2008 toyota matrix. Consumer writes in regards to toyota computer safety recall. *ld the consumer stated the dealer had not replaced the ECM, but claimed it was replaced.
The worst 2008 Toyota Matrix problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Acceleration11
- Electrical8
- Airbags6
- Brakes5
- Engine4
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Acceleration11
- Electrical8
- Airbags6
- Brakes5
- Engine4
- Steering4
- Driver assistance3
- Transmission3
- Tires2
- Visibility2
- Body1
- Locks1
- Seats1
- Suspension1
Recalls 2
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 corolla and corolla matrix vehicles. The engine control module (ECM) for the subject models equipped with the 1zz-fe engine and two-wheel drive may have been improperly manufactured. There is a possibility that a crack may develop at certain solder points or on varistors on the circuit board.
- Risk
- There are a variety of warnings and consequences associated with the defect. The engine warning lamp could be illuminated, harsh shifting could result, the engine may not start, or the engine could shut off while the vehicle is being driven. An engine shutoff while the vehicle is being driven increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the production number of the ECM and replace the ECM if necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. Toyota will mail an interim owner notification the middle of september 2010 to advise owners of this defect and recall. This interim notification will inform owners that they will receive a future notification when parts become available to have the free remedy performed on their vehicle. The safety recall began on november 29, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.
Recall number 10V384000 · Recall details
Equipment: other: labels
- What is wrong
- Gulf states toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
- Risk
- This does not meet the standard requirements.
- Remedy
- Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact gulf states toyota at 713‑580‑3300.
Recall number 10V035000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Toyota Matrix 141
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Condition in which a musty odor is present
- Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical...
- To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used...
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix...
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal...
- Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad...
- Condition in which a musty odor is present
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal...
- This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life...
- DP: The subject vehicles are equipped with a front passenger airbag
2008 Toyota Matrix fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4‑cyl | FWD | 25-26 | 31-33 | 27-29 |
What 2008 Toyota Matrix owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota matrix. When the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle shut off. The contact would have to turn the vehicle off and on in order to drive properly. The contact stated that the same failure occurred numerous times, especially at red lights. The vehicle was taken to bennett toyota (1951 lehigh st, allentown, pa 18103), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was also contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.
Dangerous, poor traction on wet pavement sumitomo tour plus ls-h when on a steep road in san francisco, my tires skidded rather than grab the road on a rainy day in the winter of 2016. This also happened during the winter of 2017. It is dangerous. I need to change the tires before selling my car to another person.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota matrix. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH when the vehicle in front of the contact made an unexpected stop causing the contact to rear end the vehicle in front. There was front-end damage to the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was not towed and a police report was filed. The contact received injuries to their nose and needed medical attention. The vehicle was taken to a collision center however, was not repaired. The dealer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that their vehicle was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case regarding the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 235,000.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 toyota matrix. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v127000 (air bags); however, the parts needed to perform the repair were unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Takata recall toyota send me a safety recall notice (interim notice) re front passenger airbag initiator module. They had the audacity to say that "until the remedy becomes available in your location, we recommend that you do not operate the vehicle with an occupant in the front passenger seat"!!! That is unacceptable, especially since we live in an area that receives lots of humidity (toyota says they are prioritizing part replacements in geographic locations that are subject to consistently high absolute humidity, but they do not list which areas they think this applies to. Where we live certainly meets the high moisture criteria). Our complaint is that toyota should replace the parts now!!), please insist they rectify their defective airbags now for our car in this high-humidity locale. On another note, this toyota vehicle has been nothing but trouble: water pump replaced not long after purchase (when car was basically still brand new), hub caps that fall off constantly, and most frustrating of all, a vibration/noise from the front end that the dealer refused to fix. The dealer misdiagnosed the noise/vibration by replacing the wrong front wheel bearing. When we told them the noise persisted, the toyota dealer said the warranty was over & would not fix their previous error!! Now toyota unscrupulously sends an interim notice of a defect that could kill a passenger in our car. As before, please make toyota fix the airbag now so we can use the car safely now!
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 toyota matrix. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota matrix. The contact stated that there was an internal electrical short that progressed intermittently for three years. In addition, the instrument cluster flickered, various internal and external lights randomly illuminated, and the power steering failed, which caused the steering wheel to be extremely tight. The contact also indicated that the vehicle stalled multiple times without warning. The first dealer diagnosed that the battery would not hold a charge. The dealer replaced the battery and the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the first dealer who then flushed the engine assembly, replaced the drive belt, and inspected the ecu for an internal failure. The first dealer replaced the ecu and restructured the main control plug on the body control module, but the vehicle continued to randomly stall without warning. The vehicle was towed to a second dealer where it was diagnosed that the junction control failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 55,318.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota matrix. When the contact turned the key in the ignition, the engine started but some of the electrical components would not function. The engine warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, but no failures were found. As time went on, the vehicle would stall while driving at highway speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ecu needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who requested that the dealer perform another diagnostic before any repair decision could be made. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
I have a manual transmission car. When I started it in my driveway and put in reverse the car immediately when speeding backward out of control. I engaged the clutch while the car continued to speed in reverse then moved to 1 gear and the car started speeding forward out of control. I was able to put the car in neutral and turn it off to stop the acceleration of the car.
Compare the 2008 Toyota Matrix
Other model years
Questions about the 2008 Toyota Matrix
Is the 2008 Toyota Matrix reliable?
Owners have filed 38 complaints about the 2008 Toyota Matrix, fewer than a typical Matrix model year.
What is the 2008 Toyota Matrix year score?
The 2008 Toyota Matrix scores 88 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Toyota Matrix: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Toyota Matrix?
Acceleration and speed control, with 11 complaints, typically around 30,000 miles. Next is electrical (8).
How many recalls does the 2008 Toyota Matrix have?
2 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling and equipment.
What year does the Toyota Matrix have the most acceleration problems?
The Toyota Matrix model years with the most acceleration complaints are 2009 (45 complaints), 2003 (21 complaints) and 2006 (20 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Toyota Matrix get?
Official estimates for the 2008 Toyota Matrix range from 27 to 29 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.8L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 25-26 city and 31-33 highway.
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