New Federal Safety Probe Centers On Stalling Corolla And Matrix Models

Regulators are looking into complaints of stalling -- in some cases at highway speeds -- in Corolla and Matrix cars from model year 2006. The investigation covers an estimated 397,000 vehicles.

Federal safety officials have opened a probe into two models of Toyota Motor Corp. vehicles after drivers complained that their cars inexplicably stalled in traffic, sometimes at highway speeds.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration posted a document this week launching the investigation into Toyota's Matrix and Corolla cars. It's the latest in a string of quality-related issues for the Japanese automaker in recent months.

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LACMAN - 12/7/2009 5:16:37 PM

+3 Boost

^^^LMAO!

enthusiastx11 - 12/7/2009 6:41:18 PM

+3 Boost

this is a bit shocking coming on the heels of the numerous existing recalls/issues with toyota products. goliath seems to have fallen on his face.

commander104 - 12/7/2009 6:52:42 PM

+4 Boost

OK so does this affect the Pontiac Vibe then?

MSP6 - 12/7/2009 6:54:35 PM

+5 Boost

Pontiac Vibe is a Toyota, so it must be the same.

acronis - 12/8/2009 6:17:41 AM

+4 Boost

The hits on Toyota will start to gain traction among American consumers who maybe ready to second guess Toyota's bullet proof brand of reliability.

With a resurgent Ford and a growth fixated Hyundai applying competitive pressure, the net effect will be an erosion of Toyota's brand equity which will become noticeable in the contraction of their midsize car sales, a segment they have traditionally dominated.

2010 will be a tough year for Toyota.

Whelan - 12/8/2009 9:41:18 AM

+1 Boost

The car pictured is a Euro Corolla, great job spies on getting the appropriate photo to accompany your article.

As for the investigation, it would include the Pontiac Vibe as ALL major components are shared (engine, drivetrain, etc.) The only differences really aside from sheetmetal are radios were different in some years, A/C condensors were different as well.

Surprised this starts from 2006 as the redesign (freshen up) for both cars was in the 2005 model year. I have a 2005 XR AWD Matrix and never had a stalling problem. 108,000 miles so far on dino juice oil changes, rotations, and brakes. I replaced the serp. belt once at 60k.

truckman - 12/8/2009 1:53:41 PM

+2 Boost

I checked out the latest consumer reports magazine yesterday and all of toyota's vehicles were recommended except the Land Cruiser, and they never report the reality of what is going on, consumer reports has no credibility anymore, toyotas been on a downhill slide for a while, soon toyota will come after Auto Spies to try and silence us, maybe they will offer us the Vibe or the Corolla for free, floor mats and all. lol

XYZZ - 12/9/2009 3:38:22 AM

-1 Boost

"...opened a probe into two models of Toyota Motor Corp. vehicles after drivers complained that their cars inexplicably stalled in traffic, sometimes at highway speeds."

notice there's NO mention of exactly HOW MANY drivers complained? was it two? three? maybe even a whopping ten? and just maybe, there are actually that many dimwits who just forgot to put gas in, after the low fuel light was on for 100 miles? (that IS the reserve range i have.)

and what percentage mite this be, of the total units on the road?

people that love to slam toyota will jump on the SMALLEST ITEM to try to make a (mostly useless) point.

just like when it was found that all of 27 tundras had gotten bad camshafts, the haters said ALL tundras were trash.

XYZZ - 12/9/2009 3:47:28 AM

0 Boost

truckman--

as to CR reporting on "the reality of what's going on," well they do.

when the problem rate rises from LESS than ONE percent to less than TWO percent, then CR gives just a half-red rather than a full red circle. and you WILL see a few half-reds among the full reds on some toyota models. (on their compilation of repair records for up to 8-yr old vehicles.)

still, that is FAR BETTER than the black circles (MORE than 3%, with no upper limit) which plague the charts of ALL toyota's competitors. to the point where 8-10 year old toyotas still have a better record than most other brands only 3-5 years old.

truckman - 12/9/2009 1:00:34 PM

+1 Boost

I wish that they reported on what is true, we have to think for ourselves, remember the toyota engine sludge problems on the corola and vibe? CR never reported that, and that was HUGE! And do you remember when they never suggested the Pontiac Vibe? And CR suggested the Matrix, it's the same car, how about the 1996-2002 tacoma frames rusting prematurely? No mention of that, what about the new Tundra spare tires falling off because of rusting frames? Again no mention of that by CR. they have no credibility, any thing I missed?

truckman - 12/11/2009 5:51:16 AM

+1 Boost

Toyota offered to buy them back? Wow, that is impressive, I guarantee that all there new trucks/cars don't have high quality metal and would be more susceptible to rusting, look at the Tundras spare tire falling off due to rusty frames, on a new truck! That is poor quality, and I don't hear them advertising that they have improved the blend of metal, Although I still like the Tacoma, mostly because of the after market performance accessories like Camburg racing long travel suspension with 15 inches of wheel travel, and the safety is the best one of the mini trucks.

fizprof - 4/30/2010 1:04:23 PM

+1 Boost

We stalled in our '09 Matrix (1.8L 5-speed, 15,500 miles) this morning. The fuel was getting low but no fuel light on yet. We managed to get to a gas station--the car was definitely struggling--
and the car filled up with 10.3 U.S. gallons. As I understand it the tank is 13 gallons, and on the previous tank we filled up at 10.7 gallons without stalling. I suppose this could be symptomatic of bad gas, but it seems to be an anecdotal confirmation of the complaints.
Will put fuel treatment in as soon as I can get to an auto store this evening.