2004 Toyota Matrix

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/30/2010· STEERING,SUSPENSION

  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

• 12/30/2009· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO FAULTY BEARINGS. *TR

• 12/30/2009· POWER TRAIN

  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

• 12/29/2009· POWER TRAIN

  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

• 12/21/2009· POWER TRAIN

  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

• 12/17/2015· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/04/16*LJ UPDATED 05/14/18*JB *TR

• 12/13/2015· AIR BAGS

  TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM TOYOTA ABOUT A RECALL CONCERNING MY VEHICLE. IN THIS LETTER, IT STATES THAT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP IS STOCKED ( WITH A SUB-WIRE HARNESS AND SRS ECU ) AND READY TO COMPLETE MY REPAIR. I SHOWED UP TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP ON 12/12. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS NEEDED ARE NOT ACTUALLY IN STOCK AND NEEDED TO BE ORDERED. POSSIBLY TAKING UP TO TWO WEEKS. AFTER POINTING OUT THE DIFFERENCE IN WHAT WHAT THEY ARE TELLING ME VERSUS WHAT THE NOTICE STATES, I WAS DISMISSED. THIS RECALL IS A VERY IMPORTANT RECALL THAT RECEIVED MUCH PRESS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE AIRBAGS MAY DEPLOY WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING INJURY. MY MAIN COMPLAINT IS WITH THE DEALERSHIP'S OVERALL CONCERN WITH THE RECALL PROCESS. WHEN I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER, I WAS TOLD I WASN'T UNDERSTANDING THE NOTICE COMPLETELY. TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION, I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO CONTACT JOE MYERS TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN HOUSTON TO SEE IF THEY ARE INDEED HANDLING THIS TYPE OF RECALL PROPERLY.

• 12/11/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT

  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

• 12/08/2012· SUSPENSION

  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

• 12/07/2009· POWER TRAIN

  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

• 12/05/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT,UNKNOWN OR OTHERCrash

  AFTER LAST OIL CHANGE, OIL WAS GEL-LIKE, ENGINE MADE TAPPING NOISE...TOOK TO DEALER WITH A LIST OF OTHER PROBLEMS, AC NOT COLD, HEATER NOT BLOWING HOT, WINDOW JUMPING WHEN ROLLING DOWN, AND TIRES MAKING FUNNY NOISE. WAS TOLD ENGINE NOISE WAS NORMAL, FIXED AC AGAIN, 3RD TIME, HEATER HAD LOOSE PART TIGHTEN, WINDOW PART ORDERED, TIRE HAD FLAT SPOT, LAST TIME WAS WATER IN WHEEL. CRASH DID NOT DAMAGE ENGINE, OR WINDOWS, OR TIRES. *JB

• 12/01/2004· AIR BAGSCrash

  WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END CRASH. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK

• 11/23/2003· STRUCTURE

  I PURCHASED A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX ON NOVEMBER 10, 2003. THE FIRST DAY I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY WHICH HAS A SLIGHT SLOPE, THE BUMPER DRAGGED ON THE DRIVEWAY. EVEN GOING VERY SLOWLY, I REALIZED THAT THE FRONT END OF THIS VEHICLE WAS ENTIRELY TOO LOW. ON NOVEMBER 17, PULLING OUT FROM A STORE, I NOTICED IT WAS STILL DRAGGING AND THE DRIVE WAS NOT AS MUCH OF A SLOPE AS MY DRIVE. I NOTIFIED CLASSIC TOYOTA WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON NOVEMBER 17 ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I WENT IN TO SPEAK WITH THEM ON NOVEMBER 22 SINCE I LIVED AN HOUR AWAY. I WAS TOLD THAT ONCE I PURCHASE THE VEHICLE IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY. WHEN THEY LOOKED AT THE FRONT BUMPER, THEY NOTICED THAT IT WAS COMING A PART. I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I TOOK IT TO THEIR PARTS DEPARTMENT. THE GENTLEMAN THERE TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE BUMPER AND HE HAD REPLACED SEVERAL. HE SAID THEY EVEN HAD TO REPLACE THE ONES ON THEIR OWN LEASE CARS AND BECAUSE OF THE CONSTANT COMPLAINTS. THIS FRONT BUMPER IS BARELY 2 INCHES FROM THE GROUND. TOYOTA TOLD ME TO JUST PARK ON THE ROAD WHENEVER TO AVOID ANY SLOOPS. I AM 20 YEARS OLD AND WAS VERY PROUD OF PAYING FOR MY FIRST VEHICLE. TOYOTA WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND DID NOTHING. I HAVE TAKEN ALL NECESSARY CARE TO USE MY VEHICLE IN THE MANNER IT WAS INTENDED, JUST DRIVE IT AND MY ABILITY TO DO THIS IS IMPAIRED BY THEIR DESIGN DEFECT. THE PARTS DEPARTMENT WILL CHANGE THE BUMPER OUT TO THEIR OTHER MAKE FOR THIS VEHICLE, BUT THEY ARE CHARGING ME FOR IT. *LA

• 11/18/2014· VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE

  METAL PART THAT WINDOW REGULATOR ATTACHES TO CAME LOOSE FROM DRIVER WINDOW. TOYOTA CLAIM THAT THEY REPLACED THE BOLT THAT PASSES THROUGH THE METAL PART THAT CAME DETACHED, AND REFUSE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THIS FAILURE RESULTS IN THE SAME ISSUE UNDERLYING THE RECALL FOR THE BOLT REPLACEMENT. *TR

• 11/17/2004· SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  LOW SPEED BRAKING VEHICLE MOVES EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT. SEVERAL SERVICE VISITS TO DEALER FOR BRAKE REPAIRS, REPLACED ABS SENSOR, BRAKE PADS, TURNED ROTORS, ALIGNMENTS AND TIRE ROTATIONS.*AK

• 11/16/2010· WHEELS

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

• 11/05/2003· STRUCTURE

  DASHBOARD REFLECTS OFF THE WINDSHIELD WHICH IMPAIRS VISIBILITY. *AK IMAGES REFLECTED ALL TIMES THROUGHOUT THE DAY/NIGHT. *PH *JB

• 11/03/2014· TIRES

  ONE OF 4 (FOUR) HANKOOK TIRES ON MY VEHICLE, WHICH WERE PURCHASED NEW ABOUT 1 1/2 YEARS AGO, SEEMS TO HAVE A DEFECT ON IT THAT PREVENTS WATER AND SHUSH FROM CHANNELING PROPERLY FROM THE INNER GROOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE TIRE. ONLY ONE OF THE TIRES SEEM TO HAVE THIS DEFECT, AND SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, AS IT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN MOLDED WITHOUT A CHANNEL OR A VERY SHALLOW CHANNEL COMPARED TO THE OTHER 3. THE ALIGNMENT OF THE WHEEL DOES NOT SEEM TO PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN THIS ALLEGED DEFECT. THE LACK OF THE PROPER CHANNELING ON THIS TIRE MAY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT DURING WET OR SLUSHY WEATHER, AS CHANNELING OF THE FLUID IS AN IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF GOOD HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. IT DEFECT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN DUE TO A LARGE QUALITY PROBLEM, AS THIS TIRE MADE IT'S WAY THROUGH HANKOOK'S DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND ONTO A PERSONAL VEHICLE. THE TIRE IN QUESTION IS A HANKOOK VENTUS V4 ES . I WILL BE DEMANDING THAT THIS TIRE BE REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS IT SEEMS TO BE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN IN MY OPINION, MYSELF BEING A DEGREED MECHANICAL ENGINEER. *TR

• 11/03/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  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

• 11/02/2016· AIR BAGS,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET A RECALL 15V043 DONE SINCE JAN/FEB THIS YEAR AND I KEEP CALLING THE DEALER AND GETTING TOLD THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN SENT THE PARTS EVER. I ALSO HAVE THE AIR BAG RECALL 15V285 AND THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IVE CALLED THEM REGARDING THIS RECALL AS WELL. WTF DO THEY NEVER GET PARTS NOW? WHATS REALLY ANNOYING IS I KEEP GETTING LETTERS IN THE MAIL REGARDING RECALLS AND THIS LAST ONE SAYS "WHY HAVEN'T WE HEARD FROM YOU?" EVEN THOUGH IVE CALLED MULTIPLE TIMES.

• 10/30/2015· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 10/27/2013· POWER TRAIN

  LOW NOISE FROM ENGINE AREA, THEN HEARD A POP OR THUD. AFTER THIS CAME A SCRATCHY/GRINDING NOISE WHEN CAR WAS IN GEAR AND COASTING. THE NOISE WENT AWAY WHEN CLUTCH WAS DEPRESSED OR CAR WAS TAKEN OUT OF GEAR TO COAST. I CALLED A SERVICE REPAIR TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT THE SAME DAY. THE VERY NEXT DAY THE CAR LOCKED UP AND WAS UNDRIVEABLE. SOUNDED LIKE THE ENGINE HAD FALLEN OUT THE BOTTOM WITH HORRIBLE METAL GRINDING NOISE. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED ($150) AND THE SERVICE CENTER SAID I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH AND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA MATRIX AND COROLLA. AFTER READING ONLINE, IT SEEMS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA OWNERS WITH LOW MILES HAVING BEARING ISSUES AND THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS GONE UNADDRESSED. EVEN THOUGH I WAS GOING ONLY 10 MILES PER HOUR, THE CAR LOCKS UP. THIS ISSUE WILL KILL SOMEONE, SOMEDAY. COST OF REPAIR WILL BE AROUND $3,100+. *TR

• 10/23/2012· STEERINGCrash

  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.

• 10/20/2005· STEERINGCrash

  FIANCE AND I WERE ON THE 210 FREEWAY HEADING EAST. HE SAID WE SHOULD TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHEN I ASKED WHY HE SAID THE STEERING IS ACTING FUNNY. THE SECOND HE FINISHED HIS SENTENCE, THE CAR SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. CAR DID 360 DEGREE TURNS ACROSS FREEWAY (FROM LEFT LANE TO RIGHT LANE) AND OVER THE EDGE, DOWN A HILL, OVER A FENCE, AND INTO A DITCH. MINOR INJURIES. WE WERE LUCKY NOT TO HAVE BEEN KILLED. CAR WAS TOTALED. ACCIDENT IS STILL BEING INVESTIGATED TO DETERMINE IF THERE WAS A MECHANICAL DEFECT.*JB

• 10/19/2009· POWER TRAIN

  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

• 10/17/2016· AIR BAGS

  TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART 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. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 10/14/2015· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V043000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

• 10/09/2008· VISIBILITY

  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.

• 10/07/2011· POWER TRAIN

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

• 10/05/2010· POWER TRAIN

  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

• 10/05/2009· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON HIGHWAY. *TR

• 10/03/2009· VISIBILITY

  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

• 09/29/2016· AIR BAGS

  TAKATA RECALL. I WAS TOLD BY A LOCAL PORTLAND, OR TOYOTA DEALER THAT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THE TAKATA INFLATOR RECALL ARE BACK-ORDERED FOR AN INDEFINITE 6-12 MONTH PERIOD AND WARNED THAT IT COULD POSSIBLY TAKE EVEN LONGER. TOYOTA CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE CONFIRMED THAT TIMELINE BY SPEAKING WITH A DIFFERENT PORTLAND, OR TOYOTA DEALER. TOYOTA FURTHER INFORMED ME THAT I CANNOT HAVE A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT UNTIL THE TAKATA INFLATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED. TOYOTA HAS BEEN VERY UPFRONT AND HELPFUL IN ATTEMPTING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE, WHICH IS COMMENDABLE, BUT I'M FILING THIS VEHICLE SAFETY COMPLAINT BECAUSE 6-12 MONTHS FOR A SAFETY RECALL REPAIR DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR BEING DONE IN A "TIMELY MANNER" AND NOT BEING ABLE TO HAVE A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT FOR UP TO A YEAR WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT AND PROBLEMATIC. TO BE CLEAR, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IN MY VEHICLE HAS NOT DEPLOYED.

• 09/21/2015· AIR BAGS

  TLA* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V043000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. ...UPDATED 01/20/16 *BF 03/19/18 *JB; 05/15/18*JB

• 09/20/2007· SUSPENSION

  TOYOTA IS IGNORING THE ALIGNMENT PROBLEM CAUSING UNEVEN TIRE WEAR ON EVERY MODEL AND YEAR OF THE MATRIX. *JB

• 09/18/2015· STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHERCrash

  MY DAUGHTER SAID THE STEERING TOTALLY LOCKED WHILE BEING DRIVEN. HER & HER BOYFRIEND COULD NOT GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN AT ALL. THEY WERE NOT SPEEDING BECAUSE IT WAS ON WET ROADS. THEY BOTH SUFFERED MILD CONCUSSIONS & MY DAUGHTER HAS A SEVERE NECK SPRAIN. AFTER SEEING THE CAR, IT WENT OFF THE ROAD & ROLLED 2 OR 3 TIMES IT'S TOTALED, I'M SURPRISED THEY'RE NOT IN ICU! I DID SOME RESEARCH & ALMOST 1000 MATRIX'S HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN!! I DON'T KNOW WHY THERE ISN'T A RECALL. IT SEEMS TOYOTA ISN'T ALL THAT SAFE & DOESN'T CARE ABOUT IT'S CUSTOMERS AT ALL.

• 09/15/2010· VISIBILITY

  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.

• 09/08/2010· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  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.

• 09/08/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

  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

• 09/08/2004· STRUCTURE

  THE FRONT SPOILER ON THE MATRIX IS CONSTANTLY GETTING SCRAPED UP ON DRIVEWAYS. IT IS TOO LOW. THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS TO PUT A WHOLE NEW BUMPER ON THE CAR, AT MY COST. THE SPOILERS ARE LISTED AS A OPTION, BUT WHERE I AM FROM IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND A XR WITHOUT THEM INSTALLED. THE CAR IS LESS THEN A YEAR OLD, AND ALREADY LOOKS BAD. WHO WOULD THINK THEY WOULD DESIGN A CAR THAT WOULD CONSTANTLY GET ALL SCRAPED UP. IT WOULD BE NICE IF THIS "OPTION" WAS TRULY A OPTION.*AK

• 09/02/2015· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART 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.

• 08/29/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  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

• 08/28/2015· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART 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.

• 08/26/2010· POWER TRAIN

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

• 08/25/2010· POWER TRAIN

  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

• 08/25/2010· POWER TRAIN

  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

• 08/25/2008· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  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

• 08/23/2005· STEERING,POWER TRAIN

  DT: 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX XR, THE VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING, THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING YOKE, CONSUMER STATES THE STEERING DID NOT FEEL RIGHT, THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED, THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS BECAUSE THE SPLASH GUARD WAS DRAGGING, THE DEALER PUT TWO PINS IN THE SPLASH GUARD, BECAUSE THE PINS WERE MISSING, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN TO BE REPAIRED, THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE STEERING YOKE, PREVIOUSLY THE TRANSMISSION HAD WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO HAVE A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM IT. THE CONSUMER TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE CASE AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP WAITING FOR A YOKE REPLACEMENT. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT IT IS ON BACK ORDER, ALL THESE PROBLEMS OCCURRED DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THE STEERING WAS NOT STILL UNDER WARRANTY THE FIRST TIME THE CONSUMER TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY NOW, THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN MAY 2003. *NM THE CLICKING NOISE IS STILL PRESENT WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. *SC

• 08/21/2017· AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  TAKATA RECALL. I'VE BEEN RECEIVING RECALL NOTICES FOR THIS VEHICLE FOR YEARS. I HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO HAVE THREE ISSUES RESOLVED, ONLY ONE OF WHICH IS THE TAKATA AIRBAG PROBLEM. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE REPAIRS AT THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALER TO ME (ABOUT A 2.5 HOUR-RT DRIVE FROM MY HOME) FOR THE PAST YEAR+, BUT I AM REPEATEDLY TOLD THAT THEY ARE AWAITING THE PART(S) FOR THE TAKATA AIRBAG REPAIR. TO MAKE THINGS WORSE, I CONSTANTLY RECEIVE FLYERS FROM TOYOTA URGING ME TO HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE ASAP. I WOULD LIKE TO. BUT APPARENTLY, TOYOTA IS HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING THE PARTS TO THEIR DEALERSHIPS. IN THE MEANWHILE, I'M DRIVING A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CAR.

• 08/21/2009· POWER TRAIN

  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