| Issue ID | 696241 |
| Internal NHTSA # | 10244924 |
| Manufacurer | TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION |
| Brand | TOYOTA |
| Model | MATRIX |
| Model Year | 2009 |
| File date | 08/10/08 |
| Component | VISIBILITY |
| Product type code | VEHICLE |
| Description of the problem | The 2009 toyota matrix has a safety issue in my opinion. I bought my matrix (new) from downeast toyota in brewer, maine, on october 6, 2008. While driving this car during a test drive in the proximity of the dealership about 60 days prior to my purchase, there came a time when i had do make a left-hand turn as directed by the dealers salesman who was with me. Before i made the turn i noticed a young lady on the edge of the road to where i was turning. This brought on a caution in my mind to be extra careful in making the turn. As i proceeded the turn, the oversized (in my opinion) side view mirror on the driver's side that is situated too high (in my opinion) blocked about 80 % of my view. At one point it was directly in my line of vision. I let out a, "whoa, eric" (to the salesman)," i can't see a thing." he did not say a word. I liked the matrix otherwise, so about sixty days later, i bought it (i thought the "bad vision incident" was a fluke.) while returning home from my doctor's appointment two days later, i came upon a left-hand turn in downtown orono, maine. To my absolute disappointment, i could not see where i was turning when the oversized side mirror came in my line of vision. Again, approximately 80 % of my vision was blocked! I returned the matrix to the downeast toyota dealership in brewer. I told several people at the dealership, in person, and by phone from home, that i could not drive the matrix because of a safety issue. I asked for my money back. They more or less agreed, together, that i now owned the vehicle and that they would not return my money except that i could trade the matrix in on another vehicle as a used car. Now, i know you can't do anything for me on the fairness issue. I am here saying that there is a safety issue with the 2009 toyota matrix. I love toyotas. I've driven them for years. This matrix should be recalled. Thank you. Robert dubay |
| Vehicle Mileage at Failure | 39 |
| Number of Occurences | 1 |
| Source of the issue | NHTSA WEB SITE |
| City and State | ORONO, ME |
| VIN pattern | 2T1KU40E09CXXXXXX |
| Was vehicle invloved in a crash? | N |
| Was vehicle involved in a fire? | N |
| Was incedent reported to police? | N |
| Was medical attention required? | |
| Was part original equipment? | |
| No. of injured persons | 0 |
| No. of fatalities | 0 |
| Date of purchase | 07/08/26 |
| Was original owner? | N |
| Anti-lock brakes | N |
| Cruise control | N |
| Number of cylinders | |
| Drive train type | |
| Transmission type | |
| Vehicle speed | 15 |
| DoT tire identifier | |
| Tire size | |
| Location of tire code | |
| Type of tire failure code | |
| Was defective tire repaired? | |
| Date of manufacture | |
| Type of child seat code | |
| Type of restraint | |
| Dealer's name | |
| Dealer's telephone number | |
| Dealer's city | |
| Dealer's state code | |
| Dealer's ZIP code |