CarComplaints.com Notes: The Toyota Matrix is the mechanical twin of the Pontiac Vibe.
Both models were a joint GM-Toyota venture, manufactured together at a NUMMI production facility in Fremont, CA. Only the heating & A/C systems are different.
Experiencing a stuck odometer at 299999 is a well known problem with all Matrix, Pontiac Vibes, Corolla's and early Prius models. Toyota Canada refuses to do anything even though they admit that this is a design flaw in the instrument cluster and they tell us, the customer, that it must be replaced as there is no other satisfactory fix. They claim that it is not a safety issue and it is a non warranty claim. Funny at that statement since they designed this odometer to fail at 299999. They were fully aware at the design stage that it could never be a warranty claim as this was planned obsolescence. We also purchased a very expensive extended warranty plan but were never able to make any claims as we surpassed the kilometer limits before having any problems. They are firm in saying that this is a vehicle owner maintenance issue and not a manufacturer issue. How is this possible? They also emphatically state that a non working odometer should be no problem whatsoever since you only need to maintain your vehicle every 12 months. Funny, oil changes are still recommended by Toyota at 5,000 kilometer intervals and all other maintenance and replacement parts are also listed and recommend by them at specific kilometers and not by 12 months. Also, all replacement parts including Toyota are warrantied by kilometers. Transport Canada, Mof Transportation in Ontario, Exhaust testing and vehicle transfer licensing all require an accurate odometer reading. Again, they said it was my problem and not theirs since it is not a warranty issue nor a safety issue even though they designed and manufactured the problem. Our dealer is no help and will not discuss it with me beyond the front line service rep who says "sorry, I've done all I can".
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Experiencing a stuck odometer at 299999 is a well known problem with all Matrix, Pontiac Vibes, Corolla's and early Prius models. Toyota Canada refuses to do anything even though they admit that this is a design flaw in the instrument cluster and they tell us, the customer, that it must be replaced as there is no other satisfactory fix. They claim that it is not a safety issue and it is a non warranty claim. Funny at that statement since they designed this odometer to fail at 299999. They were fully aware at the design stage that it could never be a warranty claim as this was planned obsolescence. We also purchased a very expensive extended warranty plan but were never able to make any claims as we surpassed the kilometer limits before having any problems. They are firm in saying that this is a vehicle owner maintenance issue and not a manufacturer issue. How is this possible? They also emphatically state that a non working odometer should be no problem whatsoever since you only need to maintain your vehicle every 12 months. Funny, oil changes are still recommended by Toyota at 5,000 kilometer intervals and all other maintenance and replacement parts are also listed and recommend by them at specific kilometers and not by 12 months. Also, all replacement parts including Toyota are warrantied by kilometers. Transport Canada, Mof Transportation in Ontario, Exhaust testing and vehicle transfer licensing all require an accurate odometer reading. Again, they said it was my problem and not theirs since it is not a warranty issue nor a safety issue even though they designed and manufactured the problem. Our dealer is no help and will not discuss it with me beyond the front line service rep who says "sorry, I've done all I can".
- Maurice P., Kaministiquia, ON, Canada