2003 Toyota Matrix: jerking or lurching

Filed Mar 22, 2013 · Steering · 146,864 miles · TN · crash

I went to change lanes to the left, and before I could spotted a car that had been in my blind spot. I veered back to the right to stay in my lane and all of a sudden it felt like something in the steering wheel clicked and the car suddenly jerked back to the left, the back to the right, and left again, swerving out of my control. I tried to cold on to the wheel and steady it straight but it jerked left harder and spun out of control, flying straight into the highway barrier. The car crashed into the barrier on the front bumper, bounced off slightly and I was able to maneuver the car the rest of the way off the road. Up until I crashed into the barrier I had absolutely no control over the steering at all.

Filed Sep 25, 2011 · Steering · 134,000 miles · OR · crash · 1 injury

Traveling southbound on interstate 15 I changed lanes from the right hand lane into the right hand merge/exit lane to friar rd exit. I was on my way to church above mission valley. I was traveling at approximately 60 miles per hour, as I was changing lanes the steering wheel suddenly no longer controlled the wheels. I moved the steering wheel only enough for a lane change but the steering lost all connection with wheels. The front wheels appeared to have lost connection with the steering, the car lurched first left then right, I put my foot on the clutch to try to get it to slow down. I didn't hit the brakes while car was in uncontrolled movement. Then the car did at least one complete 360 spin, came out of the spin facing the curb at the shoulder, bounced over the curb. Apparently it may have gone air borne and sheared off a small tree. Went down the embankment on its wheels and ended up at the bottom still on its wheels.

Filed Mar 26, 2010 · Acceleration · 91,000 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota matrix. The contact stated the rpms suddenly increased while the vehicle was in park and would move forward even when the brakes are being appied. The contact took the vehicle to a dealership to have it inspected and the dealer informed the contact that the idle was low. In 2007, the sales dealer told the contact they would lower the idle but she is not sure if that repair was performed. Her concern was that the vehicle could possibly lunge forward and cause a crash. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000. Updated 5/10/10 *cn the consumer stated since the vehicle was purchased, it has lurched forward about once a week or more. Occassionally, when the vehicle was started, the engine would rev extremely high. Updated 06/11/10.

Filed Oct 7, 2009 · Transmission · 175,160 miles · ME

My wife was driving on the interstate in our 2003 toyota matrix with two of our three young children in the car when she heard a loud bang and felt what she describes as the car jumping off the ground. She slowed the car down to a crawl, exited the interstate and limped it home. Presently it sits in the yard and will only move forward. In fact, even in neutral the car can't be pushed backward. Upon searching for answers on the internet I found a forum with what appears to be dozens of people who have had transmission failures with 2003 to 2005 matrixes. I am filing this complaint because my wife came close to going off the road when the transmission failed and it appears that toyota is aware of the issue but won't take any action to remedy it. They had a recall on the windows because it was a safety issue but I can't imagine that a broken window would have scared my wife as much as the bang she described and the jerking of the car it caused. Thank you.

Filed Aug 20, 2007 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · WA

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 started, I would have frozen in a lane of traffic moving at 60 MPH. I had literally 90 seconds to deal with the sudden loss of the drive train, and absolutely no advance warning to any impending mechanical failure. Currently, toyota is reviewing whether they will extend the power train warranty (60k/5year) to cover my car.

Filed Oct 30, 2006 · Acceleration · NY

When on the highway especially, vehicle lurches forward and accelerates quite noticeably. It does this at least once daily when accelerating or braking over 30 MPH. Please provide information on this issue.

Filed Sep 9, 2003 · Brakes · CA

Front brakes jerk back and forth when applied.