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.
My car has had intermittent acceleration problems. I mention it at my regular maintenance check ups, but receive non-committal replies. I figure I must be losing it. Over the last 8 months or so, the car will lurch forward at different times: when I start up the car, idling at a light, or coming to a stop. Today, Sunday morning, as I was pulling into a parking spot at WalMart, I began to brake slowly when the transmission roared and lurched forward. It jumped the curb and plowed into the front end of the car facing me. At first, I thought I must have hit the gas - but no. My foot was still on the brake - all the way to the floor. I still owe money on this car. I ruined the front end of another car. I am a single mom of 2 and a teacher. I don't know how I am going to be able to handle this. I do not intend to repair this car. It is NOT safe. Thank God the other car was empty. This car could have killed someone. And, no: no tickets/accidents/ageism. Just a regular middle-age lady who bought a used car 4.5 years ago, took good care of it, and am now seriously stuck and stressed. Thank you Toyota. I saw on other blogs today that this is not an isolated incident, but a recurring problem. Your company will cause innocent people to kill someone or themselves. Correction: Matrix is 2009. I bought it 2012.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My car has had intermittent acceleration problems. I mention it at my regular maintenance check ups, but receive non-committal replies. I figure I must be losing it. Over the last 8 months or so, the car will lurch forward at different times: when I start up the car, idling at a light, or coming to a stop. Today, Sunday morning, as I was pulling into a parking spot at WalMart, I began to brake slowly when the transmission roared and lurched forward. It jumped the curb and plowed into the front end of the car facing me. At first, I thought I must have hit the gas - but no. My foot was still on the brake - all the way to the floor. I still owe money on this car. I ruined the front end of another car. I am a single mom of 2 and a teacher. I don't know how I am going to be able to handle this. I do not intend to repair this car. It is NOT safe. Thank God the other car was empty. This car could have killed someone. And, no: no tickets/accidents/ageism. Just a regular middle-age lady who bought a used car 4.5 years ago, took good care of it, and am now seriously stuck and stressed. Thank you Toyota. I saw on other blogs today that this is not an isolated incident, but a recurring problem. Your company will cause innocent people to kill someone or themselves. Correction: Matrix is 2009. I bought it 2012.
- Tammy H., Melbourne, FL, US