181 of the
1,422 complaints filed about the Toyota Matrix
are about the transmission —
13% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2003.
181
Complaints
13%
Share of all complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE CITY DRIVING IN JULY 2016 MY 2010 TOYOTA MATRIX VCS LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING, BOTH THE SKID LIGHT AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ACCELERATION HAD LITTLE TO NO RESPONSE.THOUGH IT HAS NOT RESOLVED THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, I WAS ABLE TO RESET THE SYSTEM SO THE LIGHTS ARE NOW OFF. MY VEHICLE WILL THEN ACCELERATE AND WORK FOR A PERIOD BEFORE REPEATING THE SYMPTOMS. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS ISSUE IS A PROGRAM ERROR OR A PART DEFECT. BASED ON THE ERROR CODES WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE (AUG 2016) A CERTIFIED LICENSED TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE ORIGINAL ECM MODULE WITH ONE THAT WAS PURCHASED AT A CERTIFIED TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND PROGRAMMED IT. I HAD TO TAKE MY VEHICLE BACK IN FOR SERVICE THIS MONTH (AUG 2017) SINCE THIS SAME ISSUE REOCCURRED. FORTUNATELY, IT WAS STILL COVERED UNDER THE PARTS/SERVICE WARRANTY AND A SECOND ECM MODULE FROM THE SAME DEALERSHIP WAS INSTALLED AND PROGRAMMED. HOWEVER, AFTER GETTING A TANK OF GAS TODAY, THIS HAPPENED AGAIN AS I PULLED AWAY FROM THE PUMP! AND YES, MY CAP WAS PROPERLY SECURED. I SENT AN EMAIL TO TOYOTA TO ASK HOW THE COMPANY IS ABLE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE FOR ME SINCE THIS MAY BE THE FOURTH ONE INSTALLED IN MY CAR IF I COUNT THE ORIGINAL ONE.I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT MY VEHICLE WILL FAIL WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY BETWEEN TWO SEMI TRUCKS CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO MYSELF AND/OR OTHERS. I HAVE READ THAT OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MAKE/MODEL VEHICLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES; AND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON OLDER MODELS.(2005-2008 MATRIX HATCHBACK DUE TO ENGINE STALLING ISSUES) IF THIS IS NOT A RECALL PROBLEM FOR MY YEAR/MAKE/MODEL, IT SHOULD BE. PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES AND AT VARIOUS SPEEDS.
NHTSA complaint #11014963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THIRD AND FOURTH GEARS WERE NOT GETTING ANY OIL AND TEARING THE BEARING AND TRANSMISSION APART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA complaint #10865143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE THROTTLE HESITATED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE AND RECOMMENDED THE VEHICLE TO BE DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10764583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I BROUGHT MY MATRIX TO TOYOTA OF BELLEVUE WITH CONCERNS ABOUT THE CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION SHORTLY AFTER ITS PURCHASE. I WAS BRUSHED OFF SAYING THIS IS JUST HOW TOYOTA'S DRIVE. WELL I GUESS THEY WEREN'T LYING ABOUT THAT BECAUSE I AM AMONG MANY OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THEIR BEARING IN THEIR TRANSMISSION FAIL PREMATURELY. I WAS GOING 65 MILES AN HOUR DOWN THE FREEWAY WHEN I LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE IN THE RIGHT LANE AND CAME SAFELY TO A STOP BUT THIS COULD HAVE EASILY ENDED BADLY FOR MY PASSENGER AND I. TO TOP IT OFF MY 7 YEAR WARRANTY I PURCHASED WAS MISLEADING. IT WAS FOR 7 YEARS FROM THE FIRST OWNER AND EVEN THOUGH I OWN A 2007 THE WARRANTY STARTED IN 2006. NONE OF THIS WAS EXPLAINED TO ME AND IN FACT THE WRITING FROM THE DEALER IN THE WARRANTY GUIDE SHOWS MY DATE OF PURCHASE AS 2010 AND SUBSEQUENTLY READS AS THE WARRANTY IS VALID UNTIL 2017 OR 100,000 MILES. MY MATRIX IS AT 95,000 MILES IF I HAD NOT BOUGHT THE WARRANTY MY CAR WOULD BE PAID OFF. I'M NOW STUCK WITH REPAIR COSTS FOR A FAULTY PART THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND I STILL OWE ON MY CAR. WE ARE A TOYOTA FAMILY AND I HOPE THEY OWN UP TO RECALL SO I CAN CONTINUE TO STAY LOYAL TO THIS COMPANY.
NHTSA complaint #10683845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS AND COILS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
NHTSA complaint #10648206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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?
NHTSA complaint #10621372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER WAS NOT SENDING THE CORRECT VOLTAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT, THE TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH SOLENOID MALFUNCTIONED, THE TRANSMISSION AND PCM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,660.
NHTSA complaint #10579001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ONE MORNING AND I HEARD A LOUD GRINDING AND WHINING SOUND COMING FROM WHAT SOUNDED LIKE THE ENGINE. I CAME TO A RED LIGHT AND GOT OUT TO SEE IF I COULD SEE ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY BUT SAW NOTHING. I THEN GOT BACK IN AND PUT IT IN GEAR TO GO AND NOTHING I WOULD LET OUT THE CLUTCH AND IT WOULDN'T MOVE. I TRIED TO PUT IT IN REVERSE TO MOVE IT OUT OF THE STREET AND WHEN I WOULD LET OFF THE CLUTCH IT WOULD POP OUT OF GEAR IT WOULDN'T STAY IN REVERSE. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED AND FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS MY TRANSMISSION. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. EVIDENTLY TOYOTA MADE A BAD DESIGN WITH THE 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION AND ONE OF THE BEARINGS DOSE NOT GET LUBRICATED AND BURNS OUT FALLING APART AND RUINING THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. TOYOTA CLAIMS THAT THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS AND WILL NOT FIX THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10557608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOW NOISE FROM ENGINE AREA, THEN HEARD A POP OR THUD. AFTER THIS CAME A SCRATCHY/GRINDING NOISE WHEN CAR WAS IN GEAR AND COASTING. THE NOISE WENT AWAY WHEN CLUTCH WAS DEPRESSED OR CAR WAS TAKEN OUT OF GEAR TO COAST. I CALLED A SERVICE REPAIR TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT THE SAME DAY. THE VERY NEXT DAY THE CAR LOCKED UP AND WAS UNDRIVEABLE. SOUNDED LIKE THE ENGINE HAD FALLEN OUT THE BOTTOM WITH HORRIBLE METAL GRINDING NOISE. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED ($150) AND THE SERVICE CENTER SAID I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH AND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA MATRIX AND COROLLA. AFTER READING ONLINE, IT SEEMS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA OWNERS WITH LOW MILES HAVING BEARING ISSUES AND THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS GONE UNADDRESSED. EVEN THOUGH I WAS GOING ONLY 10 MILES PER HOUR, THE CAR LOCKS UP. THIS ISSUE WILL KILL SOMEONE, SOMEDAY. COST OF REPAIR WILL BE AROUND $3,100+.
NHTSA complaint #10549687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS ON A STEEP HILL AT A STOP SIGN. I HAD LET GO OF THE BRAKE TO STEP ON THE GAS BECAUSE IT WAS MY TURN TO GO AND MY CAR ROLLED BACKWARDS DRAMATICALLY TO THE POINT WHERE MY TIRES WHERE SCREECHING FOR A FEW SECONDS TILL I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE STEEP HILL. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME IT HAS HAPPENED, I USUALLY AVOID STREETS THAT HAVE A STEEP HILL BECAUSE THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I'M ON A STEEP HILL. I'VE NOTICED THIS HAS HAPPENED FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW.
NHTSA complaint #10543155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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).
NHTSA complaint #10537388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN GOING UP A HILL IN 4TH GEAR CAR SHIFTS DOWN TO 3RD GEAR TO MAINTAIN SPEED & THERE IS A LOUD NOISE THAT SHAKES THE CAR (AS IF THE ENGINE'S GOING TO FALL OUT). HAPPENED ABOUT 20 TIMES SO FAR. TOYOTA DEALER MECHANICS GOT CAR TO REPEAT THIS 3 TIMES (ONCE HOOKED UP TO A COMPUTER). THE MECHANICS & THE SERVICE MANAGER ALL FEEL THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE 100,000 MI. EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE PERSON FROM TOYOTA (NOT FROM THE DEALERSHIP) THAT HAS TO APPROVE PUTTING IN A NEW TRANSMISSION REFUSED SAYING IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. HE THEN SAID IT WAS THE WAY I USE THE GAS PEDAL. THEN WHY DID IT HAPPEN ON THE 3 ROADTESTS WHEN BROUGHT TO DEALER. THE SHIFT INTO 3RD (ON A HILL) IS SO VIOLENT THAT I'M AFRAID TO KEEP UP SPEED ON THE PARKWAY WHEN GOING UP A HILL. I PULL INTO THE SLOW LANE & PUT ON MY FLASHING LIGHTS & STAY AT 50 MPH OR LESS. I FEEL THAT THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE 90,000 MI. ON IT. I HAVE REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO TOYOTA CUSTOMER RELATIONS ON THE PHONE (THEY ARE BASED IN CALIFORNIA). THEY SAID THEY WOULD LOOK INTO IT & GET BACK TO ME IN 3 DAYS (TOMORROW). I HAVE BOUGHT 4 TOYOTAS IN A ROW & GOT MY SISTER-IN-LAW & HER SON TO EACH BUY ONE. IF THIS IS HOW TOYOTA TREATS A LOYAL CUSTOMER (ALL CARS ARE SERVICED AT TOYOTA) THEN I GUESS I & MY FAMILY WON'T BE BUYING ONE AGAIN. I PAID A GOOD DEAL OF MONEY FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. A LOT OF GOOD IT'S DOING ME. THANKS FOR LISTENING.
NHTSA complaint #10509007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY CAR STARTED MAKING A WEIRD NOISE. WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS PUSHED IN, THE NOISE WOULD STOP. 3 WEEKS LATER I HAD TO GO TO WORK SO I GOT ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE NOISE WAS GETTING LOUDER AND LOUDER. MY FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP AND MY TRANSMISSION SHOT ME OUT OF GEAR. A CAR ALMOST HIT ME WHICH WOULD OF COST MY LIFE. I WILL NEVER BUY A TOYOTA AGAIN. IT COSTS $2000 TO FIX. HOPEFULLY YOU GUYS DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED.
NHTSA complaint #10497822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BEARINGS IN THE DIFFERENTIAL/TRANSMISSION ARE MAKING NOISE. IT IS A 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THIS IS WAY TOO EARLY FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE. ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIRS IS $2,500.
NHTSA complaint #10487496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10485826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10449848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10442818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10439293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.