Toyota Matrix transmission failure problems

Filed Oct 27, 2013 · Transmission · 59,500 miles · OR

Low noise from engine area, then heard a pop or thud. After this came a scratchy/grinding noise when car was in gear and coasting. The noise went away when clutch was depressed or car was taken out of gear to coast. I called a service repair to make an appointment the same day. The very next day the car locked up and was undriveable. Sounded like the engine had fallen out the bottom with horrible metal grinding noise. I had to have it towed ($150) and the service center said I would need a new transmission and clutch and that this is a common problem with toyota matrix and corolla. After reading online, it seems there is a problem with toyota owners with low miles having bearing issues and that this problem has gone unaddressed. Even though I was going only 10 miles per hour, the car locks up. This issue will kill someone, someday. Cost of repair will be around $3,100+.

Filed Aug 26, 2013 · Transmission · 115,000 miles · GA

My son was shifting from 1st to 2nd gear when there was a loud popping metal sound; he took the car out of gear, coasted out of harms way and then got the car towed. My son said that it was dangerous and unexpected. We had just had our mechanic change the oil and test drive the car last week after putting on new tires. The car was diagnosed with needing a new transmission. This is the 2nd transmission that has been replaced as defective on this car. Am a single mom with multiple jobs and cannot afford to pay for a billion dollar company's' mistakes..(when providing a service or product to the public that costs money, if I make a mistake I admit it, correct it, am sorry and make it right at my expense).

Filed Apr 21, 2013 · Transmission · 83,000 miles · NY

When going up a hill in 4th gear car shifts down to 3rd gear to maintain speed & there is a loud noise that shakes the car (as if the engine's going to fall out). Happened about 20 times so far. Toyota dealer mechanics got car to repeat this 3 times (once hooked up to a computer). The mechanics & the service manager all feel that the transmission needs to be replaced. I have 100,000 mi. Extended warranty. The person from toyota (not from the dealership) that has to approve putting in a new transmission refused saying it is an intermittent problem. He then said it was the way I use the gas pedal. Then why did it happen on the 3 roadtests when brought to dealer. The shift into 3rd (on a hill) is so violent that I'm afraid to keep up speed on the parkway when going up a hill. I pull into the slow lane & put on my flashing lights & stay at 50 MPH or less. I feel that the car is unsafe to drive. I have 90,000 mi. On it. I have reported this incident to toyota customer relations on the phone (they are based in california). They said they would look into it & get back to me in 3 days (tomorrow). I have bought 4 toyotas in a row & got my sister-in-law & her son to each buy one. If this is how toyota treats a loyal customer (all cars are serviced at toyota) then I guess I & my family won't be buying one again. I paid a good deal of money for the extended warranty. A lot of good it's doing me. Thanks for listening.

Filed Dec 5, 2012 · Transmission · 142,000 miles · CA

Bearings in the differential/transmission are making noise. It is a 5-speed manual transmission. This is way too early for transmission failure. Estimated cost of repairs is $2,500.

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 Oct 31, 2011 · Transmission · 89,000 miles · CA

The transmission failed. Has been serviced regularly. This seems like it is a common problem with this make and model car. I believe this should be a manufacture recall issue. The transmission could have locked up while driving and caused an accident. Looks like it will cost between $2000 and $3000 to repair. This is a problem that should not have happened.

Filed Oct 7, 2011 · Transmission · 23,000 miles · WV

The throwout baring in my 2003 toyota matrix xr 5-speed transmission went out at approximately 23,000 miles and caused the transmission to fail. Toyota replaced the transmission at the love lexus toyota dealership in st. Albans, wv, where the vehicle was purchased brand new with zero miles. This second transmission, at approximately 64,000 miles, failed as well with the same prescribed issue (throwout baring in the transmission). After researching this issue (http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f0d9b0e/497#msg497) this issue has occurred in a plethora of toyota matrix' 5 - speed transmissions that toyota had placed in the 2003 - 2005 toyota matrix'. Please, please, please help recall these transmissions and hold toyota accountable for placing faulty transmissions in these vehicles before another one goes out and I have to fork over another $3200 + for a new transmission. I have receipts to prove all of these claims and will be glad to share any information I need to in order to help a recall come to light.

Filed Jul 6, 2011 · Transmission · 63,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota matrix. The contact stated the bearings in the transmission failed, causing the vehicle to decelerate to a complete stop. The contact stated there were no warnings prior to the failure. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic and was told that the transmission would need replacing. The failure and current mileage was 63,000. Updated 09/12/11

Filed Nov 19, 2010 · Transmission · 93,000 miles · OH

Manual transmission failure in a 2003 toyota matrix. Mostly highway miles, maintained regularly at the dealer. Noticed a noise and took it to the dealer and they said everything was fine. A few thousand miles later, there was a high pitched whine out of fifth gear. Upon stopping and restarting, pretty much all the forward gears were grinding, popping, squealing. Repair at the dealer was quoted $2500 for a used transmission and $3200 for a new! About half the value of the car.

Filed Aug 25, 2010 · Transmission · 20,000 miles · KY

I purchased the vehicle used in 2007 with 15,000 miles on it. Within a year the transmission went out. Got this repaired by the dealership and within a year the transmission went out again. I have been doing research on this model year matrix to see if it was just my car doing this, but it looks like there have been other people with 2004 matrix that have the same problem. What happens is parts of the fly wheel or clutch dysfunction. It makes the car stop and it makes a grinding noise. It happened once while I was on a remote section of highway and the other time I was starting my car in the morning to leave for work. My car has close to 70,000 miles on it now, but as I stated previously, it happened at around 20,000 miles the first time, which is unusual for a toyota, or any car for that matter. Parts were replaced by the dealership both times, but I'm scared it's going to happen again. I do not trust this vehicle to drive over extended periods or miles.