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.
A rattling sound started from the engine compartment on March 9, 2012. I took the car in for the sound to Carson Toyota to have it diagnosed. I was told since I didn't have an appointment the problem would not be diagnosed until I could come back with an appt. time. So since I was there at the service dept. I asked for a oil change. At that time of the oil change I was scheduled for an appt. for the noise from engine compartment a week later. I had to authorize a teardown of engine, and if i refused to auth. for teardown they would say they couldn't diagnose the problem, so they have you by the balls. I waited at the dealer and was told that the noise was from the damaged short block due to oil starvation. I had regular scheduled maintenance with documented invoices and that I presented at the request of Toyota. (they wanted proof) I had regular scheduled maintenance at 4000-6000 miles. Toyotas regional engineer came out to the dealership to inspect may car, without me present to observe the inspection. I was told Toyota would not cover the repair under warranty or offer any further assisstance. They stated the damage to the engine was not a design flaw or engineering flaw or failure of a component,, but was caused by a external influence. I told them that was bullshit, I had regular scheduled maintenance done and was never told at any one of those times there was a problem. I never had a engine light, no change in performance of the car, no overheating, no oil light. The only indication there was a problem was when the noise started. I told them if the oil went so low to damage the engine why didn't the car give a oil light or engine light. Their response was, "The oil went low enough to damage the engine, but not low enough to cause a oil or engine light.". What the hell, are you kidding me? Then what the hell do I have oil light and check engine light for if they're not going to work correctly? Toyota Corporate refused any assisstance and referred to me as a consumer not a customer. So as long as you are satisfied with Toyota you are a customer, if you're dissatisfied with Toyota, you are a consumer. I was only offered what they legally had to offer which was to pursue lemon law or request dispute resolution. I already had the car 3 years from new, how would it be considered a lemon. Dispute resolution is like going to court. I have to take time off work, and present my case. I'm one person and have my word, Toyota is a huge corporation with lawyers from every damn corner of the f'ing world. This whole time my car is at Toyota dealer up on a lift with the engine dropped out for 3 months. I eventually gave in and paid because Toyota refused any help and would not even discuss the case anymore, they considered the case closed. So $4826 later I got the car back on June 20, 2012. Now I am considering trading car in for something other than a Toyota. I previously owned a 2003 Toyota Celica and I also had problems with that car. So much for trying to be a loyal customer only to take it in the tailpipe.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
A rattling sound started from the engine compartment on March 9, 2012. I took the car in for the sound to Carson Toyota to have it diagnosed. I was told since I didn't have an appointment the problem would not be diagnosed until I could come back with an appt. time. So since I was there at the service dept. I asked for a oil change. At that time of the oil change I was scheduled for an appt. for the noise from engine compartment a week later. I had to authorize a teardown of engine, and if i refused to auth. for teardown they would say they couldn't diagnose the problem, so they have you by the balls. I waited at the dealer and was told that the noise was from the damaged short block due to oil starvation. I had regular scheduled maintenance with documented invoices and that I presented at the request of Toyota. (they wanted proof) I had regular scheduled maintenance at 4000-6000 miles. Toyotas regional engineer came out to the dealership to inspect may car, without me present to observe the inspection. I was told Toyota would not cover the repair under warranty or offer any further assisstance. They stated the damage to the engine was not a design flaw or engineering flaw or failure of a component,, but was caused by a external influence. I told them that was bullshit, I had regular scheduled maintenance done and was never told at any one of those times there was a problem. I never had a engine light, no change in performance of the car, no overheating, no oil light. The only indication there was a problem was when the noise started. I told them if the oil went so low to damage the engine why didn't the car give a oil light or engine light. Their response was, "The oil went low enough to damage the engine, but not low enough to cause a oil or engine light.". What the hell, are you kidding me? Then what the hell do I have oil light and check engine light for if they're not going to work correctly? Toyota Corporate refused any assisstance and referred to me as a consumer not a customer. So as long as you are satisfied with Toyota you are a customer, if you're dissatisfied with Toyota, you are a consumer. I was only offered what they legally had to offer which was to pursue lemon law or request dispute resolution. I already had the car 3 years from new, how would it be considered a lemon. Dispute resolution is like going to court. I have to take time off work, and present my case. I'm one person and have my word, Toyota is a huge corporation with lawyers from every damn corner of the f'ing world. This whole time my car is at Toyota dealer up on a lift with the engine dropped out for 3 months. I eventually gave in and paid because Toyota refused any help and would not even discuss the case anymore, they considered the case closed. So $4826 later I got the car back on June 20, 2012. Now I am considering trading car in for something other than a Toyota. I previously owned a 2003 Toyota Celica and I also had problems with that car. So much for trying to be a loyal customer only to take it in the tailpipe.
- David G., Carson, CA, US