NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Air Bags complaints
19 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Aug 12, 2018
Air Bags
MY HUSBAND WAS REPLACING DOOR HANDLE WHEN HE TOOK OFF THE LEFT FRONT DOOR PANEL, HE FOUND THAT THE AIRBAG SENSOR HAS DISINTEGRATED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. WE TOOK PICTURES TOOK IT INTO DUBLIN CA TOYOTA. THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THIS. I THEN HAD SOME REPAIR WORK DONE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR AND THE OWNER OF THE SHOP ALSO REPORTED TH…
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MY HUSBAND WAS REPLACING DOOR HANDLE WHEN HE TOOK OFF THE LEFT FRONT DOOR PANEL, HE FOUND THAT THE AIRBAG SENSOR HAS DISINTEGRATED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. WE TOOK PICTURES TOOK IT INTO DUBLIN CA TOYOTA. THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THIS. I THEN HAD SOME REPAIR WORK DONE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR AND THE OWNER OF THE SHOP ALSO REPORTED THAT THE SAME THING ON THE RIGHT SIDE . HE STATED THAT THIS IS A DEFAULT AND IT COULD VERY LIKELY CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO GO OFF PREMATURELY OR NOT WORK IF THERE WAS AN IMPACT , THAT THIS WAS A DANGER TO WHO EVER WAS DRIVING MY CAR. I HAVE PHOTOS AND ALSO A REPORT FROM DUBLIN TOYOTA . I'M NOT ONLY IN FEAR FOR MY SAFETY BUT THE FACT THAT TOYOTA SHOWS NO CONCERN FOR MY SAFETY AND HOW MANY OTHERS COULD HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #11119445
109,000 miles · Jun 9, 2017
Air BagsStructureVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
PULLING INTO A DISABLED RETAIL PARKING SPACE AT VERY LOW SPEED, CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND HIT THE METAL PARKING POLE, DAMAGING THE FRONT BUMPER AND HOOD. EYEWITNESS TO COLLISION INCIDENT CONFIRMS THIS. CAR WAS BARELY IN MOTION AND MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. I RECEIVED WHIPLASH REQUIRING MEDICAL ATTENTION AND INJURY TO MY RIGHT KNEE…
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PULLING INTO A DISABLED RETAIL PARKING SPACE AT VERY LOW SPEED, CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND HIT THE METAL PARKING POLE, DAMAGING THE FRONT BUMPER AND HOOD. EYEWITNESS TO COLLISION INCIDENT CONFIRMS THIS. CAR WAS BARELY IN MOTION AND MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. I RECEIVED WHIPLASH REQUIRING MEDICAL ATTENTION AND INJURY TO MY RIGHT KNEE. AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR COMPANY STATES IMPACT WAS SO SEVERE THAT FRAME WAS BENT, RESULTING IN THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARING VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED EVEN THOUGH THE BUMPER DAMAGE OCCURRED RIGHT AT THE AIR BAG LOCATION ON DRIVER SIDE. TOYOTA SOLARA AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE SUDDEN LURCH FORWARD SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED SINCE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AT THE TIME AND BARELY MOVING. PICTURES AVAILABLE. POLICE REPORT NOT POSSIBLE AS THEY DO NOT COME TO PRIVATE PARKING PROPERTY. VEHICLE STILL DRIVABLE, SO IT WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA-APPROVED AUTO REPAIR SHOP.
NHTSA ODI #10994160
85,100 miles · Apr 20, 2017
Air BagsService BrakesSteeringCrashInjury
ON MARCH 6, 2016, MOVING WEST ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AT ABOUT 20 MPH 10:45 P.M., LESS THAN 500' FROM HOME. CRYSTAL CLEAR NIGHT. CAR FREEZES, STEERING & BRAKES LOCK, CAR LURCHES FORWARD AND KEEPS MUCH HIGHER SPEED. WITH BOTH ARMS, I PULLED CAR FROM HEAD-ON WITH UTILITY POLE TO VERY HIGH PALM TREE. HEAD-ON ITH TREE, AIRBAG RELEAS…
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ON MARCH 6, 2016, MOVING WEST ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AT ABOUT 20 MPH 10:45 P.M., LESS THAN 500' FROM HOME. CRYSTAL CLEAR NIGHT. CAR FREEZES, STEERING & BRAKES LOCK, CAR LURCHES FORWARD AND KEEPS MUCH HIGHER SPEED. WITH BOTH ARMS, I PULLED CAR FROM HEAD-ON WITH UTILITY POLE TO VERY HIGH PALM TREE. HEAD-ON ITH TREE, AIRBAG RELEASES, WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM HOOD. I TURNED CAR OFF, TOOK KEYS, CAR ENGINE CONTINUES AS DID HORN BLOWING & WHITE SMOKE. IT TOOK THREE AAA TRUCKS TO REMOVE CAR FROM TREE TRUNK, WITH STEERING AND BRAKES STILL LOCKED. CAR WAS ALONE ON A NEIGHBORHOOD ROAD MOVING WEST, DRIVER ALONE, VERY RESIDENTIAL WITH PEOPLE WALKING DOGS, PILOTS AND STEWS RUNNING, JOGGERS AND PUPS AND CATS PROWLING. NO ONE WAS AROUND. A GUARD FROM A GATED COMMUNITY ON THE STREET'S NORTH SIDE WAS THE 1ST TO APPEAR. EVENTUALLY 4 POLOCE OFFICERS WERE THERE, ONE TALKED TO ME OFTEN.
NHTSA ODI #10979427
98,000 miles · Aug 31, 2016
Air BagsCrashInjury
I HIT A PARKED VAN ON THE FRONT END. NEITHER OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I HAVE HAD A MRI DONE BECAUSE OF THE PAIN, AND HAVE SEVERAL VERTEBREAS INVOLVED. I NEED PHYSICAL THERAPY, SHOTS OR SURGERY TO HELP WITH PAIN. I CANNOT AFFORD THESE RESOURCES. I NEED TO FILE A CLAIM AGAINST THE INSURANCE COMPANY, OR PRODUCT LIABILITY FORM …
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I HIT A PARKED VAN ON THE FRONT END. NEITHER OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I HAVE HAD A MRI DONE BECAUSE OF THE PAIN, AND HAVE SEVERAL VERTEBREAS INVOLVED. I NEED PHYSICAL THERAPY, SHOTS OR SURGERY TO HELP WITH PAIN. I CANNOT AFFORD THESE RESOURCES. I NEED TO FILE A CLAIM AGAINST THE INSURANCE COMPANY, OR PRODUCT LIABILITY FORM TO RECEIVE THE PHYSICAL HELP I NEED. UNLESS TOYOTA WOULD RATHER SETTLE WITH ME ALONE, THIS WILL NEED TO BECOME A PUBLIC MATTER. I WAS DRIVING AND HIT A PARKED VAN. THE SUN WAS SETTING, SKINNY ROADS WITH NO LINES DIVIDING EACH LANE. PERSONAL NEIGHBORHOOD ST. PERSONALLY, I DO NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DATE.
NHTSA ODI #10902930
Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2016
Air Bags
TAMARA RECALL MY AIRBAG LIGHT BEEN ON FOR ABOUT TWO YEAR, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE CAUSE IS AND I'M REALLY CONCERNED DUE TO THE FACT THAT I AM PREGNANT. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIRBAG DEPLOYING WHILE DRIVING AND FEAR THE SAFETY OF MY UNBORN CHILD AND MYSELF.
NHTSA ODI #10838118
85,000 miles · Nov 15, 2014
Air Bags
DASHBOARD OF MY VEHICLE IS SO SEVERELY CRACKED FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE, I AM CONCERNED THE AIRBAG COULD BE DEPLOYED WITHOUT CAUSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10655219
Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2014
Air Bags
SEVERE CRACKING OVER AIR BAG COVER ON PASSENGER SIDE. FEAR THAT AIR BAGS ARE COMPROMISED AND WILL NOT DEPLOY OR DEPLOY PREMATURELY. ALSO THAT SHARP PIECES OF BROKEN DASHBOARD WILL HARM OTHERS IN CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10585146
Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2014
Air BagsStructure
DASHBOARD HAS BEEN CRACKING FOR A WHILE NOW AND GETTING WORSE. THE CRACKS ARE ALL AROUND THE GLOVE BOX WHERE THE AIRBAG IS LOCATED. I KEEP MY CAR IN THE GARAGE. VERY CONCERNED THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10562659
33,265 miles · Oct 29, 2013
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY INCREASED ACCELERATION. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD UPON BEING DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS MADE BY THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT THEN CRASHED INTO A TREE AND A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY INCREASED ACCELERATION. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD UPON BEING DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS MADE BY THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT THEN CRASHED INTO A TREE AND A ROW OF BUSHES. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND THEN CRASHED INTO A BRICK HOUSE. THE AIR BAGS FILED TO DEPLOY WITH THE IMPACT. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE LEFT SIDE OF HER BODY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,265. UPDATED 12/04/13*LJ UPDATED 12/9/2013 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10549936
149,611 miles · Oct 2, 2013
Air Bags
YOU HAVE SEVERAL SERVICE NOTICES TO REPLACE THE SEAT COVERS FOR THE SEATBELT LIGHT REMAINING ON ALSO COMPLAINTS ON THE AIR BAG PROBLEMS NOT JUST ON THE SOLARA BUT ALSO ON JUST THE CAMRY. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH HAS COME ON AND OFF SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. IT NOW IS ON MOST OF THE TIME. AS I UNDERSTAND IT WHEN IT IS O…
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YOU HAVE SEVERAL SERVICE NOTICES TO REPLACE THE SEAT COVERS FOR THE SEATBELT LIGHT REMAINING ON ALSO COMPLAINTS ON THE AIR BAG PROBLEMS NOT JUST ON THE SOLARA BUT ALSO ON JUST THE CAMRY. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH HAS COME ON AND OFF SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. IT NOW IS ON MOST OF THE TIME. AS I UNDERSTAND IT WHEN IT IS ON IT DISABLES THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WHICH IS DANGEROUS. THE "BUCKLE SAFETY SWITCH" AMONG OTHER THINGS MAY BE THE PROBLEM. TOYOTA HAS HAD PROBLEMS IN THESE AREAS WITH OTHER MODELS AND MADE RECALLS. THE SAME DEFECTS MAY BE IN OTHER MODELS AND THEY HAVE NOT YET RECALLED OR REPAIRED THE CARS. THEY SHOULD FIX THEIR DEFECTS FOR FREE FAST PRIOR TO SOMEONE GETTING KILLED.TOYOTA JUST WANTS TO CHARGE ME A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, DON'T YOU THINK THIS IS A LITTLE MUCH WHEN AN INOPERATIVE SAFETY SYSTEM WITH YOUR KNOWLEDGE COULD END UP IN A LIABILITY SUIT IF SOMETHING DID HAPPEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10546518
NHTSA investigations
2DP06003 · Engine Surging
Opened Sep 14, 2006 · Closed Apr 3, 2007
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
THE PETITIONER OWNS A MY 2006 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH A 4-CYLINDER ENGINE THAT WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JANUARY 2006. THE PETITIONER ALSO PREVIOUSLY OWNED A MY 2005 CAMRY. HE ALLEGES THAT BOTH VEHICLES EXHIBITED VEHICLE ENGINE SURGING, WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS A SHORT DURATION (1 TO 2 SECOND) INCREASE IN ENGINE SPEED OCCURRING WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS NOT DEPRESSED. IN AN INITIAL INTERVIEW, THE PETITIONER ESTIMATED THAT 6 TO 8 SURGE INCIDENTS, OF VARYING SEVERITY, OCCURRED IN THE MY 2006 VEHICLE OVER THE COURSE OF 10,000 MILES AND 7 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. THE PETITIONER REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS EFFECTIVE AT OVERCOMING THE SURGE. HOWEVER, HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT REPORTS FILED WITH NHTSA ALLEGING UNCONTROLLEDSURGING IN MY 2002 TO 2006 CAMRY VEHICLES BRINGING THOSE VEHICLES TO A HIGH RATE OF SPEED (IN SOME CASES, PURPORTEDLY, WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED).AFTER REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF THE AVAILABLE INFORMATION, ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED A VEHICLE-BASED DEFECT THAT WOULD HAVE PRODUCED THE ALLEGED ENGINE SURGE IN THE PETITIONER?S VEHICLE, NOR WAS IT ABLE TO WITNESS SUCH AN EVENT WHEN ROAD TESTING THE PETITIONER?S VEHICLE.EVALUATION OF A SUSPECT THROTTLE ACTUATOR REMOVED FROM THE PETITIONER?S VEHICLE DID NOT REVEAL A COMPONENT PROBLEM. WARRANTY AND PARTS SALES OF THE ACTUATOR ARE UNREMARKABLE.THESE DATA DO NOT SUPPORT THE EXISTENCE OF A WIDE-SPREAD DEFECT OR ONGOING CONCERN. THE FAULT DETECTION AND REACTION STRATEGY DESCRIBED IN TOYOTA?S TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS INDICATES THAT A LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL DUE TO A COMPONENT OR SYSTEM FAILURE WOULD BE DETECTED WITHIN A ONE SECOND PERIODAFTER WHICH ENGINE POWER WOULD BE LIMITED. THE PETITIONER?S MY 2006 VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEM OVERCOMES FULL ENGINE POWER AT EASILY ACHIEVABLE BRAKE PEDAL FORCES. BASED ON THE ANALYSIS CONDUCTED, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.CONSEQUENTLY, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.PLEASE SEE THE MARCH 9, 2007 FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
THE PETITIONER OWNS A MY 2006 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH A 4-CYLINDER ENGINE THAT WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JANUARY 2006. THE PETITIONER ALSO PREVIOUSLY OWNED A MY 2005 CAMRY. HE ALLEGES THAT BOTH VEHICLES EXHIBITED VEHICLE ENGINE SURGING, WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS A SHORT DURATION (1 TO 2 SECOND) INCREASE IN ENGINE SPEED OCCURRING WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS NOT DEPRESSED. IN AN INITIAL INTERVIEW, THE PETITIONER ESTIMATED THAT 6 TO 8 SURGE INCIDENTS, OF VARYING SEVERITY, OCCURRED IN THE MY 2006 VEHICLE OVER THE COURSE OF 10,000 MILES AND 7 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. THE PETITIONER REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS EFFECTIVE AT OVERCOMING THE SURGE. HOWEVER, HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT REPORTS FILED WITH NHTSA ALLEGING UNCONTROLLEDSURGING IN MY 2002 TO 2006 CAMRY VEHICLES BRINGING THOSE VEHICLES TO A HIGH RATE OF SPEED (IN SOME CASES, PURPORTEDLY, WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED).AFTER REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF THE AVAILABLE INFORMATION, ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED A VEHICLE-BASED DEFECT THAT WOULD HAVE PRODUCED THE ALLEGED ENGINE SURGE IN THE PETITIONER?S VEHICLE, NOR WAS IT ABLE TO WITNESS SUCH AN EVENT WHEN ROAD TESTING THE PETITIONER?S VEHICLE.EVALUATION OF A SUSPECT THROTTLE ACTUATOR REMOVED FROM THE PETITIONER?S VEHICLE DID NOT REVEAL A COMPONENT PROBLEM. WARRANTY AND PARTS SALES OF THE ACTUATOR ARE UNREMARKABLE.THESE DATA DO NOT SUPPORT THE EXISTENCE OF A WIDE-SPREAD DEFECT OR ONGOING CONCERN. THE FAULT DETECTION AND REACTION STRATEGY DESCRIBED IN TOYOTA?S TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS INDICATES THAT A LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL DUE TO A COMPONENT OR SYSTEM FAILURE WOULD BE DETECTED WITHIN A ONE SECOND PERIODAFTER WHICH ENGINE POWER WOULD BE LIMITED. THE PETITIONER?S MY 2006 VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEM OVERCOMES FULL ENGINE POWER AT EASILY ACHIEVABLE BRAKE PEDAL FORCES. BASED ON THE ANALYSIS CONDUCTED, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.CONSEQUENTLY, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.PLEASE SEE THE MARCH 9, 2007 FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
Vehicle Speed Control
THE PETITIONER OWNS A MY 2006 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH A 4-CYLINDER ENGINE THAT WAS PURCHASED NEW IN JANUARY 2006. THE PETITIONER ALSO PREVIOUSLY OWNED A MY 2005 CAMRY. HE ALLEGES THAT BOTH VEHICLES EXHIBITED VEHICLE ENGINE SURGING, WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS A SHORT DURATION (1 TO 2 SECOND) INCREASE IN ENGINE SPEED OCCURRING WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS NOT DEPRESSED. IN AN INITIAL INTERVIEW, THE PETITIONER ESTIMATED THAT 6 TO 8 SURGE INCIDENTS, OF VARYING SEVERITY, OCCURRED IN THE MY 2006 VEHICLE OVER THE COURSE OF 10,000 MILES AND 7 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. THE PETITIONER REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS EFFECTIVE AT OVERCOMING THE SURGE. HOWEVER, HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT REPORTS FILED WITH NHTSA ALLEGING UNCONTROLLEDSURGING IN MY 2002 TO 2006 CAMRY VEHICLES BRINGING THOSE VEHICLES TO A HIGH RATE OF SPEED (IN SOME CASES, PURPORTEDLY, WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED).AFTER REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF THE AVAILABLE INFORMATION, ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED A VEHICLE-BASED DEFECT THAT WOULD HAVE PRODUCED THE ALLEGED ENGINE SURGE IN THE PETITIONER?S VEHICLE, NOR WAS IT ABLE TO WITNESS SUCH AN EVENT WHEN ROAD TESTING THE PETITIONER?S VEHICLE.EVALUATION OF A SUSPECT THROTTLE ACTUATOR REMOVED FROM THE PETITIONER?S VEHICLE DID NOT REVEAL A COMPONENT PROBLEM. WARRANTY AND PARTS SALES OF THE ACTUATOR ARE UNREMARKABLE.THESE DATA DO NOT SUPPORT THE EXISTENCE OF A WIDE-SPREAD DEFECT OR ONGOING CONCERN. THE FAULT DETECTION AND REACTION STRATEGY DESCRIBED IN TOYOTA?S TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS INDICATES THAT A LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL DUE TO A COMPONENT OR SYSTEM FAILURE WOULD BE DETECTED WITHIN A ONE SECOND PERIODAFTER WHICH ENGINE POWER WOULD BE LIMITED. THE PETITIONER?S MY 2006 VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEM OVERCOMES FULL ENGINE POWER AT EASILY ACHIEVABLE BRAKE PEDAL FORCES. BASED ON THE ANALYSIS CONDUCTED, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.CONSEQUENTLY, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY?S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.PLEASE SEE THE MARCH 9, 2007 FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE FOR FURTHER DETAILS.
DP05002 · Vehicle Speed Control
Opened Aug 5, 2005 · Closed Jan 5, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control
IN A LETTER DATED JULY 8, 2005, AND AFTER EXPERIENCING TWO INCIDENTS (AND ONE CRASH) WHERE HE ALLEGES HIS MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002 CAMRY ACCELERATED WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT, MR. JORDAN ZIPRIN PETITIONED THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION?S (NHTSA) OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) TO COMMENCE A PROCEEDING TO DETERMINE THE EXISTENCE OF A DEFECT WITHIN THE ETC SYSTEM IN MY 2002 TO 2005 TOYOTA AND LEXUS VEHICLES, OR TO REOPEN A PRIOR INVESTIGATION PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE) 04-021.IN A LETTER DATED AUGUST 18, 2005, MR. ZIPRIN AMENDED HIS PETITION TO INCLUDE ALLEGATIONS OF INTERRELATED BRAKE AND ACCELERATION PROBLEMS THAT ALLEGEDLY RESULT IN INAPPROPRIATE AND UNCONTROLLABLE VEHICLE ACCELERATIONS.THE 1172 VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE REPORTS CITED BY THE PETITIONER INVOLVE 4 LEXUS AND 15 TOYOTA MODELS DEFINING A POPULATION OF 7 MILLION VEHICLES.THE REPORTS TYPICALLY ALLEGED A DEFECT IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM, THE THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM, OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH SYSTEMS.IN ITS REVIEW OF THE REPORTS, ODI A) FAILED TO FIND EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THE EXISTENCE OF A BRAKE RELATED DEFECT IN THE CITED MODELS, AND B) DETERMINED THAT MANY CITED PRODUCTS WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH ETC.ACCORDINGLY, ODI RESTRICTED ITS ANALYSIS TO THE 432 PETITIONER REPORTS INVOLVING MY 2002 TO 2005 CAMRY, SOLARA, AND ES MODELS (ALL EQUIPPED WITH ETC) THAT ALLEGED AN ABNORMAL THROTTLE CONTROL EVENT (SEE THE JANUARY 3, 2006 FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE FOR FURTHER DETAILS).ABOUT 40% OF THE 432 REPORTS INVOLVE A DRIVEABILITY CONCERN WHERE THE OPERATOR INTENTIONALLY APPLIES THE THROTTLE PEDAL, IN EXPECTATION THAT THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE, AND THEN EXPERIENCES A DELAY OR HESITATION IN VEHICLE RESPONSE.THESE REPORTS INVOLVE VEHICLE RESPONSE TO INTENTIONAL DRIVER COMMANDS WHICH ODI CONSIDERS UNRELATED TO THE ALLEGATIONS RAISED BY THE PETITIONER.THEREFORE, THE REPORTS DO NOT PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED.ABOUT 20% OF THE REPORTS INVOLVE INCIDENTS WHERE OPERATORS ALLEGE VEHICLE ACCELERATION WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT AND AN INABILITY OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WHEN APPLIED.NEITHER THE REPORTS, NOR THE INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED BY ODI, IDENTIFIED ANY VEHICLE-BASED CAUSE TO EXPLAIN THE INCIDENTS OR DISCLOSED EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THAT A FAILURE OF THE BRAKE OR THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM HAD OCCURRED.BECAUSE THESE REPORTS DO NOT INDICATE A DISTINCT SAFETY DEFECT FOR INVESTIGATION, THE REPORTS DO NOT PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED BY THE PETITIONERTHE REMAINING REPORTS (~ 40%, SIMILAR TO THE PETITIONER?S AND THOSE OF PE04-021) TYPICALLY DESCRIBE INCIDENTS WHERE A VEHICLE IS BEING MANEUVERED AT SLOW SPEED IN A CLOSE QUARTER SITUATION AT WHICH POINT THE OPERATOR ALLEGES THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT AND CRASHES.IN THE AFTERMATH, OPERATORS ARE UNSURE OF WHETHER THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED OR NOT, SOMETIMES STATING THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT TIME TO USE THE BRAKE; A CRASH OCCURRED AND THE OPERATOR BELIEVES AN UNCOMMANDED ACCELERATION CAUSED IT.IN SPITE OF THE EFFORT EXPENDED DURING PE04-021 AND DURING THIS ANALYSIS, ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED ANY VEHICLE-BASED CAUSE TO EXPLAIN THE REPORTS, OR UNCOVERED ANY EVIDENCE TO INDICATE THAT A THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE OCCURRED.THEREFORE, THE REPORTS HAVE AMBIGUOUS SIGNIFICANCE AND DO NOT CONSTITUTE A BASIS ON WHICH ANY FURTHER INVESTIGATIVE ACTION IS WARRANTED.BASED ON THE ANALYSIS CONDUCTED, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THE NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INVESTIGATION REQUESTED IN THE PETITION.CONSEQUENTLY, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA?S LIMITED RESOURCES T
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