NHTSA Complaint #10244654 — 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE NOT A FACTOR. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AT THE TIME; THEREFORE, HE WAS ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PUSHED THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED FOR TWO DAYS AND ENGINE SLUDGE WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE DUE TO IMPROPER LUBRICATION, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS OIL PRESENT IN THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED FOR THE MATRIX; HOWEVER, THE CAMRY WAS COVERED. THE CAMRY AND MATRIX HAVE THE SAME EXACT ENGINE AND THE CONTACT FEELS THAT IT SHOULD ALSO BE COVERED. HE WAS PROVIDED WITH REFERENCE NUMBER 200810070867. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.