "ADJUSTING"; TODAY, FAILURE IN STEERING AND BRAKE PULL ALMOST CAUSED WRECK.
NHTSA complaint #10029232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seabeck, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PROBLEMS WITH PARKING BRAKE. DRIVER COULD DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR MILES WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED WITHOUT A NOTICEABLE DRAG. *MR PH
NHTSA complaint #10022261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seabeck, WA
PARKING BRAKE
THERE WAS NO DRAG WHEN DRIVING WITH THE PARKING BRAKE FULLY APPLIED. THE CONSUMER WAS AFRAID THE PARKING WILL NOT WORK IN AN EMERGENCY. MR SCC
NHTSA complaint #10017160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.