2005 Toyota Matrix Complaint Log

I WAS HEADED TO WORK LIKE I USUALLY WOULD M-F THEN OUT OF NO WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL HAD LOCKED. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO LOOSE CONTROL. THE CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN WAS SPINNING AROUND AND EVENTUALLY IT FLIPPED LANDING ON ITS SIDE. TO TOP IT OFF NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED! I WAS PULLED OUT OF THE CAR MY WHOLE BODY ACHING, ESPECIALLY MY ARMS. THIS WAS BECAUSE I WAS HOLDING ON FOR DEAR LIFE PRAYING THAT I WILL COME OUT OF IT ALIVE. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS IN THE CAR BUT MYSELF, BUT I KNOW I DO NOT NEED THIS TO HAPPEN TO ME TWICE SO I WILL NO LONGER WILL PURCHASE A TOYOTA. *TR

TODAY TOYOTA ANNOUNCED A RECALL FOR VARIOUS MODELS DUE TO WEARING OF A SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY IN THE STEERING WHEEL THAT CONNECTS TO THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MODULE. FOR THE MATRIX, THE YEARS ARE LIMITED TO 2009-10. I HAVE A 2005 MATRIX, AND A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO I HAD TO SPEND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY DUE TO WEARING, SO MY COMPLAINT IS THAT TODAY'S RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO ADDITIONAL YEARS. *TR

DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY STAYS ON SINCE SEPT. 2012, BUT NOW STAYS ON MOST OF THE TIME SINCE AUGUST 2013. THIS LIGHT MEANS THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A COLLISION. WAITING FOR A RECALL LETTER FROM TOYOTA. NO RECALL YET FOR 2005 MODEL AND NEWER. THIS IS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH TOYOTA MATRIX AND COROLLAS BEFORE 2005. *TR

TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL.

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT SOMETIMES COMES ON AND STAYS ON. IF I STOP THE CAR AND REMOVE THE CAP FROM THE GASOLINE TANK FOR A MINUTE, THE REPLACE THE CAP AND RESTART THE CAR, THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES OFF. AIRBAG LIGHT MAY REMAIN OFF FOR MANY DAYS. AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT IN THIS FASHION FOR PAST 10,000 MILES. NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHY GAS TANK PRESSURE SHOULD AFFECT AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT SENSOR SYSTEM, BUT IT APPEARS TO DO PRECISELY THAT. AIRBAG HAS NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED NO VEHICLE ACCIDENT HAS OCCURRED. HOWEVER THE NUMEROUS INTERNET COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMING ON IN THE 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX AT ABOUT 80,000 MILES SUGGESTS A DESIGN DEFECT ON THE PART OF TOYOTA. LOCAL MARIN TOYOTA DEALERSHIP (IN SAN RAFAEL, CALIF.) ADVISES THAT IF THERE IS A COLLISION WHEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. *TR

I WENT TO THE DEALER A MONTH AGO REPORTING A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA WHEN IN GEAR. TOYOTA DEALER CLAIMED NOTHING WAS WRONG. YESTERDAY TRANSMISSION GAVE UP. *TR

THE DIFFERENTIAL AND BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILED AT 99,823, THE AXIAL BOOTS FAILED EARLIER AT 92,55 MILES. TOTAL COST WAS $4,240. CAR WAS DRIVEN INTO REPAIR SHOP MAKING LOUD NOISES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND NOTICED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL POSITION SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILES WERE 58,573.

MY 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX 4WD STARTED TO MAKING WHINING NOISE AT 69000 MILES. TOOK THE CAR TO NEARBY MECHANIC AND FOUND THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE DIFFERENTIAL FLUID WAS FULLY-REPLACED AT 50,000 MILES AND THE CAR HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED ACCORDINGLY BY MANUFACTURERS GUIDANCE. THE COST IS MORE THAN $ 1500 TO REPLACE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. . FOR ANY CAR EQUIPPED WITH AWD SYSTEM SHOULD NEVER HAVE THIS ISSUE AND I FEE THAT IT'S VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON A CONSISTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY RECODED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED A FEW DAYS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V384000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED AND WITHIN 30 MILES OF DRIVING, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE STALLED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SECOND DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER AGREED TO FURTHER INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THERE POSSIBLY COULD BE MORE FAILURES WITHIN THE VEHICLE OTHER THAT THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 275,000.

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.

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON REPEATEDLY OVER A PERIOD OF MONTHS. ON 17MAR2011 TOYOTA DEALER DIAGNOSED TWO POSSIBLE CAUSES... COMPUTER OR CLOCK ASSEMBLY. COMPUTER WAS REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. PROBLEM RETURNED THE NEXT DAY. CLOCK WAS REPLACED ON 30MAR2011 UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE SOLVED AS OF 12JUL2011. *KB

CLOCK IS INTERMITTENT AND AIR BAG WARNING COMES ON FREQUENTLY .. HEATER CONTROL LIGHTS ARE ALSO INTERMITTENT .. HAVE ASKED DEALERSHIP TO FIX THESE ITEMS AND THEY HAVE NOT .. GAVE UP AFTER THE THIRD ATTEMPT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V384000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL DUE TO A LACK OR AVAILABLE PARTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD BEEN ATTEMPTING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED FOR OVER FOUR MONTHS TO NO AVAIL. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT ONLY TWO ENGINE CONTROL MODULES WERE DELIVERED PER MONTH MEANING ONLY TWO VEHICLES PER MONTH COULD BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE A CRASH AND HE NO LONGER FELT SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,200.

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. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE MALFUNCTION WAS RELATED TO THE ECM, WHICH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED AT THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

TOOK MY CAR FOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, HARSH SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. I WAS TOLD THE ECM NEEDED REPLACING. THE ECM WAS REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEMS PERSIST. WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE THE CAR LUNGES INTO GEAR AFTER A FEW SECONDS. I AM AFRAID OF BACKING INTO SOMEONE IN THE PARKING LOT. *TR

I OWN A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX THAT WAS BOUGHT NEW. IT NOW HAS 120,000 MILES ON IT. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF SEARCHING FOR MY FOURTH SET OF TIRES FOR IT. TWICE, I HAD THE STOCK CONTINENTAL BRAND AND BOTH TIMES THEY HAD TO BE REPLACED, AT MY EXPENSE, AT APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES; SOMETIMES LESS. AN INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS REGARDING TIRES FOR THIS MODEL. *TR

2005 TOYOTA MATRIX, WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED FOR PANIC STOP WHILE AIR CONDITIONER RUNNING, CAR WILL NOT STOP QUICKLY AND ROLLS INTO OBJECTS. THIS IS SECOND ACCIDENT WITH THE VEHICLE DOING THIS. *TR

2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILED. *KB CONSUMER SENT IN DUPLICATE LETTER ON 12/27/2010. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONSUMER STATED HE PAID $ 114.19 TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX THE PROBLEM BY RECALIBRATING THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE PROBLEM RETURNED A FEW DAYS LATER. THE CONSUMER THEN PAID $ 559.42 TO REPLACE THE AIR BAG SENSOR ASSEMBLY. THE PROBLEM RETURNED WEEKS LATER. THE LAST REPAIR WAS IN THE AMOUNT IN $ 352.36 FOR THE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY. *JB

MY TOYOTA MATRIX 2005'S AIR BAG'S LIGHT TURNS ON AND DEALER IS UNSURE HOW TO FIX IT. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. *TR

DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR IS INTERMITTENT SOMETIMES ON , SOMETIMES OFF. THIS SEEMED TO START AFTER THE 3-YR WARRANTY EXPIRED. BACK THEN, I MENTIONED IT TO A DEALER WHILE IN FOR A SEPARATE RECALL REPAIR AND THE DEALER SUGGESTED MAYBE I HAD STUFF UNDER OR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE CHAIR WHICH COULD TRIGGER THE INDICATOR. I NEVER PAID FOR THEM TO CHECK THE CAR. INDICATOR GOES ON/OFF REGARDLESS OF PASSENGER/OBJECTS ON THE SEAT. BOTH FRONT SEATS DO NOT HAVE STUFF BENEATH THEM. MORE RECENTLY, CLOCK ILLUMINATION FADES IN AND OUT, MOSTLY OUT. THIS SEEMED TO START NO MORE THAN 3 YRS AGO. CAR HAS STILL HAS ORIGINAL AIRBAGS AND CLOCK. I'M AFRAID THAT MY AIR BAGS WON'T DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT. I'M ANGRY THAT MY CAR WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECENT RECALLS. *TR

TOYOTA MATRIX 2005 MODEL PURCHASED ON OCT 2004 AND EXPORTED TO CANADA ON FEB 2009, ABOUT 42K MILES. ECM PROBLEM. WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION, THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT TURNED ON AND KEPT ON AFTER THEN. THE CAR "JERKS" FROM TIME TO TIME WHILE MOVING. SENT TO DEALER, DIAGNOSED AS ECM PROBLEM, WHICH IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. *TR

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! *TR

2005 TOYOTA MATRIX WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME AND IMMEDIATELY START SHIFTING HARD. NO PRIOR SYMPTOMS. CALLED TOYOTA SERVICE THEY SAID IT WAS A LOOSE GAS CAP, I ASKED ARE YOU SURE IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH TRANSMISSION BECAUSE WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON IT SHIFTS HARSHLY. NO PRETTY SURE IT IS GAS CAP IF IT COMES BACK ON YOU HAVE TO PAY $110 TO CHECK IT. AFTER IT CAME BACK ON DROVE FOR A WEEK TO SEE IF PROBLEM CONTINUED THEN TOOK TO TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO SAID IT HAD PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID OUT. TOOK IT FOR SECOND OPINION TO TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID IT IS COMMON PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA MATRIX AND COROLLA SIMILAR TO RAV4 PROBLEM THAT ECM IS BAD AND CAUSES TRANSMISSION ISSUES WHICH IN THIS CASE CAUSE DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION. CALLED TOYOTA AND POINTED OUT THAT TOYOTA SERVICE BULLETIN TC014-06 AND TC-015-07 STATE THAT IF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THERE IS HARSH SHIFTING TO CHANGE THE ECM OUT WITH A DIFFERENT PART NUMBER. THEY AGREED THAT IF MY CAR HAD EXHIBITED THESE SYMPTOMS AT UNDER 80,000 MILES THEY WOULD HAVE REPLACED THE ECM UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN IMPROVED TO NOT DO THIS. THEY SAID THE UNIT COULD BE REPLACE NOW AT 88,000 MILES AT A COST TO ME AND THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME WITH THE COST OF THE DEFECTIVE UNIT OR THE TRANSMISSION DAMAGE IT CAUSED. *TR

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. MOST RECENTLY, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE ECM WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 99,000.

LETTER FROM SENATOR ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT. RE DIFFICULTIES WITH HER 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE DUE TO THE ROTOR GETTING CAUGHT IN THE BRAKE PAD. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AFTER THE SECOND BRAKE REPAIR. THE BRAKES MADE AN AUDIBLE SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN DEPRESSED. THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THE GEARS WERE ENGAGED. THE ABS DID NOT WORK ON AN IRREGULAR SURFACE. A DEFECTIVE REAR AXLE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TIRES. THE LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT BY THEMSELVES WHEN IT WAS DARK.*JB

WE'VE LOST 7 HUBCAPS FROM OUR MATRIX. THEY'VE FLOWN OFF WHILE DRIVING, WITH POTENTIAL TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE VEHICLE HAD GOODYEAR VIVA TIRES, SIZE P215/70/R15. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHICH CONSISTED OF AN OIL CHANGE. THE MECHANIC DETECTED THAT THE FOUR TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WERE DEFECTIVE AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AT THE OWNER EXPENSE. THE THREE TIRES EXPLODED WITHIN A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR AFTER THE INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC STATED THE TIRES SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE TWO TIRES AT HALF THE COST, AND THE THIRD TIRE WAS CHARGED AT REGULAR COST DUE TO THE AIR PRESSURE LEVEL IN THE TIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 7/16/10 *CN ALL THREE TIRES HAD THE EXACT SAME DAMAGE. UPDATED 07/22/10*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 55MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY. THE DEALER ADVISED THE VEHICLES COMPUTER HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WAS AVAILABLE DESCRIBING THE FAILURE (NHTSA ITEM NUMBER 10019673: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: ENGINE). THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURE ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND ANY REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE WOULD BE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,744.

AFTER REACHING 94,000 MILES MARK LIKE WHAT SOME OTHER TOYOTA MATRIX OWNERS EXPERIENCED, THERE WAS A HARSH IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN YOU SHIFT TO REVERSE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. *TR

OUR CAR HAS DEVELOPED VERY HARSH SHIFT OF THE GEARS AND HAS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. WENT TO CAR SHOP AND THEY SAID IT WAS ERROR CODE P2716 AND A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT ONLY COVERED UPTO 80000 MILES OR 96 MONTHS. OUR VEHICLE IS 2005 WITH 94,000 MILES. THE ECM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED - COST ~ 900 $ - OUR COMPLAINT IS THAT SINCE THIS IS A MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE ITSELF AND NOT THE DRIVER, WE SHOULD NOT NEED TO PAY FOR THIS AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BY TOYOTA - PLEASE HELP US. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE YET THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE DID NOT RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,300.

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. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE DECREASED IN SPEED AS THE CONTACT REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON NINE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITH CONCERNS OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT IN POSSESSION OF THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WOULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANY LONGER DUE TO CONCERNS FOR HIS SAFETY WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000. UPDATED 5/12/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE SPEED WAS SET AT 55 MPH, THE SPEED WOULD FLUCTUATE FROM 51 MPH UPHILL TO 59-60 MPH DOWNHILL. WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP, THE ENGINE WOULD EITHER STALL OR SPIN THE WHEELS. AT TIMES, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN TRYING TO INCREASE SPEED. DURING VERY COLD WINTER DAYS, THE ENGINE WOULD STUMBLE AND AT TIMES BUCK LIKE A BRONCO WITH THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS WARMED UP. UPDATED 06/18/10

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX WITH 33,000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED FOR SIX MONTHS, WHICH MEANT THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE DISABLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLES CLOCK WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED.

AT SEVERAL PLACES (ALL SLIGHT UPGRADES, CONSTANT SPEED, CONSTANT THROTTLE), ABOUT 5-10% OF THE TIME, THROTTLE STICKS. RELEASES AFTER 3 - 5 SECONDS IF I DO NOT BRAKE, ABOUT 2 SECONDS AFTER BRAKING IF I DO. HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER 70,000 MILES, DEALER SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT WAS A GAS-SAVING FEATURE. I NOW ANTICIPATE IT HAPPENING, SO HAVE HAD NO ACCIDENT, BUT A FEW CLOSE CALLS EARLY ON. 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX 4WD, NOW WITH 95,000 MILES. *TR

05MY TOYOTA MATRIX - IRREGULAR WEAR OF TIRES POSSIBLY DUE TO FRONT SHOCKS. BRAND NEW TIRES DON'T LAST MORE THAN A FEW YEARS ON THESE VEHICLES. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET YET TOYOTA HAS NOT ISSUED A TSB FOR THIS ISSUE. IT'S NOT THAT THE TIRES HAVE LOTS OF TREAD WEAR, BUT THEY WEAR UNUSUALLY AND LEAD TO VIBRATION - EVEN AFTER THEY ARE MAINTAINED AND BALANCED. ADDITIONALLY, I RECENTLY REPLACED MY 4 TIRES THAT HAD UNUSUAL AND IRREGULAR WEAR. WITH THIS WEAR, THE VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES SIGNIFICANTLY ABOVE 50MPH. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS COMPLAINT FOR A POSSIBLE SAFETY RECALL. FRONT SHOCKS SHOULD BE COVERED UP TO 80K SINCE MOST OF THE 05'S ARE ALMOST OUT OF WARRANTY. AGAIN TREAD WEAR IS STILL GOOD, BUT IT'S THE WAY THAT THE TIRES WEAR THAT IS THE ISSUE. *CN

I OWN A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. ON 10/29/09 THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE COMPUTER SYSTEM. MECHANIC SAID THAT THEY HAD TROUBLE WITH ALOT OF THE MATRIXS AND COROLLAS. COST ME ABOUT $1000.00 TO REPLACE. MY CLOCK HAS BEEN COMING ON EVERY SO OFTEN,BUT MOSTLY STAYS OFF.THE DOORS ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO LOCK IF KEY IS IN IGNITION OR RUNNING. THREE TIMES IT HAS LOCKED ME OUT. THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS ARE MEDDED UP ONLY HALF LIGHT UP,THIS HAS BEEN THIS WAY FOR WELL OVER A YEAR. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHEN I HAD THE WORK DONE THEY NEVER FIXED IT. I THINK THAT SOMEONE SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS MATTER BECAUSE IF THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER ON SO MANY CARS THEY SHOULD HAVE A RECALL. ALSO, MY PEDAL GOT STUCK AND CAUSED ME TO RUN INTO A SNOW BANK AND MESS UP MY FRONT FENDER. *TR

REQUEST TO THE GOVERNMENT: PLEASE LOOK INTO SUSPENSION PROBLEMS IN THE 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX AND SIMILAR TOYOTAS THAT CAUSE IRREGULAR AND PREMATURE TIRE WEAR, INCLUDING "CUPPING" WHICH COULD LEAD TO UNEXPECTED TIRE FAILURE AND WHICH CAUSE OWNERS TO BE REQUIRED TO REPLACE TIRES PREMATURELY. I EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM, FIRST NOTICED BY LOUD, UNEXPECTED TIRE NOISE. I HAD TO REPLACE 4 TIRES AT 30,000 MILES, FAR EARLIER THAN EVER IN MY 50 YEARS OF DRIVING EXPERIENCE. A DEALER UNOFFICIALLY ADMITTED THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MATRIX SUSPENSION. THE INTERNET HAS MANY ANGRY OWNERS DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM (UNDER T. MATRIX TIRE PROBLEMS, AND SIMILAR). TOYOTA NEVER ADMITTED THE PROBLEM WAS FAULTY DESIGN, BUT IN LIGHT OF RECENT EVENTS, THIS CLEAR FAULT SHOULD ALSO BE INVESTIGATED. THIS IS A DEFECT THAT MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO DANGEROUS EVENTS AT WORST AND EXTRA EXPENSE COMMONLY. THANKS *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX WITH 40,000 MILES, I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, CAR WAS NOT EVEN GOING 1 MILE AN HOUR, HAD TAKEN MY FOOT OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL, DID NOT EVEN HAVE A CHANCE TO PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES, WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, MADE A NOISE, JUMPED THE CURB AND SMASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE CAR HAD $3,000 WORTH IN DAMAGES LEAVING A CRACK IN THE BRICK WALL OF THE BUILDING CAUSING STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. THE SUDDEN, UNINTENDED ACCELERATION HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE FLOOR MAT. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE AS TOYOTA WOULD NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE AT ALL, SAYING THAT THE MATRIX WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. TOYOTA HAS NOT ACCOMMODATED ME AT ALL WITH THIS INCIDENT. I AM TERRIFIED WHEN I DRIVE NOW THAT IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN, NOT TO MENTION THE WORTH OF THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. DUE TO THIS I AM LOOKING FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE. *TR

ECM FAILURE ON 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. CAUSED LURCHING,ACCELERATION CHANGES DURING AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFTING., CAUSING UNSAFE DRIVING BY DRIVER. DEALER SAID VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY AND MILEAGE TOO HIGH (80,500) FOR THEM TO REPLACE AT THEIR COST. *TR

1) I TOOK MY 05 TOYOTA MATRIX INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A 60,000 MILE CHECK UP. I HAD PURCHASED THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT. I WAS BILLED $700.00, AND TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME. 2) I TOOK THE VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTAT TO WORK AND NOTICED A VERY BAD 'SHIMMY', AND THE VEHICLE DRIFTED TO THE LEFT. A DEFINITE ALIGNMENT PROBLEM. I WAS VERY UPSET AT SPENDING $700, TO HAVE THE VEHICLE RETURNED IS WORSE CONDITION THAN WHEN I TOOK IT IN. FOR THE CHECK UP. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME THEY "ADJUSTED" THE ALIGNMENT, AND RETURNED THE CAR TO ME. I TOOK THE VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE AND FOUND I HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK THE NEXT DAY TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DELERSHIP TOLD ME THAT 'CENTERING RINGS' WERE NOT PUT ON THE RIMS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. I HAD CENTERING RINGS PUT ON THE VEHICLE, AND TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE PROBLEMS TO BE FIXED. THEY RETURNED THE VEHICLE THE NEXT DAY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE ON THE INTERSATE AND FOUND I HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. I RETURNED THE VEHICLE THE NEXT DAY. I INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP THAT I WENT ON-LINE AND FOUND OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT A 'SHIM KIT'COULD HELP. THE DELALERSHIP TOLD ME I HAD THE 'WRONG' TIRES ON THE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH THEY WERE VIRTUALLY NEW. THEY SAID I NEEDED "DIRECTIONAL" TIRES. I PURCHASED AND INSTALLED NEW DIRECTIONAL TIRES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP INSTALLED A SHIM KIT, WHICH HELPED BUT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEMS. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DID ALL THEY COULD DO. THEY DID NOT LIST THE SHIM KIT ON THEIR REPAIR PAPERWORK FOR THE VEHICLE. I HAD NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE BEFORE TAKING IT IN FOR THE CHECKUP. THIS IS EVIDENTLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, WHICH A 'QUICK FIX' WAS DONE AT THE TIMEOF MANUFACTURE. IT DID NOT ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM. IT ONLY "HID" THE PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE STILL HAS A SHIMMY AND ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS. *TR

2005 TOYOTA MATRIX INEXPLICABLY ACCELERATED RESULTING IN DRIVER AND CAR CRASHING INTO GROCERY STORE AND HITTING A GAS UTILITY LINE. CAR WAS COMPLETELY TOTALED WITH NO DEATHS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WITH AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE OF ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL WITH DIFFICULTY IN SLOWING DOWN, AND CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURY TO THE ARM; THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WITH FRONT END DAMAGES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE BODY DAMAGES. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A PROBLEM AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE ACCELERATION FAILURE RECURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

FAILURE OF RETENTION SYSTEM FOR FRONT RIGHT INNER FENDER/SHIELD. THERE IS ONLY ONE RETENTION POINT AT FRONT (ON BUMPER). WHEN FAILS, SHIELD/INNER FENDER BEHIND FRONT BUMPER DRAGS ON GROUND. HOLE FOR RETENTION PIN HAS ONLY ABOUT 1/4 INCH OF MATERIAL TO REAR OF HOLE - THE PLASTIC SPLITS. DID NOT SPLIT IN RESPONSE TO HITTING ANYTHING - CAR WAS SITTING IN DRIVEWAY WHEN FAILED. WHEN TOOK TO DEALER (STILL UNDER WARRANTY), OFFERED CHOICE OF CABLE TIE REPAIR (FREE) OR REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE INNER FENDER ASSEMBLY ($211). CHOSE CABLE TIE, ALTHOUGH DEALER ALSO LEFT ROPE REPAIR I HAD INSTALLED TO HOLD UNTIL GETTING TO DEALER. DEALER INDICATED ROPE SHOULD STAY - HARDLY A REAL REPAIR. LEFT SIDE FAILED PREVIOUSLY - HAD TO PERSONALLY REPLACE RETENTION PIECES. DEALER SERVICE REP INDICATED THAT THEY SEE A NUMBER OF MATRIX XR AND XRS MODELS WITH SAME PROBLEM, DUE TO GROUND EFFECTS INSTALLED ON THOSE MODELS. SEEMS TO STRONGLY IMPLY A DESIGN DEFECT. *TR

VEHICLE TIRE WEAR ON MATRIX XRS (2005). NO MATTER WHAT BRAND OF TIRES, EVEN WITH REGULAR ROTATION AND BALANCING/ALIGNMENTS, THE TIRES WEAR FROM THE INSIDE OUT WITH SEVERE CUPPING. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE MY TIRES EVERY 20K MILES (I NOW HAVE 130K MILES ON THE CAR IN JUST 4 YEARS, I NEED TIRES TO LAST!). EACH OF THE MECHANICS I'VE SPOKEN TO SAY THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AND JUST TO KEEP ROTATING THEM AND THAT IT IS A PROBLEM IN ASSEMBLY AT THE FACTORY LEVEL. I AM FED UP AND WILL NOT BE BUYING ANOTHER TOYOTA. *TR