2008 Toyota Matrix Electrical system Problems

“Several months ago I drove through a puddle of water in our parking lot at work. It was storming with the wind blowing as well. When I drove through the puddle, my battery light came on and I lost steering. Then engine never stopped. Once I traveled a few yards, the steering started working and the battery light went off. It happened another 3 more times before I ever left my work facility. I was able to drive to a Toyota dealership for them to check it out. They found nothing wrong with the car. I told them something makes me lose steering associated with water. …”

“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. …”

“Toyota Matrix xr 2008:bought new. One driver car. Twenty-two months of driving with 11,000 miles on it. Took to dealer on march 12, 2010 because leaking transmission fluid. Diagnosed as faulty harmonic equalizer on front axle which caused scaring on axle and inside transmission installed new axle and transmission. Ten minutes after picking up car after first problem corrected: car lost power while I was driving. Nearly killed by semi-truck but avoided accident. Diagnosed as faulty computer. Dealer installing new computer now. Updated 03/29/10 updated 05/05/10.”

“Safety recall letter received november 2010, part available march 2011 made appointment with dealer march 5th 2011 dealer said I need the replacement part for the ECM but no part available will call when part is available. No contact since. Received yet another recall letter august 15, 2011 starting the process all over again. I have complied but wasted my time already with no results. It is now august 2011.”

“The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Matrix. The contact stated that there was an internal electrical short that progressed intermittently for three years. In addition, the instrument cluster flickered, various internal and external lights randomly illuminated, and the power steering failed, which caused the steering wheel to be extremely tight. The contact also indicated that the vehicle stalled multiple times without warning. The first dealer diagnosed that the battery would not hold a charge. The dealer replaced the battery and the failure recurred. …”