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.

3.1

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
43,534 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Toyota Matrix engine problems

engine problem

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2006 Toyota Matrix Owner Comments

problem #19

Sep 042023

Matrix

  • 200,025 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Corolla Matrix. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the check engine warning light and the battery warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and pull over on the side of the road safely where the vehicle shut off again and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the vehicle had experienced a similar failure as in NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V384000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 200,025.

- Naples, NY, USA

problem #18

Aug 112012

Matrix

  • 55,000 miles
Heat shield hanger assembly failed and now heat shield vibrates against exhaust pipe making terrible noise. This is a very common problem as researched on the net. Toyota needs to fix this free.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #17

Jun 182010

Matrix 4-cyl

  • miles
2006 Toyota Matrix. Consumer states problem with vehicle engine the consumer stated the vehicle stalled at idle and would not restart at times. The check engine light illuminated. The technician found no communication with the master tech diagnostic scanner. He also found no engine spark or fuel injector pulse due to engine control module failure. He found a major fuel leak at the fuel injector rail. The technician recommended replacing the engine control module, fuel injector, O-rings and seals. The consumer received a recall notice, a year after paying for the replacement of the engine control module.

- Ceres, CA, USA

problem #16

Sep 242007

Matrix

  • 45,736 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

TL-the contact owns a 2006 Toyota Matrix. While driving approximately 30 mph all the service lights on the dashboard began illuminating before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was then towed to an authorized dealer where the contact was told to replace the battery. The vehicle was towed home where the contact replaced the battery. The failure has since recurred twice. After each failure the contact was able to restart the vehicle and continue driving. The failure mileage was 45,736 and the current mileage was 110,000. Sm.

- Lynwood, CA, USA

problem #15

Oct 152010

Matrix

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that when the vehicle was turned on as well as while driving various speeds the ignition made a banging sound within the engine. The failure was not diagnosed. The water pump, timing belt and the battery were also replaced at different times. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #14

Sep 052010

Matrix

  • 73,885 miles
I own a 2006 Toyota Matrix with 74K. My A/C went in and out first, thought it was the compressor, then it seemed like I was not quite getting the horsepower I had previously. Then on the labor day weekend the car dies suddenly on the highway (twice), scared the you know what out of me. Been dealing with Toyota in California (not great) but they ok'd it to a local dealer in union city ga, (very nice). They told me Toyota had ok'd putting in a new electronic control module due to recall that I was never informed about. They put in the module 09/08/2010 but tell me that this may not be the correct fix as Toyota have not informed the dealers of which is the current recall fixing module. Then they tell me they are unsure if they will have to change it again because Toyota may be getting a new part and I will get a letter. This does not instill confidence after 4 sudden stalls while moving (two dying suddenly on the highway). I now have to wait until Toyota deems it important enough to let me know there is a problem. What galls me is they sent out a press info thing August 26th acknowledging 3 accidents, 12 days later my 2006 Matrix dies twice on the highway. I could've been killed. They still have not informed me the car owner despite having my phone number, E-mail and home address. Take this recall seriously it is a very dangerous problem.

- East Point , GA, USA

problem #13

May 012010

Matrix

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Intermittently my 2006 Toyota matrix xr suddenly slows down to about 20 miles per hour and would not respond to pressing gas pedal. When this happens I will have to pull up to the side and turn the engine off for couple of minutes and then start. Then it would be fine. It has happened on the highway and local roads. It could be dangerous if it happens right in the middle of highway. So far in the span of less than a year it has happened more than five times. We took the car to the dealer. They quoted "P2103: Throttle actuator control motor circuit high" and will cost $1085 to fix it. I looked up the web and there were others with the same error code and replaced it but still experience the problem. After some research on the web I found that there was same symptom people experience but different error code that was covered by Toyota even when the warranty expired. I was hoping my problem gets covered, too but they insist not to cover it. If this problem is a result of wear and tear, I have no problem with it. But this is clearly a defects in the vehicle that should be fixed regardless of the warranty expired or not.

- Lorton, VA, USA

problem #12

Aug 152008

Matrix

  • 18,000 miles
Engine stalled in my 2006 Toyota Matrix. Fortunately I was driving very slow and was able to safely pull out. The dealer made a repair and told me that this was a computer problem.

- Kamuela, HI, USA

problem #11

Jul 182010

Matrix

  • 51,000 miles
1/2 heat shield dropped onto top of exhaust pipe making a loud horrible noise.

- Kenosha, WI, USA

problem #10

Jul 012010

Matrix 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Matrix. The contact was driving approximately 15 mph entering the highway when the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted; however, immediately after shifting into drive gear, the engine stalled again. The failure occurred repeatedly. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the technician replaced the engine control module. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000. Updated 8/25/10 upated 08/27/10 updated 08/30/10

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #9

Oct 212008

Matrix

  • 24,126 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Matrix. The driver stated that in 2008 he was driving approximately 70 mph when the vehicle stalled and it became difficult to drive onto the emergency lane. The vehicle was towed to a Toyota dealer who stated that they had received several related complaints. The contact had to rent a vehicle while his vehicle was being repaired. The failure mileage was 24,126 and the current mileage was 37,000.

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #8

Feb 182010

Matrix

  • 35,913 miles
My 2006 Toyota matrix completely stopped running while I was driving it to work to Virginia from Maryland on Feb. 18, 2010. I was unable to restart it and had to have it towed to my mechanic. Later that day, my mechanic called to inform me that it was a computer problem with the engine control module because he had not been able to start it again after he brought inside the service bay. He informed me that there was a technical service bulletin regarding the engine control- engine no start condition and that Toyota is responsible for the repair since it is still under warranty. I had to have it towed again to 355 Toyota and am waiting to hear from them regarding their diagnostic testing.

- Bethesda, MD, USA

problem #7

Dec 152008

Matrix

  • 29,972 miles
While driving 25 mph the engine died. Power brakes and steering failed so stopping was difficult. The engine refused to start for about five minutes. Toyota replaced the electronic computer unit at no cost to me the next day.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #6

Aug 272009

Matrix

  • 68,000 miles
The ECU on my 2006 Toyota Matrix died suddenly, after the ECU failed the car to halt immediately. Luckily for me this did not happen on a freeway, in which case I would have been rear ended and possibly seriously injured. When my car was towed into the dealership, the tech at the service desk guessed that it was the ECU as he had seen quite a few of these fail. After tests they determined it was the ECU. The ECU was replaced by the dealer as it was under warranty.

- Pacifica, CA, USA

problem #5

Jan 012010

Matrix

  • 47,751 miles
I was driving to work and the check engine light went on. I pressed the gas pedal but there was no acceleration. The engine started to stall out. I slowly pulled over, put the car in park, put the key on the off position and I tried to start the vehicle again and noticed that the battery was working but it would not start. I did this process five more times to no success. I finally called aaa and was towed home. The next day, much to my surprise, the vehicle started right up but the check engine light was still on. So, I brought it to the Toyota dealership to have it checked. They ended up replacing the engine control computer.

- South Pasadena, CA, USA

problem #4

Feb 032009

Matrix

  • 46,686 miles
46,686 miles and the intake manifold gasket needed to be replaces as it was a defective gasket- hard with bubbles- I have the gasket. When I called Toyota I was informed that it was an issue with this make/model, but Toyota wouldn't reimburse costs of replacing the defective part.

- Evansville, WI, USA

problem #3

Apr 152008

Matrix 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,100 miles
I had check engine light on and couldn't get inspection. Dealer said I need new transmission and had replace the transmission with the same problem and they replace engine control module again.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #2

Jan 042008

Matrix 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,143 miles
This is the second time the engine control unit failed and been replaced on the 2006 Toyota Matrix. The car had just received a very thorough 30,000 mile checkup and there were no causes for the failure. This failure is extremely dangerous and it almost cost me my life. The ECU spontaneously quit while in the high speed lane, at 6:30 pm pitch dark, in heavy commuter traffic in the boston beltline of rt 128. The brakes were as hard as concrete, and the car decelerated so fast that I could not change lanes and I was left with an electronically dead car in the high speed lane - at night. I called the state police.

- Hamilton, MA, USA

problem #1

Dec 102007

Matrix 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,805 miles
Vehicle stalled while driving. After restarting, vehicle would only run in low speed, and stall again. Vehicle towed to dealership. Service center replaced engine computer and thrott body assembly.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

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