Matrix recall from hell - Advise Needed

[toyo1111]

Need some help/advise on the recall of the 2007 Matrix ECM. Had the recall done after getting almost stranded in Nov. Car went haywire but I was able to limp home. Vehicle dealer was great and I've never had a problem with them until now. ECM (if that's what it's called) was replaced and vehicle ran fine.

Fast forward to July. Foul musty odor in the vehicle. Don't know where it's coming from but getting worse. Take a look around and find the entire passnger side (front/back) filled with water. Didn't notice it before because of the rubber mats. Used the wet vac and pulled about 3-5 gallons out with lots more under the carpet. I looked everwhere for leaks and found nothing. Upon further inspection of the passenger front foot well. I notice a missing carpet gromet and pull back the carpet below the replaced ECM. And there it is!!! Vent hose pulled free for the AC drain that's suppose to drain to the outside of the car and it's still leakiing water). How that much watet can buld up is beyond me but we used the AC a lot I guess.

I stop using AC and immediately call dealer for appointment explaining the dilemma. They have a look and of course deny any involvement explaining that it was too far removed from the repair date and at no time was that area touched or any carpet pulled back or moved during the ECM swap. We live in in the North and didn't start using AC until it got warm and the water build up/smell took time to find I say. They then start looking for excuses saying that another dealer must have worked on car pointing to anything to deny claim. The vehicle is still under the extended warranty through Toyota and any work done would be in the computer I say. Still no satisfaciton but they decide not to charge me to put the tube back in the drain. A monkey could have done that.....

I take the vehicle home, file a complaint with Toyota and take a closer look at job that they did. After pulling glove box out, I notice 2 wires coming from ECM and running across and down to the driver side. I follow the wires that have cheap crimps and notice that the only way they can run these wires is to pull the carpet back in the same location where the gromet was missing and the drain tube is located. This time though, the gromet magically reappears. Dealer replaced it when I brought it. Nice of them but now I am wondering if they are trying to cover it up.

Does anyone have advise on how to proceed. It would be great to know If the ECM swap does require the carpet to be pulled back to run these wires but I can't find any info on it anywhere. Dealer informed me that the only area that is touched to removre ECM in the glove box which I find hard to believe.

The water flooding will be a PITA to fix. I was told by the delaer that "I" would have to pull the passenger seat, pull the carpet, clean, dry etc...... Nice of them to provide directions on how to fix what I believe to be their mess....

Any help/advise greatly appreciated.......

[fishexpo101]

This will be a sticky situation - only thing that can possibly help you, is if you documented everything with some photos to show before/after taking the car to the dealership.

The procedure that the dealerships follow for replacing the ECM is outlined for them step by step. If you can get a copy of that procedure, that will tell you if they indeed had to move the carpet back. That will be the link you need to put the blame on the dealership. Don't bother talking with the service manager, unless they are on good terms with you, they will be just lip service.

File a complaint with Toyota Corporate and the Better Business Bureau - they should get back to you within a couple of days. If not, follow up with the dealership and Corporate. Keep your cool and document as much as you can.

But in the end, especially between the time of the original service to the problems you've had now - could be SOL. Just keep at them, get as much information as possible, any documentation that shows that they had to move carpet/shift AC drain tube out of the way - so that it puts the blame on them.

Good Luck.

[riveraddict]

The same thing happened to me on ECM replacement. The dealer would not accept responsibility but did look after the cost of removing all the carpet and drying it in the shop for a week plus applying some type of anti-mold spray. I drove the car with no carpet for this week. Even if the carpet is not removed (and I have no idea if it was) then it must be easy to dislodge the carpet/drain hose during ECM replacement and the fact that it happened to someone else makes me feel better about the position I took with them that it WAS their fault. Good luck!

[1337trix]

i didnt read most of the post but this is a normal toyota repair.. it happens in the matrix/corolla, camry... it actually happens often and probably has nothing to do with any work that was done

[rwd_3tc]

Since I'm a tech a a Toyota Dealership i'll chime in. When removing the ECU. Here is a step by step procedure.
1. Remove glove box.
2. Remove cover. (held by 2 push clips)
3. Disconnect the connectors I believe theres 5.
4. Remove the 2 10mm bolts.
5. Remove ECU and remove from tray.
6. and follow instructions in reverse.

There is NO reason to move a carpet.

[Tech1984]

I concur. With 200+ ECM's under my belt, NEVER had the need to pull carpet back. But in your defense, dealers today have run out of techs like me. Not to toot my own horn, but hey, ya know?
They are hiring line techs right out of quick lube and tech school. (if that's what you call it). It's down right scary what I see going on in the shop.

I've noticed in the past that if the front passenger really stretches their legs out, and places their feet under the cooler box, the hose can become detached.
It really pays to look under your car every once in a while to see if the evaporator is draining with ac use.