2003 Toyota Matrix: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Nov 23, 2012 · Transmission · 97,700 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota matrix. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, there was an abnormal grinding noise when the vehicle was decelerating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician advised the contact that the transmission would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 97,700.

Filed Jan 7, 2012 · Transmission · 126,663 miles · WI

Prior to incident, vehicle ran and shifted fine. Vehicle was never used for towing or other extreme use. Transmission fluid was changed at these mileages: 31,669; 61,023; 92,012; and 105,330. Vehicle was otherwise well-maintained, and driven with care by experienced users of manual transmissions. The first three tranny fluid changes done at toyota dealership. On jan. 1, 2012, toyota matrix (2003) , w/manual 5-speed transmission had sudden, severe failure on tollway. Roadway was clear. Vehicle did not hit anything in the road to precipitate this. Vehicle was just starting to decelerate for toll booth when sudden, harsh, grinding, metal-on-metal sound began. Car was then unable to shift into first gear, and shifted into second with difficulty. Vehicle was pulled over to side of road immediately and towed away. An independent transmission specialist removed & disassembled tranny. Diagnosis is: everything in 5th gear is broken. Fifth gear literally broke. Pinion shaft & everything housing ring gear is also broken. Apparently 1st through 4th gears look ok. Transmission re-build is advised, using toyota factory parts. Estimated cost $3,100. In addition, I had vehicle towed 45 miles from rural site of failure ($160). And I had to rent a car to get home from failure site ($225+). I still must return to fort wayne, in to pick up repaired vehicle when ready. I have now read of widespread tranny failures in matrixes. Toyota dealers and toll-free number personnel admit no knowledge of such issues. But, every independent source I've consulted acknowledges these drivetrain issues. Since these failures are so common, toyota should take responsibility. A recall, or at least toyota admitting and taking financial responsibility for this is in order. I loved my 1989 camry, but no longer have any trust in toyota. The federal safety agency, please help us. Thank you.

Filed Nov 4, 2011 · 132,000 miles · NY

At this mileage, my car started making a loud grinding noise in the transmission. It turns out the main bearing is shot. This despite all scheduled maintenance being meticulously performed, full transmission fluid, and the clutch still being fine. There is no way the transmission should have failed at this mileage, and getting a replacement is very difficult and expensive because working ones are so rare! Apparently there is a very high failure rate on the 5-speed manual transmissions due to them being under-engineered. I want toyota to do something about this.

Filed Nov 19, 2010 · Transmission · 93,000 miles · OH

Manual transmission failure in a 2003 toyota matrix. Mostly highway miles, maintained regularly at the dealer. Noticed a noise and took it to the dealer and they said everything was fine. A few thousand miles later, there was a high pitched whine out of fifth gear. Upon stopping and restarting, pretty much all the forward gears were grinding, popping, squealing. Repair at the dealer was quoted $2500 for a used transmission and $3200 for a new! About half the value of the car.

Filed Feb 18, 2010 · Transmission · 66,000 miles · IN

Whilst driving at 55 MPH the transmission started to grind and then locked up. At 66,000 miles the transmission was shot. Reading on edmunds this appears to be a common problem. Here is the link. Http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/webx/.f0d9b0e I had to put a used transmission in at a cost of $2,000 and suspect the same failure will happen with this one. I'm filing a complaint now due to the amount of other matrix drivers this is happening too.

Filed Feb 13, 2010 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · GA

Noticed and increasing grinding noise coming from the transmission. Had the transmission fluid changed also having the mechanic look for metal shaving with none found. Took to transmission specialist who confirmed the "differential" was going to fail soon and advised to not drive the car until repaired.

Filed Jan 18, 2010 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · WI

Grinding noise began, shortly thereafter the transmission failed. I've replaced the transmission twice already and cannot afford to replace it again. The car now sits as I continue to make payments on it.

Filed Aug 20, 2009 · Transmission · 115,000 miles · WI

After 200 mile round trip, noticed a grinding noise when accelerating. Took matrix to dealer, who told us the bearings in the transmission were bad, and needed replaced. 2003 matrix, 115,000 miles (mostly highway, we have a long commute to work) bearings replaced and clutch work done for $2063. When asked about this, was told "sometimes things break".

Filed Jan 15, 2009 · Visibility · VA

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota matrix. While driving approximately 35 MPH on normal road conditions, the front driver and passenger side power windows were activated and the contact heard a loud squeaking and rattling noise. In addition, the front driver's side window would not close completely when activated. The contact received a recall notice for the federal safety agency campaign id number 08v162000 (visibility:glass, side/rear). The vehicle was repaired; however, the recall remedy has not corrected the issue. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage is 140,000. Updated 3/3/09 *cn updated 03/04/09

Filed Jan 18, 2008 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · IL

Was traveling from illinois to colorado, transmission began failing, grinding. Made it to colorado, had to have entire transmission replaced around ($4300, out of warranty). No help from toyota. Toyota transmission failure at 80,000 miles? C'mon, what's up with that?

Filed Jul 16, 2004 · Transmission · 100 miles · CA

I have had problems with my clutch since I bought my car new in aug 2002. It is hard to get it to go into reverse and first gear at times. I have taken it to the dealership and they cant make it happen so they cant fix it. The clutch pedal had developed a squeak that they were able to correct. The clutch in this car is not right. It sometimes smells horribly as well. I have read several complaints from other people at www.matrixowners.com .

Filed Dec 6, 2003 · Transmission · 33,500 miles · OH

Annoying squeak when clutch is disengaged. This as occurred since purchase date. Clutch slave cylinder has been replaced, lubed approximately 7 times, clutch set replaced. Still squeaking!