'03 Matrix rear suspension defect

[kasilof]

We have a '03 Matrix with a factory defect that caused a wreck that almost killed my wife and mother-in-law.

The left rear lower control arm was misassembled at the factory. The wheel alignment bolt that passes through the lower bushing in the spindle assy was tightened while the offset washers were over the washer stop tabs on the lower control arm. This action bent the tabs inward rendering them useless as offset washer stop tabs. The rear wheel was aligned by pushing the offset washes hard against the inner offset washer stop tabs and tightening the nut. Eventually the bolt slipped causing the alignment to suddenly shift resulting in an accident.

We took it to the dealer (the only one within hundreds of miles. There are no other dealers.) and they said they went over it with a fine tooth comb and could find no problems other than what the wreck caused. We filed a complaint with Toyota but they sided with the dealer. We have also filed a complaint with NHTSA but expect that process to take some time.
We believe this is a cover up by Toyota just like the cover up of the sludge problem in their 4 cylinder engines. They just deny and hope for the best. Only this involves safety like the Ford Explorer problem that receives national attention.

We wish there was a way to post our pictures of the suspension defect so other Matrix owners can see what to look for. We have noticed some complaints on other forums of Matrix owners having to go to the dealers for realignments. Especially after hard cornering. If the dealer gets to repair and realign the car then customer will never be the wiser that their car had a defect like the one that caused our wreck.

As of this day we have a repaired wreck, with all the normal squeaks, rattles and clunks of a repaired wreck. And, we still cannot drive it past the end of the driveway because of the safety issue. Toyota refuses to repair the suspension under warranty and our insurance company refuses to cover the $500 cost to repair it because after inspecting the vehicle they came to the conclusion that it was a Toyota factory defect and not the insurance company's responsibility.

Buyers beware

[kdk]

If this has not been too long after the accident, so that all may still be proven, you might contact a mechanical engineer, get a professional mechanical study and take it to court with him as the expert witness and additional legal counsel, toyo to pay expenses upon a favorable judgement found for you. That is what engineers do for a living and the public. Toyo lawyers and management would likely prefer to settle out of court rather than have any of this entered into a public court record. Another avenue might be to send a letter of complaint directly to the owner of the company, Mr. Toyoda himself, with engineering study to support your claim and a descripsion of your treatment at Toyo managment hands, probably best translated into japanese, and possibly sent through diplomatic channels, or at the least contact your department of foreign affairs before sending any as to information about protocol. Good luck with all.

[foompla]

Id love to see some of the fixes other matrix owers had the dealership do tho. Do you have a link?