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Comments
Does anone know if the problems have been solved in later models (such as 07 or 08s)? I also don't find mention of these problems at sites other than Edmunds. Any consumer reports or other mentioning these transmission & clutch problems?
Any help would be appreciated
Thanks
Dave
I've also put in my 2 cents at matrixowners.com. The real problem is with the dealers and the company itself. They are the ones that have decided, in spite of numerous complaints, that there is no problem. Three years later and my top of the line Matrix xrs is worth less than 1/2 of what I paid for it. 27,000 miles and my 3rd clutch is slipping. I'll NEVER buy a Toyota product again! My advice, buy a Honda!
Good luck
the main bearing is going getting louder daily
did anybody have any luck with toyota with this problem
Normally when there are throw out bearing failures, you'll find that the driver rests their foot on the clutch (thereby keeping the bearing spinning), or the clutch is improperly adjusted and the bearing doesn't release far enough away from the pressure plate.
That's a cheaper and easier parts fix compared to a transmission bearing where you have to take the transmission actually apart. In this case, you just are unbolting the transmission from the engine. The throwout bearing and clutch are in between the engine and transmission.
- tbrane
Should I buy a Nissan Versa or Toyota Fit or try the newer Matrix??
In August, on a trip Upstate, I noticed a noise coming from the engine compartment of my car. I had about 61,000 miles on the car at that time. I this I first noticed this rattling noise because we had the windows up and the a/c on. Never noticed it before.
The car shifted fine, just had this annoying noise that reminded me of a extended ping. Didn't imagine in my wildest dreams that this noise, which was inaudible with the windows down and the radio on, would be such a serious problem!
Two weeks ago, I called the shop about looking into the noise and he mechanic asked me to check to see if I heard it when I stopped. No noise at a stop, but I did notice that when driving, if I pushed the clutch in the noise went away.
When I brought the car into the shop last Monday 10/30/07, my mechanic said the noise was coming from the transmission. Drove the car approximately 100 miles since then, local driving. Called Toyota after reading the posts here and they said "no reported problems, nothing they can do." Case closed. Case #200710020501.
En-route to Toyota Dealer to have the transmission looked at last night, the car died. I noticed that when I got onto the highway the rattling noise disappeared, and instead made high-pitched whirring noise. Weird, I thought,... got off the highway and took local route to the dealer.
As I drove I heard all kinds of other intermittent noises: growls, squeals, squeaks and then the final noise which sounded like the transmission actually dropped out. I was surprised when I looked under the car to see that it hadn't. Luckily I was on the highway service road and not on the main section, or I would have been killed.
I have driven every kind of manual car, rattle-traps included, and never have had a problem with a manual transmission.
It's very convenient that Toyota claims they have no service bulletins on this issue, and that all of us are left with the bill for fixing what is obviously a defective transmission. I am ready scream! I will NEVER buy another Toyota again, but I am also not finished fighting.
One person posted that "Unfortunately unless there is a safety issue, I don't think we are going to get lucky with a recall." There is most certainly a safety issue here when the powertrain of the car breaks down. I am going to report this to the National Transportation Safety Board, and I suggest everyone else do so as well.
Their website is:
http://www.ntsb.gov
I think everyone has an expectation that it's going to run for 100's of thousands of miles, but legally Toyota appears covered. Whether they do anything out of 'good will', is a different subject.
Transmissions fail unexpectantly. There is a faulty main bearing. Toyota is aware of the problem and currently has an update kit for the transmission but has failed to let consumers know. It is unknown whether the failure of this bearing could result in a catastrophic failure that may result in injuries to passengers?
- Tires wearing bald at 20-30K miles......why shouldn't a dealer have to maintain those? They certainly are a safety hazard if they get bald and explode. That's not covered by warranty.
- Brake linings wearing down to nothing and cutting into the rotors, leaving no stopping capability. Certainly a safety hazard. That's not covered by warranty either.
Don't get me wrong, I'd be trying every logic angle I could to try and get Toyota to repair it and avoid a 3K repair bill. It's just that they aren't legally required to do anything, and I'd be going after the "I'm a loyal repeat customer over the years with all service done at the dealer and please cut me a break" angle.
Worn tires and brakes are known maintenance and are easily visibly identified. And you are correct in that the Neon which was known to wear brakes and tires prematurely was not recalled to my knowledge?
Hopefully the transmission casing on the matrix is strong enough should there be such a catastrophic event as described above. With the whole whopping 126 HP that the matrix produces a scatter shield is unnecessary and a failure this bad is probably not likely but possible.
Toyota is flexing their reliability muscle and would never admit to a problem of this nature. When you purchase a bad toyota you are pretty much screwed.
Its no different than toyota avoiding their previous oil "sludge" problem in their older cars.
The bottom line is that Toyota is very good at turning a blind eye.
The key to this problem is don't buy a Toyota. And if you do, do not expect them to stand behind their cars when there is an unexpected defect!
Most Toyota's are good. Some are bad. And if you get a bad one, you are probably better off with any other manufacturer but Toyota because as far as Toyota is concerned their cars don't have problems.
Still thinks it's form factor is perfect for my daughters need, though.
I must say that the car was great in all other respects...we actually were able to get an apartment sized refrigerator in the thing, so flexible in terms of usage, but that little problem with Toyota not admitting to what seems to be a problem is the issue here.
I can honestly say that the way people drive on Long Island, had I been on the highway side of the divider that I would have been creamed. Even the man who towed my vehicle said the same. Breaking down in a lane when everyone is doing 70+ miles an hour will at least put you in the position of being rear-ended and then who knows what!
And, when I called Toyota last week, the rep on the phone said that a failing powertrain would be considered a safety hazard.
All said, I don't think I will buy another Toyota, even though they have always served me well. As with most companies, I think there is a definite de-evolution of quality as they get larger. Think Enron, Xerox, and GM.
The problem seems to exist only with 2003-4. The transmission and engine was changed for 2005. So if you want a Matrix get a 2005 or later and you may be ok. I probably still won't get one unless Toyota gives me an awesome trade-in value.
I got off easy though...cost about $1500 to replace a bearing. After reading everything here I'm afraid there's more to come.
Don't these cars have the same trany as the Corola and/or Vibe? Do those cars have similar problems?
I am in total agreement with you, with the number of postings on this website over the last 6 months it is quite obvious that there is an issue with the Matrix. I replaced my clutch at 113,000 km's plus all the maintenance - result is over $3500 in the last year including new tires. This car has turned out to be a money pit! I am all for going to the media. Here is my email if you want to get things started dorenesheets@hotmail.com. I am in for the long run if need be..:)
I am scheduled for the bearing job for nextTuesday. I do not know this dealer and I wonder if they are using the right bearing. Would you be kind enough to review your bill and copy the bearing part number. They are talking about a $120 bearing and others say it is a $50 bearing - I looked it up on Carparts.cpm and it shows as a $10.65. - It is not the parts cost that I am concerned with as the bill will be 95% labour - but as the labour is being performed I want to make sure the right part will be used. thanks for the effort!