29 of the
1,422 complaints filed about the Toyota Matrix
are about the fuel system —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2004.
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.
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.
I WAS LEAVING A PARKING LOT ON AN INCLINE WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED WITHOUT STEPPING ON GAS PEDAL. I APPLIED SIGNIFICANT PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES AND IMMEDIATELY PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL. THE CAR RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION. THIS IS THE THIRD INCIDENT OF THIS TYPE.
NHTSA complaint #10573640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AS I WAS LEAVING THE HIGHWAY VIA THE EXIT, I STOPPED AT THE END OF RAMP LEADING TO SECONDARY HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE THEN UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THE BRAKES SEEMED TO BARELY KEEP IT FROM PROPELLING. I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THE RPMS RETURNED TO NORMAL.
NHTSA complaint #10561966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS LEAVING A SUPERMARKET PARKING LOT ON AN INCLINE. THE SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY LESS THAN 2 MPH. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY REVVED LOUDLY, ATTEMPTING TO LUNGE FORWARD. I IMMEDIATELY APPLIED BRAKES WITH SUBSTANTIAL FORCE, BARELY STOPPING THE VEHICLE. I THEN PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL RPMS. I PLACED THE CAR IN DRIVE WITHOUT PROBLEM, RETURNING HOME.
NHTSA complaint #10558455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ONE. WENT TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0441 P0455. DEALER CHARGED ME $490.00 AFTER $200.00 REBATE. REPLACED: CAP ASSY. FUEL TANK, PIPE SUB.ASSY. FU, VALVE ASSY. VACUUM. I NEVER GOT RECALL NOTICE. TAB SHOULD BE PICK UP BY TOYOTA .
NHTSA complaint #10525700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2007 TOYOTA MATRIX XR 30,306 MILES. PURCHASED NEW. TOOK DELIVERY OF VEHICLE 12JUN07. LAST WEEK 20SEP10 - FUEL STRAP BROKEN/FELL OFF. NOT RUSTED JUST GONE. RATTLING UNDERNEATH VEHICLE IS GAS TANK VIBRATING WHILE DRIVING, IN PARK OR IDLING. WAS TOLD BY TOY DEALERSHIP IN WATERTOWN, MA THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SERVICE TECH STATED THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN IN A VEHICLE THAT WAS JUST 3 YRS OLD.
NHTSA complaint #10358094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ONE. WENT TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. TOLD THE GAS CAP/FUEL PIPE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAD POSSIBLE CORROSION. WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. DID NOT LOCATE THE EXACT PROBLEM, CHARGED ME A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX, 73,000 MILES, EXTENDED "BUMPER TO BUMPER" WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10350269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I PULLED INTO MY PARKING LOT AT WORK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD THIS "LOAD" NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH MY CAR. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO MY DEALER AND FOUND OUT THAT ONE OF THE STRAPS HOLDING UP MY GAS TANK HAD BROKE, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. MY CONCERN WAS IF I WAS DRIVING ON OUR THRUWAY AND THE GAS TANK FELL OFF! I BELIEVE AN ACCIDENT OF SOME SORT WOULD OF OCCURRED. THANK YOU!
NHTSA complaint #10344262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE FUEL TANK PROTECTOR ON MY 2007 TOYOTA MATRIX BECAME LOOSE. THE FUEL TANK SHIELD IS RETAINED BY A SCREW INTO A PLASTIC RETAINER MOUNTED ONTO A TANK STRAP. THE PLASTIC DECAYS AND THE SCREW FALLS OUT. THE FUEL TANK SHIELD FUNCTION IS NOW COMPROMISED IN ITS ABILITY TO PROTECT THE FUEL TANK FROM THE HEAT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE.
NHTSA complaint #10340381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE FUEL PIPE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,387.
NHTSA complaint #10331227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SINCE I BOUGHT MY TOYOTA MATRIX 2007 EVERY TIME I FILL THE GAS TANK NO MATTER WHICH GAS STATION I USE, THE GAS ALWAYS SPILLS ALL OVER FROM THE GAS TANK. I THOUGHT I IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS DOING SOMETHING WRONG. IT WAS NOT UNTIL THE CAR REACHED 50,000 MILES LAST MONTH THAT I CONTACTED BALISE TOYOTA IN WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA AND BERNADI TOYOTA IN FRAMINGHAM, MA WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR TO INFORM THEM OF THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID IT WAS NOT THEIR ISSUE SINCE THE CAR IS NO MORE UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT I HAD TO PAY 200 DOLLARS TO HAVE THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AND PAY HUNDREDS MORE TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARDS WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY TOYOTA AND ITS DEALERS. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WERE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE GAS NOZZLE NOT STOPPING WHEN THE GAS TANK OF THE 2007 MATRIX IS FULL.
NHTSA complaint #10310377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2005 TOYOTA MATRIX XRS WITH MANUAL 6 SPD TRANSMISSION. SOMETIMES WHEN I RELEASE THROTTLE WHEN SHIFTING OR AT A STOP SIGN THE THROTTLE MECHANISM LOCKS UP SOLID AS IF I COULD ALMOST BREAK IT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO INCREASE THROTTLE FROM NO THROTTLE POSITION. I COASTED FROM 65MPH TO 40MPH WITH TRAFFIC BEARING DOWN FROM BEHIND ONE TIME. I THOUGHT THE CABLES WERE BINDING BUT BOUGHT A NEW ONE TO REPLACE WITH BUT THE CABLE LOOKS GOOD AND IN MY DRIVEWAY COULD NOT SIMULATE OR DETECT THE CAUSE OF STICKING. I CALLED TOYOTA SERVICE REP IN SAN BERNARDINO, CA AND HE SAID "WE ARE GOING TO CHARGE YOU IF WE LOOK AT IT" THE THROTTLE LOCKED UP AGAIN ON THE 8TH OF THIS MONTH AT THE STOP SIGN WHEN EXITING THE FREEWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10307901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NOVEMBER 18 MY 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX BEGAN TO ACCELERATE UNCONTROLLABLY AFTER FILLING UP TANK WITH FUEL. I PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE THEN WOULD NOT START SO IT WAS TOWED TO WINDSOR TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. TEST DROVE & CHECK FOR WATER IN TANK ELIMATED CODE P0171 AND GAVE ME FREE INJECTOR CLEANER. SHOULD THE DEALER CHECK GAS PEDAL RECALL ON HIS 2006.
NHTSA complaint #10304631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I OWN A 2007 TOYOTA MATRIX THAT WAS EXPERIENCING UNEXPLAINED SURGING AND ACCELERATION WHILE AT A STOP AND AT IDLE. THE ENGINE WOULD REV UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD. THIS HAPPENED WHILE SITTING AT A STOP WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I TOOK THE MATRIX TO THE DEALER BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS UNTIL THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR FINALLY GO TO A POINT WHERE IT WOULD REV UP BY ITSELF TO AS MUCH AS 4000 RPM. IT FINALLY GOT TO A POINT WHERE IT WAS UNDRIVABLE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND AFTER 2 DAYS IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THE DEALER IS CURRENTLY REPLACING THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY AT A COST OF $1,350. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT EFFECTS MORE TOYOTA MODELS AND YEARS THEN WHAT HAS CURRENTLY BEEN RECALLED.
NHTSA complaint #10304165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A 2007 TOYOTA MATRIX AND HAVE 3 INCIDENTS OF UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION OF OVER 70 MPH AND UNCONTROLLED DECELERATION WHEN GOING 35 TO 60 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE AVOIDED ANY ACCIDENTS BUT LAST WEEK CAME VERY CLOSE TO HITTING A TREE. MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH MY FLOOR MATS BUT THIS IS NOT THE PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ACCELERATOR. MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO FIX IT . THEY TELL ME THAT IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE EVEN THOUGH CARS ARE BEING RECALLED TO HAVE THE ACCELERATOR FIXED. THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP HAS BASICALLY BLOWN ME OFF AND SAYS IT IS MY PROBLEM. SINCE MY CAR IS ON THE RECALL LIST IT WON'T BE FIXED. WHAT CAN I DO? DO THE 2010 TOYOTA'S HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS? I CAN'T TRADE THIS CAR IN FOR ANOTHER BRAND CAR BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. MY CAR IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE AND WITH ONLY 24,500 MILES. WHAT CAN I DO?
NHTSA complaint #10296315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2004 MATRIX:1 ENGINE LIGHT, 2DEALER SAYS GAS CAP AND FILLER NECK REPLACEMENT REQUIRED.4 YEARS OLD KNOWN FOR THIS PROBLEM. DEALER SAYS OVER 200 BACKORDERS FOR THIS PART.
NHTSA complaint #10247521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
2004 MATRIX:1 ENGINE LIGHT, 2DEALER SAYS GAS CAP AND FILLER NECK REPLACEMENT REQUIRED.4 YEARS OLD KNOWN FOR THIS PROBLEM. DEALER SAYS OVER 200 BACKORDERS FOR THIS PART.
NHTSA complaint #10247521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.