I experienced a near death episode last month while driving on the highway. I was going at the flow of traffic in marin county in the inner most lane in the early morning. Suddenly, my steering completely lost control and did not function. It would not stay in my lane and kept erratically moved and swerved into the next lane then back and forth before making multiple 360 spins before hitting the guard rail all the way across the highway. My car brakes wasn't responding when I braked during this horrendous trauma. Thank god nobody hit me during this crazy car went out of control. Recently, I decided to google to see if other 2006 matrix had the same situation and was stunned to find that there are drivers with the same car models who experienced the same thing ! I was even more stunned to find out about the 2010 matrix that were in class action suits. I am infuriated and disgusted at the manufacturer for not recallign the vehicles!! they only recalled the 2010 and beyond. What about the older models>"?" I almost died in that accident. The company should be ashamed of themslves

- So San Francisco, CA, USA

My complaint was first filed on 3/25/2006 (ODI # 10153679). This is the 2nd complaint about the defective Toyota Matrix that I drove in 2006. I was driving a 2006 Toyota Matrix and lost total control over the vehicle. I was driving on rt 2 West bound out of boston during evening rush hour. I was trying to change lane to my right and found there was a car approaching and honked at me. I had not left my lane yet and tried to pull my car straight back. The car reacted by shifting too much to the left and I tried only to adjust it, keeping in mind that was a power-steered system, to keep it straight. There was a 1-2 seconds afterwards the car seemed to be on track and I was driving fine. After that 2 seconds, the car accelerated all of a sudden, gas pedal was down to the floor, the car veered toward the left on it's own. I tried to maintain it straight but in vain and completely lost control over it. The wheel was so solid and it was impossible to steer the car even just a little bit. It spun counterclockwise over 3 lanes toward my left and hit the central guardrail and stopped. The vehicle was totaled. The police issued me a ticket on the spot. Other than complaint ODI # 10153679 filed at this website after the incident, I also filed a complaint at Toyota's website on the same day (3/25/2006). The Matrix model was stopped in 2007 and continued in 2008 with an advertisement that it was a complete new design. I later checked the internet and found a very similar accident happened in New York state on 10/9/2005. A woman named [xxx], 55 of West harverstraw was driving a Matrix. Her car spun off route 287 in harding and she was hospitalized afterwards. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Pittsburgh, MA, USA

Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) hello I am the proud owner of a 2006 Toyota Matrix. In late 2007 while driving the car would shut off. I had it towed to sun Toyota (new port richey fl) in which they stated this model car has a faulty engine security device which causes the car to shut off. They replaced the computer and assured me there were no other problems. In early 2008 I started noticing when I would turn it would feel as if I lost total control of the steering, then suddenly I could straighten the wheel again. For months there was nothing Toyota would do. Just last week I started seeing reports of other Matrix/corrola owners experiencing the same incident. Yesterday I contacted sun Toyota to see if they will finally check my car out and to see if it had anything to do with the past computer/engine issue. Toyota informs me they have no record of my ever being there or the part being replaced. Luckily I saved my reciept which proves I was. My two compaints are that they refuse to aknowledge the steering problem or look at it and they have misplaced my previous records" I find it hard to beleive and quite convenient on their part. What can I do" I've even filed a complaint at Toyota Corp office only to be brushed off. I feel I'm stuck with an unsafe piece of junk that I paid 16K for and Toyota will not help me. Please help!!!! [xxx]

- New Port Richey , FL, USA

1. driving down road at 35mph on a clear sunny day. 2. 2006 Toyota Matrix jerked uncontrollably to the side as if the steering wheel was turned even though it was held straight for normal driving. This resulted in losing control of the car and nearly causing an accident with our infant in the backseat. 3. towed to maintenance center and they mentioned they had seen this problem several times before. They told us of a steering technical service bulletin ST005-01 that mentioned this problem. We have now towed it to the dealer and are waiting final resolution.

- Herndon, VA, USA

I just filed a complaint to NHTSA (#10153679) at this website. I forgot to mention that I searched on the internet and found a similar accident happened in NY state. Jean M. naples was driving a Toyota Matrix on route 287 northbound in harding and the car lost control and spun toward the left. She was treated at morristown memorial hospital. (if Toyota wants to see the complaint #10153679, I would like to open it to them. I originally specified "non-disclosure" because I did not want the hassle of getting involved in an investigation, questionnaire, forms, and all that stuff!)

- Acton, MA, USA

I drove a 2006 Toyota Matrix and lost control over the vehicle. I was trying to change lane to my right and found there was a car approaching and horned me. I had not left my lane and tried to pull my car straight. The car reacted by shifting too much to the left and I tried only to adjust it, keeping in mind that it was a power-steered system. To keep it straight. There was a 1-2 seconds afterwards the car seemed to be on track and I was driving fine. After that time period, the car veered toward the left all of a sudden. I tried to maintain it straight but in vain and completely lost control over it. It spun counterclockwise over 3 lanes toward my left and hit the central guardrail and stopped. The vehicle was totaled but I was not injured.

- Acton, MA, USA