This was the second replacement clutch. Toyota will notify their owners. If the catalytic convertor is faulty, it needs to be replaced. window controls have to be replaced. Not so much of a bro lemme that it needs to be worked on. It was a compact car that tried to do several things at once - unfortunately, it was discontinued in 2013. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. coating failure obvious from poor metal preparation", "Early on, there were areas of paint that had chipped off my car body", "paint has faded and clear coat in departing", "Paint on roof, hood have worn thru to the metal and faded on any sun exposed surface. Getting new paint job ASAP", "Paint is badly abraded and faded on roof, hood. This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan and American Samoa. to get the information you were looking for! THE DOOR GLASS MAY SEPARATE FROM THE WINDOW REGULATOR, BIND AND SHATTER DURING OPERATION OF THE POWER WINDOWS, CAUSING DRIVER DISTRACTION AND/OR INJURY. A few owners claimed that their cars transmission frequently hesitates - all symptoms of a problematic transmission system. The 2009 Matrixs primary issue is engine failure. This is probably because it is driven on a dirt road daily". Theres a lot to love with the ill-fated Toyota Matrix. If your check engine light turns on and the scan tool reads for an EVAP code, check the gas cap first. THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS. But when the 2nd failed, and I attempted to drive after dark, neither worked and the car", "The wiring on the headlights constantly comes loose. on driveway. ", "I believe that the DVD drive in the GPS system failed. Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, loose or cracked seals and/or weather-stripping, air and water leaks. Excessive vibrations indicate there is probably a problem with the motor mounts. For vehicles located in the U.S. states not listed above, please see Toyota recall 15V-285 which covers all other U.S. states. Alternator, starter, hybrid battery and related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, distributor or rotor failure, spark plugs and wires failure. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.". Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag. But some Matrix years are less reliable than the others. Numerous reports claimed that they first noticed excessive noise coming from the engine. ", "Slight oil leak from gasket. of 2003 Toyota Matrix owners. Leaves warning light on dash. ", "The vehicle had only 50,000 km on it when the clutch had to be replaced", "Had to replace clutch due to clutch slippage during acceleration", "I drove the Matrix for quite a long time with a bad clutch because I didn't know the symptomsthen my brother was in town and drove it and told me. "The clutch wore out. Described as sudden RPM increase/vehicle acceleration due to accelerator pedal sticking, Toyota had to settle in court with a cool $1.2 billion. To secure them tightly, go to step 3. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 Sequoia vehicles manufactured August 18, 2003, to August 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 Tundra vehicles manufactured March 18, 2003, to August 25, 2004. "The moonroof has a slow leak. Still waiting for a friend to repair it for me. No problems since", "The transmission started making a rattling noise and would not go into reverse. It looks like freckles. "Catalytic converter needed replacement.". account information here. "After a few years of coolant leaks during the winter, that we could resolve and refill in spring, it finally leaked fully out and during Defrost cycles killed the compressor", "There was a small, slow leak in the A/C system. I have read that Corollas of the same age have the same problem", "The car failed NH safety inspection for server rust in the underbody and rocker panels. You'll find a compliant ride, fairly nimble handling, and effective brakes. Built using the same technology that dealerships use, well show you everything you want to know about each listing - like how long its been on the lot, or if there are similar vehicles at a better price nearby. When replacement was to be done, it was the fuel tank not the filler pipe", "At about the 250,000km mark, an oil leak appeared on the upper rear portion of the engine, possibly the timing tensioner seal possibly? ", "The sun roof started leaking and continues in heavy rains", "The tailgate struts stopped holding the tailgate up when it was open, first in cold weather and then anytime we opened it. CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Other problems developed that were more costly such as a failing catalytic converter.". These charts provide the most comprehensive The 2003 Toyota Matrix has been recalled 8 times by NHTSA. 60% of the Totyota quote after checking O2 sensors to confirm they were functioning properly. The engine mount is located at the front of the vehicle and at the front of the engine. I have had to replace every door handle", "Door handles were unpainted plastic. Toyota began the recall on July 13, 2015. "The rear sensors failed. The recall began on July 13, 2015. It's an old car, so I won't replace it. Something didn't go right or else another issue was triggered or uncovered, so now they're looking at the motor mount, as I write this", "This was the factory-original clutch. ", "The window weather stripping rotted and was replaced", "Ceiling leaks over driver and front passenger areas. Took it to a mechanic who indicated that the assembly was close to catastrophic failure. Made a gosh awful noise that scared my wife", "Brakes were replaced due to normal wear", "Driving while parking brake is on may be a contributing factor. ", "Oil is disappearing, we are still tracking down the cause", "Drip from engine. I'v had a seal replaced twice - still leaks", "Burning some oil now. A Washington State Vehicle Bill of Sale: Everything You Need To Know, What Is A Crossover Car? Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting If the window screws are loose, tighten them. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR GLASS BOLTS MAY LOOSEN AND COME OFF, CAUSING THE DOOR GLASS TO SEPARATE FROM THE WINDOW REGULATOR. I replaced the GPS/Radio system with an aftermarket Radio/CD pla", "When the car is started the radio & clock might or might not come on. (2003 Toyota Matrix Standard 1.8-L 4 Cyl), Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling), External music device interface (e.g., smart phone, MP3 player). THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR AFTERMARKET LAMP ASSEMBLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF MODEL NUMBERS PROVIDED TO US BY SABERSPORT.THE LIST CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DOCUMENT SEARCH" LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV . Excellent service and value", "While having Multiple mechanics troubleshoot the AC system, most thought it was the compressor. "rear could not be aligned because mechanic broke rusty bolt, replacement part expensive and hard to find. This issue prompted a major recall from the Japanese carmaker. Overall, the Matrix offered a good and practical alternative to a small SUV. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured December 28, 2001, to May 2, 2004, 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2002, to April 29, 2004, 2003-2004 Avalon vehicles manufactured June 5, 2002, to December 20, 2004, and 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe vehicles manufactured January 18, 2002, to April 27, 2004. It has been going on for some time now, but I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars to fix it, so I have been using a damp-rid bag in my car. Researching the catalytic converter was a challenge, as there are many parts online and it's hard to tell which goes with your car. Correction required replacement of entire axle", "ABS sensors are bad. How Much Does It Cost To Fix a Bumper That Is Falling Off? The 2003 Matrix has 209 NHTSA complaints and eight recalls, according to Car Complaints. Once replaced and systems charged the AC has been working well.". Can't figure out why", "Front of hood bad from lovebugs and my fault for not cleaning them off sooner", "The paint is peeling down to the metal. Fixed it myself with $8.00 travel alarm an velcro", "The backlight for 50% of the dashboard gauges often fails to illuminate. In fact, what probably happened was that one had failed, and I was never aware of it (I rarely drive at night). Safe Summer Activities for Kids During the Pandemic, What You Need to Know About Bug Spray for Kids, Best Cooling Mattress Toppers From Consumer Reports' Tests. A recall on the problem didn't fix it", "windows come off track on front passenger side", "passenger side window came off tracks. "High mileage on the original exhaust system. Dealers previously installed a supplemental harness containing an electrical filter between the airbag control module and its wire harness, free of charge. Also, in response to the part of your survey on how I spend and s", "tires wear unevenly because alignment can only be adjusted in the front (or maybe it is the back) --in any case, not all 4 wheels", "main bushing in the lower control arms gave out on both sides and both had to be replaced along with tie rod bushings etc", "replacement of lower control arms and tie rod bushings", "Wheel bearing are making noise when cold, hard to determine which one is bad, even dealer changed wrong bearing before finding right one". Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year. engine, transmission, and brakes to power equipment and the electrical system. My wife hit a deer and I backed into a tree. "car would not start. Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, clutch replacement. This issue rears its head at around 103,300 miles, and it costs $3,400 to fix. When it comes to hauling a lot of people and cargo, the minivan is hard to beat. Also, some have reported erratic shifting and whining noises from the floorboard. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. One of these has come out of its groove", "Hinged storage compartment at center front, in front of the gearshift, detached and won't re-attach. Another issue that prospective buyers should keep an eye on is the illumination of the check engine light for no apparent reason. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR GLASS BOLTS WITH NEWLY DESIGNED BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. Before failure, owners have noticed ticking and rattling noises while driving. According to CarComplaints.com, the 2003 Matrix has 387 NHTSA complaints and eight recalls, earning the Beware of the Clunker award. On June 16, 2015 Toyota expanded the recall to cover an additional 769,055 vehicles, including certain model year 2002-2004 Lexus SC, Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix, Toyota Corolla, Pontiac Vibe, and Toyota Tundra vehicles, as well the vehicles covered by the May 13, 2015 notification in the portions of Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas that were not previously included. Dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge. Blower (fan) motor, A/C compressor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate control, refrigerant leakage, electrical failure. Also included in this recall filing is 98,194 model year 2003-2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles, located throughout the U.S., that previously received a like-for-like interim air bag inflator replacement. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag assemblies with an alternate inflator, free of charge. Inadvertent deployment of the airbags or the seat belt pretensioners may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash. The problem is well documented on the internet, but takes a while to find. Might need to remove engine to access leak-to cost prohibitive. So, it didn't seem as though I should have needed a second replacement only 5 years later. THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES MANUFACTURED BY ANZO AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV. The electrical short may create an abnormal current flow and increased heat which can damage the circuits. Heres a quick list of the Toyota Matrix years to avoid due to reliability issues: GET THE SAME INSIDER INFO THAT DEALERSHIPS USE. Summarizing, I later determined the sunroof was leaking and had to pay several hundred dollars to fix it. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars. The 2005 Toyota Matrix was a lot better than 2003 in terms of reliability, but it has problems on its own that are hard to overlook. code indicated catalytic converter", "Check Engine light came on & indicated catalytic converter, but went off a week later. Fix your own 2003 to 2008 Toyota Matrix with many how-to videos in 1A Autos video library for this generation, such as control arms, headlights, axles, struts, brakes, and more. TOYOTA RECALL NO. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668. We've decided to unload soon". These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. Toyota made one of the most practical small wagons, offering generous cargo space, good reliability, and solid safety scores. Also, I have since learned from the car guys on NPR to never touch the clutch except to shift. Dealer quote of $1100 to fix (remove dash to get to radio; send radio unit out for repair. If the code is related to the gas cap, the EVAP canister is usually leaking on the 03-08 Matrix and catches fuel vapors so they dont enter the atmosphere, First, follow these steps to check the gas cap. ", "car has been leaking around driver's side door seal for past several years, and passenger side just began leaking as well", "after rain at a joint for front door water comes into the passenger seat", "We have had an ongoing issue with water leaking from the windows and sunroof of our Matrix. ", "The body repair conducted after I backed into a tree is beginning to show signs of wear and is rusting. As part of the first generation Matrix, the 2004 model suffers from engine and transmission problems. Antilock system (ABS), parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, rotors, pulsation or vibration, squeaking, brake failure or wear. The recall began on August 24, 2015. replace). Vehicles that had a noise filter installed as the remedy for one of those campaigns need to have the air bag control module replaced under this campaign. They went "foo track" and stayed partially open twice on both sides at different times. Heres Everything You Need To Know. The catalytic convertors tend to fail on the 2003 to 2008 Toyota Matrix, causing a check engine light or engine performance problems. If youre looking to buy a used Toyota Matrix, one of the main concerns is its reliability. Unbelievable!!! This dreaded engine failure reportedly happens at around 103,300 miles and costs $3,400 to repair. Address: 833 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 800Chicago, IL 60607, Here Are The Toyota Matrix Years To Avoid, CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars, 8 Underrated Cars Worth Checking Out in 2022, 2012 Ford Fusion Problems: The Most Common Reliability Issues Reported By Owners. Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension. Need transmission involvement to take apart", "Wear and tear Fairly common in a car this old! Typical Toyota approach", "Converter plugs up when it gets hot, making car loose power", "check engine light came on. Gear selector or linkage, leaks, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt. The cost would be more than $300. Other than that, the 2007 Matrix presents an excellent value proposition if youre looking for an older hatchback. This compact car offers sporty styling, decent performance, interior comfort, and excellent mpg ratings - all for an affordable pre-owned price. Heres The Scoop, What Is Overdrive In A Car? A replacement air bag may have been installed, as one example, if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitating the replacement of the passenger side frontal air bag. He jerry-rigged a repair that prevents rear alignment from being adjusted. to help you make better choices for lifes big moments and the everyday ones in between. on how 2000 through 2021 vehicles are holding up in 17 potential trouble spots, ranging from the Matrix owners have reported knocking noises coming from the transmission. connector for screws is broken". ", "Both front (driver) and passenger windows had to have extensive repairs. It is the old Corolla engine - mostly good, and later corrected I think", "engine replacement due to sludge build-up on cam shaft gears due to not changing oil on a proper schedule". Instead, the top complaints about this model are the rear window glare and faulty radio - not exactly dealbreakers. The inflators in the front passenger air bags are susceptible to rupture in the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the front passenger air bag. The Matrix offered a lot of room and many of the virtues of an SUV, such as a little higher driving position, easy access, and optional AWD. Remove any trim panel covers, screws, clips, and switches from the door panel, and then loosen and remove the door panel to access the window. Notable shortcomings are a flawed driving position and a noisy engine. That concludes our roundup of the Matrix years to avoid, so lets get to the model years that you can buy with confidence. Toyota will notify their owners. ", "Starter failed completely. Dealers will replace the passenger side front air bag, free of charge. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. ", "The wheel well liners have been coming loose and braking apart, causing horrible wind noise. What are the Symptoms of Bad Motor Mounts? Your email address will not be published. Will have it looked at soon", "Started slipping in the last couple of months. Based on data by Car Complaints, the 2006 Matrix has 285 NHTSA complaints and eight recalls. For more information, Toyota owners may call 1-800-331-4331 and Pontiac owners may call 1-800-620-7668. NA indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide Apply thread locker to the screws to help secure them long-term and tighten the screws back to the window. The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey The CoPilot app is the smartest way to buy a car. The recall began on August 24, 2015. ", Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, remote engine start, alarm or security system, "Can't remember what it's called, but it has something to do with the spark plugs and the fuel system causing the car to accelerate poorly. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Unfortunately, the following year with the 2006 Matrix is still plagued with reliability woes. I should probably have them all replaced, but I'd rather save my money for the bigger more necessary repairs", "Sunroof makes noise, unless I actually partially open it". brought it in for service and had technician look and "adjust" but problem persists, very annoying when window is partially down, rattles way too much", "The outside door handles break off. ", "I'm actually not sure it's the starter; I took it to my mechanic who fixed something that was wrong, but the noise on start-up is still there. Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling), loose interior and exterior trim or moldings, rust. On June 16, 2015, Toyota expanded the recall to include an additional 1,270,468 vehicles, including model year 2002-2003 and 2005-2007 Sequoia, 2005-2006 Tundra, 2003-2007 Corolla, 2003-2007 Corolla Matrix, 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe and 2002-2007 Lexus SC vehicles. Worn-out flex joint, converter efficiency fault codes, fairly new O2 sensors, plan to keep the car", "It went out but there is no way to tell if it was the converter or the computer", "Toyota dealer quoted to replace entire exhaust system including O2 sensors. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. The very first Toyota Matrix is a model year wed rather skip. Earning the Seal of Awesome award by Car Complaints, the 2007 Toyota Matrix is a satisfying compact car choice for many people. ", "Drivers side front door rusted through; replaced with door from auto wrecker", "under body rust under doors and wheel wells", "Not surprisingly, after 15 years and nearly 200,000 miles in a state that salts roads in the winter, the car is showing some rust. Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, 4WD/AWD components, driveline vibration, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), electrical failure. Today, were rounding up the Toyota Matrix years to avoid along with model years you can safely buy. Checked by a transmission repair shop that found no problem. The recall began on January 29, 2018. These engines tend to vibrate in general, which can loosen the engine mounts over time. Your email address will not be published. Not borken or damaged, but come off every year", "There is a black rubber trim piece that runs along the roof on the right and left sides. Isn't bad enough to take it in for repair. Pontiac owners may call 1-800-762-2737. ", "After a heavy rain, I found puddles of water in the right front and rear passenger floorboard areas. Tell us what youre looking for and well search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area. We had the struts replaced and now it works fine. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589. "snow dislodges plastic bumpers and side covers from bottom of car", "Plastic liner of wheel well kept coming loose, popping out of position and rubbing against tire", "My wife and I had two mishaps with the car years ago, and the repairs are starting to come undone. The oil is leaking again 2 years after being fixed". In many reports, the airbags didnt even deploy after impact due to sudden acceleration. FAQs or access your Another area of concern is the cars transmission system thats also prone to fail. Thanks to its host of reliability issues, the 2009 Matrix is one of the worst Toyota Matrix years to avoid. ", "leaking oil like crazy from oil pan, several hoses and a new seal fixed that right up", "oil leak on the front of engine it took 3 visits to get it fix dealer was very apologetic it took so many visits to fix and no charge for the last visit the leak was front timming chain cover", "Engine gasket seal leaks after 10 years and was replaced. Moreover, the radio lost the ability to receive any but very strong signals. It has always been a daily driver. Was told by our mechanic it would need total replacement again. As of January 30, 2018, Toyota is additionally recalling 3,347 model year 2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles located in states listed above. Dealers will replace the airbag control module, free of charge. Like the previous year, the transmission issue seems only to affect manual models, which have symptoms like loud grinding noises, hesitation while shifting, and no fifth gear. Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting how the vehicles will hold up in the year ahead. SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. Needed a new gasket. We sent it to Toyota to get it fixed and they repeatedly said they would have to remove the dash (at our expense) to diagnose the problem. "Would not always come on when car started. Tried to warn others". Power or manual windows, locks and latches, tailgate, hatch or trunk, doors or sliding doors, mirrors, seat controls, safety belts, sunroof, convertible top. ", "My Matrix has severe pitting in the paint on the hood. Toyota's numbers for this recall are G0R (Zone B), and H0A (Zone C), J0A (Matrix Zone A), J0A (Matrix Zone A), J0A (Matrix Zone A). [Diagnose & Fix]. It offers a stable and comfortable, versatile cargo area, roomy backseat, and excellent fuel economy. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. The best part? Mechanic was unable to fix", "one headlight routinely comes loose from its housing, causing the bulb to rattle and become inoperative", "Both 'apparently' extinguished simultaneously.