IllustrationI HIT A DEER BETWEEN 55 AND 65MPH. I STRUCK THE ANIMAL WITH THE LEFT FRONT, IN THE HEADLIGHT AREA. I WANT TO KNOW WHY THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T GO OFF. THE CAR WAS A 2004 CAMRY. I AM THANKFUL THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T GO OFF, BUT WONDERING -WHY NOT. OVER $3600 IN DAMAGES. THANK YOU FOR ANY INFO YOU CAN GIVE ME. *TR
2004 Toyota Camry
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Camry years
Owner complaints for the 2004 Toyota Camry are substantially higher than the model-year median of 295.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Camry years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1700–25K
11225–50K
7950–75K
6075–100K
63100–150K
32150K+
516 reports with mileage · 122 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 238 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 80 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 79 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
199 crash reports11 fire reports96 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
79 reportsWHILE STOPPED AT A FULL STOP SIGN ANOTHER CAR REARENDED ME DOING ABOUT 55 MILES PER HOUR, PUSHING ME INTO THE CROSS STREET WHERE MY AUTO HIT A STOP SIGN AND POLE TOTALING THE AUTO WITH DAMAGE TO THE REAR,COMPLETE DRIVERS SIDE AND FRONT OF THE AUTO. HITTING THE STOP SIGN AND POLE AT ABOUT 55 MPH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSI…
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WHILE STOPPED AT A FULL STOP SIGN ANOTHER CAR REARENDED ME DOING ABOUT 55 MILES PER HOUR, PUSHING ME INTO THE CROSS STREET WHERE MY AUTO HIT A STOP SIGN AND POLE TOTALING THE AUTO WITH DAMAGE TO THE REAR,COMPLETE DRIVERS SIDE AND FRONT OF THE AUTO. HITTING THE STOP SIGN AND POLE AT ABOUT 55 MPH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING INJURY AND BEING TAKEN TO THE TRAUMA CENTER AT UCD MEDICAL CENTER. *TR
I BOUGHT A 2004 CAMRY ABOUT A MONTH AGO FROM MY LOCAL TOYOTA USED CAR DEALER. A WEEK LATER I TOLD THEM FRONT-END FELT FUNNY AND NEEDED TO BE CHECKED. THEY SAID I NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT. HAD THAT DONE. CALLED THEM LAST WEEK AND SAID I STILL FEEL LIKE THERE'S SOME SORT OF FRONT-END PROBLEM. MY BRAKE PEDAL IS SPONGY AND ALMOST TO THE …
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I BOUGHT A 2004 CAMRY ABOUT A MONTH AGO FROM MY LOCAL TOYOTA USED CAR DEALER. A WEEK LATER I TOLD THEM FRONT-END FELT FUNNY AND NEEDED TO BE CHECKED. THEY SAID I NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT. HAD THAT DONE. CALLED THEM LAST WEEK AND SAID I STILL FEEL LIKE THERE'S SOME SORT OF FRONT-END PROBLEM. MY BRAKE PEDAL IS SPONGY AND ALMOST TO THE GROUND. SOMETIMES I'M NOT SURE IF I'M GOING TO STOP IN TIME. ALSO TOLD THEM MY STEERING WHEEL WAS SHIMMYING. I WAS TOLD THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS PROBABLY INDICATING A TIRE BALANCE ISSUE AND THEY WOULD CHARGE ME $50 TO BALANCE/ROTATE MY TIRES. I DECIDED TO PUT THE MONEY TOWARD NEW FRONT TIRES INSTEAD HOPING THAT WOULD ALSO REDUCE ROAD NOISE. AS FOR THE BRAKES.... I WAS TOLD THAT WAS STANDARD FOR THE CAMRY MODELS AND WAS A KNOWN DESIGN ISSUE BUT NO CORRECTIONS WERE IN PLACE THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF. LAST WEEKEND I WAS IN A CRASH. MY BRAKES FAILED! MY ABS DID NOT ENGAGE AND MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30-40 MPH ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE PERSON IN FRONT HIT THEIR BRAKES. I HIT MINE AND CONTINUED TO SKID INTO THE BACK OF THEIR VEHICLE. I HAD PLENTY OF ROOM TO STOP. THERE'S NO REASON OTHER THAN BRAKE FAILURE FOR ME TO HAVE CRASHED. *TR
ACCIDENT ON MARCH 14TH, 2008. 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY WAS HIT IN PASSANGER DOOR BY CAR GING APPROX. 45 MPH. I WAS THE DRIVER OF THE CAMRY. THE SIDE AND CURTAIN AIRBAGS FAILED TO DELPOY. I SUFFERED SOME BLUNT HEAD TRAMA AND WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR 2 DAYS. THE CAMRY WAS TOTALED.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SPIRAL CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND WOULD COST $1,321. THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,087 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. UPDATED 04-02-0…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SPIRAL CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND WOULD COST $1,321. THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,087 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000. UPDATED 04-02-08 *BF
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE HORN WAS INOPERABLE AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS COLLAPSED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE COLLAPSE. AS OF DECEMBER 4, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE HORN WAS INOPERABLE AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS COLLAPSED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE COLLAPSE. AS OF DECEMBER 4, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED IN APRIL OF 2007 AND SHE FELT THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000. UPDATED 03-04- 08 *BF UPDATED 03/04/08 *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE SWITCHING LANES AT 35 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. SHE STATED THAT THE TIRES SLID WITHOUT RESISTANCE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE POLICE ARRIVED ON THE SCENE AND FILED A REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE SWITCHING LANES AT 35 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. SHE STATED THAT THE TIRES SLID WITHOUT RESISTANCE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE POLICE ARRIVED ON THE SCENE AND FILED A REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERAL MINOR INJURIES. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 23,000.
CRASH ON 8/4/07. NEITHER OF OUR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED OR SHOULDER STRAPS ON THE SEAT BELT WORKED. WE WERE STOPPED FOR A VEHICLE MAKING A LEFT TURN ON A HIGHWAY. THERE WAS A PICK-UP WAITING IN FRONT OF US. A DRIVER FAILED TO STOP AND REAR-ENDED US. MY HUSBAND'S HEAD WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. WE BOTH SUFFERED INJURIES, THAT WE ARE …
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CRASH ON 8/4/07. NEITHER OF OUR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED OR SHOULDER STRAPS ON THE SEAT BELT WORKED. WE WERE STOPPED FOR A VEHICLE MAKING A LEFT TURN ON A HIGHWAY. THERE WAS A PICK-UP WAITING IN FRONT OF US. A DRIVER FAILED TO STOP AND REAR-ENDED US. MY HUSBAND'S HEAD WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. WE BOTH SUFFERED INJURIES, THAT WE ARE STILL BEING TREATED FOR. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE SIDE AND FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A HEAD INJURY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY OR THE DEALER WILL NOT INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE V…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE SIDE AND FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A HEAD INJURY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY OR THE DEALER WILL NOT INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20,016.
I WAS ENTERING A PARKING SPACE. MY TOYOTA CAMRY (2004), HAD A SURGE OF ACCELERATION WHILE I WAS DEPRESSING THE BRAKE. IT WOULD NOT STOP CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD THROUGH A PARKING SIGN AND A CEMENT CURVE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AT THE TIME TO CRASH. *NM
Official recalls
311V539000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Nov 9, 2011
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AVALON VEHICLES; 2004 AND 2005 CAMRY, CAMRY SOLARA, HIGHLANDER, AND SIENNA VEHICLES, 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID; 2004 AND 2005 LEXUS ES330 AND RX330; AND 2006 LEXUS RX400H VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH THE 1MZ-FE OR 3MZ-FE ENGINE. THE AMOUNT OF ADHESIVE AGENT APPLIED BETWEEN THE OUTER RING AND THE TORSIONAL RUBBER DAMPER (INNER RING) IN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY MAY BE INADEQUATE. IF THE ADHESIVE IS INSUFFICIENT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE OUTER RING MAY BECOME MISALIGNED AND IT MAY NOT PROPERLY ROTATE WITH THE INNER RING, CAUSING NOISE AND/OR ILLUMINATION OF THE BATTERY DISCHARGE INDICATOR LIGHT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN SOME CASES, THE BELT FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM THE PULLEY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND A SUDDEN INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL CHECK THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY TO IDENTIFY WHETHER IT WAS PRODUCED BY THE U.S. SUPPLIER. IF SO, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PULLEY WITH A NEW ONE AT NO CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING EARLY JANUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
04V595000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
Dec 15, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A FRONT PASSENGER POWER SEAT, WHEN INSTALLING CERTAIN REAR-FACING INFANT CHILD SEAT BASES ONTO THE SEAT WITH AN EXCESSIVELY HIGH SEATBELT TENSION, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO UNSEAT A COMPONENT CALLED THE BUCKLE STATUS SWITCH FROM THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SWITCH BECOMES UNSEATED, THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM MAY MISTAKE THE REAR-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT FOR AN UNBELTED ADULT OCCUPANT, AND MAY NOT SUPPRESS THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT BUCKLE STATUS SWITCH. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN (SSC 40M) BEGAN ON DECEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987..
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.
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
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