FaultScore

Toyota Matrix engine problems

136 of the 1,422 complaints filed about the Toyota Matrix are about the engine — 10% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2003.

136

Complaints

10%

Share of all complaints

3

Crashes

3

Fires

Engine & Cooling complaints by model year

2003 Matrix 34 25.0%

Median failure at 82,000 miles

2004 Matrix 10 7.4%

Median failure at 87,000 miles

2005 Matrix 24 17.6%

Median failure at 81,372 miles

2006 Matrix 26 19.1%

Median failure at 46,686 miles

2007 Matrix 14 10.3%

Median failure at 60,000 miles

2008 Matrix 4 2.9%

Median failure at 88,500 miles

2009 Matrix 20 14.7%

Median failure at 54,922 miles

2010 Matrix 3 2.2%

Median failure at 9,500 miles

2012 Matrix 1 0.7%

Median failure at 135,000 miles

What owners said

2007 Toyota Matrix at 140,000 miles Elizabeth, IN

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an engine misfire, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

NHTSA complaint #11629298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Toyota Matrix at 155,000 miles Wheat Ridge, CO

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. ALSO, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT OFF AND THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. PERRY MOTORS (310 S MAIN ST, BISHOP, CA 93514, (760) 872-4141) STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER BELIEVED THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE WAS THE SOURCE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

NHTSA complaint #11165224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Toyota Matrix at 97,000 miles Apopka, FL

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON IN ORDER TO DRIVE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES, ESPECIALLY AT RED LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BENNETT TOYOTA (1951 LEHIGH ST, ALLENTOWN, PA 18103), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA complaint #11142863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Toyota Matrix at 170,000 miles Detroit, MI

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL INDEPENDENT MECHANIC IN DETROIT MICHIGAN. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER OR MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.

NHTSA complaint #11020302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Toyota Matrix at 152,000 miles Helendale, CA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS HIGH SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST POWER ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE OVER A PERIOD OF 15-20 MINUTES ON EACH OCCASION. WARRENS AUTO REPAIR IN BISHOP, CALIFORNIA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE, BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.

NHTSA complaint #11011809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Toyota Matrix at 86,000 miles Charlottesville, VA

ENGINE

VEHICLE STALLED SITTING AT A RED LIGHT AND ALSO STALLED MAKING LEFT HAND TURN AT INTERSECTION. SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. VEHICLE WAS ON SMALL HIGHWAY AT THE STOP LIGHT AND CITY STREET THE 2ND INCIDENT. WE JUST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED IN APRIL OF 2017

NHTSA complaint #11006747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Toyota Matrix at 78,000 miles Newnan, GA

ENGINE

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NOTED AT 78,000 MILES, JUST NOT EXCESSIVE ENOUGH TO MEET TSB GUIDELINES. HAD ONE OIL CONSUMPTION PERFORMED SO FAR

NHTSA complaint #10993444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Toyota Matrix at 135,000 miles Coventry, RI

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE NOISES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND SHUT DOWN. THE OIL AND SERVICE ENGINE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND LATER TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE NEXT DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000.

NHTSA complaint #10954579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Toyota Matrix SAN Francisco, CA

ENGINE

MY CAR IS HAVING AN EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION ON WHICH IS A PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA DEALERS ARE FULLY AWARE OF AND ARE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT A CAR WITH ONLY 35,000 MILES ON IT CONSUMED ALL THE OIL OUT BEFORE IT REACHES 4,500 MILES FOR SERVICE REQUIREMENT. GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS FRAUDULENT DEALERS WHOM ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF PEOPLE LIKE ME AND STATING THAT ACCORDING TO TOYOTAS PROTOCOL THERE IS NOT PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IF ITS CONSUMING ALL THE OIL OUT AFTER THE 2 TEST TOYOTA PERFORMS. AND THEY DO NOT WANT CUSTOMERS TO GO WITH A PRIVATE MECHANIC TO PERFORM THE TEST BECAUSE THEY TAKE ALL OF THEIR LIABILITY OFF IF SOMEONE ELSE BESIDE TOYOTA MECHANICS TOUCH THE CAR. IT'S OBVIOUS THEY ARE HIDING SOMETHING AGAIN. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10945105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Toyota Matrix at 90,000 miles Largo, MD

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS, BUT THE DETAILS OF THE DIAGNOSIS COULD NOT BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V384000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #10937618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Toyota Matrix at 145,000 miles Livingston, NJ

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE AND DISENGAGED THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING SENSOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SECOND DEALER. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAL ON THE FUEL CAP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V384000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000.

NHTSA complaint #10928618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Toyota Matrix at 107,000 miles Bethesda, MD

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE SENSOR INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HARD SHIFTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ECM WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

NHTSA complaint #10905985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Toyota Matrix West Allis, WI

ENGINE

MY 2010 TOYOTA MATRIX HAS BEEN HAVING A OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS. I HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM TOYOTA THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. SO FAR I HAVE HAD TWO OIL CONSUMPTION TESTS AND BOTH TIMES THEY SAY ITS UNDER THE RECOMMENDED AMOUNT OF OIL LOSS. BUT WHEN I TAKE MY CAR IN UNDER THE RECOMMENDED TIME FOR A OIL CHANGE I HAVE ALMOST NO OIL LEFT. NOW MY ENGINE HAS A SLIGHT RATTLE WHEN I ACCELERATE. EVERY MORNING WHEN I START MY CAR MY GARAGE FILLS WITH SMOKE THAT COMES FROM MY TAIL PIPE. I SHOWED A VIDEO OF THIS TO A TOYOTA SERVICE ADVISOR AND HE JUST BRUSHED IT OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10899022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Toyota Matrix at 171,580 miles Indianapolis, IN

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING SOUND EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,580.

NHTSA complaint #10861329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Toyota Matrix at 60,000 miles Jeffersonville, PA

ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR STALLS. EVERYTHING TURNS OFF AND I'M DEAD ON THE STREET, TURNPIKE OR HIGHWAY. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN TWICE, BUT TOYOTA HAS NO IDEA WHAT IS HAPPENING. SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT HAPPEN FOR A WHILE, AND THEN IT WILL START STALLING AGAIN. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN AGAIN AFTER STALLING ON THE PA TURNPIKE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I AM STALLING ON CITY ROADS, HIGHWAYS, TURNPIKES, AND I RISK AN ACCIDENT OR BEING KILLED. THIS IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE. I HAVE INFORMED THE TOYOTA CAR DEALERSHIP THIS WILL BE THEIR LAST TIME TO FIND THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT.

NHTSA complaint #10849740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Toyota Matrix at 160,000 miles Stockton, CA

ENGINE

CAR TURNS OFF WHILE I'M DRIVING AND WILL NOT TURN ON RIGHT AWAY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON AND OFF, THERE'S A LAG WHEN IT IS SWITCHING GEARS, FEELS VERY FORCED.

NHTSA complaint #10824905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Toyota Matrix at 120,000 miles Fenton, MO

ENGINE

THE ENGINE BURNS EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL AND HAS NOW STARTING MAKING WHAT APPEARS TO BE EITHER FAULTY LIFTER OR CAMSHAFT NOISES. THE MATRIX BURNS AT LEAST 1 QUART OF OIL FOR EVERY 1000 MILES DRIVEN. I DO REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND MONITOR THE OIL LEVEL WEEKLY.

NHTSA complaint #10820160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Toyota Matrix at 262,000 miles York, PA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ECM NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 262,000.

NHTSA complaint #10762101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Toyota Matrix at 70,000 miles Dallas, TX

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AS IF IT WOULD STALL. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA complaint #10750003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Toyota Matrix at 52,600 miles Baltimore, MD

ENGINE

BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT A SHOPPING CENTER. WENT ABOUT 50 YARDS AND THE ENGINE REVVED LIKE IT WAS GOING 100 MPH AND THEN JUMPED FORWARD. SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND IT WENT BACK TO NORMAL IDLING.

NHTSA complaint #10745547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Toyota Matrix problems