Car Accelerates On Its Own Problems of Toyota Matrix - part 1

Tl the contact owns a 2010 Toyota Matrix. While pulling into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and crashed into an apartment building. The driver stated that the brake pedal was depressed during the failure. The front end of the vehicle was severely damaged, but the air bag did not deploy. The driver sustained a fractured sternum, which required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact indicated that the vehicle was previously serviced for both unintended acceleration and an unknown air bag recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 40,000. The VIN was invalid.

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Transmission: my 2011 Toyota Matrix jerks and accelerates suddenly with a revving noise and making choking sounds like gears shifting in a manual transmission car. This happens each time I slow down to make a turn (left or right) or merge into the freeway, when I slow down at a traffic light and tries to take off as the light turns green, and when I slow down and try changing lane to pass another vehicle. I have had to press hard on the breaks to avoid hitting another vehicle in front of me. This has been going on since I started driving the car after taking over from my daughter one and a half years ago. Thanks you.

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My Matrix 2009 has had intermittent sudden 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, it got extreme: the car will lurch forward at different times: when I start up the car, idling at a light, or slowing to a stop. Today, Sunday morning, as I was pulling into a parking spot at walmart, I began to brake slowly when the trans 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 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. So, thank you Toyota. I saw on other blogs today that this is not an isolated incident, but a recurring problem. You have known about this for years, and have done nothing. Your company will cause innocent people to kill someone or themselves.

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The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Matrix. While the vehicle was exiting a parking garage and waiting at a toll booth, it suddenly accelerated out of control and crashed into another vehicle and a retaining wall. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. There were minor injuries, which required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.

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The contact owned a 2004 Toyota Matrix. While driving 3 mph, the vehicle accelerated rapidly without warning and caused a crash. The contact crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. It was unknown if the vehicle was towed because the contact could not remember. Motter auto repair of oakland, California was made aware of the crash and repaired the front passenger side of the vehicle and the passenger door. The manufacturer was not made aware of the crash. In addition, the failure recurred on two separate occasions. While driving 2 mph, the vehicle accelerated rapidly without warning again. There was no crash and the contact was able to regain control of the vehicle. Also, while driving 2 mph, the vehicle accelerated rapidly without warning and crashed into the contact's garage door. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. The contact sustained injuries to the left leg and left hand, which required medical attention. The vehicle was not damaged. The failure mileage was 70,000. The VIN was not available.

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I was backing down my driveway when my car suddenly accelerated-the brakes and steering also went out-I crashed into a bank on one side of the road, then the car swung around and I ended up suspended over a ditch. I was finally able to switch gears and turn the car off.

I was slowly pulling into my garage (in the basement of my house), gradually braking as I had done many times before. I was stopping the vehicle in its usual position when the engine suddenly began racing and the car accelerated forward. It struck some shelves I had against the wall of the garage, crumpling both the shelves and the front of the car's hood. Everything happened so fast at that point that I am not sure just what happened, but I ended up with the car stopped up against the garage wall and the car in park. I believe I threw it into neutral, then applied the brake since it was still moving, then tried to back up, and finally put it into park. The car was declared a total loss by my insurance company. I experienced the same problem of sudden acceleration when stopping several times previously, but none of those incidents caused any damage. In each of those situations I was able to get the car into neutral, stop it with the brake, and continue on my way. In this instance there was not enough space ahead of me to do that successfully. I know that a number of incidents of unintended acceleration of a Toyota Matrix have already been reported for a number of different model years.

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Tl-the contact owned a 2004 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that while standing a red light a clicking noise started then the vehicle experienced an unintended acceleration going across the street crashing with two parked vehicles. The police was informed. The driver suffered multiple bruises, an a fractured rib, her pacemaker had to be replaced. The contact was hospitalized for two weeks. The vehicle got towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000. Bp.

As I was leaving the highway via the exit, I stopped at the end of ramp leading to secondary highway. The vehicle's engine then unexpectedly accelerated while my foot was on the brake. The brakes seemed to barely keep it from propelling. I immediately put the car in neutral and the rpms returned to normal.

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Matrix. While driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The contact attempted to apply the brakes but the brakes would not respond. The contact then depressed the accelerator pedal and the pedal fell to the floorboard abnormally. The contact then struck the curb and crashed into a concrete barrier as the vehicle went airborne and crashed into a second barrier causing the wheels to fracture from the vehicle before coming to a stop. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained severe headaches as a result. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where she was advised that the vehicle could be repaired. The contact stated after the crash she received a recall notice under NHTSA campaign id number: 10v384000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.

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I am requesting that dot NHTSA investigate the electronic acceleration system and/or the ecm causing sudden unintended acceleration of my 2007 Toyota Matrix. On 9/18/2010 my son was driving my 2007 Toyota Matrix. He was pulling into a parking space in front of a store & was almost completely stopped when, even though he had his foot off the accelerator & on the brake, the car began to accelerate on it's own. He then pushed harder on the brake & turned the wheel & the vehicle continued to accelerate. The vehicle ended up crashing into the glass window of the store, to the right of the parking spot, coming to a stop with the front end inside the store. There was approximately 4 feet of sidewalk between the front of the parking space and the building and about a 2 inch raise in surface height. My wife later informed me that she had an unintended acceleration problem that same day while driving the same vehicle. She turned onto a street & was traveling at approximately 25 mph & approaching a slower moving vehicle in front of her. She then took her foot off the accelerator to coast. The vehicle continued to accelerate with her foot off the accelerator and without the accelerator pedal moving. It accelerated to about 50 mph when she then had to apply the brake & tap the accelerator several times to get the vehicle slowed to avoid hitting the vehicle ahead of her. I have contacted Toyota & they are sending an engineering analysis company to inspect the vehicle. I was contacted by the company on 9/27/2010 to find out where the vehicle is & set up the investigation. The Matrix is currently at the progressive collision center in clearwater FL. No work has been done to the vehicle, awaiting Toyota inspection. Could you please investigate this incident.

Sudden acceleration in 2008 Matrix automatic: first known failure. Car brought new in September 2007; odometer: 6000 miles. While driving approximately 35 mph on even straight smooth roadway, there was a sudden acceleration to greater than 70 mph. When brakes were applied, they depressed to floor without any effect. Car continued to accelerate rapidly. Shifted to neutral without success. Car slowed after being placed in reverse. Coasted to a stop. Placed gear in 2 and drove slowly home - approximately 1/2 mile. Floor mats were not near either pedal and were kept stationary by hooks designed to keep mats from shifting. Called Toyota service department: told that floor mats were the problem; talked to service managers who stated that the sequence of events described were impossible, no problems were known to exist for Matrix and greater than 99% of sudden acceleration problems were due to driver error. After a discussion, the car was evaluated by the service department. The following was reported: floor mats held in proper place no objects on floor normal brake pedal operation normal accelerator pedal operation health check - powertrain, chassis, electrical, network systems - ok computer codes - no abnormalities found normal throttle body inspection tires with normal wear & function problem was not duplicated on test drive. Was told that the car is functioning normally in all areas and has no problems. Implied that my experience was a misperception or misrepresentation. Assessment: there was a significant malfunction in the Matrix which could have led to critical injuries or loss of life. Only due to the traffic flow at precisely that moment, no one was injured. The Toyota service departments denied that the problem exists. Recommendation: sudden unexpected acceleration should be investigated until an answer /solution is found. The findings should be shared with the public. The cost for repairs should be paid by Toyota.

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The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Matrix. While the vehicle was parked with the engine running, the contact opened the front driver side door and attempted to exit the vehicle with her left leg extended outside of the door. Unexpectedly, the vehicle lunged forward. The brake pedal was engaged repeatedly and the vehicle would not slow down. The engine was turned off. The vehicle continued to rapidly accelerate causing the vehicle to crash into a mailbox and tree. The vehicle came to a complete when entering a ditch. The contact suffered torn ligaments to the left leg. A police report was not filed. The insurance company was notified; and they advised that the vehicle not be driven and be towed to an authorized dealer for further investigation. The vehicle sustained extensive damage to the driver side view mirror and front driver side door requiring replacement. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

It is reported regarding the Toyota sudden acceleration recall that for owners who have had the first attempt to correct the problem (install metal reinforcement bars in the accelerator) and the attempt did not work Toyota would replace the entire accelerator assembly at the vehicle owner's request. I have had problems with the unintended acceleration, had the first repair attempt completed and I still have the problem. I called my local Toyota dealer where I purchased the vehicle and was told that Toyota will now refuse to perform this second attempt until next month when another different type of "fix" will be scheduled (shaving the accelerator pedal). My vehicle does not have floor mats and I find this excuse unacceptable.

On February 28th I was stopped at the corner of vine and galbraith at a light. The car suddenly accelerated forward and when I pressed on the brake it kind of locked and did not stop the car- I pulled the emergency brake up and the car stopped. There was a pedestrain that was crossing the street that I nearly hit.

I have a 2009 Toyota Matrix. I purchased it in November of 2008. In October of 2009 the car had roughly 7,000 miles on it. I experienced my first incident of unintended acceleration. I drove up a hill to a stop sign and as I braked the car lurched forward. I put both feet on the brake and put the car in neutral. I thought that I might have some how had my foot on the gas, so I did not think it was a serious concern. However, I had two more similar incidents in the following months. Both pulling up to stop signs. Both times I heard the engine start to accelerate and was able to control it. When I heard about the Toyota recall I immediately called and had my car serviced. The Toyota dealer did recall work on my brakes and gas pedal on February 10th, 2010. On February 26th, I was driving about 5 mph in a parking area with my son. I put my foot on the brake and I felt the car push forward. I put my other foot on the brake as well. My son said "its doing it again mom!" I put it in neutral and we both heard the engine wind out like I had pushed the gas pedal to the floor. This obviously means the recall "fix" isn't working! I contacted my dealer and am getting a loaner car. I am very concerned what this means in terms of future safety and my monetary investment in this car.

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Matrix. While driving at approximately 10 mph and attempting to slow down, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The vehicle crashed into another vehicle although the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated that there was not enough time to shift into neutral gear; once the vehicle crashed, it spun around in a 180 degree turn and then the engine stopped. There were two people injured and both went to the hospital. There was a police report filed. The vehicle was totaled. The contact had not called the manufacturer or the dealer at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota corolla Matrix. The contact had the first pedal replaced and one week later, the contact had another sudden acceleration occur while driving 5 mph through a parking lot. The contact also had an incident while sitting at a traffic light. The vehicle started to make a roaring sound and moving forward while the contact had her foot on the brakes. A mechanic diagnosed the failure and stated that the vehicle seemed fine. Toyota also inspected the vehicle stating that nothing was wrong with it. The contact did not have the VIN# available when the complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 18500. The current mileage was 18500.

The contact owned a 2005 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that while driving at speeds of 65 mph, the vehicle accelerated without warning. The vehicle decreased in speed as the contact removed his foot from the accelerator pedal. The dealer could not duplicate the failure. The contact confirmed that the vehicle had been taken to the dealer on nine separate occasions with concerns of unintended acceleration. The dealer could not determine the cause of failure. The vehicle was left in possession of the dealer. The contact would not drive the vehicle any longer due to concerns for his safety while operating the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000 and the current mileage was 25,000. Updated 5/12/10 the consumer stated when the speed was set at 55 mph, the speed would fluctuate from 51 mph uphill to 59-60 mph downhill. When starting from a stop, the engine would either stall or spin the wheels. At times, the engine would not respond when trying to increase speed. During very cold winter days, the engine would stumble and at times buck like a bronco with the gas pedal to the floor until the engine was warmed up. Updated 06/18/10.

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In parking garage at place of employment - as I began to pull into a parking space, the car suddenly accelerated. I immediately hit the brakes with no effect. The car continued to accelerate until it hit the wall of the garage. Toyota dealership refused to inspect the vehicle until body damage is repaired. Currently waiting for a Toyota inspector to make an appointment to inspec the vehicle.

My car is a Toyota 2006 Matrix awd; I was pulling into my driveway to park in front of my garage, and took my feet of the accelerator pedal, but before I had any chance to react the car just continued to accelerate up my drive way and crashed through my garage door, causing damage to my car, the garage door, and some dents to my other car parked inside; I have always parked my car outside on the drive way, since there isn't space to park 2 cars in my garage; I am fairly safe and cautious driver; I took my car to the dealer to have them to take a look, my 2006 Toyota Matrix is not in the recall list, and the servicing guys didn't find anything wrong with my gas pedal; I am still concerned that there may still be a lurking issue with the pedal or the electronic system that caused the unintended acceleration.

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Matrix. While traveling at a speed of 20 mph the vehicle had suddenly accelerated without warning causing the contact to crash into another vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the contact was informed that the VIN was not related to any recalls. The approximate failure mileage was 40000 and the current mileage was 41000.

Ltr fwd fm (ne) re unintended sudden acceleration from owner of a 2009 Toyota Matrix involved in an auto accident on 1/13/2010, reply to omaha, ne ofc. The consumer stated he rear ended another vehicle while attempting to brake, but instead the vehicle continued to accelerate. The consumer stated the police did not write up police report. The consumer also stated the air bags failed to deploy. Upon inspection, it was determined the air bag sensors were fried, probably well before the accident.

The contact owns a 2007 Toyota Matrix. While the contact was at a stop sign when the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that the failure could not be reproduced. Three weeks after the first incident, at a traffic light the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the failure could not be reproduced. The approximate current and failure mileages were 34,000.

I would like to reprt serious problems with the accelerator (unintended acceleration) and brake problems (don't stop well) of my Toyota Matrix model 2009.

While driving my 2005 Toyota Matrix with 40,000 miles, I was pulling into a parking space, car was not even going 1 mile an hour, had taken my foot off of the gas pedal, did not even have a chance to put my foot on the brakes, when the car suddenly accelerated, made a noise, jumped the curb and smashed into a building. The car had $3,000 worth in damages leaving a crack in the brick wall of the building causing structural damage. The sudden, unintended acceleration had nothing to do with the floor mat. Nothing has been done to correct the failure as Toyota would not address the issue at all, saying that the Matrix was not part of the recall. Toyota has not accommodated me at all with this incident. I am terrified when I drive now that it will happen again, not to mention the worth of the car because of the accident. Due to this I am looking for another vehicle.

I have had four instances of sudden acceleration in a 2003 Toyota Matrix xrs over a period of 8 years. In each instance, I was pulling into a carport at a slow speed with my foot on the brake when the engine suddenly accelerated despite the fact that my foot was on the brake, not the gas pedal. In all instances, I was able to press hard on the brake and come to a stop. After the second incident, I took the car into my Toyota dealer and told them what had happened twice. They checked out the car and said nothing was wrong with it. I have had two other incidents since then. I live in a retirement community and have told the authorities here that if I ever drive the car through the carport wall it will be due to sudden acceleration of my Matrix. The incidents are wide-spread -- perhaps every two years. So it is a little hard to get Toyota to pay any attention to the complaint. Please check the electronics -- it is obviously not mechanical. I have given the date of the last incident below.

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly accelerated rapidly after she depressed the accelerator pedal to make a left turn. The vehicle crashed into another vehice. The air bags did not deploy. Both the contact and driver of the other vehicle sustained neck injuries; a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealership where it was repaired at the contacts expense. The manufacturer called the contact and requested to take the vehicle apart to repair the problem. The contact wanted reimbursement for the repairs and wanted to give the vehicle back ,as she was still experiencing sudden acceleration intermittently. The failure mileage was approximately 289. The current mileage was approximately 2,900.

2009 Toyota Matrix since purchase has had a throttle/brake/transmission anomaly the car accelerates suddenly when going down a big hill or whenever I brake approaching a red light. Additional brake pressure - so far - has stopped the car. . But I expect a vehicle to slow down not accelerate when I use the brake pedal. The recall fix has been applied - same action. I am concerned I am driving a vehicle that may suddenly cause a life threatening problem, for me or someone in front of my vehicle. Dealer shrugged - expected the recall to work.

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Matrix. While driving approximately 5 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into a parked vehicle. There were no injuries nor was a police report filed. The failure recurred while the contact was driving approximately 50 mph; the vehicle suddenly surged as the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the accelerator pedal was repaired, the floor mat was removed and the vehicle was recalibrated. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000. The current mileage was approximately 35,000.

2005 Toyota Matrix. Consumer states unintended acceleration. The consumer stated as he was approaching a red traffic signal to a local shopping center, the vehicle started to accelerate. Since he was nearing a red light, he already had his foot on the brake pedal. The consumer stated it was obvious something was wrong, so he immediately placed the transmission in neutral. The rpm of the vehicle's tachometer raced between 3,000 and 4,000. When the traffic light turned green, he placed the gear in drive, kept his foot firmly on the brake and maneuvered the vehicle into the parking lot and into a parking space. He placed the gear into park, but the engine continued to rev between 3,000 and 4,000. He kicked the accelerator pedal in an attempt to possibly lower the rpm, but to no avail. The consumer turned off the engine, exited the vehicle and proceeded to inspect the accelerator pedal area for possible signs of obstruction on the floor, in the carpet area or on the floor map. There was none. He opened the hood of the car and looked in the engine compartment for possible signs of debris, but there was none. The consumer stated it is obvious there is an electronic/computer glitch and not a problem with a sticking gas pedal.

On October 3, 2008, while driving my 2006 Toyota Matrix I had to accelerate rapidly to merge onto a busy street. I immediately smelled a odor coming from my vents of burning wiring. My check engine light came on. I pulled over and made some calls to service stations and the Toyota dealership. Was advised to take it to the dealer. Did. After investigating the issue for several days they decided my ecm was bad and replaced it. With the recent Toyota recalls, I finally decided yesterday that I should check into if I am involved. My vehicle is Toyota certified and they do have record of the ecm failure to my vehicle. I also wanted to report it to you folks, just in case it is in fact the computers that are faulty. It is unknown to me whether the replacement computer they put in my car is a 2006, or what year ecm it is. My ecm failed immediately after rapid acceleration and my vehicle is not on the recall list.

The contact has a 2003 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that the vehicle had been having periodic accelelration problems since 2008. The contact stated the sudden acceleration has only happened when the contact is trying to slow down. , while driving at any speed. This failure had been happening more over the past two years. The failure mileage was unknown. The current mileage is 86504.

I own a 2006 Toyota Matrix. At about 40k I began noticing when I pushed the gas pedal from a stop that it sometimes lagged, other times the pedal seemed very touchy and to take off excessively, causing passengers to notice the sudden acceleration. This occurs spontaneously but at least once every 14 days. It is always from a stop such as at a light or driveway, after the car has been driving even a few feet but it has never occurred on the initial press when the car is first cranked and moved, only after the wheels have moved. As a side note, the computer was replaced at about 77k and this did not correct the issue. I have the oem floor mats with the latch system that holds the mat in place. I have never had the pedal appear to even touch the mat. While I have never had the terrible experience of having the pedal stick and continue to accelerate, I am hoping that this information will help the cause of the issues come to light. There is definitely a problem with the gas pedal and the computer telling the throttle when and how much to open. Please do not let this fall solely on the floor mats. There is more to the story!.

My 2004 Toyota Matrix has expereinced sudden acceleration while my foot was on the brake several times since I have purchased it; I have always been able to stop the car from moving forward by further depressing the brake. But on Saturday March 26 while at a stop sign, the sudden acceleration happened again and I was unable to immediately stop my car from lurching forward. It moved several inces into oncoming (perpendicular) traffic before I finally threw it into park and pulled the emergency brake to stop it. No accident occurred but it came close, and I had my toddler in the back seat, so I consider this a serious matter. I took it to my dealership (ourisman Toyota in chantilly, va) that Monday, and they kept it for two days. They ran all diagnostic tests possible and found no problem. Nothing was fixed because no test showed a problem but I am scared to drive my car -- the sudden acceleration happens only randomly and cannot be predicted. I drive with only one foot so this is not a case of two-footed driving and accidentaally stepping on the accelerator. In each case my foot was off the accelerator and on the brake.