NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
107 reportsClear category filter79,000 miles · Aug 11, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
CAR WAS FILLED WITH GAS ON RETURN TRIP AND WHILE IN TRAFFIC SUDDENLY BEGAN TO DECELERATE WITH NO WARNING. THE CAR WAS PULLED OVER AND STOPPED. SAMARITANS STOPPED TO SUPPORT STRANDED CAR AND WHEN THEY TRIED TO TURN THE CAR ON , IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. WHEN CHECKED BY A INDIVIDUAL WHO IDENTIFIED HIMSELF AS A MECHANIC, HE SAID, H…
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CAR WAS FILLED WITH GAS ON RETURN TRIP AND WHILE IN TRAFFIC SUDDENLY BEGAN TO DECELERATE WITH NO WARNING. THE CAR WAS PULLED OVER AND STOPPED. SAMARITANS STOPPED TO SUPPORT STRANDED CAR AND WHEN THEY TRIED TO TURN THE CAR ON , IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. WHEN CHECKED BY A INDIVIDUAL WHO IDENTIFIED HIMSELF AS A MECHANIC, HE SAID, HE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM. IT WAS CLEAR THAT THERE WAS OIL IN THE CAR AND IT WAS CLEAN. INSURANCE COMPANY AND TOWING SERVICE SUPPORT CALLED AND $400.00 PLUS DOLLARS LATER THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO LOCAL DEALER. AFTER CONVERSATION WITH DEALER REPRESENTATIVE , WE WERE INFORMED THAT OUR OBVIOUS NEGLIGENCE AROUND REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES WERE THE CAUSE OF THE OIL SLUDGE THAT CAUSED THE DAMAGE TO OUR CAR TO THE TUNE OF $4,600. SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS LATER, ALLOWING COOLER HEADS TO PREVAIL, WE WERE ABLE TO GAIN SOME SUPPORT FROM THE LOCAL DEALER HOWEVER WE WERE STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE SECOND HAND ENGINE BECAUSE TOYOTA REFUSED TO COVER THE COST OF THE PROBLEM.BECAUSE WE LIVE IN A SMALL COMMUNITY AND HAVE BEEN DOING BUSINESS WITH THIS GROUP FOR YEARS, WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE PART OF THE CAR THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC IN QUESTION REPORTED THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING QUITE LIKE THIS BEFORE AND HE HA BEEN WORKING FOR MANY YEARS AT THE SAME LOCATION. ADDITIONALLY, WE HAVE ACCESS TO THE PAPERWORK FROM OUR LOCAL MECHANIC WHO HAS ROUTINELY DONE THE OIL CHECKS SINCE WE'VE HAD THE CAR. EVEN AFTER PHONE CALLS AND LETTER REQUESTING THAT TOYOTA "DO THE RIGHT THING" EVEN THOUGH OUR SITUATION WAS A FEW MONTHS SHY OF THE "07 SETTLEMENT, THEY REFUSED TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10348858
78,000 miles · Jul 26, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON MY CAMRY 2002 SE ENGINE STALLS AND/OR ROUGH IDLES ANYTIME WHILE COLD OR AFTER BEING WARMED UP. PREMATURE AND UNJUSTIFIED THROTTLE BODY FAILURE IS SUSPECTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10345264
140,000 miles · Jul 13, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING LESS THAN 40 MPH, THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE OIL TEMPERATURE GAUGE INDICATED THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING LESS THAN 40 MPH, THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE OIL TEMPERATURE GAUGE INDICATED THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE ENGINE BE REPLACED DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS. THE TECHNICIAN ORDERED A NEW REPLACEMENT ENGINE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10343001
99,000 miles · Apr 22, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE VEHICLE LEAKING COOLANT AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THAT THE HEAD BOLTS WERE STRIPPED AND THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN. THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS COMMON WITH HIS PARTICULAR MODEL. THE VEHICLE H…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE VEHICLE LEAKING COOLANT AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THAT THE HEAD BOLTS WERE STRIPPED AND THE HEAD GASKET HAD BLOWN. THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS COMMON WITH HIS PARTICULAR MODEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 99,000.
NHTSA ODI #10327032
Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONSUMER WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS. *DT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE EMISSION SYSTEM. THE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED AND THE CONSUMER WAS CHARGED $600.00. TWO DAYS LATER, THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THE …
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2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONSUMER WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR REPAIRS. *DT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE EMISSION SYSTEM. THE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED AND THE CONSUMER WAS CHARGED $600.00. TWO DAYS LATER, THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. WHEN THE CONSUMER STOPPED FOR GAS, HE NOTICED THE GAS TANK WOULD NOT FILL UP, THE GAS WOULD SPILL OUT. THE CONSUMER WENT TO ANOTHER ESTABLISHMENT AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A PAIR OF PLIERS WERE ON THE VENT OF THE GAS TANK. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD A MISTAKE WAS MADE BY ONE OF THEIR MECHANICS. THE SECOND DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE VACUUM SWITCHING VALVE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10313223
180,000 miles · Mar 12, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
I WAS REAR-ENDED ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHEN I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN AND MOVE INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE, THE CAR ACCELERATED. I ENDED UP GOING DOWN AN EMBANKMENT HITTING SEVERAL TREES. THE CAR WAS EVENTUALLY SPUN AROUND AND CRASHED REAR END INTO A TREE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. MY PASSENGER AND I EXPERIENC…
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I WAS REAR-ENDED ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHEN I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN AND MOVE INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE, THE CAR ACCELERATED. I ENDED UP GOING DOWN AN EMBANKMENT HITTING SEVERAL TREES. THE CAR WAS EVENTUALLY SPUN AROUND AND CRASHED REAR END INTO A TREE. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. MY PASSENGER AND I EXPERIENCED CONCUSSION SYNDROME ALONG WITH MUSCLE SPASMS IN THE NECK, BACK, AND ANKLE. WE WERE TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO THE NEW BRITAIN GENERAL HOSPITAL WHERE WE WERE TREATED AND RELEASED . WE ARE BOTH RECEIVING FOLLOW-UP MEDICAL CARE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10319202
Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
I OWN A TOYOTA CAMRY 2002 V6. LATE 2009, THE CAR STARTS TO BLOW LIGHT BLUE SMOKE EVERYTIME I START THE ENGINE. I CALLED HAMER TOYOTA ON MISSION HILLS, CA ABOUT THE PROBLEM. IWAS TOLD THAT THEY WILL CHECK THE ENGINE BUT IT WILL COST ME $95.00 TO OPEN THE CYLINDER HEAD. I INFORMED THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT THE RECALL FOR ENGINE SL…
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I OWN A TOYOTA CAMRY 2002 V6. LATE 2009, THE CAR STARTS TO BLOW LIGHT BLUE SMOKE EVERYTIME I START THE ENGINE. I CALLED HAMER TOYOTA ON MISSION HILLS, CA ABOUT THE PROBLEM. IWAS TOLD THAT THEY WILL CHECK THE ENGINE BUT IT WILL COST ME $95.00 TO OPEN THE CYLINDER HEAD. I INFORMED THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT THE RECALL FOR ENGINE SLUDGE PROBLEM BUT HE STILL INSIST THAT THERE IS A CHARGE TO OPEN THE CYLINDER HEAD. HE SAID THAT IF WHAT IS CAUSING THE SMOKE IS THE ENGINE SLUDGE, THEY WILL NOT CHARGE $95.00. AFTER LEAVING THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS, THEY CALLED ME AND SAID THAT THE CAR'S ENGINE WAS SO CLEAN AND I TOOK GOOD CARE OF THE CAR. JUST WONDERING WHAT'S THE REASON WHY THE CAR IS EXHALING WHITE SMOKE UP TO NOW IF HE SAID THAT THE ENGINE IS CLEAN. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I CAN GO DIRECTLY TOYOTA TO FILE A COMPLAIN OR YOU CAN PUBLISH MY COMPLAIN ON YOUR WEBSITE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10317300
38,800 miles · Mar 5, 2010
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
WE HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH A 2.4 LITER ENGINE WITH A 38, 900 MILES IN THE ODOMETER. AND ON MARCH 4, 2010 MY WIFE CAME HOME FROM A THE GROCERY STORE ASKED ME TO CHECK THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IIS ON. I DROVE THE CAR FOR A TEST DRIVE AROUND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD FOR FIVE MINUTES WITH THE SPEED OF 10 MILES TO 15 …
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WE HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH A 2.4 LITER ENGINE WITH A 38, 900 MILES IN THE ODOMETER. AND ON MARCH 4, 2010 MY WIFE CAME HOME FROM A THE GROCERY STORE ASKED ME TO CHECK THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IIS ON. I DROVE THE CAR FOR A TEST DRIVE AROUND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD FOR FIVE MINUTES WITH THE SPEED OF 10 MILES TO 15 MILES AN HOUR. BEFORE I CAME TO THE STOP SIGN, THE ENGINE START RACING, RPM IS UP THE RED LINE, I COULD HEAR THE ENGINE ROAR. I STEP ON THE BRAKE HARD, SHIFT THE GEAR HARD INTO PARK AND TURN OFF THE IGNITION. I WAS SO LUCKY, I WAS DRIVING IN THE RIGHT PLACE AND THE RIGHT TIME WITH NO TRAFFIC AND KIDS PLAYING ON THE STREET. IF MY WIFE WOULD BE DRIVING AT THAT MOMENT ESPECIALLY SHE IS AN ELDERLY LIKE ME, IT COULD BE BIG ACCIDENT. IT'S A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE. I SUGGEST THAT 2002 CAMRY SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS HURT. THAT SAME DAY I CALLED TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE APPOINTMENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10317262
55,000 miles · Mar 3, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SE V6 - AROUND SEPTEMBER 2009 I BEGAN TO NOTICE SUDDEN SURGES IN ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-45 MPH. WITHOUT CHANGING THE POSITION OF THE GAS PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE-HESITATE-SURGE SEVERAL TIMES THEN SUDDENLY STOP THE BEHAVIOR. SINCE THEN, I NOTICE IT OCCURS AT LEAST ONCE EVERY 3 OUT OF 4 TIM…
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2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SE V6 - AROUND SEPTEMBER 2009 I BEGAN TO NOTICE SUDDEN SURGES IN ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-45 MPH. WITHOUT CHANGING THE POSITION OF THE GAS PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE-HESITATE-SURGE SEVERAL TIMES THEN SUDDENLY STOP THE BEHAVIOR. SINCE THEN, I NOTICE IT OCCURS AT LEAST ONCE EVERY 3 OUT OF 4 TIMES I'M DRIVING THE CAR. TO ME, THIS IS NOT RELATED TO ANYTHING ON THE FLOOR OR THE GAS PEDAL ITSELF. IT APPEARS TO COME FROM WITHIN THE ENGINE OR OTHER COMPONENT. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED OR PERFORMED. I AM CONSIDERING A VISIT TO THE DEALER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10315979
400 miles · Mar 2, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY V6 XLE HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH STUTTERING AS THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION, ENGINE OR COMPUTER IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. FOUR DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS HAVE LOOKED AT THE CAR AND THEIR ONLY STATEMENT IS THAT IF THE ENGINE LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON, THEY CAN'T DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. A NOW INDEPENDENT, FORMER TOYOTA M…
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MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY V6 XLE HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH STUTTERING AS THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION, ENGINE OR COMPUTER IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. FOUR DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS HAVE LOOKED AT THE CAR AND THEIR ONLY STATEMENT IS THAT IF THE ENGINE LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON, THEY CAN'T DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. A NOW INDEPENDENT, FORMER TOYOTA MECHANIC DID OBSERVE THE PROBLEM AND CAN'T DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WITH A COMPUTER. I WAS TREATED WITH ARROGANT DENIAL BY CUSTOMER SERVICE AT TOYOTA AND THEY BLACKMARKED ME ON THEIR SYSTEM-WIDE COMPUTER HISTORY. I DID LEARN THAT ONE PROBLEM WAS A RECALL PUBLICATION 3 MONTHS BEFORE I BOUGHT MY CAR THAT SAID THE COMPUTER NEEDED REPROGRAMMED. NONE OF THESE DEALERSHIPS KNEW THIS AND TOYOTA'S "ROMAN" IN CUSTOMER SERVICE DENIED ME ANY REIMBURSEMENT ABOUT THE REPROGRAMMING EVEN THOUGH I WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE ENGINE STUTTERING OR MISSING SINCE ABOUT ONE MONTH AFTER NEW PURCHASE TO THE PRESENT. THIS IS THE COMPANY DENIAL AND ARROGANCE THAT THE CONGRESS AND INVESTIGATORS ARE COMING UP AGAINST. TOYOTA JUST WON'T ACCEPT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR THAT HAS PERSISTED SINCE A MONTH AFTER NOVEMBER 2002 PURCHASE. NOW I GET EMAILS CALLING ME "FRIEND" FROM THEM WANTING MY BUSINESS AND SERVICE. I JUST WANT MY CAR TO RUN CORRECTLY AND FEAR THAT MY TRANSMISSION, ENGINE OR COMPUTER PROGRAM IS A FORERUNNER OF THE PROBLEMS COMING TO LIGHT LATELY BEFORE CONGRESS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10315924
Official recalls
4Jul 13, 2004
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAGS (CSA), ONE OR BOTH OF THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY BE TWISTED NEAR THE INFLATOR DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE CSA MAY NOT DEPLOY RAPIDLY ENOUGH WHEN ACTIVATED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION. THIS MAY RESULT IN FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE INTENDED HEAD PROTECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CSAS AND REPLACE THE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 6, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Dec 11, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A THREE-SPOKE STYLE STEERING WHEEL. DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE BOTTOM SEAM OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG MODULE COVER (HORN PAD) COULD BE TORN AWAY ALLOWING THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE COVER TO COMPLETELY DETACH FROM THE AIR BAG MODULE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS SHOULD OCCUR, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE DETACHED BOTTOM PORTION MAY STRIKE THE DRIVER CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-888-333-9376.
Oct 1, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL TOURING TIRES, P205-65R15 92S, INSTALLED AT THE PORTS IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA. THE INCORRECT TIRES WERE INSTALLED ON VEHICLES THAT HAD DAMAGED TIRES. THE TIRES WERE DAMAGED DURING A PORT UPGRADE TO ALUMINUM WHEELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE TIRES DO NOT CONFORM TO THE SPEED RATING FOR THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED THE MAXIMUM SPEED RATING (112 MPH), POSSIBLE TIRE FAILURE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FIVE TIRES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 13, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Sep 25, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INCOMPLETE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COULD OCCUR IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY. BOTH OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE AND ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THIS CAMPAIGN IS 100% COMPLETED. BOTH OWNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND THEIR VEHICLES REPAIRED.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
4DP06003 · 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
PE04021 · Throttle Control System
Opened Mar 3, 2004 · Closed Jul 22, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control
THE LEXUS MODELS WERE THE SUBJECT OF DEFECT PETITION (DP) 04-003.TWELVE ODI COMPLAINTS ARE DUPLICATIVE TO TOYOTA REPORTS, INCLUDING THE TWO MINOR CRASHES.THE V6 EQUIPPED SOLARA MODELS HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED BECAUSE THEY DO NOT CONTAIN THE SUBJECT THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM.TOYOTA INTRODUCED ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES BEGINNING IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002.ODI OPENED THE INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE IF THE SYSTEM COULD BE THE CAUSE OF COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THE ENGINE SPEED INCREASED, OR FAILED TO DECREASE, (FOR A SHORT DURATION) WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED (THE ALLEGED DEFECT).DURING THE COURSE OF THE INVESTIGATION, ODI ANALYZED AGENCY DATA AND REVIEWED VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE (VOQ) REPORTS, CONDUCTED INTERVIEWS INVOLVING 113 VOQ AND 36 TOYOTA REPORTS, INSPECTED TWO COMPLAINANT VEHICLES, REVIEWED RELEVANT TOYOTA SERVICE AND NEW CAR FEATURE DOCUMENTATION, REVIEWED AND ANALYZED TOYOTA?S RESPONSES TO ODI?S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER, CONDUCTED A LIMITED CONTROL PEDAL ASSESSMENT, AND ATTENDED A TOYOTA TECHNICAL PRESENTATION THAT INCLUDED THE ASSESSMENT OF TWO DEMONSTRATION VEHICLES.THROUGH INTERVIEWS, ODI IDENTIFIED 14 VOQ AND 6 TOYOTA REPORTS (20 UNIQUE VEHICLES) WHERE COMPLAINANTS REPORT MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.IN SOME CASES THE CONDITION WAS EXPERIENCED BY DIFFERENT VEHICLE OPERATORS OR WAS WITNESSED BY OTHER OCCUPANTS.ODI WAS UNABLE TO MAKE A DETERMINATION AS TO THE CAUSE OF 9 TOYOTA AND AN ADDITIONAL 37 VOQ REPORTS (WHICH DESCRIBE 28 UNIQUE INCIDENTS) DUE TO INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION.THE REMAINING COMPLAINANTS INTERVIEWED (62 VOQ, 21 TOYOTA) DESCRIBED CONDITIONS NOT CAUSED BY A FAILURE OF THE THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM AND WERE THUS CONSIDERED UNRELATED TO THE INVESTIGATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS INTERVIEWED REPORTED A COMPONENT FAILURE (OR OTHER INDICATOR OF A SYSTEM FAILURE) AS THE POTENTIAL CAUSE OF INCIDENTS RELEVANT TO THIS INVESTIGATION.IN MANY CASES, THE COMPLAINT VEHICLES WERE SUBSEQUENTLY INSPECTED BY DEALERSHIP OR MANUFACTURER REPRESENTATIVES WHO ALSO FAILED TO IDENTIFY A FAULT WITHIN THE VEHICLE.TOYOTA IDENTIFIED 43 RELATED WARRANTY CLAIMS, 24 OF WHICH WERE FOR DIAGNOSTIC PURPOSES ONLY (NO REPAIRS PERFORMED).ODI FOUND NOTHING ABNORMAL IN THE CONTROL PEDAL CONFIGURATION OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.A DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE THE ATTACHED SUMMARY FOR FURTHER DETAIL.
PE02079 · Engine Compartment Fire
Opened Oct 22, 2002 · Closed Mar 18, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
ODI'S DATA ANALYSIS FOUND THE FIRES RATES TO BE CONSISTENTLY LOW AND EVENLY DISTRIBUTED AMONG SIX MODEL YEARS AND SIX DIFFERENT ENGINE CONFIGURATIONS.ODI EXAMINED A VARIETY OF ROOT CAUSES, THOSE BEING DETONATION (RESULTING IN OIL PAN PUNCTURE FROM CONNECTING ROD), STARTER FIRES, VARIOUS FUEL RELATED FIRES, LEAKING OIL FILTERS, WIRING ISSUES, IMPROPER REPAIRS AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKS.NONE OF THE ISSUES EXAMINED HAD REPORTS THAT INDICATED A TREND WHEN NORMALIZED FOR POPULATON AND EXPOSURE.SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR FULL DETAILS.
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