2003 Toyota Matrix: engine knocking or ticking

6 of the 268 complaints about the 2003 Toyota Matrix describe engine knocking or ticking.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 2%
typical mileage: 70,268
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 15 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine knocking or ticking by model year

2006
1
2004
1
2003
6

What owners say

Filed Apr 25, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 171,580 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota matrix. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power and stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Prior to the failure, when the vehicle was started, an abnormal knocking sound emitted from under the hood of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 171,580.

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 May 28, 2010 · Transmission · 70,268 miles · CA

2003 toyota matrix xr manual transmission - 70,000. The transmission needs to be completely replaced. Subtle engine knocking, more noticeable when lift foot off accelerator. Sudden onset while exiting freeway- rpms hovered when shifted into neutral, difficult to put in 1st on start, then horrible noise when started moving forward then completely seized in place. Whole process in less than 60 miles. Assessed at private shop and then dealership which quoted over $4,000. Corporate/regional district office offered no assistance, compensation, or acknowledgment of issue. This is a frequent problem that has been reported in numerous cases in the 5-speed matrix and pontiac vibe.

Filed Jul 21, 2009 · Transmission · 63,000 miles · MI

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota matrix. While driving at any speed, the contact hears a ticking sound coming from the transmission. Prior to the noise, the transmission would slip gears occasionally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 63,000.

Filed Jul 20, 2004 · Engine · 38,000 miles · DE

I have a 2003 toyota matrix with approximately 38,000 miles on it. Vehicle was driven for about 6 or more hours when it began a loud knocking sound, and started to lose power. Then there was a loud bang. As it turned out, the car had thrown a rod through the front of the block, as well as blew the starter from the transmission housing. In addition there was a hole in the back of the oil pan about 3 inches in diameter. From the spot where the engine blew up I took measurements. The initial oil spot was 121" long by 18" wide. From there the car sprayed oil 1104' averaging 15" to 18" wide as it coasted downhill to a stop where it made another oil spot about 15" wide by 24" long. The dealership (newark toyota 1344 marrows rd.. Newark, de 19711) is alleging that the care had no oil in it although I provided maintenance records and a video of the oil spill from the start of the breakdown to the finish. They said they were denying the warranty work for lack of maintenance.

Filed Jul 5, 2004 · Engine · 39,000 miles · DE

I was driving vehicle for about 4 hours prior to problem. Vehicle starting making a tapping noise as if the valves were knocking. Oil started leaking out from under vehicle, and then the engine threw a connecting rod through the engine block and lower oil pan destroying the engine. The dealership is fighting me and concluded that there was no oil in the engine when all the oil came out when the rod struck the hole in my pan.