TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING A TURN, SHE WOULD HEAR A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THEY REFERRED HER TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND O…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING A TURN, SHE WOULD HEAR A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THEY REFERRED HER TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10489362
3,000 miles · Mar 8, 2012
Steering
I BOUGHT MY TOYOTA CAMRY 2003 LE BRAND NEW FROM KOONS TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN TYSONS CORNER, VIRGINIA BACK IN 2003. FEW MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE I NOTICED CAR ALWAYS PULLING TO THE LEFT. I WENT BACK TO DEALER BUT THEY CLAIM IT WAS JUST ROAD PULLING AND THAT IT WAS NORMAL. I ACCEPTED THAT AS AN ANSWER FROM CERTIFIED TOYOTA DEALER A…
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I BOUGHT MY TOYOTA CAMRY 2003 LE BRAND NEW FROM KOONS TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN TYSONS CORNER, VIRGINIA BACK IN 2003. FEW MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE I NOTICED CAR ALWAYS PULLING TO THE LEFT. I WENT BACK TO DEALER BUT THEY CLAIM IT WAS JUST ROAD PULLING AND THAT IT WAS NORMAL. I ACCEPTED THAT AS AN ANSWER FROM CERTIFIED TOYOTA DEALER AND WENT ON WITH MY LIFE. THIS WAS MY SECOND CAR SO I WAS NOT DRIVING IT MUCH AT THE TIME BUT I HAD REPLACED TIRES TWICE AND HAD DONE ALIGNMENT SEVERAL TIMES IN LESS THEN TWO YEARS. I STARTED DRIVING THIS CAR MORE AROUND THE TIME MY WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THEN REALIZED THAT THIS PROBLEM REQUIRES ME TO REPLACE MY TIRES AFTER EACH MAJOR TRIP...WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES. I KEPT ON DOING ALIGNMENT AND EVEN TRIED DIFFERENT TYPE OF TIRES, DIFFERENT DEALERS, ETC. I EVEN FOUND A TSB RELEASE FROM TOYOTA THAT MANY CLAIM FIXES THIS PROBLEM BUT DEALERS CLAIM IT DOES NOT APPLY TO TOYOTA CAMRY 2003 LE, THE DOCUMENT IN QUESTION IS TSB-ST0002-04. DO THIS DAY I HAVE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND NO WAY TO FIX IT. SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH ON TOYOTA CAMRY 2003 LE LEFT PULL PROBLEM WILL SHOW HOW BIG AND WIDESPREAD PROBLEM THIS IS. THIS IS A RATHER FRUSTRATING PROBLEM BECAUSE EACH DEALER CLAIMS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR YET I CANT BUY ENOUGH TIRES TO DRIVE THIS CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10450835
Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2011
Steering
I HAVE A 2003 CAMRY AND WHEN I STEER THERE'S A NOISE AS IF PLASTIC IS RUBBING WHEN I STEER RIGHT OR LEFT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10435987
27,000 miles · Nov 14, 2011
Steering
SQUEAKING STEERING COLUMN. ABNORMAL SOUNDS (SQUEAKING, CRACKING) CAN BE HEARD WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. TOYOTA SAYS IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND THERE WERE NO RECALL FOR 2003 MODEL, ONLY TSB--0296-08 WAS ISSUED. HAS TO PAY TO REPAIR THE DEFECT YOURSELF BECAUSE CAR IS BEYOND THE WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10435585
Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2011
Steering
I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY LE THAT I BOUGHT USED IN MAY 2007. I CAN NOT TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES I TOOK MY CAR BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE STEERING WOULD MAKE SOME KIND OF NOISE WHENEVER I TURNED RIGHT OR LEFT. I WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THERE'S A PLASTIC PART IN THE STEERING THAT GETS DRY AND IT HAS TO…
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I HAVE A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY LE THAT I BOUGHT USED IN MAY 2007. I CAN NOT TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES I TOOK MY CAR BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE STEERING WOULD MAKE SOME KIND OF NOISE WHENEVER I TURNED RIGHT OR LEFT. I WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THERE'S A PLASTIC PART IN THE STEERING THAT GETS DRY AND IT HAS TO BE LUBRICATED EVERY NOW AND THEN. WELL, NEEDLESS TO SAY, APRIL 2011 I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT MY RACK AND PINION IS SOOO BAD AND HE'S ONLY SEEN THIS PROBLEM ONE OTHER TIME. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THE CAR ISN'T OLD ENOUGH FOR THIS PROBLEM TO AFFECT THE STEERING THIS BADLY. IT COST ME $553! I DO HAVE THE STEERING PART IN MY TRUNK IN CASE THERE IS A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10435095
37,451 miles · Feb 7, 2011
Steering
MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY LE WITH 37,451 MILES IS EXPERIENCING A LOUD POPPING NOISE IN THE STEERING MECHANISM AND GETTING WORSE. DEALERSHIP ADVISED NEEDS INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. COST OF REPAIR $447.89. DEALERSHIP STATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SAFETY DEFECT. WAS UNABLE TO GET ANY SATISFACTION …
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MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY LE WITH 37,451 MILES IS EXPERIENCING A LOUD POPPING NOISE IN THE STEERING MECHANISM AND GETTING WORSE. DEALERSHIP ADVISED NEEDS INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. COST OF REPAIR $447.89. DEALERSHIP STATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SAFETY DEFECT. WAS UNABLE TO GET ANY SATISFACTION THROUGH THE DISTRICT OR NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES. *LN
NHTSA ODI #10381018
Mileage unknown · May 28, 2010
Steering
WHEN THE WEATHER IS COOL THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A GROANING SOUND EVERY TIME IT IS TURNED. TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A TSB ON THE PROBLEM BUT COULD ONLY BE REPAIRED WHEN UNDER WARRANTY. THE CAR IN QUESTION IS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY AND THE TSB WAS SENT OUT IN 2007, ONE YEAR AFTER THE WARRANTY WAS OVER. THE NOISE HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE…
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WHEN THE WEATHER IS COOL THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A GROANING SOUND EVERY TIME IT IS TURNED. TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A TSB ON THE PROBLEM BUT COULD ONLY BE REPAIRED WHEN UNDER WARRANTY. THE CAR IN QUESTION IS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY AND THE TSB WAS SENT OUT IN 2007, ONE YEAR AFTER THE WARRANTY WAS OVER. THE NOISE HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE, THEY CLAIM THAT THIS IS NOT A DANGEROUS SITUATION, BUT I AM NOT CONVINCED. THE ONLY COMMENT I GET BACK IS THAT THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ON TOYOTA'S. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10332638
500 miles · Apr 13, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering
SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW IT HAS HAD STRANGE SOUNDS IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER DISMISSED IT AS NORMAL SOUNDS RELATED TO THE WEATHER [IT IS COLD OUT OR IT IS HOT OUTSIDE]. THE SOUND PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE. I HAD THE POWER STEERING FLUID CHANGED AND WAS TOLD BY THE REPAIR SHOP THAT IT HAD THE WRONG FLUID. …
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SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW IT HAS HAD STRANGE SOUNDS IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER DISMISSED IT AS NORMAL SOUNDS RELATED TO THE WEATHER [IT IS COLD OUT OR IT IS HOT OUTSIDE]. THE SOUND PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE. I HAD THE POWER STEERING FLUID CHANGED AND WAS TOLD BY THE REPAIR SHOP THAT IT HAD THE WRONG FLUID. THE FLUID WAS THE PRODUCT THE CAR WAS DELIVERED WITH. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER CHANGING THE FLUID AND HAVING A WHEEL ALIGNMENT DONE- THE SOUNDS (LOUD SQUEAKING) PERSISTED. I TOOK THE CAR RECENTLY TO A DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY "GREASED" THE STEERING COLUMN WHICH ELIMINATED THE SQUEAKING, BUT NOW CLUNKING CAN BE HEARD FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE MECHANIC AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP CAUTIONED ME TO "KEEP MY EYE ON THIS" BECAUSE IT SOUNDS LIKE THE STEERING COLUMN IS BAD. THIS TOYOTA ONLY HAS 28,000 MILES ON IT, HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND HAS BEEN DEALER MAINTAINED. I FIND IT SUSPICIOUS THAT NO MENTION OF A BAD STEERING COLUMN WAS MADE WHILE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. I DRIVE THE CAR AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE I AM FRIGHTENED TO USE IT. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES ON THIS CAR. THE BRAKE PROBLEMS DATE BACK TO THE DAY I DROVE THE CAR HOME (NEW) FROM THE DEALERSHIP. THE STEERING PROBLEMS STARTED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. THIS CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED AT THE MANUFACTURERS EXPENSE FOR THE STEERING PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10325462
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMERS 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY HAS BRAKE PROBLEMS, WATER LEAKS IN THE TRUNK AND GAS RESERVOIR, DOORS DO NOT CLOSE PROPERLY RELEASING AIR INTO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. *TS SMOKE WOULD EMIT FROM THE EXHAUST ON COLD STARTS. THE ENGINE VALVE STEM SEALS WERE REPLACED DUE TO LOSS OF TENSION AND OIL WAS LEAKING INTO THE CYLINDERS. THE STRU…
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CONSUMERS 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY HAS BRAKE PROBLEMS, WATER LEAKS IN THE TRUNK AND GAS RESERVOIR, DOORS DO NOT CLOSE PROPERLY RELEASING AIR INTO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. *TS SMOKE WOULD EMIT FROM THE EXHAUST ON COLD STARTS. THE ENGINE VALVE STEM SEALS WERE REPLACED DUE TO LOSS OF TENSION AND OIL WAS LEAKING INTO THE CYLINDERS. THE STRUT SUPPORTS WERE REPLACED DUE THEM BEING WORN. THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS LEAKING, THE ENGINE MOUNT WAS CRACKED AND THE BATTERY WAS LEAKING.*JB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WAS A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE BRAKES WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED. THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE DASHBOARD. UPDATED 04/223/10.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10316533
40,000 miles · Mar 8, 2010
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; PROCEEDING TO MAKE A TURN. THERE WAS EXCESSIVE FORCE APPLIED TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER MAKING A TURN. IN ADDITION, DURING THE WINTER MONTHS THE FAILURE PROGRESSED MORE FREQUENTLY. THE VEHICL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; PROCEEDING TO MAKE A TURN. THERE WAS EXCESSIVE FORCE APPLIED TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER MAKING A TURN. IN ADDITION, DURING THE WINTER MONTHS THE FAILURE PROGRESSED MORE FREQUENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE TECHNICIAN DISPENSED POWER STEERING FLUID IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONTINUOUS WITHOUT NO RESOLUTION. THE CONTACT IS WAITING ON A RESPONSE FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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.
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