2004 Toyota Matrix complaints

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. *TR

TOYOTA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE ALIGNMENT ISSUES WITH THIS MODEL. CONSTANT INNER TIRE WEAR ISSUES. ALIGNED TO SPEC. EVERY YEAR. SHIM ADDED TO REAR TO CORRECT FACTORY MISALIGNMENT. TIRES BADLY CHOPPED AFTER JUST 15K MILES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIFT OFF TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT TRIED TO STRAIGHTEN UP THE STEERING WHEEL BUT IT LOCKED UP AND CAUSED HER TO CRASH INTO A DITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE DRIVER AND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DECLARED THE VEHICLE DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS GOING TO SEND AN AGENT TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT WOULD SEND AN INVESTIGATOR TO THE DEALER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND THE SPEED INCREASED TO APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL GEAR AND THEN; THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

STARTED MAKING LOUD NOISE, THEN LOCKING UP. COULD NOT SHIFT OR GET INTO GEAR. *TR

2004 TOYOTA MATRIX XR - FAILURE OF ECM (ENGINE CONTROL MODULE). 2005 - 2009 HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR FAILURE OF THIS PART. TOYOTA WILL NOT RECOGNIZE NEED TO COVER FAILURE IN THIS MODEL YEAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THE BEARINGS IN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000. UPDATED 09/12/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A SUNSHINE KIDS RADIAN XTSL CHILD SEAT, MODEL NUMBER 19500, MANUFACTURED IN SEPTEMBER 2010. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUPER LATCH WOULD BECOME LOOSE DUE TO THE INFANT KICKING THE BUCKLE SINCE SHE WAS REAR FACING. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT DID NOT RETURN THE SAFETY SEAT TO THE MANUFACTURER OR WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED.

BEARINGS FAILED IN 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSAXLE ON MY 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX WITH 135,000 KMS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ALIGNMENT WAS UNEVEN, CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE TIRES. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRES THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,000. UPDATED 04/12/11*LJ UPDATED 04/13/11

BOTH FRONT AXLES NEEDING REPLACED, CRACK, 2004 LESS THEN 70,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE NO ACCIDENTS. *TR

2004 MANUAL TOYOTA MATRIX XR 1. I WAS HEARING A VERY SLIGHT TINKLING SOUND WHEN AT LOW RPMS IN 2ND, 3RD AND 5TH GEARS. WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS PRESSED THE SOUND WENT AWAY. THE SOUND WAS OCCURRING FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS BEFORE THE FAILURE. 2. COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. DRIVING IN 5TH GEAR AND THERE WAS A WHIRRING SOUND, A CLUNK, AND THE CAR JUMPED OUT OF GEAR. COULD NOT GET INTO 1ST, 2ND, 5TH, OR REVERSE. WHEN CAR IS NEUTRAL IT IS STILL IN GEAR. WE HAD SIGNIFICANT TROUBLE TOWING THE CAR AS I HAD TO BE INSIDE THE CAR WITH THE CLUTCH DOWN AS THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER PUSHED IT. 3. REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH ATTEMPTING TO STOP; THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW WAS ACTIVATED, FOLLOWED BY A CLUNKING AND RATTLING NOISE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED IN DECEMBER OF 2008 UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V162000 (VISIBILITY:GLASS,SIDE/REAR). THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW OPERATED CORRECTLY BEFORE THE RECALL REMEDY REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE CONTACT OPENED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITH HER LEFT LEG EXTENDED OUTSIDE OF THE DOOR. UNEXPECTEDLY, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED REPEATEDLY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RAPIDLY ACCELERATE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A MAILBOX AND TREE. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE WHEN ENTERING A DITCH. THE CONTACT SUFFERED TORN LIGAMENTS TO THE LEFT LEG. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED; AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE NOT BE DRIVEN AND BE TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER SIDE VIEW MIRROR AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

MY 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX XR WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION HAS SUDDENLY DISPLAYED SEVERE MECHANICAL NOISE FROM THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION AREA. SMOG TECHNICIANS WOULDN'T TAKE LIABILITY TO RUN ENGINE FOR SMOG TESTS TO REGISTER FOR THE COMING YEAR, SO IS NOW REGISTERED AS PLANNED NON-OPERATION UNTIL I CAN GET THE CAR FIXED. GOOGLING "TOYOTA MATRIX TRANSMISSION NOISE" OR "TOYOTA MATRIX ENGINE NOISE" LEADS TO SEVERAL SITES IN WHICH TOO MANY OWNERS ARE EITHER EXPERIENCING COMPLETE ENGINE LOSS DUE TO "OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM" OR TOTAL TRANSMISSION LOSS DUE TO "ADMITTED TRANSMISSION BEARING DESIGN FLAW". I WILL NOT DRIVE THIS CAR AGAIN ON THE ROADWAY DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FUNCTION AT ANY TIME. THIS CAR IS A GREAT DESIGN FOR FUNCTIONALITY, BUT I AM TOTALLY DISMAYED AND FRUSTRATED THAT AT 120,000 MILES, THE CAR IS OFF THE ROAD FOR SERIOUS ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION FLAWS THAT APPEAR TO BE VERY COMMON, CONSIDERING I BOUGHT TOYOTA FOR THE RELIABILITY THAT WE ALL KNOW SO MUCH ABOUT. I HAVE KEPT UP ON THE OIL CHANGES SINCE THEY WERE PRE-PURCHASED FOR 5 YEARS WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR, AND HAVE KEPT FRESH AFTER THE 5 YEARS EXPIRED. VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE FATE THAT THIS CAR HAS PRESENTED ME, AND THE COSTS THAT I WILL HAVE TO INCUR TO GET IT BACK ON THE ROAD. *TR

THE CAR HAS A CONTINUOUS GRUMBLE FROM CLUTCH AREA, TOYOTA SAYS IT HAS A INPUT SHAFT BEARING FAILURE. ESTIMATED REPAIR $3500.00. *TR

I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. IT HAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES AND HAVE BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF. ON AUGUST 20, 2010, DRIVING 30-35 MILES PER HOUR, THE FRONT AXEL BROKE! I DID NOT RUN OVER A POT-HOLE, THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT---NOTHING TO REMOTELY CAUSE THE FRONT AXEL TO BREAK. IT IS VERY UPSETTING HAVING TO PAY FOR A REPAIR THAT IS A DEFECT IN THE CAR AND NOW BEING TOLD THAT THEY CAN'T EVEN FIND THE PART TO REPAIR THE CAR. *TR

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED IN 2007 WITH 15,000 MILES ON IT. WITHIN A YEAR THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. GOT THIS REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND WITHIN A YEAR THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN DOING RESEARCH ON THIS MODEL YEAR MATRIX TO SEE IF IT WAS JUST MY CAR DOING THIS, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER PEOPLE WITH 2004 MATRIX THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT HAPPENS IS PARTS OF THE FLY WHEEL OR CLUTCH DYSFUNCTION. IT MAKES THE CAR STOP AND IT MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. IT HAPPENED ONCE WHILE I WAS ON A REMOTE SECTION OF HIGHWAY AND THE OTHER TIME I WAS STARTING MY CAR IN THE MORNING TO LEAVE FOR WORK. MY CAR HAS CLOSE TO 70,000 MILES ON IT NOW, BUT AS I STATED PREVIOUSLY, IT HAPPENED AT AROUND 20,000 MILES THE FIRST TIME, WHICH IS UNUSUAL FOR A TOYOTA, OR ANY CAR FOR THAT MATTER. PARTS WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP BOTH TIMES, BUT I'M SCARED IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN. I DO NOT TRUST THIS VEHICLE TO DRIVE OVER EXTENDED PERIODS OR MILES. *TR

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. *TR

THE ENGINE HAD "SLUDGED" AT ABOUT 70,000 MILES (2004 TOYOTA MATRIX). THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP HAD DONE THE OIL CHANGES ROUTINELY SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR CERTIFIED. THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT USING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY I HAD PURCHASED FROM A PRIVATE COMPANY (NOT TOYOTA). THE CAR WAS KNOCKING WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM MICHIGAN TO FLORIDA. I CHECKED THE OIL, IT WAS DRY, SO I BOUGHT MORE OIL AND FILLED IT (2 QUARTS). BY THE TIME I GOT HOME, THE OIL STICK AGAIN READ EMPTY, SO I AGAIN FILLED IT. I DID NOT SEE ANY OIL BURNING (THE SMOKE CLOUD). ANOTHER DAY PASSED AND THE OIL WAS EMPTY AGAIN, SO I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP AND THEY DETERMINED THE OIL HAD BEEN CLOGGED. *TR

2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. CONSUMER STATES DRIVER SIDE FRONT WINDOW CLANKS WHENEVER ITS LOWERED BELOW HALF WAY, AND MAKES A RUBBING NOISE WHEN IT IS RAISED*TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SYMPTOMS AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL GARAGE TO HAVE THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED. AFTER LOCATING A RECALL, THE REPAIR SHOP CALLED A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. BUT, WHEN THEY CHECKED THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB

I HAVE NEVER HAD MECHANICAL ISSUES WITH MY 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. LAST WEEKEND WHILE TRYING TO MERGE ONTO INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 10 IN AZ FOR A WEEKEND CAMPING TRIP WITHOUT WARNING MY ENGINE SEIZED WHILE I WAS TRYING TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE ENGINE STOPPED AND THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER BEFORE THE SEMI BEHIND ME REAR ENDED ME. I AM THANKFUL TO BE ALIVE AS WELL AS THE INFANT I HAD WITH ME IN THE CAR. WHEN WE TOWED THE CAR TO A MECHANIC HE ACCUSED ME OF DRIVING THE CAR WITHOUT OIL BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS FULL OF SLUDGE. THANKFULLY MY FATHER WAS WITH ME AND HE EXPLAINED TO THE MECHANIC THAT I REGULARLY HAVE MY CAR SERVICED AND WE HAD OIL IN THE CAR AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. AFTER SOME SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH TOYOTAS. I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND IF THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WHY TOYOTA HAS NOT INFORMED THEIR CUSTOMERS SO THAT WE CAN PROTECT OURSELVES AND THE PASSENGERS IN OUR CARS. *TR

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.

HEARD RATTLING WHEN CAR IN GEAR. OUR MECHANIC SAID IT IS THE MAIN BEARING IN THE TRANSMISSION AND IT WOULD GET LOUDER AND THEN SEIZE UP EVENTUALLY. THIS CAR HAS BEEN REGULARLY AND WELL MAINTAINED AND HAS ONLY 107 K ON IT. THE CLUTCH IS STILL ORIGINAL AND THE TRANS NEEDS REPLACING BEFORE IT ? LOCAL DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING HE DO. WE ARE GOING TO PUT A NEW TRANSMISSION IN AND DRIVE IT FOR ANOTHER 40 K THEN DUMP IT. AM COMPLETELY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS CAR AND IN TOYOTA. *TR

I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX 2WD BASE MODEL WITH 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I HAD 75,000 MILES ON IT AND VERY FEW ISSUES UNTIL ONE DAY ON THE HIGHWAY, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED UP COMPLETELY. THE ONLY RECOURSE WAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. HE STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP SIGN WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKES, IT SURGED FORWARD . HE WOULD HAD TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE . THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEGUN TO SURGE EVERY SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100000. UPDATED 05/10/10*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX XR. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PARK THE VEHICLE AT 3 MPH, IT ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN. THE DRIVER SAID THAT SHE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. SHE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL GEAR IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,873. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 15,000. UPDATED 05/07/10

I OWNED A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX THAT WAS TOTALLED IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN 2006. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW AND WAS THE ONLY OWNER. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT MY SISTER WAS DRIVING, AND I WAS THE PASSENGER. BASICALLY, WE WERE DRIVING ON CRUISE CONTROL IN THE LEFT LANE OF THE HIGHWAY, A SEMI CUT US OFF, AND WHEN MY SISTER PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. I WITNESSED HER PRESSING THE BRAKE, AND NOTHING WAS HAPPENING. MY SISTER SWERVED INTO THE RIGHT LANE TO AVOID REAR-ENDING THE SEMI, LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR, SPUN INTO THE SIDE OF THE SEMI, AND THEN BOUNCED OFF THE SEMI AND RAN OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE ENGINE, THE SPEED, AND ACCELERATION OF THE CAR DID NOT CHANGE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE COURSE OF THE ACCIDENT. WHEN THE POLICE CAME OUT, BOTH MY SISTER AND I DESCRIBED THESE EVENTS TO THE POLICE OFFICERS. I ALSO EXPLAINED THIS TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY. AT THE TIME, I BELIEVED SO STRONGLY THAT THE CAR MALFUNCTIONED IN SOME WAY THAT I TRIED TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER, BUT THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOT INTERESTED. AT THE TIME I DID SOME RESEARCH TO SEE IF OTHER DRIVERS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS, BUT I COULD FIND NOTHING. SINCE THE CAR WAS TOTALLED, I COULD NOT KEEP THE CAR TO HAVE IT EXAMINED AND I HAD LITTLE CHOICE BUT TO LET THE MATTER GO. NOW IT IS FOUR YEARS LATER AND THERE IS A MASSIVE TOYOTA RECALL, BUT THE 2004 MATRIX IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. I FEEL OBLIGATED TO FILE A COMPLAINT, NOT FOR GAIN ON MY PART, BUT B

MANUAL TRANSMISSION SEIZED WHILE DRIVING TOYOTA MATRIX. CAR TOTALLY LOCKED UP AND STOPPED ON THE FREEWAY. CAR ONLY HAD 114,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS REGULARLY SERVICED. FAULTY EQUIPMENT AND DANGEROUS. *TR

2004 MATRIX TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE WIFE WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ON A RAINY NIGHT. PRIOR TO THIS THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO HAVE NOISES WHICH ONE MIGHT ATTRIBUTE TO AN AUTO AT 110,000 MILES. AFTER THIS FAILURE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT EXCEPT WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY. I HAD THE MATRIX TOWED HOME AND AM IN THE PROCESS OF DETERMINING SOLUTION. THE REST OF THE CAR IS FLAWLESS BUT THIS EARLY FAILURE OF A MANUAL TRANSMISSION IN A TOYOTA IS DISCOURAGING. THE SITUATION WAS A DANGEROUS ONE AS FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION CAUSED THOSE VEHICLES AROUND HER TO BECOME AGGRESSIVE TOWARDS THE SLOWLY MOVING MATRIX. MY WIFE WAS EXTREMELY FORTUNATE TO COAX THE CAR TO SAFETY. THESE UNEXPECTED REPAIRS WILL COST ME AROUND $2500 TO $3000 TO RESOLVE. THE AUTO IS OF NO VALUE WITHOUT THE REPAIR, AND WITH THE REPAIR RESALE NOT MUCH GREATER. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHEN IN DRIVE, FOOT ON THE BRAKES, THE CAR ON OCCASIONS WILL LURCH FORWARD. THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO TOYOTA NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. I HAVE THIS DOCUMENTED BACK TO 2005. *TR

MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILED ON MY 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. STARTED MAKING CLUNKING AND GRINDING NOISES AND FIFTH GEAR STOPPED PROVIDING FORWARD MOVEMENT. I WAS ABLE TO USE LOWER GEARS. *TR

WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, OUR 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX, APPROX. 98K MILES STARTED TO BUCK AND MAKE A TERRIBLE GRINDING NOISE. WE THEN LOST 4TH AND 5TH GEARS. WE WERE FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND GET TO THE SIDE HOWEVER WE WERE STUCK AT NIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY. THE TRANSMISSION BEARINGS SHREDDED CAUSING THE CLUTCH TO FAIL. REPLACEMENT COST $3500.00. SINCE, WE HAD READ ABOUT HUNDREDS OF OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE AND WERE SHOCKED THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR INFERIOR PARTS AND RECALLED THE TRANSMISSION. TOYOTA'S REPUTATION AND THOUGHT OF DEPENDABILITY AND SAFETY HAS FALTERED. IT IS SAD BECAUSE WE HAVE OWNED SEVERAL OTHER TOYOTA'S IN THE PAST BUT WILL NOT CONSIDER PURCHASING ANOTHER. WE FEEL WE WERE PUT KNOWINGLY INTO DANGER DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AS SO MANY OTHERS UNFORTUNATELY SHARED THE SAME EXPERIENCE WITH SAME MODEL/YR TOYOTA. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO FAULTY BEARINGS. *TR

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, HEARD A GRINDING NOISE DROVE TO THE MECHANIC WE USE AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2004 MATRIX. THE CAR HAS BEEN MAKING NOISE FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS. I DID NOT TAKE IT TO THE SHOP TO FIND THE NOISE BECAUSE IT RAN FINE. THE LAST TIME I STARTED THE CAR BEFORE IT BROKE DOWN THE NOISE WAS REALLY LOUD AND DID NOT DRIVE VERY WELL. THE TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH SHIFTED FINE. CAR BROKE DOWN ON THE INTERSTATE. WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE FIRST EXIT. TOOK IT THE REPAIR SHOP. THEY DESCRIBED IT AS A METAL GRINDING NOISE AND SAW HEAVY VIBRATIONS FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHEN THE CAR WAS ON THE LIFT. REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION FOR $2700. GOT THE CAR BACK, DRIVES FINE. NO NOISE. *TR

TOYOTA MATRIX 2004 I HAVE BEEN NOTICING (WHAT APPEARED TO BE) SLIPPAGE IN THE CLUTCH, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER GEARS. THIS KEPT GETTING MORE PROBLEMATIC UNTIL 12-6-2009 THE CAR WOULD NOT GO MORE THAN 20 MPH AND SMELLED HOT. WHAT APPEARED TO BE TRANSMISSION OIL WAS FOUND ON THE DRIVEWAY UNDER THE CAR. NOTE: UPON LOOKING AT THIS ISSUE VIA THE WWW, I SEE THIS IS A 'PREVALENT' ISSUE WITH TOYOTA MATRIX BUT THE CAR DEALERSHIPS DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS. ?? *TR

I HAVE A 2004 MATRIX (5 SPEED MANUAL) WITH 85K AND THE THROWOUT BEARING HAS FAILED. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A CONCERT WITH A FEW YOUTH KIDS ON SATURDAY NIGHT. I WAS ENTERING THE 1-10E TRYING TO MERGE IN WITH TRAFFIC WHEN THE THROWOUT BEARING FAILED. I TRIED TO SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR, BUT IT WAS STUCK IN 2ND. I HAD TO SLAM THE GEAR INTO PLACE TO PREVENT GETTING RUN OVER BY A SUV. THIS WAS MY SECOND NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE THIS YEAR IN MY CAR DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION. EARLIER, WHEN THE CAR WAS AT 74K, THE FRONT AXLE ON THE TRANSMISSION BROKE. THIS BROKE IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION WHERE I HAD TO KEEP SWAYING MY BODY FORWARD UNTIL THE CAR HAD ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO ROLL ACROSS. AFTER REPLACING THE FRONT AXLE, I REALLY DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX ANOTHER TRANSMISSION ISSUE. TOYOTA NEEDS TO RECALL THEIR TRANSMISSIONS ON THE 2004 MATRIX, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY MORE TIMES I CAN AFFORD TO CHEAT DEATH. *TR

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON HIGHWAY. *TR

I AM A 53-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WHO GOT THE TIP OF MY RIGHT INDEX FINGER CAUGHT IN THE POWER WINDOW OF A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. IT FELT AS IF IT WOULD HAVE CUT IT OFF HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO PRESS THE RELEASE BUTTON WITH MY OTHER HAND. AS IT IS, ONE WEEK AFTER THE EVENT OCCURRED, THE TIP OF MY FINGER IS STILL NUMB. THIS WAS SO EASY TO DO, AND SO POTENTIALLY DAMAGING. PRESSURE-SENSITIVE POWER WINDOWS NEED TO BE IMPLEMENTED ASAP! *TR

MY 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX TRANSMISSION FAILED. NOT THE CLUTCH, BEARINGS OR PRESSURE PLATE...THE TRANSMISSION. HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $3800. APPARENTLY I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THE PROBLEM...JUST DO A GOOGLE SEARCH FOR 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND LOOK AT THE 30+ PAGES OF COMMENTS ON EDMUNDS SITE. TOYOTA NEEDS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AS A DEFECT AND REFUND OUR MONEY. WE NEED YOUR HELP, PLEASE. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX WITH MILEAGE OF 52,811 AND A STANDARD TRANSMISSION. I HAD TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH. THE WARRANTY COVERS 60,000 MILES OR FIVE YEARS, SO I WAS UNDER THE MILEAGE BUT SIX MONTHS OVER THE YEARS. I UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH CLUTCH/TRANSMISSION WITH THE 2003-2006 MATRIXES. IT SEEMS VERY EARLY TO ME FOR THE CLUTCH TO HAVE FAILED AND IT COST $1,295 TO FIX. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT DOWNSHIFTED TO FOURTH GEAR AND HEARD A GRINDING AND SQUEALING NOISE. THE NOISE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE GEAR BEARINGS WERE WORN, WHICH RESULTED IN GEAR FLUID LEAKAGE FROM THE SEALS. THE GEAR FLUID WAS DISPENSED INTO THE FLUID RESERVOIR. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY INOPERATIVE AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 94,620.

I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 88 AT ABOUT 70 MPH AND AT MILE MARKER 117 THE HOOD OF MY CAR FLEW OPEN AND SHATTERED MY WINDSHIELD. I WAS STUCK IN THE FAST LANE OF TRAFFIC BECAUSE I WAS IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE AND THE SHOULDERS WERE BLOCKED OFF. I HAD NOWHERE TO GO, AND IT WAS A VERY SCARY SITUATION. THE HOOD LATCH HAS NEVER FAILED BEFORE, AND THE LAST TIME I HAD MY HOOD OPEN WAS WHEN I HAD MY OIL CHANGED ABOUT TWO MONTHS BEFORE. I HAD DRIVEN ON THE INTERSTATE MANY TIMES SINCE THEN, AND THE HOOD WAS SECURELY LATCHED. I REPORTED MY DAMAGES TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY, AND THE HOOD, WINDSHIELD, ROOF AND GRILL OF MY CAR WERE REPLACED, TOTALING $4,800 IN DAMAGES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT 60,000 MILES, THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND REAR AXLE FAILED. THIS INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NO RECALLS WERE AVAILABLE; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 123,000. UPDATED 3/16/09 *CN UPDATED 03/18/09.*JB

TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION IS 4 YEARS OLD AND SEEMS TO HAVE EXPERIENCE A BEARING FAILURE. PROBLEM BEGINS WITH LOUD RATTLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE, WHICH EVENTUALLY LEADS TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE AS STATED BY SIMILAR OWNERS. I DISCOVERED THE CHRONIC PROBLEM AFTER READING A INTERNET FORUM WITH 26 PAGES OF THE SIMILAR USERS WITH THE SAME ISSUES. LINK IS LISTED BELOW: HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F0D9B0E/130 WITH MY SITUATION, THE CAR IS IN THE REPAIR SHOP, NOT SURE WHAT ACTION TO TAKE AS PROBLEM WILL OCCUR WITH UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME. *TR

MY 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX AT 87,000 NOW NEEDS A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT IN TO BE DIAGNOSED. P0420 WAS THE CODE. WARRANTY FOR THIS PART IS FOR 80,000 MILES. THE COST TO REPLACE THIS PART IS 1300.00 BY THE DEALER. A NEW TOYOTA REPLACEMENT CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS BEING INSTALLED TODAY. MY MECHANIC STATES THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH TOYTOA MATRIXES AND THAT TOYOTA SHOULD BE REPLACING THESE. I KEEP MY CARS FOR A REALLY LONG TIME (LAST CAR 310,000 MILES) AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THIS IS NOT A PART THAT SHOULD NEED REPLACING AT 87,000 MILES. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED IN THE SO CALLED RELIABILITY OF TOYOTA'S AND REALLY DISAPPOINTED IN THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE. I CALLED AND SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT TO TOYOTAUSA AND WAS BASICALLY TOLD THAT THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT A PROBLEM OR TOYOTA WOULD HAVE RECALLED THESE ALREADY. OBVIOUSLY, TOYOTA DOES NOT KEEP TRACK OF THEIR CUSTOMER MAINTENANCE RECORDS AND COMPLAINTS OR THEY WOULD KNOW THAT THIS IS A CHRONIC ISSUE ON 2003-2004 MATRIXES. *TR

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. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. IN MAY OF 2008, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE WINDOW BOLTS ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V162000 (VISIBILITY: GLASS). ON OCTOBER 8, 2008, WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL THE MANUFACTURER TO REQUEST ADDITIONAL REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 33,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BOTH THE STEERING AND BRAKE PEDAL WOULD VIBRATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY RESURFACED THE ROTORS AND REPLACED THE PADS AT 18,430 MILES AND 33,573 MILES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 34,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,400. UPDATED 10-07-08 *BF UPDATED 10/15/08. *JB