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I have 2009 Matrix and hear the noise comming from the front left. I complained to dealer and he says it is because I did not do alignment on 20000 kilometers and now tires are not wearing properly. I told them to rotate the tires, which they did  but still I hear noise like baring or something. I am totaly disappointed in Toyota and won't be buying again.  

My Dad's health failed and his 2003 Toyota Matrix (only 38,000 mi) was parked for awhile. When I started driving it for my highway commute, I noticed some front end shake above 70 mph, high road noise, and cupping of the front tires. The symptoms are getting worse.
I've read hundreds of posts on several fora on this car and these problems.  Many people seem to have been told it is an alignment problem (if they are at the tire dealer) and that it is a tire problem (if they are at the alignment shop). It appears that the problems occur regardless of the tire brand, and cannot be solved by re-alignment (in most cases).  I dread having to deal with this.
The Matrix is a pretty poor excuse for an automobile even without these issues.  It is by far the poorest-handling small car that I have ever driven. I hate this car, and it was GIVEN to me (sorry, Mom).  

I am so glad I read this thread. I thought I was going crazy with my tires wearing out and the loud noises when I drive on the highway. How can we find out about a class action suit?  

I have a 2005 Toyota Matrix XR and I changed all 4 tires in Jan 2007.
I had a bad turn as I make left at a signal light and kind of hit the middle curb (not too hard. hardly 20 miles/hr in dec 2007.)
but I am not sure I caused the bad turn or the car itself acted funny.

I put in YoKo AS430  P205/55r16 89v,31416 60K EXC 40 &45 series each cost about 140.00 from NTB in Jan 2007.
now( nov 2009) when I took it for winter checkup and oil change they say my front tires are worn out and need change.
I drive very little. odometer is at 33,500 miles.
definetely I think there is a problem with tires and this model.  

I bought a used 2005 Matrix and because I drive a lot for work started having the problem with the same noise in my right front, thought it  was a bearing.  My son's friend who is a mechanic left the Toyota dealership a few years back to open his own garage.  He said it is a problem Toyota is fully aware of, won't do anything (yet) about it.  He also told me to run these tires (top of line)  I have and then  buy decent, not top of the line tires and immediately start rotating them with every oil change (3000-5000systhentic).  He also said other garages will say you need alignment/new struts/blah blah, but none of it will work.  The tire should be able to be cross rotated.  Hope that helps.  

I bought a used 2005 Matrix and because I drive a lot for work started having the problem with the same noise in my right front, thought it  was a bearing.  My son's friend who is a mechanic left the Toyota dealership a few years back to open his own garage.  He said it is a problem Toyota is fully aware of, won't do anything (yet) about it.  He also told me to run these tires (top of line)  I have and then  buy decent, not top of the line tires and immediately start rotating them with every oil change (3000-5000systhentic).  He also said other garages will say you need alignment/new struts/blah blah, but none of it will work.  The tire should be able to be cross rotated.  Hope that helps.  

I bought a used 2005 Matrix and because I drive a lot for work started having the problem with the same noise in my right front, thought it  was a bearing.  My son's friend who is a mechanic left the Toyota dealership a few years back to open his own garage.  He said it is a problem Toyota is fully aware of, won't do anything (yet) about it.  He also told me to run these tires (top of line)  I have and then  buy decent, not top of the line tires and immediately start rotating them with every oil change (3000-5000systhentic).  He also said other garages will say you need alignment/new struts/blah blah, but none of it will work.  The tire should be able to be cross rotated.  Hope that helps.  

I was wondering what your son's friend who worked at Toyota thinks is the actual issue (or perhaps he's not sure).  Does he think it really is the tires, if it's not the struts, alignment etc?
Thanks!  

I bought 2003 Matrix new and had to replace tires after 1.5 years. Now I have  noise in front left I think. I was about to buy new tires again, but don't really think I  need them because they are in very good shape.  Are my bearings going or anyone find a cause to the thumping helicopter noise?  Is there a class action suit against Toyota about their tire issues?  

A guy I work with talked to his mechanic friend and I guess there is a known issue with hub and boot but it was never taken to recall status.  Dont know what that means for any of us but I guess it a place to to start instead of blowin cash on tires every 2 years.  

same issue here, w/ a 2008 matrix. The place that changed the oil stated it was the struts that were leaking and therefore cupping the tires. I have had it in 2x's and the dealer said no. Anymore thought of class action regarding the tires?  

I have a 2009 Toyota Matrix with low profile tires.  My first set were completely bald at 15,000 miles.  At 20,000 miles I got my second set of tires and tried a new brand this time. At 25,000 miles I had them rotated for the first time.  Since that rotation the road noise on 45 mph and higher is horrible!  Toyota said the tires were cupping and feathering.  So I went to the tire dealer who put the second set on the car and they were going to give me about 20% off the cost of a new set.  What a joke!  Now that I've read the posts of all the other people who have had problems with their Matrix's tires I just can't believe it!  The car now has 32,000 miles on it and needs a THIRD set of tires.  Is there any recourse at all?  I bought this car to reduce expenses.  Buying new tires every single year wasn't what I had in mind!!!!  My Toyota dealer isn't about to accept any blame that's for sure!  What can I do??  

Quick question for all of those that have a Toyota Matrix:  Did any of you experience problems with the tires blowing out?  My 20 year old daughter had a tire blow out on her 2009 Toyota Matrix Sport, two months after taking it into the dealer for the 20K service, which included alignment of the wheels and rotation.  Fortunately she is ok, unfortunately the car was totaled.  She said she couldn't turn the wheels at all and the car pulled to the left and made her crash into the median.  The right rear was the tire that blew.  Any info would be appreciated.