36 of the
1,422 complaints filed about the Toyota Matrix
are about the other systems —
3% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2003.
TAKATA RECALL. I'VE BEEN RECEIVING RECALL NOTICES FOR THIS VEHICLE FOR YEARS. I HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO HAVE THREE ISSUES RESOLVED, ONLY ONE OF WHICH IS THE TAKATA AIRBAG PROBLEM. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE REPAIRS AT THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALER TO ME (ABOUT A 2.5 HOUR-RT DRIVE FROM MY HOME) FOR THE PAST YEAR+, BUT I AM REPEATEDLY TOLD THAT THEY ARE AWAITING THE PART(S) FOR THE TAKATA AIRBAG REPAIR. TO MAKE THINGS WORSE, I CONSTANTLY RECEIVE FLYERS FROM TOYOTA URGING ME TO HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE ASAP. I WOULD LIKE TO. BUT APPARENTLY, TOYOTA IS HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING THE PARTS TO THEIR DEALERSHIPS. IN THE MEANWHILE, I'M DRIVING A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11018686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TAKATA RECALL NOT ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER IN A TIMELY MANNER. RECALL NUMBER: 08V162 FROM 2008, RECALL STATUS IS INCOMPLETE. LEADING TO POWER WINDOWS COMPLETELY IMMOVABLE. MANUFACTURER FAILED TO REMEDY THESE RECALLS IN A TIMELY MANNER.
NHTSA complaint #11014888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON THE MORNING OF 12/16/2016, WHILE IN THE PARKING GARAGE WHERE MY WIFE WORKS, SHE STOPPED TO BACK INTO A PARKING SPOT AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO VIGOROUS BRAKING NOR THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CAR HIT A CONCRETE WALL, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, AND SHE WAS INJURED (NUMEROUS FRACTURES TO DATE). WE HAVE SEEN THE WORDS 'BRAKE OVERRIDE' AND 'SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION' IN CASES AGAINST TOYOTA. THERE WERE NO FLOOR MATS IN THE CAR. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR IN THE FIRST WEEK OF OCT 2016, SO IT WAS ONLY APPROX 75 DAYS IN OUR POSSESSION. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NEVER GET US IN CONTACT WITH THE PREVIOUS OWNER (ABOUT UNRELATED QUESTIONS) AND NEVER MENTIONED ANY POSSIBLE ISSUE WITH THE CAR. THEY GAVE ME A CARFAX, BUT THERE WAS NO MENTION OF THE SUA ISSUE. WE FEEL TOYOTA OR SOMEONE SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS HAPPENING. NOT ONLY IS THERE PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE PERSON, BUT ALSO MENTAL DAMAGE ABOUT DRIVING ANY CAR. WE BELIEVE THE ELECTRONICS ARE TO BLAME FOR THIS HAPPENING. WHAT ARE OUR OPTIONS? WE CANNOT FIND ANYONE TO TAKE THE CASE. PLEASE ADVISE, THANKS.
NHTSA complaint #10943818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TAKATA RECALL TOYOTA SEND ME A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE (INTERIM NOTICE) RE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG INITIATOR MODULE. THEY HAD THE AUDACITY TO SAY THAT "UNTIL THE REMEDY BECOMES AVAILABLE IN YOUR LOCATION, WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO NOT OPERATE THE VEHICLE WITH AN OCCUPANT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT"!!! THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE, ESPECIALLY SINCE WE LIVE IN AN AREA THAT RECEIVES LOTS OF HUMIDITY (TOYOTA SAYS THEY ARE PRIORITIZING PART REPLACEMENTS IN GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS THAT ARE SUBJECT TO CONSISTENTLY HIGH ABSOLUTE HUMIDITY, BUT THEY DO NOT LIST WHICH AREAS THEY THINK THIS APPLIES TO. WHERE WE LIVE CERTAINLY MEETS THE HIGH MOISTURE CRITERIA). OUR COMPLAINT IS THAT TOYOTA SHOULD REPLACE THE PARTS NOW!!), PLEASE INSIST THEY RECTIFY THEIR DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS NOW FOR OUR CAR IN THIS HIGH-HUMIDITY LOCALE. ON ANOTHER NOTE, THIS TOYOTA VEHICLE HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE: WATER PUMP REPLACED NOT LONG AFTER PURCHASE (WHEN CAR WAS BASICALLY STILL BRAND NEW), HUB CAPS THAT FALL OFF CONSTANTLY, AND MOST FRUSTRATING OF ALL, A VIBRATION/NOISE FROM THE FRONT END THAT THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX. THE DEALER MISDIAGNOSED THE NOISE/VIBRATION BY REPLACING THE WRONG FRONT WHEEL BEARING. WHEN WE TOLD THEM THE NOISE PERSISTED, THE TOYOTA DEALER SAID THE WARRANTY WAS OVER & WOULD NOT FIX THEIR PREVIOUS ERROR!! NOW TOYOTA UNSCRUPULOUSLY SENDS AN INTERIM NOTICE OF A DEFECT THAT COULD KILL A PASSENGER IN OUR CAR. AS BEFORE, PLEASE MAKE TOYOTA FIX THE AIRBAG NOW SO WE CAN USE THE CAR SAFELY NOW!
NHTSA complaint #10863511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY DAUGHTER SAID THE STEERING TOTALLY LOCKED WHILE BEING DRIVEN. HER & HER BOYFRIEND COULD NOT GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN AT ALL. THEY WERE NOT SPEEDING BECAUSE IT WAS ON WET ROADS. THEY BOTH SUFFERED MILD CONCUSSIONS & MY DAUGHTER HAS A SEVERE NECK SPRAIN. AFTER SEEING THE CAR, IT WENT OFF THE ROAD & ROLLED 2 OR 3 TIMES IT'S TOTALED, I'M SURPRISED THEY'RE NOT IN ICU! I DID SOME RESEARCH & ALMOST 1000 MATRIX'S HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN!! I DON'T KNOW WHY THERE ISN'T A RECALL. IT SEEMS TOYOTA ISN'T ALL THAT SAFE & DOESN'T CARE ABOUT IT'S CUSTOMERS AT ALL.
NHTSA complaint #10765034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ALL BROKE OFF MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO ENTER CAR, WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO OPEN DOOR TO ENTER CAR OR OPEN DOOR TO REMOVE CHILDREN
NHTSA complaint #10743817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY PASSENGER WINDOW STOPPED WORKING ( MY WINDOW IS HALF WAY OPEN) WHILE DRIVING IN 108 DEGREES WEATHER ( I LIVE IN YUMA AZ... THE HOTTEST CITY IN THE UNITED STATES). THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO TOYOTA DEALER IN YUMA AZ AND THEY TOLD ME TO COME BACK THE NEXT DAY BECAUSE THEY DIDNT HAVE A TECHNICIAN AVAILABLE, IT WAS AROUND 3:00 PM. THE NEXT DAY I STOPPED BY RIGHT AFTER WORK 3:00PM (WEATHER 108 DEGREES). EVERYTHING IS GOING FINE, I DROPPED OFF THE VEHICLE AND THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TELLS ME THAT HE DOESNT KNOW HOW LONG ITS GOING TO TAKE. 3:45PM HE CALLED AND ADVISED MY CAR WILL BE READY BEFORE 5:30PM, I WAS HAPPY. AT 4:00PM HE CALLED AGAIN AND TELLS ME THEY DONT HAVE THE PART TO FIX MY CAR, I WAS MAD. AT 5:00PM I WENT BACK TO TOYOTA DEALER TO PICK UP MY CAR AND ASKED THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TO PLEASE ADVISE THE TECHNICIAN CLOSE UP THE WINDOW UP BECAUSE OF THE EXTREME HOT WEATHER, THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID IT WASNT POSSIBLE. SO I GET IN MY CAR AND I STARTED IT AND I NOTICED MY CAR WAS SHAKING (REALLY BAD), SOMETHING IT WASNT DOING BEFORE. I PUT IT ON DRIVE BUT IT STARTED SHAKING EVEN MORE SO I CALLED THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AND TOLD HIM ABOUT IT, HE SAID TO COME BACK. THE TECHNICIAN CHECKED IT AND THEY SAID IT WAS SOMETHING ABOUT THE BATTERY AND THE COMPUTER BEING DISCONNECTED AND NEEDED A RESET, I REALLY DONT KNOW BUT WHY THEY WERE GOING TO LET ME DRIVE OFF WITH MY CAR LIKE THAT? ITS UNSAFE. AFTER I WAITED ANOTHER HOUR I WAS FINALLY OUT OF THERE AND THEY TOLD ME TO COME BACK AGAIN THE NEXT DAY. SO TODAY JULY 17 AT 11:00AM THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE CALLED AND TOLD ME THE PART TO FIX MY CAR WASNT IN AND IT WASNT DOING TO BE IN UNTIL MONDAY...I AM VERY UPSET WITH THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE, AND THEY ARE NOT RESOLVING THE PROBLEM, IM CONCERN ABOUT MY SAFETY DUE TO THE EXTREME HEAT (SAND STORMS) AND VEHICLE THEFT.
NHTSA complaint #10734856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON JULY 17, 2013, MY CAR HAS MADE SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF ENGINE SHUTTING OFF EITHER AT INTERSECTONS, OR WHILE IN MOTION. GOOD THING IT DOES START BACK UP BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL AUTO SHOP AND IT WAS DIAGNOSE AS CODE TO REPLACE THE THERMOSTAT AND GASKET COOLANT SENSOR. TWO WEEKS LATER, ENGINE SHUT-OFF AGAIN WHILE DRIVING SEVERAL TIMES. RETURN IT BACK TO THE LOCAL AUTO SHOP AND HAD THEM LOOK AT IT AGAIN. THEY FOUND NO OTHER PROBLEMS. HOWEVER, THEY INFORMED ME TO TAKE IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, AS THE ECM MAY BE AT FAULT. ON JULY 31, 2013, TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE AND AFTER SEVERAL HOURS, THEY INFORMED ME IT WAS A FAULTY BATTERY.! MY BATTERY IS ONLY THREE YEARS OLD AND I KNOW ITS NOT THE BATTERY, AFTER TELLING THEM TO CHECK THE ECM. THEY WOULDN'T PROCEED UNTIL I BUY A BATTERY FROM THEM! ON 8/30/13, TOOK MY CAR TO ANOTHER AUTO SHOP FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND EXPLAINED "THE ENGINE TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING" ISSUE AGAIN. THEY DIAGNOSE AS CARBON BUILDUP AND DID A THROTTLE BODY CLEANING. NOW ITS 9/6/13, AND PROBLEM OF ENGINE STALLING STILL PERSISTS!. ONE DAY, THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF THREE TIMES WHILE DRIVING. SUBSEQUENTLY, TOYOTA HAS ANOTHER SECOND RECALL ON LEXUS AND RAV4 MODELS THIS WEEK. THE ECM WAS RECALLED AND REPLACED ON MY CAR ON 8/31/11. CAN THE ECM BE FAULTY AGAIN! OR OTHER PARTS CAUSING THE PROBLEM BE UNDIAGNOSED IN LIGHT OF TOYOTA MANUFACTURE RECALLS.SYMPTOMS: ODOMETER LIGHT FLICKERS AND ENGINE EVENTUALLY SHUTS OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10542532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON APRIL L9, 2008 WITH 2788 MILES ON MY NEW CAR THE FRONT TIRE WENT SOFT AND WHEN TAKEN TO DUNN TIRE THEY TOLD ME THE TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE. I WAS NATURALLY UPSET WITH SO FEW MILES BUT PUT A NEW ONE ON WHICH COST ME $L61. A FEW WEEKS AGO, MY CAR WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND THE MECHANIC AT MONRO MUFFLER TOLD ME I HAD A "BAD TIRE" AND WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT TIRES ($408) I COULD NOT AFFORD IT AND CALLED GOODYEAR WHO TOLD ME THEY WOULD CHECK IT OUT AND PERHAPS REPLACE THE TIRES. AFTER TWO WEEKS I CALLED AGAIN AS NOTHING WAS DONE AND I FEEL I AM DRIVING ON UNSAFE TIRES AS NOW IT PULLS TO THE LEFT. MY CONTENTION IS THAT DEFECTIVE GOODYEAR TIRES WERE ON MY CAR WHEN PURCHASED. THEY ARE EAGLERS-A SPORT TIRES. I DO NOT KNOW IF GOODYEAR WILL OFFER TO REPLACE THEM OR NOT BUT FEEL THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE INVOLVED HERE AND I SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING 3 TIRES ON A CAR THAT AT THE TIME OF THE LAST TIRRE CHECK HAD L5,701 MILES ON IT. I KNOW GOODYEAR RECALLED SOME OF THEIR TIRES BUT NOT SURE IF THE ONES ON MY CAR ARE INCLUDED. THINK NOT.
NHTSA complaint #10453443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10434285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I AM GREATLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FACT THAT HOW TOYOTA IS HANDLING MANUFACTURING DEFECTS COULD LEAD TO THE INJURIES OR DEATHS OF ITS CUSTOMERS. WE RECEIVED INFORMATION FROM TOYOTA SAYING THAT THE ONBOARD COMPUTER FOR THE CAR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE COMPANY DID NOTHING FOR MONTHS DESPITE REPEATED PHONE CALLS. TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVES ON THE PHONE INITIALLY PROVIDED NO HELP IN GETTING THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. WE FINALLY GOT PERMISSION TO BRING THE CAR TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR, WHICH ALSO HAD THE ENGINE LIGHT ON (THERE CAN BE MANY REASONS FOR THIS, BUT THEY SHOULD BE EASILY IDENTIFIED. I HAD TO WAIT SEVERAL HOURS BECAUSE THE INITIAL REPLACEMENT WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE (I BELIEVE THE DATE WAS 6/8/11). AS I DROVE AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP, WHICH WAS NOW CLOSED, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. WE HAD TO BRING BACK THE CAR, AND WERE TOLD THAT THE 02 SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET (ALTHOUGH I DON'T KNOW THE ACCURACY OF THIS) THAT TOYOTA HAS BEEN PUTTING DEFECTIVE O2 SENSORS IN CARS THAT DON'T LAST AS LONG AS THEY SHOULD (OURS ONLY HAS 42K). WE THEN HAD TO PAY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WITH A MUCH HIGHER CUSTOMER SERVICE RATING THAN TOYOTA DEALERS HAVE TO FIND OUT WHAT IS ACTUALLY WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE PROBLEM WAS CONFUSED BY THE FACT THAT THE ONBOARD COMPUTER WAS NOT CONSISTENT OR ACCURATE. FOR DAYS THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, FOR DAYS IT WAS OFF. THESE MECHANICS SAID THAT THE TOYOTA DEALER MADE AN ERROR AND DID NOT CLEAR THE COMPUTER'S HISTORY SO ANY FUTURE PROBLEM COULD BE EASILY IDENTIFIED. SO THEY CLEARED THE HISTORY AND WE HAD TO BRING THE CAR BACK IN A FEW DAYS. THEY THEN REPLACED THE APPARENTLY DEFECTIVE O2 SENSOR. WE HOPE THIS IS OVER BUT DON'T HAVE GREAT CONFIDENCE. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY PROBLEMS REPORTED WITH THE MATRIX. EDMUNDS.COM REPORTS THAT "A PERIODIC PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE IS FAILURE OF THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL."
NHTSA complaint #10420605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE ODOMETER ON MY 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX WILL NOT ADVANCE PAST 299,999 MILES. I HAVE CHECKED ON LINE AND HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE MATRIX. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND WAS REFERRED TO MY DEALER. I WORKED WITH THE GENERAL MANAGER WHO SAID THAT HE HAD RECENTLY SEEN A PRIUS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THE GENERAL MANAGER TOLD ME THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND THAT WHOEVER DESIGNED/ENGINEERED THE ODOMETER ARBITRARY DECIDED TO STOP THE ODOMETER READING AT 299,999. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS: 1. I AM UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE NORMAL SERVICE INTERVALS FOR THE VEHICLE. THIS INCLUDES: A. INTERVALS FOR OIL CHANGES B. OTHER SERVICES SUCH AS OTHER FLUID CHANGES, ETC CAN NOT BE TRACKED OR DETERMINED WHEN THEY ARE DUE. C. INTERVALS FOR TIRE ROTATION. I. MY TIRES HAVE A WARRANTY THAT IS PRO-RATED ON MILEAGE. THAT WARRANTY IS NO LONGER OF USE TO ME IN THAT I CAN NOT PROVIDE THE CORRECT MILEAGE. II. THE DEALER THAT I PURCHASED THE TIRES FROM OFFERS FREE ROTATION BUT I CAN NO LONGER ACCESS THAT SERVICE IN THAT THE MILEAGE DOES NOT ADVANCE PAST THE 299,999 MARK. 2. MY STATE REQUIRES THAT THE MILEAGE BE STATED WHEN A CAR IS SOLD. I CAN NO LONGER GIVE THAT INFORMATION ACCURATELY. 3. ACCORDING TO THE GENERAL MANAGER OF MY DEALER, IF I WERE TO TRADE IN THIS MATRIX, I WOULD HAVE THE TRADE IN VALUE DECREASED BECAUSE I COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ACCURATE ODOMETER READING. 4. IF THE VEHICLE IS DAMAGED IN AN ACCIDENT, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY CAN NOT DETERMINE THE CORRECT MILEAGE. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT MY CAR IS THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE, AS STATED ABOVE. THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON FOR THIS ODOMETER TO STOP AT 299,999. THIS IS PURELY A DESIGN/ENGINEERING DECISION, NOT A WORN OUT PART. I REQUEST THAT YOUR AGENCY INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10414088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVER ENTERS A SMALL PARKING LOT IN SAN DIEGO. DRIVER PULLS UP SLOWLY TO ONE OF FIVE PERPENDICULARS STALLS IN THE LOT. AS HE IS PRESSING BRAKES, THE VEHICLE TAKES OFF, HITS THE CONCRETE STOP AND THEN A FRAME WALL A FEW FEET AFTER THE STOP. THERE IS SOME DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER BUT NONE TO THE ENGINE OR RADIATOR. DRIVER HITS THE STEERING WHEEL. AIRBAGS DO NOT GO OFF. WALL IS DAMAGED. DRIVER PUTS THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE TO PULL BACK. THE CAR TAKES OFF AND LOUNGES BACKWARDS, JUMPS THE CURB FROM THE PARKING LOT TO THE STREET, AND STARTS MOVING BACKWARDS AT HIGH SPEED, SMOKING ITS FRONT TIRES AND DOING A "DONUT" WHERE THE FRONT WHEELS (THIS IS A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE) ARE SPINNING AND THE VEHICLE IS CIRCLING BACKWARDS. FINALLY AT HIGH SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE TRAVELS AND SLAMS BACKWARDS INTO A TOYOTA PICKUP TRUCK STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT AND STOPS. THE BACKEND DAMAGE IS EXTENSIVE AND THE REAR LEFT WHEEL IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. VEHICLE IS DECLARED A TOTAL. THIS IS A CASE OF SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION.
NHTSA complaint #10411922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY CAR DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A SATURDAY. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM, THEY CONFIRMED IT WAS DUE TO THE RECALL ON THE ECM [1ZZ-FE], YET I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED IN. THEY SAID THEY WOULD RUN TEST TO CONFIRM THAT WAS THE PROBLEM THEN FIX IT. 3 HOURS LATER THEY CALLED AND SAID THAT CHANGING THE COMPUTER PART THAT WAS RECALLED COULD FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY - I ASKED FOR A LONER CAR SINCE IT WAS NOT MY FAULT I WOULD BE WITHOUT A CAR, THEY SAID THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT. THEY WOULD DO AN EMERGENCY ORDER AND THE PART WOULD BE IN ON TUESDAY - THEY WOULD CALL ME IN THE MORNING. ON TUESDAY THEY DIDN'T CALL I HAD TO CALL, I HAD TO CALL MULTIPLE TIMES TO REACH ANYONE, AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART, IT WAS BACK-ORDERED AND COULD BE UP TO A FEW WEEKS. I AGAIN PUSHED FOR A LONER CAR, THEY SAID THEY WOULD SEE IF THEY COULD AUTHORIZE IT AND CALL ME IN THE MORNING. IN THE MORNING THEY HAD SOMEHOW MANAGED TO FIND A PART, PUT IT IN, I WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MY CAR WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION BEFORE THIS, THERE IS NO WAY THE FUEL SYSTEM MIRACULOUSLY WENT BAD AT THE EXACT SAME TIME THAT THE RECALLED PART WENT OUT - IT HAD TO BE CAUSED BY THE COMPUTER FAILURE. BESIDES THAT I WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPUTER PART WAS THE ONLY THING WRONG WITH MY CAR. THEN THEY TRIED TO OVERCHARGE MY BY $600 FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM, ALL THE WHILE STILL NOT GIVING ME A LONER CAR. IN SUMMARY MY CAR DIED ON MY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, I HAD TO PAY FOR MY TOWING, MISS HOURS OF WORK, BE CARELESS FOR 6 DAYS AND PAY FOR A NEW FUEL SYSTEM ALL THANKS TO THE RECALLED PART. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE PARTS THAT WERE DAMAGED BY THE RECALL PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10394921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A 2009 TOYOTA MATRIX AND IT CONTINUES TO HAVE ISSUES. TOYOTA HAS NEVER SENT NOTIFICATION OF RECALLS AND THIS CAR HAS A FEW. WHEN I BRING IT UP TO THE DEALER THEY ACT AS IF I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT. MY TIRES NEED REPLACEMENT AT 20,000 MILES AND THE BRAKES GRIND WHEN STOPPING EVEN AFTER THEY WERE REPLACED AT THE DEALERS EXPENSE AFTER THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM TWICE! I HAD TO GO BACK TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES AS THE PARTS PEOPLE SENT THE WRONG PARTS TWICE!! THE TIRE WARNING LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY COMING ON EVEN THOUGH I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES AND THEY TELL ME NOTHING IS WRONG. I AM TOLD THAT THE CHANGE IN TEMPERATURE MAKES THE LIGHT COME ON. I AM TO THE POINT I AM GOING TO REPLACE THE TIRES AND BE DONE WITH IT. THE LAST THING I NEED IS A TIRE BLOW OUT ON THE INTERSTATE. THE ENGINE GETS SLUGGISH AND BOGS DOWN WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE INTERIOR FEATURES KEEP HAVING TO BE SLAMMED BACK INTO PLACE BECAUSE THEY COME OUT OF PLACE. I WAS TOLD BY A SALESMAN AT A CAR SHOW THAT IT HAPPENS WITH THE MATRIXS AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHY. EACH TRIP TO THE DEALERSHIP I AM TREATED AS A WOMAN WHO KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT CARS. MY FATHER IS A MECHANIC AND I KNOW MY WAY AROUND A CAR. COBB COUNTY TOYOTA IN KENNESAW, GEORGIA IS THE WORST DEALERSHIP. I AM GOING TO TRY ANOTHER DEALERSHIP OR JUST HEAD TO AN INDEPENDENT. I SAVED FOR 2 YEARS TO BUY IT AND NOW I FEEL VERY UPSET THAT TOYOTA CARES SO LITTLE ABOUT THE CUSTOMER. I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE A FEW MORE RECALLS OUT ON THE 2009 MATRIX, YET I HAVEN'T BEEN NOTIFIED OF THEM BY TOYOTA. WHEN I BROUGHT UP THE NEW RECALLS TO THE DEALER HE LOOKED SHOCKED AND TRIED TO TELL ME THAT WASN'T TRUE. WHY ARE NEW TOYOTA BUYERS GETTING FREE SERVICE WHEN OUR CARS ARE THE PROBLEM. I'M GOING BACK TO HONDA! TOYOTA USE TO BE GREAT. THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMPANY SHOULD BE ASHAMED AND COMMIT SEPPUKU OR AT LEAST PROVIDE CURRENT OWNERS FREE SERVICE TOO.
NHTSA complaint #10375423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2010 TOYOTA MATRIX. S10 APPROPRIATE LETTER FROM REGARDING TOYOTA PROBLEMS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE REQUESTED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO HAVE THE BRAKE OVERRIDE INSTALLED IN HIS VEHICLE, BUT TOYOTA DECLINED HIS REQUEST.
NHTSA complaint #10363332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A 2009 TOYOTA MATRIX THAT HAS MULTIPLE ISSUES INCLUDING A STEERING ISSUE THAT ALMOST CAUSED MY FAMILY THEIR LIFE, NOW I AM BEING TOLD I NEED NEW BRAKES AT 19,800 MILES. THE REAR BRAKES ARE NOT ADJUSTING AT ALL WHICH MAY BE CAUSING THE STEERING ISSUES. CAR IS HAVING INTERMENT ISSUES GOING INTO 1ST AND REVERSE, REPORTED MULTIPLE TIMES, TOYOTA SAYS THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE. CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. ALSO, ONE TIRE IS WEARING ON ONE SIDE WHICH IS A KNOWN ISSUE. THE STEERING ISSUES HAS BEEN REPORTED ALONG WITH THE ONE TIRE WEARING ISSUE BY OVER 500 PEOPLE BUT TOYOTA WILL NOT RECOGNIZE IT. I AM SCARED TO TAKE MY CAR ON THE INTERSTATE DUE TO THE STEERING ISSUE AND THIS IS A NEW CAR WITH LOW MILES. MY FAMILY IS AT RISK OF BREAK FAILURE, OR WORSE DUE TO THE DEFECTS. WHEN I CALLED TOYOTA,M THEY SAID IF I RIDE MY BREAKS A LOT, THAT COULD BE THE CAUSE. I DO NO SUCH THING. THIS CAR IS ONLY DRIVEN TO WORK AND BACK EVERYDAY AND HAS BEEN SERVICED ON A REGULAR BASIS ONLY BY TOYOTA DEALER IN RIVERGATE. I HAVE ALSO REPORTED DEFECTS IN THE GAS GAUGE. WHEN I FILL THE CAR UP, IT REGISTERS ON EMPTY FOR AT LEAST 2 HOURS BEFORE MOVING TO F. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME AND SINCE TOYOTA CANNOT SEE IT, THEY SAID THEY CANNOT FIX IT.
NHTSA complaint #10357963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN 2008 MATRIX AUTOMATIC: FIRST KNOWN FAILURE. CAR BROUGHT NEW IN SEPTEMBER 2007; ODOMETER: 6000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON EVEN STRAIGHT SMOOTH ROADWAY, THERE WAS A SUDDEN ACCELERATION TO GREATER THAN 70 MPH. WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THEY DEPRESSED TO FLOOR WITHOUT ANY EFFECT. CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY. SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT SUCCESS. CAR SLOWED AFTER BEING PLACED IN REVERSE. COASTED TO A STOP. PLACED GEAR IN 2 AND DROVE SLOWLY HOME - APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE. FLOOR MATS WERE NOT NEAR EITHER PEDAL AND WERE KEPT STATIONARY BY HOOKS DESIGNED TO KEEP MATS FROM SHIFTING. CALLED TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT: TOLD THAT FLOOR MATS WERE THE PROBLEM; TALKED TO SERVICE MANAGERS WHO STATED THAT THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS DESCRIBED WERE IMPOSSIBLE, NO PROBLEMS WERE KNOWN TO EXIST FOR MATRIX AND GREATER THAN 99% OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WERE DUE TO DRIVER ERROR. AFTER A DISCUSSION, THE CAR WAS EVALUATED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE FOLLOWING WAS REPORTED: FLOOR MATS HELD IN PROPER PLACE NO OBJECTS ON FLOOR NORMAL BRAKE PEDAL OPERATION NORMAL ACCELERATOR PEDAL OPERATION HEALTH CHECK - POWERTRAIN, CHASSIS, ELECTRICAL, NETWORK SYSTEMS - OK COMPUTER CODES - NO ABNORMALITIES FOUND NORMAL THROTTLE BODY INSPECTION TIRES WITH NORMAL WEAR & FUNCTION PROBLEM WAS NOT DUPLICATED ON TEST DRIVE. WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR IS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY IN ALL AREAS AND HAS NO PROBLEMS. IMPLIED THAT MY EXPERIENCE WAS A MISPERCEPTION OR MISREPRESENTATION. ASSESSMENT: THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT MALFUNCTION IN THE MATRIX WHICH COULD HAVE LED TO CRITICAL INJURIES OR LOSS OF LIFE. ONLY DUE TO THE TRAFFIC FLOW AT PRECISELY THAT MOMENT, NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENTS DENIED THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTS. RECOMMENDATION: SUDDEN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED UNTIL AN ANSWER /SOLUTION IS FOUND. THE FINDINGS SHOULD BE SHARED WITH THE PUBLIC. THE COST FOR REPAIRS SHOULD BE PAID BY TOYOTA.
NHTSA complaint #10343697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY HUSBAND AND I WERE ON INTERSTATE 495 OF THE WASHINGTON BELTWAY SITTING IN A 3 MILE BACKUP WHERE 5 LANES WERE MERGING INTO ONE. MY FOOT WAS FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE LEAVING PLENTY OF ROOM FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. ALL OF A SUDDEN I REALIZED THAT THE CAR WAS INCHING FORWARD AND THE BRAKE WOULD NOT STOP THE ACCELERATION. MY HUSBAND REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND LOOKED DOWN AND KNEW THAT MY FOOT WAS FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE. ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT JUST STOPPED AS FAST AS IT STARTED. WE CAME WITHIN INCHES OF HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF US. AS I SAT IN THAT MESS OF A TRAFFIC JAM AND SAW THE AMOUNT OF CELL PHONES BEING USED, IT HIT ME. DID ALL THESE PHONES START THAT CAR TO MOVE? THIS MATRIX 2009 ONLY HAS 22,700 MILES ON IT BUT I WILL BE TAKING IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND TOYOTA WILL BE RECEIVING A LETTER FROM ME WITH THE DETAILS. THE RECALL WORK ON THE ACCELERATOR WAS DONE 2 MONTHS AGO. I HAVE ALSO MADE A COMPLAINT TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE CAR SEEMS TO DO SOMETHING BETWEEN 20 AND 40 MILES PER HOUR WHEN YOU ARE DECELERATING. I CAN'T TELL EXACTLY WHAT IT IS DOING BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO JERK. THE DEALERSHIP PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. IT MAY BE UNRELATED TO THE OTHER PROBLEM BUT IT IS ONE MORE THING THAT I HAVE NOTICED ABOUT THIS CAR. AS A NOTE, MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE HAD TOYOTAS FOREVER AND CURRENTLY HAVE A 2004 COROLLA AND TRADED IN THE 2006 COROLLA FOR THIS MATRIX. WE HAVE NEVER HAD ANY TROUBLE WHATSOEVER WITH OUR TOYOTAS UNTIL NOW.
NHTSA complaint #10331819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.