2005 Toyota Matrix complaints

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. *TR

I ALREADY TURNED IN AN INCIDENT BUT DID NOT GET AN E-MAIL OR ANY REPLY BACK SO AM DOING IT AGAIN TO MAKE SURE. MY AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN GOING ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR 1.5 YEARS. I WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA THAT IT WOULD COST $180 TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND WAS NEVER TOLD THAT WHEN MY AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ON THAT MY AIR BAG WOULD NOT GO OFF. I RECENTLY FOUND THIS OUT SO HAD IT CHECKED OUT. TURNS OUT IT IS A FAULTY CLOCK. TOYOTA HAS THE CLOCK AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THEIR AIR BAGS. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THEY PUT MY FAMILY AT RISK BECAUSE OF A CLOCK. IT COST ME $560 TO FIX AS WELL. THERE WAS NEVER ANY ASSISTANCE ON TOYOTA'S PART TO ASSIST ME, LOWER THE COST. MY CLOCK BY THE WAY WORKS PERFECTLY FINE AND IT TOOK THEM 1.5 HOURS TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. *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

AIRBAG LIGHT DRIVERS SIDE STAYS ON. *TR

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.

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ONE. WENT TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0441 P0455. DEALER CHARGED ME $490.00 AFTER $200.00 REBATE. REPLACED: CAP ASSY. FUEL TANK, PIPE SUB.ASSY. FU, VALVE ASSY. VACUUM. I NEVER GOT RECALL NOTICE. TAB SHOULD BE PICK UP BY TOYOTA . *TR

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL WIRING FOR THE AIR BAGS FAILED. THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE FOR THE SUPPLEMENT RESTRAINT ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

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

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.

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

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

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

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 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.

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

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

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

I OWN A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX AND MY AIRBAG SENSOR IS ON. I HAVE TALKED TO AND READ ABOUT THIS BRAND CAR AND THAT YEAR CAR ALL HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT. WHY HAS THIS NEVER BEEN RECALLED? I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A MECHANIC BUT HE SAID THIS IS A COMPLAINT THAT EVERYONE WITH THE MATRIX AND THE YEAR 2005 HAVE. YOU CAN FIND MORE ABOUT THIS BY READING THE INTERNET UNDER TOYOTA MATRIX 2005. THANK YOU. UPDATED 05/12/11 *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.

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 P

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING IN REVERSE AND AS HE STOPPED AND SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE HE ENGAGED BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. AFTER THE FIRST FAILURE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE MENTIONED THE FAILURE TO THE DEALER .THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT HE WAS NOT AWARE OF THAT TYPE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURE NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,200.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

THE AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED COMING ON IN MY 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX - I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY CLEARED THE CODE, BUT "FOUND NO PROBLEM." THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON AND OFF AND HAS BEEN RESET SEVERAL TIMES. AFTER NOTING SIMILAR PROBLEMS REPORTED BY OTHERS AT WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM, I EMAILED TOYOTA REGARDING A SOLUTION. THEIR RESPONSE IS TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. IT IS OF CONCERN TO ME THAT THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT AS HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHERS, AND IT MAY BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT FOR WHICH TOYOTA NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE. *TR

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.

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

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 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

2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. CONSUMER STATES UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE WAS APPROACHING A RED TRAFFIC SIGNAL TO A LOCAL SHOPPING CENTER, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE. SINCE HE WAS NEARING A RED LIGHT, HE ALREADY HAD HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS OBVIOUS SOMETHING WAS WRONG, SO HE IMMEDIATELY PLACED THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL. THE RPM OF THE VEHICLE'S TACHOMETER RACED BETWEEN 3,000 AND 4,000. WHEN THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED GREEN, HE PLACED THE GEAR IN DRIVE, KEPT HIS FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE AND MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE INTO THE PARKING LOT AND INTO A PARKING SPACE. HE PLACED THE GEAR INTO PARK, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV BETWEEN 3,000 AND 4,000. HE KICKED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN AN ATTEMPT TO POSSIBLY LOWER THE RPM, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONSUMER TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, EXITED THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO INSPECT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AREA FOR POSSIBLE SIGNS OF OBSTRUCTION ON THE FLOOR, IN THE CARPET AREA OR ON THE FLOOR MAP. THERE WAS NONE. HE OPENED THE HOOD OF THE CAR AND LOOKED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOR POSSIBLE SIGNS OF DEBRIS, BUT THERE WAS NONE. THE CONSUMER STATED IT IS OBVIOUS THERE IS AN ELECTRONIC/COMPUTER GLITCH AND NOT A PROBLEM WITH A STICKING GAS PEDAL. *JB

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

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 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.

MY WIFE EXPERIENCE AN ACCELERATION OF OUR 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. WE DID NOT THINK MUCH OF IT AT THE TIME, BUT WITH THE CURRENT RECALLS WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE INCLUDED. IT WAS NOT, TOYOTA WILL NOT LOOK AT IT OR REPLACE IT. THEY SAID IT MUST BE DONE AT OUR OWN EXPENSE. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA, THE CASE NUMBER IS 1003113923. I FEEL THAT TOYOTA IS NOT LOOKING FURTHER IN MORE PROBLEMS, AND IS STILL NOT ADDRESSING THE ISSUES AT HAND. THE DEALER OR CUSTOMER SERVICE DID NOT REALLY CARE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER SHE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE VEHICLE ACTED AS IF IT WANTED TO ACCELERATE ALTHOUGH HER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THEY TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE SINCE IT OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED SEVERAL TIMES BUT NO CLAIM WAS FILE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX XR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ROTORS AND THE PADS NUMEROUS TIMES; HOWEVER, THEY HAVE CONTINUED TO FAIL. THE BRAKES DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IN COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURER WAS NEVER CALLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,700.