NHTSA Complaint #10509007 — 2009 TOYOTA MATRIX

WHEN GOING UP A HILL IN 4TH GEAR CAR SHIFTS DOWN TO 3RD GEAR TO MAINTAIN SPEED & THERE IS A LOUD NOISE THAT SHAKES THE CAR (AS IF THE ENGINE'S GOING TO FALL OUT). HAPPENED ABOUT 20 TIMES SO FAR. TOYOTA DEALER MECHANICS GOT CAR TO REPEAT THIS 3 TIMES (ONCE HOOKED UP TO A COMPUTER). THE MECHANICS & THE SERVICE MANAGER ALL FEEL THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE 100,000 MI. EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE PERSON FROM TOYOTA (NOT FROM THE DEALERSHIP) THAT HAS TO APPROVE PUTTING IN A NEW TRANSMISSION REFUSED SAYING IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. HE THEN SAID IT WAS THE WAY I USE THE GAS PEDAL. THEN WHY DID IT HAPPEN ON THE 3 ROADTESTS WHEN BROUGHT TO DEALER. THE SHIFT INTO 3RD (ON A HILL) IS SO VIOLENT THAT I'M AFRAID TO KEEP UP SPEED ON THE PARKWAY WHEN GOING UP A HILL. I PULL INTO THE SLOW LANE & PUT ON MY FLASHING LIGHTS & STAY AT 50 MPH OR LESS. I FEEL THAT THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE 90,000 MI. ON IT. I HAVE REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO TOYOTA CUSTOMER RELATIONS ON THE PHONE (THEY ARE BASED IN CALIFORNIA). THEY SAID THEY WOULD LOOK INTO IT & GET BACK TO ME IN 3 DAYS (TOMORROW). I HAVE BOUGHT 4 TOYOTAS IN A ROW & GOT MY SISTER-IN-LAW & HER SON TO EACH BUY ONE. IF THIS IS HOW TOYOTA TREATS A LOYAL CUSTOMER (ALL CARS ARE SERVICED AT TOYOTA) THEN I GUESS I & MY FAMILY WON'T BE BUYING ONE AGAIN. I PAID A GOOD DEAL OF MONEY FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. A LOT OF GOOD IT'S DOING ME. THANKS FOR LISTENING. *TR