2012 Toyota MATRIX: complaints, problems and recalls

THE 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX I WAS DRIVING HIT THE BACK OF A PICK-UP TRUCK WHEN THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SKID. THE MATRIX WENT PARTIALLY UNDER THE TRUCK, CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE MATRIX. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS IN THE 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX DEPLOYED. THANKS TO THE FACT THAT I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT, I RECEIVED ONLY MINOR INJURIES.*AK

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I WAS DRIVING BELOW SPEED LIMIT NEAR MY HOME IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD STREET WHEN MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG WENT OFF SPONTANEOUSLY. NO OUTSIDE IMPACT WAS INVOLVED IT JUST WENT OFF ON ITS OWN. THANKFULLY, I WAS ALONE IN THE CAR SO NO ONE WAS BEHIND THE AIRBAG. THE FORCE OF THE AIRBAG CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD OF THE CAR. *TR

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THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STARTED COME ON MY 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO, AND THE WARNING LIGHT USUALLY WENT OFF IF I RE-STARTED THE ENGINE. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER TO CHECK THE AIRBAG SYSTEM ON 2007, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. MY CAR ALREADY HAD OVER 36,000 MILES ON THAT TIME, THUS THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE WARNING LIGHT STILL CAME ON AND OFF OCCASIONALLY THEREAFTER. IN MARCH 2008, I HAD AN ACCIDENT WHEN I LOST THE CONTROL OF THE CAR DURING THE SNOWSTORM, AND I HIT THE FIRE HYDRANT AT A SPEED OF 35 MILES…

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VEHICLE COMPLETELY STOPPED IN A LINE OF TRAFFIC. WHILE WAITING TO MOVE ON, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE,THE ENGINE ALL OF A SUDDEN ROARED AND THE VEHICLE SHOT FORWARD AND HIT THE VEHICLE (APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 7 FEET) IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT OPEN AND THE HIT TO THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS MORE LIKE A PUNCH. I TRIED TO STOP MY FORWARD THRUST BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE. UPON STRIKING THE OTHER VEHICLE THE ENGINE ROAR STOPPED AND EVERYTHING SEEMINGLY RETURNED TO NORMAL. MINOR DAMAGE WAS DONE TO BOTH VEHICLES AND NO ONE WAS…

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WAS STOPPED AT LIGHT AND WAS REAR ENDED BY ONE THAT REAR ENDED THE OTHER CAR. AIR BAG DID NOT COME OUT ONLY SEAT BELT PULLED TIGHT. NOW HAVE MESSAGE AIR BAG IS OFF. DAMAGE TO CAR IS OVER $3,000. *LN

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V127000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. 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. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

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TOYOTA ACCIDENT I DRIVE A LEASED 2009 TOYOTA MATRIX. AT 8:24 AM ON NOVEMBER 16, 2009. PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT THE DOCTORS OFFICE BUILDING BOCA RATON. THE CAR WAS ALMOST STOPPED AND MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, WHEN THE CAR REVVED UP TO THE MAXIMUM, JUMPED THE CURB AND HIT A PALM TREE. I IMMEDIATELY SWITCHED OFF THE ENGINE. I WAS DAZED, AND AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES I GOT OUT THE CAR TO SEE THE DAMAGE. HAVING HEARD OF CAR MAT PROBLEMS, I INSPECTED THE MATS, BUT NOTHING WAS OUT OF PLACE. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, I WENT TO MY DOCTORS APPOINTMEN…

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IN JULY 2009 I PURCHASED A NEW 2010 TOYOTA MATRIX FROM SUNRISE TOYOTA IN OAKDALE , NEW YORK. WHEN SHOPPING FOR MY VEHICLE I WAS LOOKING FOR ONE THAT HAD A DRIVERS SIDE KNEE AIRBAG SINCE I HAD RECENTLY HAD KNEE SURGERY AND A CHRONIC KNEE PROBLEM. WHEN LOOKING AT THE 2010 TOYOTA MATRIX THE WINDOW STICKER (MONRONEY) INDICATED THAT THE CAR CAME EQUIPPED WITH A DRIVERS SIDE KNEE AIR BAG AS STANDARD SAFETY EQUIPMENT. THE SALES PERSON ALSO REITERATED THAT THE CAR HAD THIS SAFETY EQUIPMENT. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. IN JANUARY OF 2010, NEARLY 6 MONTHS A…

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V340000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS UNAVAILABLE.

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS 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.

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WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO READ THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WHEN THE SUN WAS EXTREMELY BRIGHT. *TS *JB

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MY 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX HAS EXPEREINCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED IT; I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO STOP THE CAR FROM MOVING FORWARD BY FURTHER DEPRESSING THE BRAKE. BUT ON SATURDAY MARCH 26 WHILE AT A STOP SIGN, THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION HAPPENED AGAIN AND I WAS UNABLE TO IMMEDIATELY STOP MY CAR FROM LURCHING FORWARD. IT MOVED SEVERAL INCES INTO ONCOMING (PERPENDICULAR) TRAFFIC BEFORE I FINALLY THREW IT INTO PARK AND PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP IT. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED BUT IT CAME C…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED IT WAS THE LACK OF LUBRICATION TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED. UPDATED 7/13/2006 - *NM

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THE CAR WAS OPERATED BY MOTHER WHO WAS IN A PARKING LOT ABOUT TO FINALIZE A FULL PARKING OF IT. ALL OF A SUDDEN, HER WORDS WERE "IT SHOT OFF LIKE A BULLET" AND SHE DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING. IT FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING 100 MPH AND SHE DID EVERYTHING UNDER HER CONTROL NOT TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE OR 3 PEDESTRIANS. THE PEDESTRIANS SAW WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND RAN, ONE WAS HIT, NOT SERIOUSLY. POLICE AND RESCUE WERE CALLED. THE JOHNSTON, RHODE ISLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT IMPOUNDED THE CAR. THE CAR WILL BE INSPECTED PROBABLY ON JUNE 26 BY THE RI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25 MPH AND 78 MPH THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL. ALSO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL REMAINS APPLIED, EVEN AFTER APPLICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE REGIONAL MASTER TECH SENT BY THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AGAIN, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILED DRIVING, SHE COU…

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2008 TOYOTA MATRIX DEVELOPED A GRUNTING/RATTLING SOUND WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED ABOUT A YEAR AGO. DEACTIVATING THE CRUISE CONTROL DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM BUT FIRST DISAPPEARED AFTER PULLING OFF THE HIGH WAY, SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE AND HENCE RESETTING THE SYSTEMS. WHICH PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED BY TOYOTA NEWBURGH NY SWIFTLY, WITH THE REMARK THAT THIS WAS SOMETHING THEY HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE. IN THE LIGHT OF THE ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS THAT CONTINUE TO PLAGUE US ALL THIS MIGHT BE AN ITEM OF INTEREST ON YOUR BEHALF? *TR

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I PURCHASED A 09 TOYOTA MATRIX 5DR, 2WD, CUV ON 1/24/09. DURING THE FIRST WEEK IN MARCH 2009 I WAS DRIVING ON A 45 MPH CITY STREET GOING A LITTLE LESS THAN THE SPEED LIMIT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR SPED UP. I GAVE THE GAS PEDAL A TAP THINKING IT HAD JUST STUCK, BUT THE MOTOR KEPT RACING AS I PICKED UP SPEED. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. I NEVER LOOKED TO SEE HOW FAST I WAS GOING, I WAS TOO BUSY, TRYING TO SLOW DOWN AND FIND A PLACE TO PULL OVER BEFORE I CAUGHT UP TO T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,800.

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WAITING FOR LIGHT TO TURN GREEN, ANOTHER DRIVER ALERT ME THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I IMMEDIATELY OPEN THE HOOD AND THERE WAS FIRE BETWEEN ENGINE AND FIREWALL. THE VEHICLE WAS A LEASED 2002 TOYOTA MATRIX XRS. MY INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED IT A TOTAL LOSS. I TRIED TO CONTACT TOYOTA AND DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR ANSWERS IN REGARDS TO ISSUE BUT I WAS GIVEN THE SAME ANSWER, FIRES WERE NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY, WHICH IS I UNDERSTAND BUT THEY NEVER MAKE AN EFFORT TO MAKE INVESTIGATION TO WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. *TR

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THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT WAS DIM, WHICH CAUSED IMPAIRED VISION. *JB

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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

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I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT AFTER I START MY 2005 MATRIX XR UP AT NIGHT AND BEGIN TO DRIVE AWAY THAT MY TAIL LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS. I HAVE NOTICED A DELAY IN SOME OF THE DASH LIGHTS COMING ON, BUT WAS UNAWARE OF THE TAIL LIGHT SITUATION UNTIL IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION. THIS HAPPENS EACH TIME THAT THE CAR IS STARTED. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT TO A DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. *NM

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 1,500 RPM. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND, APPROXIMATELY THIRTY SECONDS LATER, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ECU WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,687 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,680.

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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND TACH WOULD JUMP ALL OVER- DIAGNOSTIC TOOL READ BANK ONE LOW PRESSURE. LIGHT WOULD GO OFF AND ON BY ITSELF. SHORTLY AFTER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY CAR ALMOST STALLED AND WOULD ONLY GO AROUND 20MPH THEN CORRECTED ITSELF. THIS BECAME A DAILY EVENT - TOOK CAR INTO DEALER FOR SERVICE THIS SPRING THEY HAD TO REPLACE ECM - CAR HAD 55000 OR SO MILES ON IT. CAR NOW HAS 64000 MILES ON IT AND IT IS STARTING TO DO THE SAME THING. *TR

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SEVERAL MONTHS AGO I DROVE THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER IN OUR PARKING LOT AT WORK. IT WAS STORMING WITH THE WIND BLOWING AS WELL. WHEN I DROVE THROUGH THE PUDDLE, MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST STEERING. THEN ENGINE NEVER STOPPED. ONCE I TRAVELED A FEW YARDS, THE STEERING STARTED WORKING AND THE BATTERY LIGHT WENT OFF. IT HAPPENED ANOTHER 3 MORE TIMES BEFORE I EVER LEFT MY WORK FACILITY. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO CHECK IT OUT. THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I TOLD THEM SOMETHING MAKES ME LOSE STEERING ASS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED, AND THEN THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 72483. UPDATED 12/17/09 *BF THE WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ON UNTIL THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND SEVERAL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EMC VALVE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

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TOYOTA MATRIX 2003 XRS ON 2ND TRANSMISION AND STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. CLUTCH IS ALSO NASTY. MANY OTHERS WITH SAME CAR HAVING SIMMILAR PROBLEMS. WWW.MATRIXOWNERS.COM HAS A FORUM WITH AT LEAST 30 PEOPLE WITH PROBELMS ALONE.*AK

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CLUTCH FAILURE AT 5100 MILES; --- COMPLETE-- REPLACED BY DEALER AT 8600 MILES---- CLUTCH FAILURE. DEALER REFUSES TO DEAL WITH WARRANTY. TELLS ME THAT IT IS MY FAULT, " I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION". INDICATES THAT MY WIFE AND I ARE "RIDING" THE CLUTCH AND PERHAPS "RACING" MENTIONED VEHICLE. AFTER A COMBINED DRIVING EXPERIENCE OF NEARLY 3/4 OF CENTURY ON DRIVING MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS WITH ZERO PROBLEMS, I SERIOUSLY DOUBT THAT THE CAUSE OF MY CLUTCH FAILURES ARE MY DRIVING ABILITIES OR HABITS. DEALER SERVICE MENTIONS THAT TH…

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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 WAG…

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CLUTCH HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 35,557 MILES. *TR

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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 WOUL…

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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

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I PURCHASED MY 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX 5/7/05. 1 WEEK AFTER I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE I EXPERIENCED A INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEM. EVEN AFTER 4 ATTEMPTS BY TOYOTA TO FIX THE PROBLEM IT IS STILL CURRENT. IT USUALLY HAPPENS MORE OFTEN WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARM. IT USUALLY CRANKS 5-10 SECONDS BEFORE STARTING. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START AT ALL AND I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY BACK AND RETRY TO START THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE CLAIMS THEY CANNOT GET THE PROBLEM TO DUPLICATE WHEN THEY HAVE THE VEHICLE IN THEIR POSSESSION BU…

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VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. AFTER RESTARTING, VEHICLE WOULD ONLY RUN IN LOW SPEED, AND STALL AGAIN. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. SERVICE CENTER REPLACED ENGINE COMPUTER AND THROTT BODY ASSEMBLY. *TR

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN A VERY BUSY 45MPH HIGHWAY WHEN I SUDDENLY LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE IN MY 2007 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE RPMS DROPPED TO APPROXIMATELY 1000. I HAD TO COAST IN TO A PARKING LOT WHERE MY VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALER AND THE ENGINE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. *TR

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V384000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS NECESSARY TO REMEDY THE RECALL WERE UNAVAILABLE. APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT WAS STILL BEING TOLD THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

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I HAVE A 2009 TOYOTA MATRIX XR. IT STALL INTERMITTENTLY , MORE FREQUENTLY IN HUMID WEATHER. CAN NOT "RECREATE" SITUATION, BUT HAPPENS AT LEAST 5 TIMES PER WEEK NOW THAT WE ARE IN A MORE RAINY SEASON. I FIRST NOTICED THIS PROBLEM IN NOVEMBER BUT IT CLEARED UP DURING THE COLD MONTHS AND NOW IS BACK WITH THE FURY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN DECEMBER--AGAIN COULD NOT RECREATE FOR DEALER. YESTERDAY IT HAPPENED TWICE IN CITY TRAFFIC. I HAVE DROPPED OFF CAR AT DEALER AND THEY LOOKED AT IT TODAY AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE CAR HAD …

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DRIVING TOYOTA MATRIX 2010, IN 97DEGREE HEAT, UP A HILL (6 MILES LONG), IN 3RD GEAR, AIR CONDITIONING OFF (AS SUGGESTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL), ON CRUISE CONTROL. SPEED OF APPROX 60 MPH. THE CAR SPUTTERED AND THEN STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT AFTER ABOUT 5 MIN. NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE YET. AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN MADE. *TR

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PURCHASED A 2003 MATRIX RS WITH OPTION PK THAT INCLUDED 17" WHEELS, ABS, ALL WEATHER GUARD PACKAGE, AND SPORTS TRIM. FIRST SNOW I FOUND OUT THE PACKAGE WITH A INCLUDES SUMMER ONLY TIRES. MY MISTAKE FOR NOT CHECKING THE TIRES, BUT THE ABS BRAKES AND ALL WEATHER GUARD PACKAGE LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THE CAR WAS READY FOR WINTER. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH CURRENT TIRES.

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I BOUGHT A SET OF 4 "TIRE MINDER" BRAND 28-32 PSI TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING VALVE CAPS AT BROOKSTONE ON JUL 27, 2004. I INSTALLED THEM ON THE TIRES OF A NEW 2004 TOYOTA MATRIX ACCORDING TO THE PACKAGE INSTRUCTIONS. (NO VALVE EXTENSTIONS AND MAKING SURE "O" RING WAS IN PLACE, PRESSURE MEASURED BY 2 GUAGES AT 30 PSI.) ALL THE CAPS HELD PRESSURE AND WORKED CORRECTLY FOR APPROX 24HRS. THEN THE FIRST CAP FAILED WHILE CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY RELEASING THE AIR WITHIN SECONDS. APPROX 12 HRS LATER THE 2ND CAP FAILED IN SIMILAR FASHION. FORTUNATELY, TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR KUMHO 20550R15 TIRES ARE EXPERIENCING UNEVEN TIRE WEAR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE DOT NUMBER, VIN, AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 28,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000.

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BOUGHT NEW TOYOTA MATRIX 2 WHEEL DRIVE IN 2006. ALL FOUR TIRES ARE WORN EXCESSIVELY ON THE INSIDE PART OF TIRE. DEALERSHIP SAYS I DROVE THE CAR THEREFORE NOT THEIR PROBLEM. TOYOTA SAYS TIRES NOT THEIR PROBLEM. NEITHER ORGANIZATION SEEMS TO THINK THE CAR MAY HAVE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND OTHERS REPORTING SAME TROUBLES. I KNOW AM FACED WITH BUYING 4 NEW TIRES HAVING TO GET AN ALIGNMENT. AND STILL NOT CONVINCED THE PROBLEM WILL GO AWAY. THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE BEEN THEIR WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR. BOTH DEALERSHIP …

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POTENTIAL FAILURE - EXECESSIVE TIRE WEAR. I HAD THE TOYOTA MATRIX TIRES ROTATED AT THE DEALERSHIP AT 5,000 MILES WAS NEVER TOLD THAT I HAD, WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN VERY NOTICABLE WEAR TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I HAD THE TIRES ROTATED AGAIN AT 21,000 , AND THE MECHANIC SAID THE TIRES HAD VERY EXECISIVE WEAR FROM A THE FRONT END BEING OUT OF ALINEMENT. I AM THE ONLY DRIVER AND A CAREFUL DRIVER. I BELIEVE THIS CAR WAS OUT OF ALINEMENT FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT IT, AND THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE ALERTED ME OF MY 5,000 CHECK UP.*AK

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2008 TOYOTA MATRIX HAS PREMATURE TIRE WEAR IN TIRES AFTER ONLY 15,000 MILES. TOYOTA SAYS THIS IS NORMAL AND THAT I HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE THE TIRES. THE TIRES ARE NOT DEFECTIVE, IT IS THE ALIGNMENT IN THE CAR. *TR

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I HAVE A 2009 TOYOTA MATRIX THAT HAS MULTIPLE ISSUES INCLUDING A STEERING ISSUE THAT ALMOST CAUSED MY FAMILY THEIR LIFE, NOW I AM BEING TOLD I NEED NEW BRAKES AT 19,800 MILES. THE REAR BRAKES ARE NOT ADJUSTING AT ALL WHICH MAY BE CAUSING THE STEERING ISSUES. CAR IS HAVING INTERMENT ISSUES GOING INTO 1ST AND REVERSE, REPORTED MULTIPLE TIMES, TOYOTA SAYS THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE. CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. ALSO, ONE TIRE IS WEARING ON ONE SIDE WHICH IS A KNOWN ISSUE. THE STEERING ISSUES HAS BEEN REPORTED ALONG WITH THE ONE TIRE WEARING ISSUE BY O…

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AFTER PURCHASE, COMPLAINED OF "STEERING WANDER." NOT ONLY DID THE DEALER CARMAX TOYOTA NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT RETURNED THE CAR WITH THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONING. AFTER SEVERAL MORE TRIPS TO THE DEALER, THEY FINALLY REPLACED THE STEERING RACK ADMITTING PROBLEMS WITH SOME UNITS. UPON BEING INFORMED THAT THIS MADE NO DIFFERENCE, AND WITHOUT FURTHER RETESTING, CARMAX AND TOYOTA REFUSE TO PERFORM ANY MORE ATTEMPTS AT FIXING EITHER PROBLEM. SO NOW I'M FILING UNDER MARYLAND'S LEMON LAW BECAUSE I'M STUCK WITH A WANDERING CAR WITHOUT FULL…

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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, PREVI…

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STEERING COMPONENT PROBLEMS HAVE LED TO EXCESSIVE CUPPING/TIRE WEAR ON 2005 TOYOTA MATRIX (29,000 MILES). HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT STEERING ISSUES SINCE PURCHASE (ORIGINAL OWNER) AND WAS ALWAYS TOLD THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES PROBLEMS - SOMETIMES - BUT CANNOT FIND ISSUE AND RESOLVE. I FEEL THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Look up ODI 10195085 at NHTSA ↗

I DROVE A 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX AND LOST CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. I WAS TRYING TO CHANGE LANE TO MY RIGHT AND FOUND THERE WAS A CAR APPROACHING AND HORNED ME. I HAD NOT LEFT MY LANE AND TRIED TO PULL MY CAR STRAIGHT. THE CAR REACTED BY SHIFTING TOO MUCH TO THE LEFT AND I TRIED ONLY TO ADJUST IT, KEEPING IN MIND THAT IT WAS A POWER-STEERED SYSTEM. TO KEEP IT STRAIGHT. THERE WAS A 1-2 SECONDS AFTERWARDS THE CAR SEEMED TO BE ON TRACK AND I WAS DRIVING FINE. AFTER THAT TIME PERIOD, THE CAR VEERED TOWARD THE LEFT ALL OF A SUDDEN. I TRIED TO MAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25 MPH AND 78 MPH THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL. ALSO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL REMAINS APPLIED, EVEN AFTER APPLICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE REGIONAL MASTER TECH SENT BY THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AGAIN, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILED DRIVING, SHE COU…

Look up ODI 10294024 at NHTSA ↗

2008 TOYOTA MATRIX XR....CAR DRIFTS SEVERELY TO THE LEFT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS...ESPECIALLY WHEN IN THE LEFT LANE. I REALIZE THERE IS A CROWN TO EVERY ROAD, BUT OUR OTHER VEHICLES DO NOT DO THIS ON THE SAME STRETCH OF HIGHWAY IN ANY LANES. TO GIVE AN INDICATION OF THE SEVERITY, AT 65+MPH, THE CAR WOULD BE IN THE MEDIAN WITHIN 2-3 SECONDS WITHOUT THE CONSTANT RIGHTWARD PRESSURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL. I DID NOT NOTICE THE DRIFT ON THE TEST DRIVE AT THE DEALER. FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, THE NEW ROADWAY NEAR THE DEALER IS NEARLY PERFECTLY FLAT. ALSO, TH…

Look up ODI 10246310 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED, AND THEN THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 72483. UPDATED 12/17/09 *BF THE WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ON UNTIL THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER…

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2010 TOYOTA MATRIX PURCHASED BRAND NEW NOVEMBER OF 2009 WITH ONLY 5 MILES READING ON THE ODOMETER. ALTHOUGH THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT WITH THIS VEHICLE I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT TWO OPERATIONAL ISSUES: STEERING ON HIGHWAYS AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND BRAKES NOT ENGAGING. ON STRAIGHTAWAYS THIS VEHICLE SWERVES BACK AND FORTH. I AM CONSTANTLY HAVING TO CORRECT ITS DIRECTION. WE TRIED ADJUSTING THE TIRE INFLATION WITH NO HELP. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO READJUSTED THE TIRES BACK AND SAID THE VEHICLE WAS STILL WITHIN DESIGN SPECS. OUR NEWEST …

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I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX 5-SPEED WITH 75K MILES ON IT. SERVICED EVERY 5K MILES BY THE DEALERSHIP UNTIL 60K, AND HAS HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND ALL MANUFACTURE SUGGESTED MAINTENANCE. PURCHASED NEW BY ME FROM TOYOTA & SCION OF LAKE CITY IN SEATTLE. ON 6/17/2007, I WAS DRIVING ON STATE ROUTE 520 THROUGH EAST KING COUNTY (DIVIDED, LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY). THE CAR SUDDENLY BEGAN MAKING A LOUD HIGH-PITCHED NOISE, THEN LURCHED TO A SUDDEN STOP. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY BUT IF I HADN'T BEEN RIGHT NEXT TO THE EXIT WHEN THE NOISE STARTE…

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

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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.

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I PURCHASED A NEW 2006 TOYOTA MATRIX XR AWD ON FEB. 2006. I'M GOING THROUGH A 'WHAT SEEMS TO BE' A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL MATRIX'S "AN AB-NORMAL TIRE WEAR PROBLEM". THE WEAR/CHOPPING STARTED AT AROUND 10K... IT CURRENTLY HAS 17K... I'VE ROTATED THE TIRES 3 TIMES ALREADY!!! THE DEALER IS TELLING ME IT'S A REAR DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEM... THEY'RE REPLACING IT UNDER WARRANTY... NOT SURE IF THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM??? THE TIRES ARE ALL CHOPPY AND WORN NOW (AT ONLY 17 MILES) ... THEY MUST BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY!! *TR

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA MATRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS AND COILS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

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I NOTICED A CHIRPING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. MY HUSBAND TOOK THE MATRIX TO A TOYOTA DEALER WHO ADVISED US, UPON INSPECTION THAT THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE LIFTER ARM HADSHEARED OFF INSIDE THE ENGINE. WE ARE EXTREMELY FORTUNATE THAT THIS DID NOT RESULT IN AN INJURY ACCIDENT WHILST TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS! THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE HAD ONLY SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE WHEN A BELT WAS REPLACED. THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED SINCE THE DEALER AND TOYOTA SEEM TO FEEL THAT IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. THE DEALER QUOTED $2200+ AND ADVISED THAT IF THEY…

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WHEN GOING UP A HILL IN 4TH GEAR CAR SHIFTS DOWN TO 3RD GEAR TO MAINTAIN SPEED & THERE IS A LOUD NOISE THAT SHAKES THE CAR (AS IF THE ENGINE'S GOING TO FALL OUT). HAPPENED ABOUT 20 TIMES SO FAR. TOYOTA DEALER MECHANICS GOT CAR TO REPEAT THIS 3 TIMES (ONCE HOOKED UP TO A COMPUTER). THE MECHANICS & THE SERVICE MANAGER ALL FEEL THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE 100,000 MI. EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE PERSON FROM TOYOTA (NOT FROM THE DEALERSHIP) THAT HAS TO APPROVE PUTTING IN A NEW TRANSMISSION REFUSED SAYING IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBL…

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ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE CITY DRIVING IN JULY 2016 MY 2010 TOYOTA MATRIX VCS LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING, BOTH THE SKID LIGHT AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ACCELERATION HAD LITTLE TO NO RESPONSE.THOUGH IT HAS NOT RESOLVED THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, I WAS ABLE TO RESET THE SYSTEM SO THE LIGHTS ARE NOW OFF. MY VEHICLE WILL THEN ACCELERATE AND WORK FOR A PERIOD BEFORE REPEATING THE SYMPTOMS. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS ISSUE IS A PROGRAM ERROR OR A PART DEFECT. BASED ON THE ERROR CODES WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE (AUG 2016) A CERTIFIED LICENSE…

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