My Battle To Get My Toyota Matrix Fixed
I had a really weird issue with my Toyota Matrix that I had to escalate all the way to Toyota Canada before I could get it fixed. It was a really frustrating experience, and I have documented it just in case my experience can help someone else:
It’s Official….. Customer Service Is Dead [UPDATED x2]
An Update On My Toyota Customer Service Issue [UPDATED x2]
Another Update On My Toyota Customer Service Issue [UPDATED]
Today’s Update On My Toyota Customer Service Issue…. Hopefully The Last One [UPDATED]
An Update On My Toyota Matrix…. It Seems That I Am Not Alone…
So It’s Been Over 90 Days Since My Nightmare With My Toyota Matrix….
September 23, 2009 at 12:14 am
Thanks for posting about your experiences with the Toyota Matrix. I bought my 2009 Matrix AWD 7 months ago, and I am having the same malfunction. Specifically, I have a blinking VSC light, check engine light, traction control light, and 1 other warning light start out of nowhere.
I had an ECU sensor replaced for this same malfunction 3 months ago, and all of my warning lights are back on again today.
I searched for recall information, but couldn’t find anything. Bringing my Matrix to the service dealer tomorrow. They won’t give me a loaner vehicle (they said it takes up to 3 weeks to schedule a loaner)!
Keep me posted if you learn anything new about this issue!
February 25, 2012 at 5:37 pm
this happened to mine too , what did u find out ?? thanks !!
January 23, 2010 at 10:23 am
Toyota generally makes good cars. When I drive a Toyota, it’s obvious that people who enjoy driving were involved in the development. I believe that Toyota is the best.
February 10, 2010 at 7:33 pm
My problems started a week after I bought it. When starting would turn over and then stall. This continued, when it was about 88 deg. + outside. I then took the car in with full and extra warranty and they didnt have any way of checking the warranty, and I had not recieved the warrnaty papers in the mail yet so they said I would have to pay for a car rental.
I told them to forget it. Then the radio started to act up, when you push buttons on the radio it shuts off or turns back on( exp. pushing the AM button shuts it off). Rough shifting sometimes. The seatbelt warning lights/ alarm does not come on. I found that out when my little boys belt on the car seat was unbuckled by another passenger and when I had to stop abruptly he hit the back of my seat with his face. Now the yellow airpressure warnig light is comming on. When I took my car in for the 5000 mile check up I waited over 2 hours with an appointment and finaly gave up and told them I wanted my car back now. It wasnt even finished.\
Now its the gas peddle recall. whats next.
February 10, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Ohh,, its the 2009 toyota matrix.
August 9, 2010 at 10:58 pm
About 6 months ago my car just died wouldn’t start so I had it towed, it sat at this mechanic for about a month , he could not find anything mechanically wrong with t , so i went and got it . it drove fine for me for about a month and it started dying on me again- its like it humped the road, right now it is sitting in front of my house – I am afraid to drive it — he said he thought the computer was telling the engine to dump oil- so it would kill, i say it is a computer problem – I called the dealership and they thought i was crazy….. help!!!!!!
July 8, 2012 at 10:05 pm
I am actually experiencing this issue with my Pontiac Vibe (which has a Toyota Matrix engine).. The check engine light comes on, traction control light comes on and the VSC off light flashes. It seems to run a little rough sometimes… and oddly enough now when put gas in my car it won’t start for around 3 minutes! I’ve noticed people saying this seems to be happening in the heat… it has been around 100 degrees the past few weeks.. I have taken it to a local shop twice and the dealer as well. No one has any idea what is wrong with it. The local shop suggested it might be the Powertrain control module because he found something about that online… But nothing has been done to fix it. I was about to take it back to the dealer but my lights all shut off (although I still can’t get it to start after getting gas) The dealer won’t even look at my car unless there is a light on!!! This is ridiculous. Did anyone eventually find a solution???
November 1, 2012 at 9:50 am
Having the exact same issue with our 2009 Matrix (Check engine light, traction control light, & flashing VSC light). It has happened twice and both times the lights went back off after a couple days. Took it to my mechanic who said the it is probably the start of a computer problem. Apparently there are 9 mini computers all over the vehicle and they communicate constantly in milliseconds. If there is any delay when they are talking to each other (even a slight 1/2 second delay), it reads it as a fault and those lights can come on. After a day or 2 or re-estabkishubg proper communications, the lights go off. He’s a great mechanic, but admits he is not a Toyota guy, and recommended me taking it in to a dealer for repair. He’s seen this a couple times now, so that’s what he was being told by the Toyota Dealer nearby that he deals with periodically.
December 27, 2012 at 6:12 pm
I too am having these problems, however I live in Europe and am having language issues. My Matrix is Canadian. My vsc light flashes, awd light on and engine light on. Does anyone know exactly what is wrong so I can tell a local dealer as this model is not sold here, so I am hesitant to just let them have there way on repairs…