Recall Alert: 2003-04 Pontiac Vibe

General Motors is recalling 135,749 model year 2003-04 Pontiac Vibe hatchbacks due to an electrical problem that could cause the airbags to deploy, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In the affected vehicles, manufactured between Jan. 18, 2002, and April 27, 2004, the supplemental restraint system circuits are susceptible to internal electrical shorting; this may create an abnormal current flow and increased heat, which may damage the circuits. The problem could result in an inadvertent deployment of the front airbags or seat belt pretensioners, increasing the risk of a crash.

General Motors will notify owners, though no notification schedule has been specified. Dealers will install a supplemental harness containing an electrical filter between the airbag control module and its wire harness for free. Owners can call GM at 800-620-7668 or NHTSA's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

Today's recall follows Wednesday's recall of 752,000 model year 2003-04 Corolla compact sedans and Matrix hatchbacks; the Pontiac Vibe is related to the Matrix and was produced during a Toyota-GM partnership.

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Reader Review of the Week: 2009 Toyota Matrix

Don’t always believe the hype. At least, that’s the lesson “Lifetime Hatchback Owner” from Chicago took away from his experience with the 2009 Toyota Matrix. Impressed by Toyota’s strong reputation of affordable, reliable cars, the purchase of a Matrix seemed like a no-brainer. The reality of the car differed from his expectations, though. Read the full review to find out why the Matrix couldn’t earn this reviewer’s recommendation, then post your own review here.

2010 Toyota Corolla, Matrix Get Standard Stability Control

The 2010 Toyota Corolla and Matrix will start arriving at dealerships in late February with some newly added safety features.

The Corolla and Matrix — which share a common platform and powertrains — now come standard with electronic stability control and traction control in all trim levels.

By 2012, the government will requiring all vehicles to feature stability control; apparently, Toyota is getting a head start on completing this task.

Does this affect the price? On the Corolla, no; prices will remain the same, with a starting price of $15,350 (plus a $720 destination charge).

The Matrix will cost $16,550, which is a $260 increase from the 2009 model year. If you don’t recall the specifics of electronic stability control or traction control, you can get caught up on them here.

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Toyota Corolla News
Toyota Matrix News

Friday Fleet Notes: 4.25.08

This Friday's fleet notes come packed with insightful takes on the Saturn Astra, Infiniti EX35, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic EX-L, and Toyota Matrix XRS. Our staff had plenty to say, both good and bad, about the vehicles, so be sure to check out their posts, then link to the expert reviews after the jump.

2008 Saturn Astra

• This was a bummer for me. I was soooo looking forward to driving this car, but when I got behind the wheel I was again greeted by anemic acceleration. However, unlike the Corolla, the Astra XR is supposed to be a fun-to-drive machine. I did not experience much fun. It handled well but felt heavy. The automatic transmission was a dog, and do I need to mention the controls? A fellow reviewer called them hieroglyphics because the symbols are so hard to translate. There’s no USB or AUX-in capability either, not even as an option. Eegads. It was nice-looking, though, I’ll give it that. — David Thomas, senior editor

Video: 2009 Toyota Matrix

For 2009, Toyota redesigned not only the Corolla, its popular compact, but also the Matrix hatchback with which Corolla shares a platform. The Matrix delivers a lot more utility than the Corolla, but the new 2009 update enters a marketplace with a lot of new competition. Kelsey Mays walks us around the new Matrix and tries to figure out how well it stacks up.

Video: 2009 Toyota Matrix Quick Drive

Cars.com Reviews the 2009 Toyota Matrix

It’s not all about the Honda Pilot this week. In fact, another all-new-for-2009 model recently graced our test fleet — the 2009 Toyota Matrix. Kelsey Mays spent some significant seat time in the hatchback. We won’t ruin the plot, but the key seems to be all about “bang for the buck.” See if the Matrix passes that test.

2009 Toyota Matrix Expert Review

Recall Alert: 2003-04 Toyota Corolla, Matrix

Toyota is recalling 539,500 2003 and 2004 Corolla and Matrix cars equipped with power windows. The bolts in the power window system can loosen and cause the window to shatter. 

There have been 143 incidents that led to broken windows, so this is not an isolated case. Toyota says there has been one minor accident and 15 injuries directly related to the defect. A notice will go out to owners later this month. Dealers will replace both front window bolts at no charge. 

The company says owners with these loose bolts will hear an abnormal noise from either window when they’re being operated. For more information, concerned owners can call Toyota at 800-331-4331.

Toyota recalling Corolla, Matrix cars because of power windows (Chicago Tribune)

Toyota Prices New 2009 Corolla and Matrix

The redesigned Corolla and Matrix will arrive at dealerships next month, and today we learn more about how much each of the new models will cost. The range for the Corolla will be $15,250 to $19,950, and the Matrix will range from $16,190 to $21,850. The base 2009 Corolla will cost $845 more than the 2008 base model. Toyota has changed the base CE trim level to a “Standard” trim level for 2009, just to help confuse things some.

The Matrix’s starting price of $16,190 is $680 more than the outgoing 2008’s $15,510. None of the prices include a $650 destination charge. A full breakdown of trim-level pricing is below, as is where you can find more information, photos and specs of the new models.

Video: 2009 Toyota Matrix

One important model that consumers will get their first look at during the L.A. auto show is the all-new Toyota Matrix. Cars.com managing editor Patrick Olsen gives us a quick run-through of what’s changed for 2009.

Up Close With the 2009 Toyota Matrix

The new Toyota Corolla and Matrix are making their consumer auto show debut here in L.A., and that means this is the first chance we've had to take a closer look at them.

• As a small hatchback, the Matrix's interior was fairly roomy, and the one-hand-droppable second row was a nice touch. Legroom in the backseat was reasonable, and the trunk/hatch space was decent. I sat in the XRS "prototype," and I liked its aggressive feel inside and out.
  
  As the dad of a soon-to-be teen driver, I might feel more comfortable letting my son drive the revamped Corolla (or, more likely, a 2003 Corolla); I'd be a little worried with him behind the wheel of the Matrix XRS' five-speed manual with the 158-hp engine. Yeah, it's a Toyota, but I can already smell the burnt rubber. — Patrick Olsen, 12:05 p.m.

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