The Toyota Matrix, sometimes known as the Toyota Corolla Matrix[1], is a small hatchback that was adapted from the Corolla and is produced by Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada in Cambridge, Ontario. The Matrix was unveiled in 2002 as a 2003 model as the product of a partnership between Toyota and General Motors. The Pontiac Vibe, produced by New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. (NUMMI) in Fremont, California, was GM’s response to the Matrix .[3]
The Matrix, which was marketed as a sporty hatchback rival to the North American Corolla and was officially sold there until it was withdrawn, was included as a submodel in Toyota’s sales statistics .[4]
The exterior sheetmetal and trim on the Matrix and Vibe were different, despite having almost similar mechanical and interior components. Both cars are tall, slender station wagons with a quasi-SUV design (referred to by Toyota as a crossover utility vehicle, or “CUV”) that are aimed to a very young market group. This kind of car is also frequently referred to as a sport wagon.
The Matrix, which debuted in February 2002[6], saw a small makeover for the 2005 model year before undergoing a total redesign in 2008 for the 2009 model year to coincide with the release of the tenth generation Corolla. In 2013 and 2014, respectively, the United States and Canada stopped selling the Matrix.
In This Article...
What issues are there with Toyota Matrix?
Matrix problems with Toyota
- faulty oxygen sensor-related check engine light
- premature wear of the brakes
- excessive use of oil.
- The EVAP System Is the Root of the Check Engine Light.
- Issues with the window regulator.
Oxygen Sensor Fault causing Check Engine Light.
Early brake wear.
consumption of oil in excess.
Check engine light is being caused by the EVAP system.
Regulatory issues with windows.
Why was Matrix discontinued by Toyota?
Due to declining sales, Toyota announced on August 5, 2013, that it would no longer be producing the Matrix for the US market after the 2013 model year. [46] However, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada continued to assemble Matrix models for the Canadian market for the 2014 model year. [citation needed] The Matrix was then discontinued in Canada and was not available for the 2015 model year. The Corolla iM would replace the Matrix for the 2017 model year when “the Scion brand switched to Toyota” on September 1, 2016[48]. The newest version, the Corolla hatchback, was introduced for the 2019 model year.
Is the Toyota Matrix an SUV or a car?
The Toyota Matrix combines elements of a sedan, wagon, minivan, and SUV. Even Toyota refers to it as a compact utility vehicle (CUV). The Matrix seems to have taken off, but we’re not sure if the acronym will. Toyota sold about 30,000 of the small wagons, which went on sale as a 2003 model in 2002, during the first half of the year 2003. The Matrix is based on the Toyota Corolla and is produced in a factory that is owned by both General Motors and Toyota in California.
Younger buyers who desire a car with a sporty appearance and great utility are the target market for the Matrix. Toyota boasts that the Matrix combines the usefulness of an SUV with the affordability of a compact sedan and the performance and styling of a sports car. It does indeed achieve all of those goals, if not quite to the same extent that sports cars, SUVs, and compact sedans do with respect to their particular tasks.
We discovered that the Matrix accelerates quickly, especially in populated areas. Although it delivers a smooth, comfortable ride, it corners well. The Matrix is a useful vehicle with a sizable cargo capacity that can be expanded by reclining the back seats. And it’s undoubtedly fashionable.
The 180-horsepower, high-performance XRS model has garnered some attention, but we liked the 130-horsepower variants better for their calmer, friendlier personalities. Entire Review
The 180-horsepower, high-performance XRS model has garnered some attention, but we liked the 130-horsepower variants better for their calmer, friendlier personalities. Full Review hidden
Toyota Matrix
The 2007 Toyota Matrix, winner of the “Seal of Awesome award by Car Complaints, is a popular compact car option. It has a spacious backseat, a solid and comfortable cargo compartment, and outstanding fuel efficiency. The 2007 Matrix is a great family car if you have two kids even though it isn’t quite a huge hatchback.
The transmission issue, which exclusively affects manual transmissions, is the main source of reliability problems. Other than that, if you’re searching for an older hatchback, the 2007 Matrix offers fantastic value.
Toyota Matrix
The 2012 Matrix is a solid choice if you’re looking for a newer Matrix model. At a cheap pre-owned price, this compact car provides dynamic appearance, respectable performance, interior comfort, and great fuel ratings.
The majority of the serious issues with the Matrix, such engine and transmission failures, are thankfully nonexistent. Instead, two issues that aren’t exactly deal-breakers for this model are the radio’s flaws and the glare from the back windows. The 2012 Toyota Matrix is a fantastic, dependable vehicle that provides excellent value.
What is the expected lifespan of the Toyota Matrix?
The absolute most dependable engine ever created. A Matrix should last well over 300k miles if the maintenance regimen was followed from the beginning.
The Toyota Matrix uses petrol, right?
With proper maintenance, the engine is a long-lasting one. Watch this video to learn more about the identical engine in a Toyota Corolla with more than 500,000 miles on it.
In S, XRS, and XR (Canada) grades, a 158-hp 2.4L 4-cylinder 2AZ-FE engine was an option. Some people complained about the cylinder block’s stripped threads and oil usage. In our opinion, the 1.8L engine is more dependable, however it requires routine maintenance to endure.
Timing chain or belt? There is no timing belt; instead, the 2ZR-FE and 2AZ-FE both use a maintenance-free timing chain. Only when it is extended does the timing chain need to be changed.
The 1.8L Matrix from 2009 to 2013 gets 26 mpg (9.0 L/100 km) in the city and 32 mpg (7.4 L/100 km) on the highway according to the EPA. The 1.8L Matrix car achieves 25 city and 31 highway mpg. As a result, the 1.8L Matrix with an automatic transmission can drive up to 396 miles (697 km) on a single tank of gas. The 2.4L engine in the Matrix from 2009 to 2013 is rated at 21/29 mpg.
The Matrix rides smoothly and has responsive steering that gives the driver an excellent sense of the road. Although the ride is smooth, there is some road and engine noise when you accelerate.
Toyota stopped producing Matrix when?
A Matrix-related message. In 2014, Toyota stopped production of the Matrix. You may still rely on Toyota Care Centers to provide excellent service if you currently possess a Matrix.
How much larger is the Toyota Matrix than the Corolla?
Both vehicles are excellent fuel savers and have a high resale value. They provide a variety of solutions to accommodate various needs. The Matrix offers more cargo capacity and legroom whereas the Corolla is substantially smaller and has less luggage space.
In other words, they perform nearly identically, but the difference is in the amount of cargo capacity and legroom. If you don’t need a lot of space, your decision is simple.
Because of declining sales, the Toyota Matrix was discontinued in the US market in 2013 and in Canada in 2014. Toyota kept promoting hatchbacks in North America under the Scion name. The Matrix was replaced as the new Corolla hatchback in 2017 by the Corolla IM. You now know what to search for if you’re attempting to obtain a very current Matrix but are having trouble finding it.
Has the Toyota Matrix experienced transmission issues?
You either need the authority to access member email addresses or email addresses for this group are anonymous.
Hello to Everyone. My understanding is that the transmission and engine of the Toyota Matrix, Toyota Corolla, and Pontiac Vibe are identical. Please be warned that these cars have a major transmission issue.
It appears that a lot of Matrix owners are experiencing issues with a bad transmission bearing, which forces an early replacement of the transmission. I think the Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Corolla models might also be affected by this.
Our 2004 Toyota Matrix’s five-speed manual transmission needed to be replaced at 98,000 miles for a total of $3,100. There are other affected models besides the 2004, but I’m not sure which ones. I wrote the president of Toyota Motor Corporation in a certified letter. N. America. I was informed that I would not be compensated because there is no recall.
Before the affected owners’ lives are in risk due to an unexpected car breakdown on a 70 mph highway, it is critical to let them know about the issue. I experienced what happened.
There have been many cases of 5-speed Toyota Matrix gearbox failures because of faulty transmission bearings. A manual transmission shouldn’t need to be changed after 98,000 miles, in my opinion. It has occurred for some car owners at lower mileage. The regional manager of the repair facility I took it to said he had encountered this issue before and anticipates a recall. Toyota is not currently offering owners of Matrix compensation for this costly flaw.
Is the Pontiac Vibe a Toyota Matrix in reality?
Many buyers still find two compact automobiles that have been discontinued for some time to be appealing options, particularly small families on a budget who don’t require anything difficult but need something convenient.
Although they compare favorably to a number of current sub-compact SUVs, the Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix do have an appealing design, dependable and efficient engines, a flexible interior, and a high level of equipment.
Is one preferable to the other? They share so many characteristics since they were jointly developed by Toyota and General Motors, so no, really. They could even be considered non-identical twins.
Even if their bodies are slightly different, the interior is identicalwith the exception of the emblem on the steering wheel and a few accessories, of course! Driving is not made more difficult by their high front seatsin fact, it improves visibilityand their back seat offers plenty of space. Another point worth noticing is that the trunk floor is entirely made of plastic, making cleanup a breeze.
By the way, the Vibe was available in basic, GT, and AWD models, whereas the Matrix was commonly found in basic, XR, XRS, and AWD variations. The 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine in the simplest model produced 132 HP, while the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder in the most advanced models produced 158 HP. Both all-wheel-drive systems were available as options.
Let’s not forget that the Matrix was a proudly Canadian product built in the Cambridge facility in Ontario, whereas the Vibe was put together in the NUMI plant in Fremont, California, despite the fact that they are two mechanically similar vehicles. But don’t worry, the job quality at these two plants was rated extremely well.
The Vibe is now sold for less money than the Matrix because Pontiac’s name and reputation are no longer as well-known. But even though some people continue to have this opinion, the first was actually made just as well as the second. Both cars are in excellent condition and have passed an inspection, so you can confidently choose between them.