2005 Toyota Matrix complaints

2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. OUR SON WAS DRIVING AT A HIGH SPEED, HE RAN A RED LIGHT AND SWERVED TO AVOID A CAR AND CRASHED WITHOUT SLOWING AT ALL. HE WAS KILLED. HE WAS A CAUTIOUS DRIVER AND WAS FEARFUL OF HIGH SPEEDS. *TR UPDATED 05/10/10 *BF UPDATED 10/14/10 UPDATE 9/21/2011*CW

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTO AN INTERSECTION AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL THE CRASH OCCURRED. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THERE IS A POLICE REPORT IF NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER. A TOYOTA FIELD ENGINEER INSPECTED THE BRAKES STATING THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO THE BRAKES. THE CRASH OCCURRED 20 DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CONTACT IS THE SECOND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 60,000. UPDATED EVOQ 08/10/10*JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK. UPDATED EVOQ 09/07/10*JB

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 SOL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS OBSTRUCTED BY THE CARPET AND FOOT REST WHICH MADE IF DIFFICULT TO SHIFT GEARS. THERE ALSO WAS NOT ENOUGH SPACE BETWEEN THE FOOT AND BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN 2004. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

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

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

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

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

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN HE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATION. HE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION AFTER REPEATED BRAKING ATTEMPTS. HE EXPERIENCED IDENTICAL FAILURE ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

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

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STARTED COME ON MY 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO, AND THE WARNING LIGHT USUALLY WENT OFF IF I RE-STARTED THE ENGINE. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER TO CHECK THE AIRBAG SYSTEM ON 2007, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. MY CAR ALREADY HAD OVER 36,000 MILES ON THAT TIME, THUS THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE WARNING LIGHT STILL CAME ON AND OFF OCCASIONALLY THEREAFTER. IN MARCH 2008, I HAD AN ACCIDENT WHEN I LOST THE CONTROL OF THE CAR DURING THE SNOWSTORM, AND I HIT THE FIRE HYDRANT AT A SPEED OF 35 MILES (MY CAR HAD 42000 MILES ON) THE CAR SUSTAINED A SEVERE FRONTAL DAMAGE, BUT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOYED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. IT COST MY INSURANCE OVER $9000 FOR THE REPAIRS. I IMMEDIATELY SUSPECTED THAT THERE MUST BEEN A COMPLETE AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILURE ON MY CAR SINCE THE WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN COME ON/OFF , SO I CONTACTED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE IF THEY CAN FIX THE FAULTY AIRBAG SYSTEM UNDER THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. I HEARD "NO" AND TOLD THAT I HAD TO PAY FROM MY OWN POCKET IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THE LIGHT SOMEHOW DISAPPEARED SOMEHOW SINCE THEN, SO I DID NOT BOTHER TO BRING THE CAR TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, I HAD ANOTHER ACCIDENT IN APRIL 2009 WHEN I HIT THE DEER ON THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY IN NJ. THE CAR SUSTAINED ANOTHER FRONTAL DAMAGE, AND CAR WAS NON-DRIVABLE. ONCE AGAIN, THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOYED AT ALL ALTHOUGH I WAS DRIVING AROUND 55 MILES. IT COST MY INSURANCE OVER $4000 TO REPAIR. MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS STARTED TO COM

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

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX WITH 88K MILES. THE ECM IN THE VEHICLE(MODEL 89661-01132) DIED. THE DEALER SAYS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS SERIES OF ECM PARTS AND THEY WILL INSTALL A NEW "UPDATED" VERSION (MODEL 89661-02K41) FOR A MERE $650. FROM SEARCHING ONLINE IT APPEARS TO BE A FAIRLY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AMONG TOYOTA MATRIX OWNERS AND YET TOYOTA HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR THESE FAULTY ECMS AND THE DEALER IS REFUSING TO REPLACE ECM OUTSIDE OF THE FEDERALLY MANDATED WARRANTY PERIOD. ALL AUTO MANUFACTURERS ARE REQUIRED BY THE EPA TO WARRANTY ECMS TO 80K MILES BUT THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A HUGE PROBLEM AND TOYOTA IS FAILING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A SHODDY BATCH OF ECMS. *TR

NEW 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX CHEWED UP THE FACTORY (CONTINENTAL CONTI-TOURING) TIRES IN SHORT ORDER (CAUSED "CUPPING"). DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO - IT WAS MY PROBLEM AND NOT A PROBLEM WITH MATRIX AND WE'D HAVE TO BUY NEW TIRES. COMPLAINED SEVERAL TIMES AFTER THAT BUT WAS BLOWN OFF EACH TIME. MY RESEARCH NOW SHOWS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL, THAT TOYOTA EVEN HAS A SHIM AND ADJUSTMENT KIT AVAILABLE BUT CONTINUES TO DENY IT TO CUSTOMERS AND REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

2005 TOYOTA MATRIX - PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AUTOMATIC WINDOW FAILURE; WINDOW WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND STUCK IN A POSITION THAT WAS NOT ALL THE WAY CLOSED (OR OPEN). THE WINDOW REGULATOR (WHICH WAS BENT OUT OF SHAPE) AND SMALL MOTOR WAS REMOVED BY OWNER AND THE WINDOW IS NOW PERMANENTLY IN CLOSED POSITION. THIS SOUNDS VERY SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEM LEADING TO THE RECALL OF 2003 AND 2004 MODELS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. THE RISK OF A SERIOUS INJURY WAS INCREASED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND OBTAIN A REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE YEAR WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE VOLUNTARY SAFETY CAMPAIGN; THEREFORE, HE WAS REFERRED TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 62,500.

DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (60 MPH) IN WET CONDITIONS ON INTERSTATE 5 JUST NORTH OF SEATTLE. SUDDENLY, THE SUNROOF EXPLODED OUTWARD. NO IMPACT WAS NOTED. WE HAVE A ROOFTOP BOX WHICH COVERS MOST OF THE SUNROOF FURTHER REDUCING THE LIKELIHOOD OF AN IMPACT DIRECTLY ON THE SUNROOF GLASS. *TR

THE CAR IS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX,5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION, THE CAR IS SERVICED BY A TECH AT SCHEDULED SERVICE TIMES. THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED,THE MECHANIC SAID THERE WERE REBUILDS AVAILABLE BUT STATED THE TOYOTA REPLACEMENT WAS THE WAY TO GO, I AGREE. TOYOTA SAYS THERE ARE NO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS HOWEVER IF YOU LOOK ON LINE ONE WILL SEE A RASH OF 5 SPEED TOYOTA MATRIX TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH A BEARING ALWAYS BEING BLAMED, I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS MANY PEOPLE BEAT THERE 5 SPEEDS TO DEATH IN A 4 DOOR STATION WAGON. ALSO NOTED WAS TOYOTA HAD 15 TRANSMISSION WAITING WHEN MINE WAS ORDERED-- PERHAPS THEY KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. NO ONE WILL SAY IF THE NEW TRANSMISSION HAS BEING IMPROVED OVER THE OLD UNIT,BECAUSE THAT WOULD MEAN THERE WAS A PROBLEM TO START WITH. THANKS TO TOYOTA I HAVE A CAR WITH A TRANSMISSION THAT MAY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IT STARTED WITH AT A COST OF 3,400.00 MORE. *TR

EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR HAS FORCED US TO BUY MULTIPLE NEW TIRES ON OUR 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FOLLOWED BY HARSH SHIFTING AND EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 82,000.

MY CAR HAD BIG NOISE COME FROM UNDERNEATH, I HAD THE DEALER CHECK AND THE DEAL FIND THE FUEL TANK FELL DOWN FROM THE CAR BECAUSE METAL STRIP WHICH HOLD IT WAS BROKEN. THE PROBLEM SHOW UP WHEN I HAVE NORMAL DRIVING. *TR

I HAVE TO REPLACE TIRES DUE TO THEM WEARING ON THE OUTSIDE THAT THE TIRE COMPANIES SAY IS NOT A CONSEQUENCE OF THE TIRES BUT RATHER MY CAR. *TR

1. TIRE PURCHASED FROM SEARS BLEW-OUT DUE TO TIRE VALVE STEM FAILURE. 4/2008 2. TIRE PURCHASED FROM SEARS LOST AIR DUE TO DEFECTIVE TIRE VALVE STEM. 6/2008. *TR

SEVERE CUPPING WEAR MAINLY ON FRONT TIRES ON THE INSIDE EDGES. *TR

MY TOYOTA MATRIX (2005) HAS A TERRIBLE ALIGNMENT PROBLEM, THAT CAUSES PREMATURE WEAR ON THE TIRES. *TR

CLUTCH-WAS ALWAYS VERY HARD TO PUT CAR INTO FIRST AND FROM FIRST INTO SECOND. AFTER ONE YEAR, TOOK IT INTO DEALER, WAS TOLD OKAY. AFTER SECOND YEAR, TOOK IT INTO DEALER, TOLD FLOOR MAT TOO THICK. TOOK FLOOR MAT OUT, SAME PROBLEM. AT THIRD YEAR, COULD NOT GET POWER (DIDN'T 'CATCH') IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. TOLD CLUTCH FAILED, MY FAULT (DRIVING STANDARDS FOR 25 YEARS), NOW QUOTED $1,760. *TR

VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AT REPAIR FACILITY, TECHNICIAN ADVISED ALL 4 TIRES HAD SPLITS ON SIDEWALLS RENDERING THEM UNSAFE. *TR

TODAY, THE ROADS ARE SLIGHTLY SLIPPERY, BUT WHILE EVERYONE AROUND US STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITHOUT PROBLEM, MY WIFE AND I WERE UNABLE TO STOP, CAREENING THROUGH A RED LIGHT. THANKFULLY, THERE WERE NO ONCOMING CARS. THE PROBLEM IS, WE DISCOVERED, OUR TIRES. OUR TOYOTA MATRIX XR 2WD 2005, AND OUR OEM CONTINENTAL TIRES, HAS 29,078 MILES. YET OUR MEASUREMENTS INDICATE THAT ALL FOUR OEM TIRES HAVE A TREAD OF 2/16" (OUTER) AND 3/16" (INNER). THIS IS PREMATURE WEAR. OUR DEALERSHIPS SERVICE CENTER HAS SAID THAT THEY HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A PROBLEM, YET THEY OFFER US NO HELP OR SOLUTION. *TR

THE REAR SEAT PASSENGER-SIDE AND DRIVER-SIDE RESTRAINTS ARE POORLY DESIGNED AND AS SUCH, THEY DO NOT PROVIDE ANY LATERAL SECURITY NEAR THE DOORS FOR SMALL PASSENGERS. MY SIX YEAR OLD DAUGHTER OF AVERAGE SIZE USUALLY FALLS BELOW THE SHOULDER RESTRAINT WHEN SHE FALLS ASLEEP. WHEN SHE AWAKES AND LIFTS HER TORSO, THE SHOULDER RESTRAINT OFTEN ENDS UP BEHIND HER TORSO! THIS RENDERS THE SHOULDER RESTRAINT COMPLETELY INEFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING INJURY TO THE UPPER TORSO OR HEAD IN ANY SIGNIFICANT COLLISION. HER HEAD ENDS UP RESTING ON THE DOOR AND THIS IS POTENTIALLY DEADLY IN A SIDE-IMPACT CRASH. *TR

CONTINENTAL TIRES WERE ALL CUPPED AT 15,000 MILES DEALER REPLACED ALL TIRES WITH DIFFERENT BRAND NEW TIRES CUPPED AGAIN AT 20,000+ MILES DEALER CLAIMS NOTHING IS WRONG WITH CAR. *TR

2005 TOYOTA MATRIX XRS CLUTCH IS WEAK AND FAILS MUCH SOONER THAN EXPECTED. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL TIRES, SIZE P205/55/R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES LOOK AS IF THEY HAVE BEEN CUT DOWN THE MIDDLE. THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT WARRANTY THE TIRES OR PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT SET. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VEHICLE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE ALL 24,000.

TOYOTA MATRIX 2005. NOTICE THAT AUTO NOISY ON THE ROAD. OTHER COMPLAIN ABOUT IT AS I AM USED TO IT. AT LAST OIL CHANGE SERVICE STAFF SAY I NEED NEW TIRES AND ALIGNMENT AS WEARING. I AM PUZZLED AND CHECK INTERNET AND COME ON SIGHTS THAT DESCRIBE THE SAME ISSUES I AM EXPERIENCING. I AM VERY CONCERNED - A FRIEND WAS IN A FATAL AUTO ACCIDENT 12 OR SO YEARS AGO THAT INVOLVED A SMALL PICK UP TRUCK AND LATER FIND TIRE PROBLEMS INVOLVED FOR OTHER OWNERS ALSO. VEHICLE ROLLED OVER! *TR

PREMATURE WEAR/CUPPING OF TIRES ON MY NEWLY PURCHASED 2005 MATRIX. PER TIRE MANUFACTURER, IT'S A MECHANICAL DEFECT, NOT A TIRE PROBLEM. SO, FAR TAKEN TO DEALER TWICE ON THE SAME ISSUE. BOTH TIMES WAS TOLD IT WAS THE TIRES. I WILL BE TAKING CAR IN AGAIN NOW TO HAVE THEM CHECK PROPER ALIGNMENT. AWAITING RESPONSE FROM EVALUATION AT THIS POINT. *TR

STEERING COMPONENT PROBLEMS HAVE LED TO EXCESSIVE CUPPING/TIRE WEAR ON 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX (29,000 MILES). HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT STEERING ISSUES SINCE PURCHASE (ORIGINAL OWNER) AND WAS ALWAYS TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES PROBLEMS - SOMETIMES - BUT CANNOT FIND ISSUE AND RESOLVE. I FEEL THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR KUMHO 20550R15 TIRES ARE EXPERIENCING UNEVEN TIRE WEAR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE DOT NUMBER, VIN, AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 28,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THERE WAS A LOSS OF ALL VEHICLE POWER, AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE CLUTCH OF THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE INITIAL REPLACEMENT, THE PROBLEM LATER PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT AFTER I START MY 2005 MATRIX XR UP AT NIGHT AND BEGIN TO DRIVE AWAY THAT MY TAIL LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS. I HAVE NOTICED A DELAY IN SOME OF THE DASH LIGHTS COMING ON, BUT WAS UNAWARE OF THE TAIL LIGHT SITUATION UNTIL IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION. THIS HAPPENS EACH TIME THAT THE CAR IS STARTED. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT TO A DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. *NM

THE MANUFACTURER STEREO WHICH IS A 5 DISC CHANGER CD PLAYER, DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE STEREO WILL NOT ACCEPT CDS. WHEN I HAD IT LOOKED AT BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SERVICEMAN, HE INFORMED ME THAT THE CD PLAYER HAD THE LIMIT OF 5 CDS IN IT. THE CD PLAYER DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THEY ARE IN THERE BUT WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY EITHER. I FOUND A MATCHING STEREO FROM AN INDIVIDUAL OWNER TO REPLACE MY NON-WORKING ONE. WHEN THE PROFESSIONAL INSTALLER TESTED IT, WE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SECOND STEREO. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA BY PHONE TWICE, BY EMAIL ONCE, TAKEN IT TO A DEALER ONCE, AND CONTACTED THE BBB. I HAVE SINCE REPLACED IT. THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR IT. TOYOTA WILL NOT REPLACE IT. *NM

TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP IN JULY, 2006, BECAUSE THE A/C WAS BLOWING HOT, A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON, AND IT WASN'T ALWAYS STARTING, AND/OR SPUTTERING WHILE DRIVING. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, A NEW A/C CONTROL SWITCH, AND A SENSOR IN THE ENGINE BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING ELSE WRONG. REPAIRS OCCURRED OVER A TWO WEEK PERIOD WITH ME HAVING TO RETURN THE CAR TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE FOR THE SAME THREE COMPLAINTS A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES- A/C BLOWING HOT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, AND SPUTTERING WHEN DRIVING/HESITATION WHEN STARTING. I ALSO HAVE A FOURTH COMPLAINT OF A POPPING NOISE IN THE ENGINE WHICH TO DATE HAS NEVER BEEN RESOLVED. I ALSO HAD A 30K MILE SERVICE DONE AT THIS TIME. PROBLEMS BEGAN TO REOCCUR THE FIRST WEEK OF OCTOBER 2006, AND I MADE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP. TOOK THE CAR IN, THEY HAD THE CAR FOR THREE DAYS AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE ANY OF THE PROBLEMS I WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT. I WAS DISSATISFIED BY THE LACK OF SERVICE BOTH ON THE CAR AND CUSTOMER RELATED. PICKED THE CAR UP WITH NO DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS HAVING BEEN MADE. WITHIN FOUR DAYS, THE CAR BEGAN ACTING UP AGAIN AND SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE RESULTING IN A TOW 35 MILES BACK TO MY HOUSE AND THEN ANOTHER 15 OR SO MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP. DETERMINED THE PROBLEM TO BE "ENGINE SLUDGE" AND AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW I AM BEING TOLD THAT THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. MY PROBLEM HAS NOT REACHED A FIN

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED EACH TIME. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. *AK UPDATED 12/26/2006 - THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY BUT THE DEALER INDICATED THAT IT WAS WORKING AS DESIGNED. THE CONSUMER NOTICED A LONG CRANK TIME WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE MOUNT TO ALLEVIATE THE VIBRATION. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A BUBBLE WAS NOTICED IN THE SIDEWALL OF BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR TIRES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE DEALER AND TIRE MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN ALERTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED IT WAS THE LACK OF LUBRICATION TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED. UPDATED 7/13/2006 - *NM

2005 TOYOTA MATRIX XRS(6 SPEED MANUAL)...HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WHERE THE TAIL LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON RIGHT AWAY AT NIGHT...THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE LINKED TO THE LIGHT(S) AROUND FAN SWITCHES...DASHBOARD IS LIT UP AND HEADLIGHTS ARE ON...A CLICKING NOISE IS HEARD AS THE LIGHTS COME ON....SO FAR IT HAS ONLY HAPPENED AT INITIAL START UP AND DRIVE..THE LONGEST IT HAS TAKEN TO COME ON IS AFTER ABOUT A CITY BLOCK OF DRIVING...SO FAR THE DEALER CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG. *NM

2005 MATRIX XRS, 6 SPEED MANUAL. CLUTCH BEGAN TO GO AT 35,000 MILES, COMPLETELY BURNED OUT AT 37,000 MILES WITH A HORRID BURNING/SULFUR SMELL. ALSO, SUNROOF WILL NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY, STAYS OPEN AT THE FRONT ABOUT 1/2". IT WILL OPEN FROM THERE, BUT WILL NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. NOTHING IS STUCK OR IN THE WAY, JUST WON'T CLOSE. I AM REPLACING MY CLUTCH ON MONDAY FOR $900.00, AND THE MECHANIC I AM SEEING JUST REPLACED A CLUTCH ON THE SAME MAKE/MODEL/YEAR/TRIM AS MY CAR. I'VE ALSO SEEN VARIOUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE. CLUTCH IS DEFECTIVE. *JB

STARTED CAR TO GO TO WORK AND ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. FIRE DEPT CAME AND PUT THE FIRE OUT BUT THE FIRE BURNED THE ENGINE AND BURNED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR BURNING THROUGH THE FLOOR BOARD AND DASH. *NM

BOTH REAR SEAT BELTS LOCK UP WHEN IN USE. THE INDIVIDUAL SITTING AT EITHER SEAT USING THE BELT IS UNABLE TO MOVE DUE TO A LOCKED BELT. YOU CAN NOT LEAN OR MOVE FORWARD OR IN ANY DIRECTION. YOU MUST RELEASE THE BELT LATCH IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO MOVE OR LEAN FORWARD. *JB