Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
POWER TRAIN
0110508/01/200510016624U341f transmission solenoid identification. *tt09/26/2005
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
0020708/23/200710022730Abnormal noise from rear differential. *kb09/25/2007

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
POWER TRAIN
10/10/201199823
 The differential and both rear wheel bearing failed at 99,823, the axial boots failed earlier at 92,55 miles. total cost was $4,240. car was driven into repair shop making loud noises.
10/13/201180000
 I went to the dealer a month ago reporting a loud noise coming from the engine area when in gear. toyota dealer claimed nothing was wrong. yesterday transmission gave up.
11/07/200882000
 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.
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
10/03/2010130000
 Took my car for check engine light, harsh shifting into reverse. i was told the ecm needed replacing. the ecm was replaced but the problems persist. when shifting into reverse the car lunges into gear after a few seconds. i am afraid of backing into someone in the parking lot.
03/16/201094000
 Our car has developed very harsh shift of the gears and has a check engine light. went to car shop and they said it was error code p2716 and a known problem but only covered upto 80000 miles or 96 months. our vehicle is 2005 with 94000 miles. the ecm needs to be replaced - cost ~ 900 $ - our complaint is that since this is a mechanical problem with the vehicle itself and not the driver, we should not need to pay for this and should be replaced by toyota - please help us.
09/06/2009805001
 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
10/30/200535210/01/2005
 Dt: the contact stated that transmission mad e a thumping noise when approaching a stop. he suspected it was the sound of the transmission changing gears. also, there wa s vibration that followed the noise. this was an intermittent problem. he took the vehicle to a dealer. the dealer could not determine what was causing the noise. no repairs have been made at this time. *ak updated 09/16/09 *bf updated 09/17/09.*jb
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY
04/14/2010203/01/2005
 Letter from senator on behalf of constituent. re difficulties with her 2005 toyota matrix. *kb the consumer stated the brakes were defective due to the rotor getting caught in the brake pad. the problem continued after the second brake repair. the brakes made an audible squeaking noise when depressed. there was a loud noise every time the vehicle was started and the gears were engaged. the abs did not work on an irregular surface. a defective rear axle caused damage to the tires. the lights would go out by themselves when it was dark.*jb
POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
10/30/2007700000111/27/2004
 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
12/08/200628000212/01/2004
 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.
02/01/200635000110/01/2004
 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
09/17/2005213001
 Clutch failure in 2005 toyota matrix xrs w/6 speed manual transmission. failure occurred at 21,300 miles, and was accompanied by burning smell detectable in the car while driving at highway speed. toyota refused to accept any responsibility for the failure. toyota district manager refused to contact me to discuss the issue. *nm
07/12/200525000104/04/2002
 Clutch started slipping just before 30000 miles. dealer said within normal operation. clutch now at 33000 miles and needs replacement. dealer refuses to replace, stating normal wear and tear. i feel the clutch is defective and the dealer won't acknowledge it. i have 18 years of experience driving manual transmissions and i don't abuse a clutch. *nm
POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY - PEDAL/LINKAGE
06/14/2004102000
 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.
08/15/2004300207/31/2004
 Dt: the clutch was difficult to depress/to engage the starter. the consumer stated that there was a problem when trying to work the clutch because there was not enough room in the floor area ,and the wheel well made a hump in this area. also, the vehicle was designed with a foot rest that the consumer had removed because it made it more difficult to drive. on several different occasions the vehicle stalled. twice it put the consumer in dangerous situation although, there were no accidents. the first time was in august 2004. the second time was in september or october 2004. when the consumer took vehicle to a dealer they basically told him they could not find the stalling problem. when he contacted the manufacturer, they told him basically the same hing. the consumer stated he believed that the area problem was a design flaw. *ak
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE
07/14/201169000
 My 2005 toyota matrix 4wd started to making whining noise at 69000 miles. took the car to nearby mechanic and found that the rear differential unit needs to be replaced. the differential fluid was fully-replaced at 50,000 miles and the car has been properly maintained accordingly by manufacture's guidance. the cost is more than $ 1500 to replace rear differential. . for any car equipped with awd system should never have this issue and i fee that it's very unsafe to drive.
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION
11/15/2008650001
 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