2003 Toyota Matrix Engine cooling Problems

“My son was driving our 2003 Toyota matix, accelerating up to speed after pulling onto the interstate on-ramp when the engine began to make a loud clicking sound. There was no engine warning light or smoking from the engine or exhaust system. He reduced speed, pulled over and exited at the next exit. Although the car had lost significant power, he was able to continue to drive to the dealership, located nearby. The oil pressure switch had failed and the oil had leaked out. There was no level on the dipstick. …”

“My check engine light came on, and the local Toyota dealership charged me about $50 to tell me my catalytic converter needed replacement at a cost of over $1,000 for my 2003 Matrix with about 92,000 miles. Seemed unlikely, so I took it to a local non-Toyota repair shop, his computer also showed catalytic converter, but he said the way the car was performing, it might be the oxygen sensors. He replaced both, and the car has been great ever since. Too bad my local Toyota dealer wanted to gauge me.”

“I was driving vehicle for about 4 hours prior to problem. Vehicle starting making a tapping noise as if the valves were knocking. Oil started leaking out from under vehicle, and then the engine threw a connecting rod through the engine block and lower oil pan destroying the engine. The dealership is fighting me and concluded that there was no oil in the engine when all the oil came out when the rod struck the hole in my pan.”

“I went to the Toyota dealer to have my check engine light check and found out the I need to replace my catalyst converter and ecu replace. Dealer says that I need to pay $3000 plus tax. The reason why I need to replace the catalytic converter and the electronic control module because they have a new module. I own my car since 2003. This is Toyota's fault, I should be inform when a new module comes out in the market and I should not have to pay for that. This is a safety hazzard. If I don't get it fix, my car will not start and I am not able to renew my tab because of the check engine lights.”

“On 6 september 2007,my wife was driving the 2003 Matrix, when without warning the motor started to make an excessive noise in the engine, she pulled over a called me, I met her where she was and verified the noise sounded terminal, called for a wrecker, had car towed to the dealer, 2 days later, I was informed that the engine had thrown 3 rods, mileage on the car was 60,886, just out of warranty, spent the next week in Toyota USA arbitration,they deem lack of lubrication caused the damage and washed their hands of the engine repair. …”