← New search

2002 Toyota Camry

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Camry years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Toyota Camry are substantially higher than the model-year median of 295.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

610 reports with mileage · 343 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 281 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 146 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 107 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

252 crash reports20 fire reports94 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

281 reports
Clear category filter
112,000 miles · Nov 30, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE RPM'S INCREASED TO 5,000. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WARNING SENSOR. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE RPM'S INCREASED TO 5,000. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WARNING SENSOR. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 112,000.

NHTSA ODI #10293955

39,000 miles · Nov 18, 2009
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

MY WIFE WAS PULLING INTO THE GARAGE AND THE AUTOMOBILE JUST TOOK OFF . LUCKILY SHE WAS STOPPED BY THE END OF THE CARPORT BY CONCRETE STEPS. SECOND, MY WIFE AND GRANDCHILD WHERE AT SHOPPING CENTER. MY WIFE WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND THE CAR, AS BEFORE, JUST TOOK OFF AT FULL THROTTLE. THIS TIME SHE WENT INTO A 180 D…

Read full complaint

MY WIFE WAS PULLING INTO THE GARAGE AND THE AUTOMOBILE JUST TOOK OFF . LUCKILY SHE WAS STOPPED BY THE END OF THE CARPORT BY CONCRETE STEPS. SECOND, MY WIFE AND GRANDCHILD WHERE AT SHOPPING CENTER. MY WIFE WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND THE CAR, AS BEFORE, JUST TOOK OFF AT FULL THROTTLE. THIS TIME SHE WENT INTO A 180 DEGREE SPIN AND STRUCK THREE OTHER AUTOS, WITH EXTENSIVE DAMAGES TO OUR CAT AND OTHERS. WE HAVE TAKEN THE AUTOMOBILE TWO TIMES TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY THEY FIND NOTHING WRONG. BEING THAT THIS CONDITION HAS HAPPENED TWICE, SO FAR, BOTH MY WIFE AND I ARE VERY CONCERNED AND WOULD LIKE THIS PROBLEM SOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10292844

47,000 miles · Nov 10, 2009
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE IN TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. SINCE THE TECHNICIANS COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. HE TRADED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 47,000. …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE IN TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. SINCE THE TECHNICIANS COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. HE TRADED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 47,000. UPDATED 12/08/09. LJ THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT, IT THEN CHANGED TO GREEN AND THEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE RPM'S RACE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT FULL FORCE AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAD DAMAGE TO HIS BUMPER, BUT NO DAMAGED TO THE OTHER VEHICLE. UPDATED 12/10/09.

NHTSA ODI #10291762

Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY LE. WHILE DRIVING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IMMEDIATELY AFTER AN AGGRESSIVE FORCE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WITHOUT WARN…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY LE. WHILE DRIVING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IMMEDIATELY AFTER AN AGGRESSIVE FORCE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. UPDATED 11/23/09 *BF UPDATED 11/24/09

NHTSA ODI #10290998

Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2009
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

I AM WRITING THIS LETTER ON BEHALF OF MY MOTHER. SHE DRIVES A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. LAST WEEK SHE INFORMED ME THAT HER CAR 'DID IT AGAIN' AND THAT SHE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. WELL, I DIDN'T FULLY UNDERSTAND WHEN SHE SAID HER CAR WOULD SOMETIMES ACCELERATE IN BURSTS UNTIL I SAW NIGHTLINE LAST NIGHT REGARDING THE TOYOTA RUN-AW…

Read full complaint

I AM WRITING THIS LETTER ON BEHALF OF MY MOTHER. SHE DRIVES A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. LAST WEEK SHE INFORMED ME THAT HER CAR 'DID IT AGAIN' AND THAT SHE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. WELL, I DIDN'T FULLY UNDERSTAND WHEN SHE SAID HER CAR WOULD SOMETIMES ACCELERATE IN BURSTS UNTIL I SAW NIGHTLINE LAST NIGHT REGARDING THE TOYOTA RUN-AWAY CAR ISSUE. HERE ARE THE INCIDENCES THAT HAVE HAPPENED TO MY MOM: 1)ON THE MORNING OF SEPTEMBER 3, 2009, SHE WAS BACKING OUT OF HER SPACE AT A SUPERMARKET PARKING LOT AND 'THE CAR BACK OUT REALLY FAST'. SHE WAS SO AFRAID THAT SHE WAS GOING TO HIT SOMEONE. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS BEHIND HER SO NO ONE GOT HURT. SHE TRIED APPLYING THE BRAKES TO NO AVAIL AND THEN TRIED MOVING THE GEARS AND EVENTUALLY THE CAR STOPPED. 2)ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2009, SHE WAS BACKING OUT FROM HER HOME AND THE CAR 'TOOK OFF AND WENT BACK REALLY FAST AND THEN SPUN AROUND AND THEN HIT A TREE ACROSS THE STREET' IN THE NEIGHBOR'S SWELL. SHE HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP. SHE THEN TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND THE CAR EVENTUALLY STOPPED. 3)ON OCTOBER 6, 2009, SHE WAS BACKING OUT FROM GETTING HER HAIR DONE AND 'THE CAR ACCELERATED, TURNED AROUND AND WENT TOWARDS THE HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET AND THEN WENT STRAIGHT INTO THE BACKYARD OF THE HOUSE---HITTING THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE ALONG THE WAY'. THE CAR WAS OUT OF CONTROL. THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK. THE CAR BROKE DOWN THE CLOTHES LINE. THANK GOD THAT NEITHER SHE, THE PASSENGER , NOR THE OWNER OF THE HOUSE GOT HURT. THE OWNER OF THE HOUSE WAS UNDER A CAR - FIXING IT IN THE BACKYARD. HAD HE NOT BEEN UNDER THE CAR, SHE FELT SURE THAT THE CAR WOULD HAVE HIT HIM. 4)ON OCTOBER 27, 2009 SHE WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE CAR 'JUST TOOK OFF GOING REALLY FAST'. SHE TOOK HER FEET OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL AND TRIED TO USE THE BRAKES. THAT'S WHEN SHE TOLD ME THAT SHE WAS SO SCARED AND DIDN'T WANT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANYMORE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10290947

40,945 miles · Nov 3, 2009
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE PULLING TO THE VALVOLINE SERVICE STATION TO GET AN OIL CHANGE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNINTENTIONALLY AND DROVE THROUGH THE SERVICE BAY, THE GAS STATION, AND THEN ONTO A SIDE STREET. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURE WERE CONTACTED. S…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE PULLING TO THE VALVOLINE SERVICE STATION TO GET AN OIL CHANGE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNINTENTIONALLY AND DROVE THROUGH THE SERVICE BAY, THE GAS STATION, AND THEN ONTO A SIDE STREET. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURE WERE CONTACTED. SHE WAS PARKING HER VEHICLE WHEN THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED. CONSEQUENTLY SHE CRASHED INTO SEVERAL VEHICLES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40945.

NHTSA ODI #10290836

30,000 miles · Oct 28, 2009
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. ON OCTOBER 22, 2009 SHE ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CAUSED HER TO CRASH INTO TWO PARKED VEHICLES. SHE WAS FORCED TO CRASH INTO THE PARKED VEHICLES OR A WALL IN ORDER TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP TO AND AVOID A TRAGEDY. THE DRIVER AN…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. ON OCTOBER 22, 2009 SHE ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CAUSED HER TO CRASH INTO TWO PARKED VEHICLES. SHE WAS FORCED TO CRASH INTO THE PARKED VEHICLES OR A WALL IN ORDER TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP TO AND AVOID A TRAGEDY. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION WAS DUE TO THE FLOOR MAT; HOWEVER, THE HOOKS ON THE FLOOR MAT HAVE AN ADDITIONAL COVER AND WAS NOT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN SHE CRASHED INTO THE THIRD VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THE AIR BAG SENSOR IS LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE AND THAT THE CRASH OCCURRED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHICH IS WHY THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE HONOLULU POLICE REPORT NUMBER 09383098. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #10290157

55,000 miles · Oct 9, 2009
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH INTO A DRIVEWAY HER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BRICK RETAINER WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO QUOTED A REPAIR COST OF $2000 TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT FENDER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT HE CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL DAMAGE DONE TO THE V…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH INTO A DRIVEWAY HER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BRICK RETAINER WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO QUOTED A REPAIR COST OF $2000 TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT FENDER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT HE CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL DAMAGE DONE TO THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE IT UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A BEAUTY SALON. THE POLICE WAS NOTIFIED AND A REPORT IS AVAILABLE. THE POLICE OFFICER STATED THAT THE CONTACT LOSS CONSCIOUSNESS PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS IN COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN ON BOTH OCCASIONS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS SOLD TO HER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONDUCT A SURVEY OF THE DAMAGES AND CHECK FOR A MECHANICAL FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT NOTIFIED BY THE DEALER IF A REPRESENTATIVE HAS ASSESSED THE DAMAGES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. UPDATED 11/13/09.*LJ UPDATED 11/16/09.*JB SEE ALSO ODI 10265717 *DSY

NHTSA ODI #10286930

39,000 miles · Jun 7, 2009
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

WHILE MY WIFE (DRIVER FOR 40 YEARS) WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE CAR ACCELERATED AT FULL THROTTLE, SHOT ACROSS THE STREET AND INTO THE NEIGHBORS' YARD AND CRASHED INTO A TREE WHICH PREVENTED THE CAR FROM CRASHING INTO THE HOUSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273039

50,000 miles · Apr 17, 2009
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS MODERATELY DAMAGED. ONE WEEK LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYE…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS MODERATELY DAMAGED. ONE WEEK LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED IN EITHER CRASH. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND A REPRESENTATIVE CONCLUDED AFTER INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE THAT NOTHING CAUSED THE SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. SEE ALSO 10286930 *DSY

NHTSA ODI #10265717

Official recalls

4

04V346000 · Air Bags:side/window

Jul 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.

01V372000 · Air Bags:frontal

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.

01V302000 · Tires

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.

01V306000 · Air Bags:frontal

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

4

DP06003 · 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.

Go deeper into Toyota Camry problems