2003 Toyota Matrix: check engine light

Filed Nov 29, 2016 · Engine, Fuel system · 145,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota matrix. While driving 15 MPH, the engine stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart on the second attempt; however, the failure recurred. The first time the vehicle was diagnosed the dealer was unable to determine the failure and disengaged the check engine warning sensor. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken to a second dealer. It was diagnosed that the seal on the fuel cap failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v384000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure continued. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

Filed Sep 13, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · 107,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota matrix. While driving, the check engine sensor indicator illuminated and the vehicle experienced hard shifting. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ECM was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 107,000.

Filed Apr 17, 2013 · Engine · 76,820 miles · WA

I went to the toyota dealer to have my check engine light check and found out the I need to replace my catalyst converter and ecu replace. Dealer says that I need to pay $3000 plus tax. The reason why I need to replace the catalytic converter and the electronic control module because they have a new module. I own my car since 2003. This is toyota's fault, I should be inform when a new module comes out in the market and I should not have to pay for that. This is a safety hazzard. If I don't get it fix, my car will not start and I am not able to renew my tab because of the check engine lights.

Filed Feb 26, 2012 · Transmission · 132,000 miles · NJ

My transmission had been racing off and on for a couple of weeks. The car just didn't feel right. I went to make a left turn out of my street and my car just stopped moving. I was in the middle of the road and nothing would happen when I stepped on the gas pedal. It turns out my transmission died and I had to spend several thousands dollars to have it replaced. After 8 months my check engine light is still on and everything I try doesn't work. I've replaced oxygen sensors, speed censors, etc. I've put more money into this car in the last year than I should have. I see that other people have transmission problems, too. I can't imagine whey this hasn't been addressed by toyota yet.

Filed Jun 30, 2011 · Engine · 129,000 miles · IL

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.

Filed Sep 27, 2010 · Engine · 80,743 miles · TX

2003 toyota matrix. Consumer states burned out catalytic converter *tgw the consumer stated the engine light illuminated to let her know there was a problem and there was also a sulfur smell at times. *jb updated 10/08/10

Filed Sep 1, 2010 · Engine · 101,000 miles · LA

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota matrix. The contact stated that while his wife was at a red light the check engine light came on and the vehicle stalled. It was restarted and then driven about eight miles and it stalled again. The vehicle would not restart and was towed to the dealer. They advised him that the ECM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The current and failure mileages were 101,000.

Filed Aug 27, 2010 · Acceleration, Electrical · 135,000 miles · CA

Abs, brake, & service engine lights came on. Took it to midas, they replaced speed sensors. When I got car back it shifted gears (automatic) funny & hesitated significantly shifting from 2nd to 3rd. Immediately returned car to midas. They re-diagnosed & suggested I take it to toyota dealer (john elway's crown toyota). They said it was speedometer cluster & replaced it which did not resolve my problem so declined to pay & asked them to put back my old speedometer cluster. They didn't & didn't charge me for the new one. Had car towed back to midas. They disconnected speed sensors & told me it was drivable. Got on freeway next day & car wouldn't shift from 3rd to 4th gear, engine revved to 6000 rpms, got off freeway & called midas corporate to complain. They said they would have franchise owner call me. He called but did not identify himself as the person I originated dealt with at midas shop, I know this because I called the number they called from & it was the midas shop. Went to midas, today (8/27/10), they asked me to bring car in tomorrow & they would put back old speed sensors & see what happens. They think it's the car's computer but in the meantime I'm out a thousand dollars.

Filed Feb 17, 2009 · Engine · 94,000 miles · FL

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.

Filed Jan 16, 2009 · Engine · 45,398 miles · WV

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.

Filed Jun 18, 2008 · Transmission · 58,000 miles · PA

I have a 2003 toyota matrix auto transmission, that has 58,000 miles on it. A month ago the 1st and reverse gears started to slip and was hard to get into gear. I took it to the toyota dealer and they said they couldn't find anything wrong. I left the dealer and it started again. 2 days later I was not able to get it in to reverse at all. I took it to a transmission shop since the 'check engine' light came on and they checked the codes and looked at the transmission. The engine needs to be rebuilt now and will cost me $2400. I love this car. I baby it all the time. I change the oil regular and always keep up on the maint. I don't understand how a transmission can go out on a car that is only 5 yrs. And 4 mo. Old and only 58,000 miles on it ! I did call toyota and they said nothing was reported and all was fine. I asked them to pay for the fix and they said the warranty was only 5yrs. 60,000 miles. I'm over by 4 mo. I found a website that has about 10 other people with this same yr and make car that had transmission issues.

Filed Apr 17, 2007 · Engine · 82,000 miles · GA

I was driving the vehicle home when the check engine light came on steady. I did not pay much attention to it as I realized that more than likely the problem was an oxygen sensor or something emissions related. 5 more minutes went by and the light started blinking, accompanied by a pinging sound coming from the engine that coincided with engine rpms. Within 30 seconds the car died. After a local repair shop received the towed vehicle, they diagnosed the problem. The pinging"was caused by the piston hitting the spark plug. Translation, I needed a new engine. When this happened for 30 seconds it caused an electrical short which caused the car to suddenly fail. The car had 82,000 miles on it , and I had babied it since day one with nothing but synthetic oil.