2009 Toyota Matrix. Consumer writes in regards to safety and operational issues with vehicle and seeks to return vehicle for refund of the purchase price. The consumer stated she has experienced several near accidents because of the inability to see oncoming vehicles approaching from the left and traffic (particularly pedestrian traffic) blocked completely from her view on the right by the large side mirrors. Additionally, backing up and detecting approaching vehicles from behind created an issue, because the pillars by the rear window blocked her view. In addition, the vehicle made a grinding sound while idling, and the under mount sounded as though there was a metal grinding on metal.

- Vista, CA, USA

The side rear-view mirror is large and creates a large blindspot so that it is very difficult to see objects when turning left. I was turning into my subdivision and almost hit a vehicle that was waiting for me to complete my turn before entering the intersection. I believe the vehicle was a red BMW sedan (small), and I didn't saw it until we almost collided. Fortunately I was going slowly enough to make a quick correction when the driver of the other vehicle honked. I have had numerous other similar incidents during the six months I have driven my car.

- St Louis, MO, USA

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 Toyota. I've driven them for years. This Matrix should be recalled. Thank you. Robert dubay

- Orono, ME, USA