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Wagons Toyota Matrix Matrix Transmission Problems
358 messages, Last post on Nov 24, 2009 at 2:16 PM
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I was very excited about my search for buying a used Matrix, 2007, 2008 model and was not sure on getting a manual or automatic transmission. After reading the forums, I am discouraged about buying a matrix all together. I need advice: What transmission should I get? Is Automatic better than the Manual in the later models? I pay cash for cars, so I have been saving for a long time for this vehicle....should I even consider a Matrix anymore? I want something to last for a LONG time like my current car, which is a Toyota Camry that is 19 years old. Thank you
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My Matrix is parked in my driveway until I find out what is happening with that transmission issue. I am happy I found that forum, it helps me understand what happened to me today. Since french is my first language, excuse the mistakes please... For a few days, I was hearing that distant grinding sound from the motor and I finally stopped to a small neighborhood garage to have it test driven by a mechanics. His diagnostic was very clear: transmission bearing failure. He called me an hour later telling me transmission had to be opened and bearing replaced for about $1200. So I decided to take the car to the dealer where I bought it and have always have it serviced to know how much they would charge me. And to tell them I was quite surprised with such an important failure at 170,000km. When I told the service manager what my problem was, he looked at me with the same surprised expression I would have expected from him if I had told my car was able to fly. As if it was the first time he heard of such a problem on a Matrix. Coincidence, a mechanic entered the client area from the garage, saw his face and asked what was happening. He had to tell him I had a problem with my transmission bearing. «Oh, I'm not surprised, we have changed quite a few of them». Isn't that funny? It looks like they don't give the mechanic the same training they give the front desk people! And the training they give them doesn't look very good either, because when I asked if it would be better to install a used transmission instead of fixing mine, he answer me that a used one would be likely to break again pretty soon... So Toyota people seem to have humoristic aptitudes. And according to what I just read on tha forum, I guess I will receive that kind of answer to the mail I sent to Toyota.ca this afternoon: «We have received quite many complains about that bearing failure on 2004 manual Matrix, but we maintain our point: there is no reported problem with that transmission.» I'm really looking forward to reading their real answer...
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Replying to: nippononly (Mar 14, 2009 1:00 pm)
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Replying to: neo9 (Mar 23, 2009 6:24 pm) Good luck! |
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I purchased my Matrix last year. The manufacturer's warranty expired January 09, and TADA the following week my transmission was hemorrhaging fluid. Apparently yes I need a new bearing and there is some give in the axle. A sweet mechanic replaced the seals hoping that would solve the problem. WRONG! I purchased this vehicle for the fact I have trusted in Toyotas, and now this. I am a single girl and barely making ends meet as the state of CA has robbed me blind. I have tried every road possible to get this resolved and people look at me like I am stuck on stupid. My Matrix currently sits in front of my house. If any of you find any sort of recourse for this.. please let me know. I am tired of mooching off others to get places. Ironic they replace the bolts in the windows but obviously there are issues with the tranmissions (which they deny when I emailed Toyota). 
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Replying to: njs1972 (Apr 24, 2009 12:04 pm) Good luck! |
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Have a 04 Matrix standard that is shifting from 4th gear to neutral on itrs own Any ideas Only has 67k miles out of warranty
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Replying to: beyondredline (Dec 07, 2008 8:42 am) I have a 2003 5 speed matrix and the tranny failed at 102,000+/- miles. I am in CA, so rebuilding mine would be pretty hard to do unless I somehow ship it to you...I was wondering...do you sell overhauled trannys for this model car at all? I need to have my mechanic here look at what's left of the tranny before I can safely say that it's shot completely, but I bet money it is. If you have any suggestions, please let me know! Thanks in advance. Sincerely, Sara Keil keilse01  verizon.net
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After going through this expensive experience once, the guy at Mr. Transmission told me that there is a revised kit and that I shouldn't have the problem again. The first time the tranny failed was at 130,000 km's....well I put another 25,000 km's on it and guess what...the sound is slowly creeping back. Not sure if it was fixed properly or not...but beware...once you spend 2500-3000 fixing the POS it may come back. My transmission was fixed at Mr. Transmission in Peterborough...I would highly recommend against using Mr. Transmission!!!! Is this really a Toyota? I could get better reliability out of a chinese engineered look alike! JUNK |
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Replying to: simonotaylor (Mar 19, 2009 1:09 am) The reply from Toyota.ca to my question about their responsability with that transmission problem was as expected: «We are not aware of any common problem with the Matrix transmissions». So I reply to them telling my thoughts about their attitute. And went to have my car fixed. It has finaly been done by an independant mechanic, because my Toyota dealer asked too much and insisted to change the clutch as well (it was finaly only 25% worn). Meanwhile, I received another message from Toyota. They replied to my second message telling me they opened a file for my case. Two weeks later, a phone call from them: they offer me the parts, I pay the labour. I asked how much was the part: $2800CA they said. So I guess it was a new transmission. But when I finaly said I had my car fixed with an independant, they said they can't do anything for me. Bye, file closed. So clearly, they know there is a problem even if they deny it first. To me, it looks like a strategy to wait that long before admiting their fault and compensate for it. I have transmited my whole case to the APA. They were very interested and mentionned they receive many complains regarding those transmissions. And they were not surprised Toyota did their offer by phone. And as they predicted, Toyota did not reply to me by writen, even if I asked for it and even if they said they would. If you hear your transmission start to make a very faint and distant noise, act fast with Toyota so they will have time to answer before you fix everything... And by the way, I have friends that work in different media dedicated to automobile and for sure, I will manage to have that story reported so people know what to do. And who they deal with. One last thing: I have two friends who followed my case closely. Both have old Toyotas, a Tercel and an Echo. One will switch to Hyunday, the other to Honda. That doesn't put a cent in my pocket, but it doesn't put any in Toyota's either! |
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