11 problems related to transmission failure have been reported for the 2003 Toyota Matrix. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The transmission failed. Has been serviced regularly. This seems like it is a common problem with this make and model car. I believe this should be a manufacture recall issue. The transmission could have locked up while driving and caused an accident. Looks like it will cost between $2000 and $3000 to repair. This is a problem that should not have happened.
While driving down the highway one evening, an odd clicking sound was heard from the front end of our 2003 Toyota Matrix (manual transmission with 88,000 miles). The sound was louder with acceleration. After getting off the highway, the sound was noted to be louder in higher gears, and absent when the clutch was pressed down. The vehicle was brought in for service at our local Toyota dealer the next morning. After paying a $95 diagnostic fee, we were told the vehicle needed a new transmission at the estimated cost of $3300, with nothing being covered by any warranty or recall. We brought the car to a transmission specialist for a rebuild. The bearings, rings, and two transfer gears were replaced, along with the clutch, at a cost of $2100. It is noted that the mechanic had a delay in getting the parts due to a manufacturer back order, reportedly from a high demand due to many others with the same problem with this make/model car! this is our first Toyota, which we bought due to their good reputation. It has been regularly maintained and subjected to only normal driving conditions. We have never had a vehicle with transmission problems and are shocked that this expensive repair was needed on such a young car. Toyota should be held responsible for covering the cost of what appears to be widespread transmission failure due to defective/inferior parts used on this vehicle!.
My wife was driving on the interstate in our 2003 Toyota Matrix with two of our three young children in the car when she heard a loud bang and felt what she describes as the car jumping off the ground. She slowed the car down to a crawl, exited the interstate and limped it home. Presently it sits in the yard and will only move forward. In fact, even in neutral the car can't be pushed backward. Upon searching for answers on the internet I found a forum with what appears to be dozens of people who have had transmission failures with 2003 to 2005 Matrixes. I am filing this complaint because my wife came close to going off the road when the transmission failed and it appears that Toyota is aware of the issue but won't take any action to remedy it. They had a recall on the windows because it was a safety issue but I can't imagine that a broken window would have scared my wife as much as the bang she described and the jerking of the car it caused. Thank you.
The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that the transmission bearings were faulty. While driving at an unknown speed, she heard an odd sound coming from the engine compartment. The dealer found failure with the transmission and verified that the bearings needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not willing to assist with the repairs. Through online research, the contact discovered that the manual transmission failures were common for her year, make, and model vehicle. The failure and current mileages were less than 130,000.
Our son's 2003 Toyota Matrix had it's transmission completely fail 2 nights ago. He had an extended warranty ( 100,000 miles). Unbelievably he was 1600 miles over his warranty. I looked on the internet and found dozens and dozens of complaints about 2003 and 2004 Matrix transmissions. Our son is a rather poor college graduate who can't afford the $3300 it will take to replace the transmission and clutch. I would like some advise on how to pursue some action against Toyota. There should be a way to pursue "consideration" for this type of situation something is wrong here! please respond if you can. . .
2003 Toyota Matrix transmission failure after 57,000 miles. Extended warranty company replaced it with a used rebuilt transmission. I've seen many complaints online about this same thing happening on the manual transmissions of the 2003/2004 models.
Main bearing in the manual transmission failed. Needed new transmission and clutch. Toyota canada and my dealer covered 60% of cost 5mth past warranty.
Was traveling from illinois to colorado, transmission began failing, grinding. Made it to colorado, had to have entire transmission replaced around ($4300, out of warranty). No help from Toyota. Toyota transmission failure at 80,000 miles? c'mon, what's up with that?.
Manual transmission bearing failure at approximately 61,200 miles. Warranty expired at 60,000 miles. Toyota would make no adjustment.
While driving 20 mph vehicle stalled. Vehicle was towed to the dealership, and mechanic determined that automatic transmission failed. Automatic transmission was repaired, but the problem recurred.
The throwout baring in my 2003 Toyota Matrix xr 5-speed transmission went out at approximately 23,000 miles and caused the transmission to fail. Toyota replaced the transmission at the love Lexus Toyota dealership in st. Albans, wv, where the vehicle was purchased brand new with zero miles. This second transmission, at approximately 64,000 miles, failed as well with the same prescribed issue (throwout baring in the transmission). . Read more...