2003 Toyota Matrix Problems

OWN A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX-1ST OWNER OF THIS CAR. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED WITH 9 MILES IN IT. WHEN IT WAS FIRST PURCHASED WITHIN 2 DAYS THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION BEARINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE TOYOTA DEALER WHERE PURCHASED AND THE TECHNICIANS SAID THERE WAS NO NOISE. THE NOISE NEVER WENT AWAY AND THE DEALER JUST IGNORED IT-NEVER FIXED IT. ALSO, THE BACK SEAT BELT WOULD GET STUCK FOR NO REASON, THIS WAS ALSO BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER TECHS, BUT ALSO "NOTHING WAS WRONG" UP TO THIS DATE, THE SEAT BELTS KEEP GETTING STUCK AND MY KIDS USE IT THAT WAY. ANOTHER DEFECTIVE THING ABOUT THIS CAR WERE THE SENSOR DAYLIGHTS, ONCE THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF, THE LIGHTS AUTOMATICALLY WOULD GO ON AND OF COURSE THE NEXT DAY THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION ON THE DEALER AND FINALLY, THEY DECIDED TO FIX SOMETHING OF THIS CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A DEFECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES, MAINTAINED REGULARLY AT THE DEALER. NOTICED A NOISE AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. A FEW THOUSAND MILES LATER, THERE WAS A HIGH PITCHED WHINE OUT OF FIFTH GEAR. UPON STOPPING AND RESTARTING, PRETTY MUCH ALL THE FORWARD GEARS WERE GRINDING, POPPING, SQUEALING. REPAIR AT THE DEALER WAS QUOTED $2500 FOR A USED TRANSMISSION AND $3200 FOR A NEW! ABOUT HALF THE VALUE OF THE CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED AN INJURED CHEST AND SHOULDER, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

I HAVE GOTTEN THE "TAKATA RECALL" LETTER AND TOOK MY CAR ON MARCH 18, 2018, WITH MIKE BRISENO FROM TOYOTA HERE NEAR MY PLACE 1901 S FIGUEROA ST, LOS ANGELES, CA 90007. THEY OFFERED ME AN UBER RIDE HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP WITH MY HUSBAND AND SAID IT WILL TAKE 2-3 HOURS. GOT THE CALL FROM MIKE BRISENO AND SAID THAT MY CAR IS READY. I GOT THERE AND HE SAID THEY DID NOT DO ANYTHING AND HAD TO ORDER THE PARTS. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ON MAY 16, 2018, TALKED TO MIKE SAID HE WILL CALL ME TO SEE BACK ORDER AND NEVER RESPONDED IF THE PARTS EVER ARRIVED SINCE MAY 2018. CAR WAS NEVER FIXED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE AND DISENGAGED THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING SENSOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SECOND DEALER. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAL ON THE FUEL CAP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V384000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE SENSOR INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HARD SHIFTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ECM WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

TAKATA RECALL: MANY TIMES OVER THE PAST 2 1/2 YEARS WE HAVE CALLED TOYOTA OF TERRE HAUTE ABOUT PERFORMING THIS RECALL. EACH TIME WE GET AN EXCUSE; THE LAST TIME THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE ONE OF THE PARTS NECESSARY BUT NOT THE OTHER. THEY PROMISED TO CALL US BACK WITH AND UPDATE AND SOLUTION. THAT WAS LAST FALL. (APPROX )

I WAS SLOWLY PULLING INTO MY GARAGE (IN THE BASEMENT OF MY HOUSE), GRADUALLY BRAKING AS I HAD DONE MANY TIMES BEFORE. I WAS STOPPING THE VEHICLE IN ITS USUAL POSITION WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY BEGAN RACING AND THE CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD. IT STRUCK SOME SHELVES I HAD AGAINST THE WALL OF THE GARAGE, CRUMPLING BOTH THE SHELVES AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR'S HOOD. EVERYTHING HAPPENED SO FAST AT THAT POINT THAT I AM NOT SURE JUST WHAT HAPPENED, BUT I ENDED UP WITH THE CAR STOPPED UP AGAINST THE GARAGE WALL AND THE CAR IN PARK. I BELIEVE I THREW IT INTO NEUTRAL, THEN APPLIED THE BRAKE SINCE IT WAS STILL MOVING, THEN TRIED TO BACK UP, AND FINALLY PUT IT INTO PARK. THE CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN STOPPING SEVERAL TIMES PREVIOUSLY, BUT NONE OF THOSE INCIDENTS CAUSED ANY DAMAGE. IN EACH OF THOSE SITUATIONS I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, STOP IT WITH THE BRAKE, AND CONTINUE ON MY WAY. IN THIS INSTANCE THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH SPACE AHEAD OF ME TO DO THAT SUCCESSFULLY. I KNOW THAT A NUMBER OF INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF A TOYOTA MATRIX HAVE ALREADY BEEN REPORTED FOR A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT MODEL YEARS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE SENSOR INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HARD SHIFTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ECM WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THIRD AND FOURTH GEARS WERE NOT GETTING ANY OIL AND TEARING THE BEARING AND TRANSMISSION APART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

I WAS SLOWLY PULLING INTO MY GARAGE (IN THE BASEMENT OF MY HOUSE), GRADUALLY BRAKING AS I HAD DONE MANY TIMES BEFORE. I WAS STOPPING THE VEHICLE IN ITS USUAL POSITION WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY BEGAN RACING AND THE CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD. IT STRUCK SOME SHELVES I HAD AGAINST THE WALL OF THE GARAGE, CRUMPLING BOTH THE SHELVES AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR'S HOOD. EVERYTHING HAPPENED SO FAST AT THAT POINT THAT I AM NOT SURE JUST WHAT HAPPENED, BUT I ENDED UP WITH THE CAR STOPPED UP AGAINST THE GARAGE WALL AND THE CAR IN PARK. I BELIEVE I THREW IT INTO NEUTRAL, THEN APPLIED THE BRAKE SINCE IT WAS STILL MOVING, THEN TRIED TO BACK UP, AND FINALLY PUT IT INTO PARK. THE CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN STOPPING SEVERAL TIMES PREVIOUSLY, BUT NONE OF THOSE INCIDENTS CAUSED ANY DAMAGE. IN EACH OF THOSE SITUATIONS I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, STOP IT WITH THE BRAKE, AND CONTINUE ON MY WAY. IN THIS INSTANCE THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH SPACE AHEAD OF ME TO DO THAT SUCCESSFULLY. I KNOW THAT A NUMBER OF INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF A TOYOTA MATRIX HAVE ALREADY BEEN REPORTED FOR A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT MODEL YEARS.

I WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE STARTED TO ACCELERATE; THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD BUT THE BRAKE WOULDN'T GO ALL THE WAY DOWN AND IT WAS VERY STIFF. SINCE I WAS GOING SLOW I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO STOP BUT THE ENGINE WAS REVVING AS IF I HAD THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. I DECIDED TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL SO IT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE WHILE I WAS AT THE STOP LIGHT (THE WHOLE TIME THE ENGINE IS REVVING TO ITS MAX AND THE BRAKE WAS STIFF; I ALSO USED THE HAND BRAKE. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED RED I PLACED THE CAR IN DRIVE SINCE I HAD TO MOVE AND THE CAR WANTED TO TAKE OFF SO I KEPT MY FOOT PLANTED ON THE BRAKE THIS WAS AT FULL STRENGTH. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO A PARKING LOT AND THEN HOME AN HOUR LATER. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR LOCALLY SO I WAS ABOUT ONE MILE FROM HOME. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A CAR DO THIS IN MY LIFE. I DID CALL TOYOTA ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID IT WASN'T SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND SAID WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM TOYOTA WHICH I THOUGHT WAS EXTREMELY RUDE. I FEEL IF I WAS GOING FASTER SAY ON THE HIGHWAY I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

THE SIDE OF THE CAR THAT HOLDS THE WINDSHIELD TOGETHER IS A BLIND SPOT. WHEN PEOPLE ARE CROSSING THE STREET YOU CAN'T SEE THEM. I ALMOST HIT SOME ABOUT THREE TIMES BECAUSE OF HOW THE WINDOW IS MADE. THE SUN VISOR IS NOT LONG ENOUGH TO BLOCK THE SUN MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THEY TO MAKE BETTER VISORS THAT ACTUALLY BLOCKS THE SUN. *TR

THE PLASTIC COVERING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT INTERIOR DOOR OPENING LEVER HAS SPLIT. THIS HAS CAUSED DEVELOPMENT OF A SHARP EDGE WHICH CAUSED ME TO CUT MY FINGER WHEN OPENING THE DOOR. *NM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING SOUND EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,580.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V013000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 14V312000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE SHATTERED ON OPENING, DOOR WAS UNLOCKED, THIS WAS THE SECOND ONE ON THIS CAR TO SHATTER, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE BROKE IN THE SAME WAY ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO. DOORS ARE UNABLE TO OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE, BESIDES NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN DOORS NORMALLY, THIS OCCURRENCE COULD HAMPER RESCUE MEASURES IF DOOR/HANDLE BREAKS WHEN RESCUERS ARE TRYING TO GET VICTIMS OF AN ACCIDENT OUT OF THE VEHICLE IN AN ACCIDENT PRIOR TO THE PROPER RESCUE EQUIPMENT ARRIVING ON SCENE. MILEAGE CURRENT FAILURE - 110,100 PREVIOUS MILEAGE FAILURE - @90,000. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHEN THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE SHATTERED INTO PIECES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE HANDLES WERE BEING DRIED OUT BY THE SUN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $111. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,541 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,559. UPDATED 6/8/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS THE SECOND HANDLE THAT HAD CRACKED ON THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 06/11/09.*JB

RECALL RELAPSE: DRIVER SIDE WINDOW OFF TRACK. NEEDS DRIVER GLASS BOLTS 2ND TIME. TOYOTA RECALL #: 80A GM RECALL #: 07273. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT EXPLODED AND FRACTURED INTO PIECES. THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED AND COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF. IN ADDITION, THE POWER WINDOWS WOULD OPEN INDEPENDENTLY AND COULD NOT BE OPERATED MANUALLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE INSIDE CYLINDER OF THE SEAT BELT CONTROL BEING DEFECTIVE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,514. UPDATED 09/11/12*LJ UPDATED 09/13/2012 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FRACTURED CABLE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 207,000.

I WENT TO CHANGE LANES TO THE LEFT, AND BEFORE I COULD SPOTTED A CAR THAT HAD BEEN IN MY BLIND SPOT. I VEERED BACK TO THE RIGHT TO STAY IN MY LANE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT FELT LIKE SOMETHING IN THE STEERING WHEEL CLICKED AND THE CAR SUDDENLY JERKED BACK TO THE LEFT, THE BACK TO THE RIGHT, AND LEFT AGAIN, SWERVING OUT OF MY CONTROL. I TRIED TO COLD ON TO THE WHEEL AND STEADY IT STRAIGHT BUT IT JERKED LEFT HARDER AND SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, FLYING STRAIGHT INTO THE HIGHWAY BARRIER. THE CAR CRASHED INTO THE BARRIER ON THE FRONT BUMPER, BOUNCED OFF SLIGHTLY AND I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE CAR THE REST OF THE WAY OFF THE ROAD. UP UNTIL I CRASHED INTO THE BARRIER I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING AT ALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE AND DISENGAGED THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING SENSOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SECOND DEALER. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAL ON THE FUEL CAP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V384000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000.

I WAS SLOWLY PULLING INTO MY GARAGE (IN THE BASEMENT OF MY HOUSE), GRADUALLY BRAKING AS I HAD DONE MANY TIMES BEFORE. I WAS STOPPING THE VEHICLE IN ITS USUAL POSITION WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY BEGAN RACING AND THE CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD. IT STRUCK SOME SHELVES I HAD AGAINST THE WALL OF THE GARAGE, CRUMPLING BOTH THE SHELVES AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR'S HOOD. EVERYTHING HAPPENED SO FAST AT THAT POINT THAT I AM NOT SURE JUST WHAT HAPPENED, BUT I ENDED UP WITH THE CAR STOPPED UP AGAINST THE GARAGE WALL AND THE CAR IN PARK. I BELIEVE I THREW IT INTO NEUTRAL, THEN APPLIED THE BRAKE SINCE IT WAS STILL MOVING, THEN TRIED TO BACK UP, AND FINALLY PUT IT INTO PARK. THE CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN STOPPING SEVERAL TIMES PREVIOUSLY, BUT NONE OF THOSE INCIDENTS CAUSED ANY DAMAGE. IN EACH OF THOSE SITUATIONS I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, STOP IT WITH THE BRAKE, AND CONTINUE ON MY WAY. IN THIS INSTANCE THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH SPACE AHEAD OF ME TO DO THAT SUCCESSFULLY. I KNOW THAT A NUMBER OF INCIDENTS OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF A TOYOTA MATRIX HAVE ALREADY BEEN REPORTED FOR A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT MODEL YEARS.

PURCHASED AFFINITY LH 30 TIRES FOR 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. TIRES WEARING EVEN BUT ALL ARE STARTING TO DEVELOP CRACKS NEAR EDGE OF TREAD. TIRES ONLY HAVE 25000 MILES ON THEM AND TREAD DEPTH AVERAGE IS 8/32. *NM

LEFT FRONT TIRE IS DELAMINATED. THE TIRE SIZE IS 215/50 -ZR -17. THE D.O.T. NUMBER IS D.O.T. 34815EXBM25055-1. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *PH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS IDLING AT A RED LIGHT, THE SEAT BELT AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEM ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATED AND FORCEFULLY SECURED THE DRIVER INTO THE SEAT. DURING THE INCIDENT, NO CRASH HAD OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (BAIERL TOYOTA, 19045 PERRY HWY, MARS, PA), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND AN INVESTIGATOR WAS SENT TO EXAMINE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

THE DATES AND VEHICLE MILEAGE STATED ABOVE ARE ONLY ESTIMATES. ABOUT 5-6 YEARS AGO THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS STOPPED WORKING. I CHECKED WITH 2 DEALERS THAT TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO PAY AROUND $500 TO HAVE THEM REPAIRED. I WROTE TOYOTA IN TORRANCE CALIFORNIA AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM. THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. CONSIDERING THE ONGOING PROBLEMS THAT TOYOTA HAS HAD WITH SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES ON ALL OF THEIR CARS, I WOULD THINK THAT THEY WOULD ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY IN MY CASE, BUT NO SUCH LUCK. *TR

GRINDING NOISE BEGAN, SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. I'VE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION TWICE ALREADY AND CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. THE CAR NOW SITS AS I CONTINUE TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON IT. *TR

2003 TOYOTA MATRIX THE VEHICLE ODOMETER CURRENTLY SHOWS 57,108 MILES. ON JANUARY 24TH, THE CLUTCH WENT OUT AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE CAR WAS TOWED ($45) TO OUR MECHANIC AT POLLY'S SHELL IN NASHVILLE AND WE PAID THE FOLLOWING AMOUNT TO HAVE THE CLUTCH REPLACED: CLUTCH SET: $268 ADDITIONAL PARTS: 42 TOW: 45 LABOR: 455 OIL: 38 THE TOTAL BILL WITH OTHER ITEMS CAME TO MORE THAN $900.00. A COPY OF THE ORIGINAL RECEIPT IS ENCLOSED. WHEN WE EXAMINED THE CLUTCH, THE PRESSURE PLATE DISC HAD BROKEN INTO FOUR EQUAL PARTS. IN ADDITION TO OUR REGULAR MECHANIC, OTHER MECHANICS AT POLLY'S COMMENTED THAT THE FACT THE MECHANISM BROKE EQUALLY INTO FOUR PARTS IS OBVIOUSLY THE RESULT OF A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT SINCE THIS TYPE FRACTURE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. *TR

GETTING READY TO EXIT A SIDE STREET AND CAR WOULDN'T GO. I HEARD A THUMP, CRACKING NOISE AND THEY IT FELT AS IF THE WHEEL WELL HAD SOMETHING STUCK INSIDE. TURNED OUT THAT THE BALL JOINT WAS THE CULPRIT. *TR

FRONT WHEEL BEARING REPLACED & BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARING (HUB)ASSEMBLIES REPLACED WITH ONLY 103,000 KILOMETERS ON 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. IS MY CASE AN ISOLATED INCIDENT OR IS THIS A THING TO LOOK FOR , FOR MATRIX OWNERS? IT IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR OVER 1200 CDN. *NM

THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS TURN ON MYSTERIOUSLY AT NIGHT WHILE THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. SYMPTOMS INCLUDED A DEAD BATTERY AFTER NOT DRIVING THE CAR FOR THREE DAYS, AND THE DASHBOARD PANEL LIGHTS TURNING OFF WHENEVER THE TURN SIGNAL IS USED. DEALERSHIP DENIED THERE WAS A PROBLEM.

THE AUTO HEADLIGHT SYSTEM THAT TURNS THE HEADLIGHTS ON AND OFF DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. IT TURNS THE HEADLIGHTS ON AT ALL TIMES OF THE DAY, MORE OFTEN ON BRIGHT SUNNY DAYS WHEN DRIVING THROUGH SHADOWS. THIS MAKE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO READ GUAGES, SPEEDOMETER ETC.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED SINCE PURCHASE THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT DRIP UNDER THE VEHICLE WHILE PARKED. THE CONTACT DETERMINED THE CONDENSATION FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER HAD BEEN DRIPPING ON THE POWER STEERING SUPPORT CAUSING RUST. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. *AK