2005 Toyota Matrix XR review from North America

Bad catalytic converter indicated by check engine light. This was covered under the federal 80,000 mile emission warranty.

I am having intermittent starting problems with this car. This occurs on average about twice a week. The engine turns over, but doesn't want to start. I turn the key off, try again and it turns over for a while then finally starts. I have heard that Toyota has had problems with the computer in the 2005 Matrix. I went to the dealer because the "check engine" light was on. The check engine light turned out to be a bad catalytic converter. The dealer wouldn't do anything about the computer because there was no trouble code indicating this.

Matrix owners -- have any of you had your computer replaced by Toyota under warranty? I am curious what needs to happen before I can get it replaced. The warranty for the computer expires in 4500 miles. Also, I saw a TSB put out by Toyota that shows part numbers of potential bad computers and mine was listed on there. The dealer was telling me that my car might have a dirty throttle body. I will clean that myself, but I doubt that will solve the problem.

Other than the starting issue, this car has been great for the few hundred miles I have owned it. It shifts smooth, gets great gas mileage (33+ mpg), and looks cool!