Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | |||||
| 4543B | 04/04/2005 | 10015667 | Engine mechanical - partial engine assy (1zz-fe) repair manual correction. 00400-rm110-8u2. *tt 00400-rm103-8u2. *tt 00400-rm940-u2. *tt | 08/03/2005 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||||
| TSB-0064-10 | 02/04/2010 | 10034284 | Toyota: techstream ecu flash reprogramming procedure. flash reprogramming allows the ecu software to be updated without replacing the ecu. flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ecus are released as field-fix procedures de | 11/01/2010 | |
| 04507 | 10/27/2007 | 10023619 | M.i.l. (on) dtc p0171, p030# and/or p0133 engine running lean in subfreezing ambient temperatures. *nj | 01/14/2008 | |
| 02207 | 04/18/2007 | 10021529 | Idle hunting in sub-freezing ambient air temperatures. *kb | 05/14/2007 | |
| 02604 | 07/12/2004 | 02604R | 10010307 | Malfunction indicator lamp on with diagnostic trouble code p0420. *tt | 11/15/2004 |
| 01704 | 05/28/2004 | 10007643 | Excessive sulfur dioxide odor. *tt | 07/07/2004 | |
| EG01402 | 08/02/2003 | EG01402 | 10003961 | Malfunction indicator light on condition with diagnostic trouble codes p0125, p0130, or p0133 in the engine control module (ecm). revised. *tt | 11/07/2003 |
| 02002 | 10/23/2002 | 10000275 | Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) on with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0770. *tt | 02/21/2003 | |
| EG01402 | 08/02/2002 | 634007 | Malfunction indicator light on condition with diagnostic trouble codes p0125, p0130, or p0133 in the engine control module (ecm). *tt | 09/26/2002 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS | |||||
| 02107 | 04/17/2007 | 10021536 | Accessory drive belt/ belt tensioner assembly noise. *kb | 05/14/2007 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | |||
| 08/16/2011 | |||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2003 toyota matrix. the contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. the vehicle was inspected by a mechanic, but the mechanic was unable to locate a failure with the vehicle. the contact had the engine replaced but the failure recurred within one year. the vehicle was then taken to the dealer were it was found that the engine control module needed to be replaced. the failure mileage was unknown. kmj | |||
| 12/27/2010 | 105000 | ||
| 2003 matrix engine quit working while driving. took to repair shop and they stated the engine has ceased up. puzzled because clean oil, taken extreme care of, regular oil changes. frustrating. | |||
| 08/05/2010 | 101000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2003 toyota matrix. the contact stated that while his wife was stopped at a red light the check engine light came on and the vehicle stalled out. it was restarted and then driven about eight miles and it stalled again. it would not restart and was towed to the dealer. they advised the ecm needed to be replaced. the vehicle has been repaired. the current and failure mileages were 101,000. rd | |||
| 12/15/2008 | 45398 | 1 | |
| Re: ? toyota usa case #?s 20812220115, 200812310223, etc.. on november 29, 2008 i bought a 2003 toyota matrix with 44,598 miles on it. the check engine light came on, it was over a quart low on oil. this happened again which toyota has a letter from me. after this, i drove the car 50 miles and it used around 2/3 a quart of oil. i called the toyota experience center and told them the problems i was having and they told me to take it to the local dealer to have it checked. the person i talked to, looked up the vin # and told me that the engine on this car had been rebuilt at 41,459 miles, in november 2007 at headquarters toyota, in miami, florida. he also told me that toyota would probably pick up the repair since it had less than 4,000 miles on a rebuilt engine (currently the car has 45,398 mile on it). i took the car to my local dealer l&s toyota, in beckley, wv on december 23, 2008. they did a compression test on the engine and it failed. the service manager at l&s toyota told me the engine block should have been replaced when headquarters toyota rebuilt the engine, but hadn't been. after about 10 calls to toyota corporate and numerous case numbers the verdict was in. terr, the service manager at l&s toyota said they will not fix the engine unless i pay for the repair myself. john lino from headquarters toyota, miami told me they would take care of the repair but i would have to bring the car there, which is 950 miles away. the matrix engine has blown twice within 45,398 miles and toyota is offering no assistance. both of these dealerships are governed by toyota motor sales, usa, so how can the one get authorization to do the repair but the other one can?t? the 2003 matrix that i am referring to is the 8th toyota that i have owned, because of their reliability. *tr | |||
| 08/24/2005 | 1 | 11/01/2004 | |
| Dt: the contact stated the check engine light came on constantly. this started 3-4 months ago. the dealer has had to reset the codes several times. the light will stayed off for only a couple of days and then the light came back on. she said the car died o 4 times, and she has had to reboot it. the battery was good. no one was able to tell her why the car would not start. she said the car was running good. *ak | |||
| 06/04/2005 | 47079 | 75 | 12/27/2003 |
| While driving my car, it will start to miss out and then stall. upon restarting, the engine light comes on. i took it to the dealer where they replaced the computer. that helped for about 6 months and then problem recurred. i took it back to the dealer and we then replaced the ignitors. once that was complete the car ran fine for 2 months. now it is happening again, and is very dangerous. it happened to me today for instance while i was in the middle of an interstection making a a turn. when the car stalls, i have limited steering. this also happens to me while i'm on the interstate. clearly there is a severe problem with this car that goes beyond the computer and ignitors. it is very dangerous to drive, but i have no choice since it is the only car that i have. | |||
| 09/08/2003 | 11450 | 3 | 03/24/2003 |
| I took the matrix in twice shortly after i bought it because the car would unexpectedly lunge forward while at a complete stop. i also complained that the brakes felt loose and did not catch as they should. i was advised both times by the service manager that they could not duplicate the problem and that nothing abnormal was found with car. while i was beginning to look into lemon laws, in september of last year i was at a stop light with the brake pedal fully engaged. due to my previous experiences with the car lunging forward, i would keep several feet between me and the car in front of me to avoid an accident. this time the car not only lunged forward, but it was like the accelerator stuck-i had my foot on the brake but could not stop the car after it lunged forward and i hit a car that was in front of me at the light. my car did not stop until i was almost parallel with the other car on the passenger side! i have had the case looked at by toyota, and their legal department has advised that nothing is wrong with the car-their only explanation is that the vehicle operates to normal specifications. they have advised that the car will lunge forward while the air conditioner is as when the ac compressor cycles, it increases the engine rpm and the vehicle will move forward. my air conditioner was not on at the time of this accident, however. *la | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||
| 06/30/2011 | 129000 | ||
| My son was driving our 2003 toyota matix, accelerating up to speed after pulling onto the interstate on-ramp when the engine began to make a loud clicking sound. there was no engine warning light or smoking from the engine or exhaust system. he reduced speed, pulled over and exited at the next exit. although the car had lost significant power, he was able to continue to drive to the dealership, located nearby. the oil pressure switch had failed and the oil had leaked out. there was no level on the dipstick. after replacing the switch, adding oil, the engine still has a loud knocking sound, is low on power and will not idle. it is not burning oil. diagnosis is internal engine damage and that engine must be replaced. the car has 129,000 miles on it, has been regularly maintained at the dealership and was one month and 1500 miles short of its next oil change. dealer verbal estimate is $5000 for replacement engine, from a breaker's yard. independent estimate is $3000 - 4000. basically, the car is an economic write-off. | |||
| 10/06/2008 | 111000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota matrix. while driving 65 mph, the engine failed in the middle of the road. the road conditions were not a factor. there were no warning lights illuminated prior to the failure. the contact was driving in rush hour traffic at the time; therefore, he was accelerating and decelerating before the failure occurred. roadside assistance pushed the vehicle out of the middle of the freeway and it was towed to the repair shop. the vehicle was inspected for two days and engine sludge was determined to be the cause of the failure due to improper lubrication, although there was oil present in the engine. the manufacturer stated that the engine failure was not covered for the matrix; however, the camry was covered. the camry and matrix have the same exact engine and the contact feels that it should also be covered. he was provided with reference number 200810070867. the vin was unknown. the failure mileage was 111,000. | |||
| 09/06/2007 | 60886 | 2 | 02/24/2003 |
| On 6 september 2007,my wife was driving the 2003 matrix, when without warning the motor started to make an excessive noise in the engine, she pulled over a called me, i met her where she was and verified the noise sounded terminal, called for a wrecker, had car towed to the dealer, 2 days later, i was informed that the engine had thrown 3 rods, mileage on the car was 60,886, just out of warranty, spent the next week in toyota usa arbitration,they deem lack of lubrication caused the damage and washed their hands of the engine repair. on 21 september, i paid almost $4500, for what was supposed to be a new short block. well, the new short block has as much road grime as the transmission, and 52 miles later the engine was whistling, opened the hood to check the engine, the coolant was 1/2 gallon low, the oil is 1/2 quart low and a couple of loose bolts, one of which mounts the accelerator cable/bracket to the engine. called the dealer, the service department was closed, but the receptionist recommended i go buy antifreeze and oil at the local supermarket. i once again, called toyota usa, created another ticket with them.. currently impatiently waiting for monday morning when i can go to the dealer/service department.. *jb | |||
| 11/08/2004 | 35940 | 1 | 03/19/2003 |
| I'm an owner of a 2003 toyota matrix and my engine has the famous sludge issue related to past toyota autos of recent years. i don't have all my receipts (i really almost never save them) for maintenance but i have a few... well, toyota is refusing the warranty and i'm starting to see more complaints about possible engine problems with the car! my car has 36,000 miles on it and is still under warranty and just today i've been told the engine can't be saved! i'm livid and feel that there is something else wrong causing these issues but toyota isn't saying either way. i'm retaining a lawyer and possibly dropping the car if this issue isn't addressed! there are 4 similar complaints on the nhtsa site already and i be we see more as these models cross the 24k mile marker! *jb | |||
| 07/03/2004 | 38000 | 1 | 04/25/2002 |
| I have a 2003 toyota matrix with approximately 38,000 miles on it. vehicle was driven for about 6 or more hours when it began a loud knocking sound, and started to lose power. then there was a loud bang. as it turned out, the car had thrown a rod through the front of the block, as well as blew the starter from the transmission housing. in addition there was a hole in the back of the oil pan about 3 inches in diameter. from the spot where the engine blew up i took measurements. the initial oil spot was 121 long by 18 wide. from there the car sprayed oil 1104' averaging 15 to 18 wide as it coasted downhill to a stop where it made another oil spot about 15 wide by 24 long. the dealership (newark toyota 1344 marrows rd.. newark, de 19711) is alleging that the care had no oil in it although i provided maintenance records and a video of the oil spill from the start of the breakdown to the finish. they said they were denying the warranty work for lack of maintenance. *la | |||
| 07/02/2004 | 39000 | 1 | 04/07/2002 |
| I was driving vehicle for about 4 hours prior to problem. vehicle starting making a tapping noise as if the valves were knocking. oil started leaking out from under vehicle, and then the engine threw a connecting rod through the engine block and lower oil pan destroying the engine. the dealership is fighting me and concluded that there was no oil in the engine when all the oil came out when the rod struck the hole in my pan.*ak | |||
| 10/30/2002 | |||
| Consumer visually noticed oil leaking from vehicle. dealer diagnosed that the crank shaft key had failed and replaced. ts | |||
| 12/29/2002 | 1130 | 2 | 09/07/2003 |
| While driving, consumer attempted to make turns and steering was very hard. consumer visually noticed a fluid leaking from under vehicle. dealer diagnosed that the power steering pump had failed. ts the next day, consumer noticed more fluid leaking. dealer replaced crankshaft and keyway. dome lit inoperative. bulb replaced. check engine light was on. dealer found evaporative system malfunctioned. *tt | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE | |||
| 05/16/2002 | 05/01/2002 | ||
| The air conditioning started to blow hot air, then the engine started stalling and the engine check sign came on. toyota said it was a stone that got into the radiator and provoked a leaking. no signs of damage in the front bumper. how can a stone get there and how do they make such fragile cars? i had to pay for the damages although it is a brand new car.*ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM | |||
| 11/12/2008 | 94000 | 1 | |
| My check engine light came on, and the local toyota dealership charged me about $50 to tell me my catalytic converter needed replacement at a cost of over $1,000 for my 2003 matrix with about 92,000 miles. seemed unlikely, so i took it to a local non-toyota repair shop, his computer also showed catalytic converter, but he said the way the car was performing, it might be the oxygen sensors. he replaced both, and the car has been great ever since. too bad my local toyota dealer wanted to gauge me. *tr | |||
| 03/14/2003 | 1 | ||
| A strong chemical fume entered through the passenger compartment of the vehicle. *jb | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - CATALYTIC CONVERTOR | |||
| 06/15/2010 | 80743 | 1 | 02/01/2003 |
| 2003 toyota matrix. consumer states burned out catalytic converter *tgw the consumer stated the engine light illuminated to let him know there was a problem and there was also a sulfur smell at times. *jb | |||
| 03/07/2008 | 1 | 05/01/2007 | |
| I bought a used 2003 toyota matrix in may of 2007. because it had the toyota name on it, i assumed it would be a quality car - wrong! now it is march 2008, less than one year after i bought the car. i have already had to spend almost $1000 to replace the clutch (an item i have never had to replace in any car i've owned). now the catalytic converter is burning up. i went to the dealer & they said the repair would be $1700, but they would be willing to pay for half of it - still leaving me to pay $850 for a part that i should not have to be replacing at 90k miles. after going home & doing some research, i found that the catalytic converter fails in virtually every 2003 & 2004 matrix, but toyota does not want to do the respectable thing - issue a recall!!! i did not expect to be spending $2700/year in repairs (outside of regular maintenance) for a toyota - the reputation is really undeserved. *tr | |||
| 09/01/2007 | 106000 | 1 | 01/03/2003 |
| My husband, william palmer-taylor, bought our 2003 toyota matrix in the boston, ma area before joining me in california. because of a programming failure, the 2003 toyota matrix (izz-fe engine) catalytic converter burns out early emitting a noxious sulfur dioxide odor. the problem is probably more of finances than health (the repair cost is $1200 at least). toyota is aware of this, evidenced by tsb issued 10/8/04, ego26-04. however, no recall has been in effect and the consumer is at risk. the warranty on the catalytic converter ends at 80,000 miles. mine burned out at 100,000. toyota has refused any accountability. they should be accountable for at least the part and reprogramming of this. *tr | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | |||
| 11/06/2004 | 88000 | 1 | 07/22/2002 |
| Tail pipe assembly (catalytic converter inside of muffler) is bad . *aki | |||