Toyota Matrix slipping problems

Filed Jul 19, 2012 · Brakes · 30,000 miles · MN

Parking brake doesn't hold vehicle on slope. Mechanic has fixed twice, but problem re-occurs in about two years. This is a safety issue since this is also the emergency brake and there is no warning when brake will start slipping again after repairs.

Filed Oct 5, 2011 · Transmission · 35,000 miles · CA

Clutch began slipping at 35000 miles while still under warranty. Dealer claimed there was no problem and no adjustment required. Clutch continued to get worse. On subsequent trips to the dealer, they repeated that there was no problem and that the clutch was normal. An independent shop told me otherwise. The slipping continued to get worse until by 75000 miles it was undrivable. Then the dealer said it needed a clutch and that the wear was normal. I have driven manual transmission cars for 40 years and never encountered such a short lifespan on a clutch or a more unresponsive dealer. I have service records indicating that the dealer was notified about the problem within the warranty period and on more than one other occasion and that they did not adequately inspect for this issue.

Filed May 12, 2010 · Acceleration · 73,452 miles · CA

At 10:30 am on a sunny day, I exited the I-880 northbound 23rd ave exit. Coming up to a line of cars stopped at the e11th st signal light, I began pressing down on the service brake to slow down. As I was coming up to the bmw ahead of me, I pressed more on the service brake to stop my car. Things went wrong when I felt and heard the accelerator revving up, causing me to instinctively press even harder on the service brake. As the acceleration increased, my toyota matrix's brakes began slipping causing my car to inch closer to the bmw. Realizing that the service brake was not holding, I pulled up on the emergency brake and shifted the car into neutral, all the while still pressing down on the service brake. Since the engine was still accelerating faster, I managed to turn the ignition key off, successfully shutting down the engine and stopping the acceleration. After a brief 15 seconds, I restarted the car with the engine in park, and the emergency and service brakes on. The engine immediately revved up as before and I once again turned off the ignition key to shut down the engine. Realizing I had a major problem, I kept the engine off and put the car in neutral so I could push the car to a safer part on the side of the road. Upon inspection, I found that my floor mat was securely locked into place, and that the accelerator pedal was in the up position, a few inches off the floor. I am the original owner with 75000 accident and incident free miles on the car, and this is the first thing that has ever gone wrong with the vehicle. I had aaa tow the car to one toyota in oakland, and they are doing diagnostics with the vehicle. They gave me a rental car free of charge until they determine what went wrong. The service dealer told me that it is the 2007 and later matrix's that have the acceleration problem, and that for my 2006 matrix to have this problem is uncommon. Hopefully toyota will find and correct the problem to prevent this from happening to others.

Filed Mar 10, 2010 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · PA

2003 toyota matrix xrs transmission problems, slipping gears or clutch while under load, recurring problem for the duration of owning the car. It is very unsafe on the highway as it does not get up to or maintain speeds. Filed a complaint with toyota with no response. Toyota said there was no problem with it when I took it in to get looked at, but it was slipping the whole drive home and since then. I believe there is a definite problem with the transmission and I am not the only one that believes this, how many people must complain or does someone have to die for them to take some action?

Filed Jan 6, 2010 · Transmission · 45,556 miles · CA

I have a 2006 toyota matrix xrs 6 speed manual transmission. I purchased the car new and have serviced the car with the dealership from day one. Today I brought it in for its 45000 mile service and told them to check the clutch because we noticed it sticking/slipping in 5th gear. Turns out I need to replace the clutch at a cost of $1200 even though I have their platinum service/extended warranty plan. I haven't even worn out the brakes and I have to replace the clutch!!!! I am a 46 year old mother and have driven several cars with a manual transmission and never had to replace a clutch with such low mileage. I read on edmunds car space about this and it said to come to your website to document this.

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 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 1, 2008 · Transmission · 52,000 miles · TX

Clutch slipping, worn out at only 52,000 miles.

Filed Mar 12, 2008 · Transmission · TN

I bought a used 2003 matrix in may of 2007. In november (90k miles), I started noticing that the transmission was slipping. When I took it to the dealer where I bought it, they said that I needed a new clutch ($1200). I was shocked because I have driven stick shifts for over 15 years now & have never had to replace a clutch. Found another mechanic to install the new clutch for $800. He informed me that this is not the first time the clutch had been replaced in this car. Apparently the clutch in the 2003 matrix is made to burn out every 50k miles! Toyotas are supposed to have a better reputation than this !@#$%!

Filed Sep 8, 2005 · Transmission · 25,000 miles · VA

Clutch started slipping just before 30000 miles. Dealer said within normal operation. Clutch now at 33000 miles and needs replacement. Dealer refuses to replace, stating normal wear and tear. I feel the clutch is defective and the dealer won't acknowledge it. I have 18 years of experience driving manual transmissions and I don't abuse a clutch.