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.
Before I start, I will mention that I had a 2009 Matrix with a 1.8 liter engine that did the same thing multiple times.
The car I have now, a different 2009 Matrix (S) that I bought a year ago with 33,000 just had the same problem as I had with the previous Matrix. What happens is after you have driven the car and turned it off then at any point later I try to start the car, it will just turn over. It will do this numerous times. The very first time it happened (my other car), I rented a car dolly to tow it to the dealer. When I turned the key over to at least shift in to neutral, it started. I went ahead and took it to the dealer who changed the fly wheel, belt and some other things which cost 1500.00. Three months later it did the same thing. This time I just let the car set for about an hour and tried to start again, which it did. It had done the same thing 4-5 times while I owned the first Matrix. So I am on my way home from a different state, pull over for gas and this car is now doing the same thing. It is like the car has a vacuum lock somewhere that wont let the car start, but after setting for a short time it will start back up. Just annoying that no one knows why this happens.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Before I start, I will mention that I had a 2009 Matrix with a 1.8 liter engine that did the same thing multiple times.
The car I have now, a different 2009 Matrix (S) that I bought a year ago with 33,000 just had the same problem as I had with the previous Matrix. What happens is after you have driven the car and turned it off then at any point later I try to start the car, it will just turn over. It will do this numerous times. The very first time it happened (my other car), I rented a car dolly to tow it to the dealer. When I turned the key over to at least shift in to neutral, it started. I went ahead and took it to the dealer who changed the fly wheel, belt and some other things which cost 1500.00. Three months later it did the same thing. This time I just let the car set for about an hour and tried to start again, which it did. It had done the same thing 4-5 times while I owned the first Matrix. So I am on my way home from a different state, pull over for gas and this car is now doing the same thing. It is like the car has a vacuum lock somewhere that wont let the car start, but after setting for a short time it will start back up. Just annoying that no one knows why this happens.
- Joseph C., Cassville, MO, US