WHEN I CHECK THE REAR LIGHTS OF MY TOYOTA, I PERCEIVED THAT ONE OF THE REAR LIGHTS WON'T TURN ON WHEN I TURN IT ON. THEN I CHECK THE SAME LIGHT FROM OTHERS 6 TOYOTA CAMRY 2004 AND I PERCEIVE THAT ALL CAR HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THAT LEFT REAR SIDE LIGHT. *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
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.
Electrical System complaints
37 reportsIN PARKING GARAGE I WANTED TO BACK UP FROM POST. I PUT CAR IN REVERSE AND HAD FOOT ON BRAKE. WHEN I RELEASED BRAKE SLIGHTLY, THE ENGINE ROARED AND THE CAR LUNGED BACK AND EVEN WITH MY FOOT MASHING ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR JUMPED A CURB IN THE GARAGE AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL IT HIT AN SUV AND KNOCKED IT INTO A BRICK WALL. MY PASSEN…
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IN PARKING GARAGE I WANTED TO BACK UP FROM POST. I PUT CAR IN REVERSE AND HAD FOOT ON BRAKE. WHEN I RELEASED BRAKE SLIGHTLY, THE ENGINE ROARED AND THE CAR LUNGED BACK AND EVEN WITH MY FOOT MASHING ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR JUMPED A CURB IN THE GARAGE AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL IT HIT AN SUV AND KNOCKED IT INTO A BRICK WALL. MY PASSENGER SUFFERED A SUBDURAL HEMATOMA AND WAS HOSPITALIZED IN PORTLAND, OR DURING CHRISTMAS VACATION. SHE HAD TO REMAIN IN PORTAND 30 DAYS UNTIL SHE HAD A CLEAR CTSCAN. JANUARY 21, 2013 I WAS STOPPED FOR STOP SIGN WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE, WHEN SAME VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AT ABOUT 30 MPH. I HAD A REPEAT WHEN I WAS BRAKING TO SLOW DOWN FOR A TURN, AND VEHICLE JUST LUNGED FORWARD AND IT TOOK ME HALF A BLOCK TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. ON JANUARY 26, 2013 I HAD A REPEAT OF THE STOP SIGN INCIDENT. I HAD FOOT ON BRAKE AND WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, WHEN CAR LUNGED FORWARD. FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO CARS COMING AND I SAFELY MADE A LEFT TURN AS IT WAS A DEAD END STREET. AGAIN IT TOOK ME ABOUT HALF A BLOCK TO GET THE CAR TO COME TO A STOP AGAIN. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE THIS CAR AND HAVE LEFT IT WITH A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND HAD BRAKES REPAIRED. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SERVICE MANAGER, RICK, AND AT HQ, [XXX], ABOUT MY ISSUES. TOYOTA HAS POLITELY BRUSHED ME OFF LIKE A PIECE OF LINT BOTH FOR THE ACCIDENT IN 2007 AND MY CURRENT ISSUES. I HAVE JOINED THE CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST TOYOTA AND AM REQUESTING THE BRAKE OVERRIDE AS A STOP-GAS MEASURE. I CURRENTLY HAVE 82,700 MILES ON VEHICLE AND HAD PLANNED TO DRIVE IT FOR SEVERAL MORE YEARS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
AFTER ENTERING A PARKING LOT MY MOTHER-IN-LAW WAS TURNING INTO A SPOT WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED THRU THE SPOT AND WAS HEADING FOR THE CONCRETE WALL. SHE WAS ABLE TO TURN IT TO THE LEFT, RUN OVER THE CURB AND IN TO A SNOW BANK. SHE WAS UNABLE TO BACK THE CAR OUT AND HAD TO BE TOWED OUT. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END, …
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AFTER ENTERING A PARKING LOT MY MOTHER-IN-LAW WAS TURNING INTO A SPOT WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED THRU THE SPOT AND WAS HEADING FOR THE CONCRETE WALL. SHE WAS ABLE TO TURN IT TO THE LEFT, RUN OVER THE CURB AND IN TO A SNOW BANK. SHE WAS UNABLE TO BACK THE CAR OUT AND HAD TO BE TOWED OUT. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END, BUT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID THAT SHE COULD DRIVE IT HOME AND SHE MANAGED TO DO SO, BUT SHE WAS SCARED TO DO SO. IT IS NOW SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY AND WILL NOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL WE ARE SATISFIED WITH THE REPAIRS TO THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM. I AM STILL WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE DEALER?. *TR
THIS PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH THE POWER DOOR ACTUATOR ON THE DRIVER DOOR. THE MALFUNCTION STARTED INTERMITTENTLY AT CERTAIN TEMPERATURES. THE DOOR LOCK ON DRIVER SIDE WOULD NOT WORK WHEN PRESSING THE REMOTE OR PRESSING THE POWER DOOR LOCK BUTTON ON DRIVER DOOR. AS THE PROBLEM PROGRESSED THE INTERIOR DOOR LOCK BUTTON AND LATCH STOP…
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THIS PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH THE POWER DOOR ACTUATOR ON THE DRIVER DOOR. THE MALFUNCTION STARTED INTERMITTENTLY AT CERTAIN TEMPERATURES. THE DOOR LOCK ON DRIVER SIDE WOULD NOT WORK WHEN PRESSING THE REMOTE OR PRESSING THE POWER DOOR LOCK BUTTON ON DRIVER DOOR. AS THE PROBLEM PROGRESSED THE INTERIOR DOOR LOCK BUTTON AND LATCH STOPPED FUNCTIONING IN MANUAL MODE. NOT ALLOWING THE DRIVER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE LOCK DOES NOT OPEN ANYMORE AND DOES NOT OVERRIDE THE MALFUNCTIONING DOOR ACTUATOR. AS A RESULT, SHOULD I NEED TO QUICKLY EGRESS THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY SUCH AS A FIRE OR OTHERWISE I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DO SO. THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR AT THIS TIME IS TO PRESS THE POWER DOOR LOCK BUTTON BACK AND FORTH UNTIL SOMETHING CATCHES ON, AND THE BUTTON OPENS. HOWEVER, THIS WILL LIKELY NOT WORK IN AN EMERGENCY. I'VE REQUESTED THAT TOYOTA REPLACE THE FAULTY PART, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT GIVEN THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR IT. I REQUESTED THAT THEY TAKE MY CASE TO SOUTHEASTERN TOYOTA UPPER MANAGEMENT TO MAKE A DECISION. ACCORDING TO THE TOYOTA DEALER I WAS AT, THE SERVICE MANAGER FOR THE ENTIRE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES DID NOT AGREE WITH MY COMPLAINT AND DID NOT THINK IT WAS WITHIN THEIR DUTIES TO REPLACE THE PART. MY INVESTIGATION INTO THE ISSUE HAS REVEALED THAT THIS ISSUE REPEATS WITH MANY OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME MODEL YEARS 02-06. SEE THE FOLLOWING LINKS: HTTP://WWW.TOYOTANATION.COM/FORUM/104-5TH-6TH-GENERATION-2002-2006-2007-2011/144851-2003-CAMRY-DOOR-LOCK-PROBLEM.HTML . IT IS APPARENT THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT TOYOTA MUST BE AWARE OF AND REFUSES TO DEAL WITH GIVEN THAT NO FATALITIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED (TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE). HOWEVER, DOES SOMEONE NEED TO GET INJURED OR POSSIBLY LOSE THEIR LIFE UNTIL THIS PROBLEM IS RESOLVED BY THE MANUFACTURER? PLEASE ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. *TR
ALL THREE PASSENGER POWER DOOR LOCKS QUIT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THEY WILL STILL "LOCK" BUT WILL NOT "OPEN" DOOR LOCKS. HANFORD TOYOTA TOLD US THE ELECTRICAL MOTORS BECAME TOO WEAK TO OPEN THE LOCKS. BUT THEY ALL HAPPENED AT THE SAME TIME! CAR HAD APPROX 73847 MILES ON ODOMETER. REPAIR/REPLACEMENT COST IS APPROX $300 …
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ALL THREE PASSENGER POWER DOOR LOCKS QUIT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THEY WILL STILL "LOCK" BUT WILL NOT "OPEN" DOOR LOCKS. HANFORD TOYOTA TOLD US THE ELECTRICAL MOTORS BECAME TOO WEAK TO OPEN THE LOCKS. BUT THEY ALL HAPPENED AT THE SAME TIME! CAR HAD APPROX 73847 MILES ON ODOMETER. REPAIR/REPLACEMENT COST IS APPROX $300 PER DOOR. I FEEL THERE COULD BECOME A DANGEROUS FIRE POTENTIAL AND SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER RECALL. *TR
ON AUGUST 4, 2012, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL ON MY 2004 CAMRY BROKE. MY CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE AND SUDDEN STOP, WHICH I AM VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE NOT BEEN HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. I WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR AND MANY CARS WERE FORCED TO SWERVE AROUND ME TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. ALL OF THE LIG…
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ON AUGUST 4, 2012, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL ON MY 2004 CAMRY BROKE. MY CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE AND SUDDEN STOP, WHICH I AM VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE NOT BEEN HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. I WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR AND MANY CARS WERE FORCED TO SWERVE AROUND ME TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD WERE FLASHING. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TRIED TO RESTART IT, THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES, BUT WAS ONLY ABLE TO DRIVE AT 10 MPH. MY MECHANIC CHECKED THE ENGINE CODE & FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE THE THROTTLE BODY ACTUATOR CONTROL. THE PRICE FOR THE PART WAS $900, NOT INCLUDING LABOR. I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM LIA TOYOTA OF NORTHAMPTON, WHOM I HAVE CONTACTED & THEY WILL NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURING OF NORTH AMERICA OFFICE IN KENTUCKY AND AM WAITING FOR A RESPONSE. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AS IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REPLACING THE SPARK PLUG THE CONNECTOR TO THE IGNITION COIL WAS ABNORMALLY DRY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION COIL CONNECTOR WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH 35,000 MILES WHEN I BOUGHT IT. I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR STALLING WHEN ACCELERATED, I TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE TO HAVE THEM CHECK WITH A COMPUTER WHICH IT SHOWED THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTLE. I CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALER AND I HAVE BEEN GETTING THE RUN AROUND, AS DAYS G…
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I RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH 35,000 MILES WHEN I BOUGHT IT. I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR STALLING WHEN ACCELERATED, I TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE TO HAVE THEM CHECK WITH A COMPUTER WHICH IT SHOWED THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTLE. I CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALER AND I HAVE BEEN GETTING THE RUN AROUND, AS DAYS GOES BY THE PROBLEM HAS INCREASED, NOW THE GAS PEDAL DOESNT NEED TO BE PRESSED FOR THE CAR TO TAKE OFF, THE RPM GOES TO 1500 EVEN WITH THE BREAKS ON. I WORK 6 MILES FROM THE HOUSE AND I HAD TO START THE CAR 8 TIMES TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT TO WORK. I REALLY THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT TOYOTA SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE INSTEAD OF IGNORING PEOPLE WHEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THEIR PRODUCTS. DOES THE SAME THING THAT HAPPENED IN 2009 NEED TO HAPPEN TO ME BEFORE I GET A SOLUTION OR AN ANSWER TO MY QUESTIONS. BACK THEN TOYOTA KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND AS USUAL THEY SWEPT IT UNDER THE RUG. I OWE WAY TOO MUCH MONEY ON THAT CAR. DO I HAVE TO SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO GET IT FIX.? AS A CONSUMER DONT I DESERVE TO KNOW WHY THIS VEHICLE IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM? I HAD AN ALTIMA & HAD TO TRADE IT IN FOR THIS CRAP OF SO CALLED CAR BECAUSE OF ECONOMICAL ISSUES, AND I REGRET IT 100%. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I'VE GOT A TOYOTA AND ALL I'VE HAD ITS NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS AND AS USUAL TOYOTA IGNORES EVERYTHING. I NEED A VEHICLE THAT IS RELIABLE AND THAT I CAN TRUST MY FAMILSY TO BE SAFE IN. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT, I CAN'T PUT THIS VEHICLE ON THE ROAD AND JEOPARDIZE THE LIVE OF INOCENT PEOPLE. ALL I WANT IS TO HAVE A SAFE DRIVABLE VEHICLER. CAN SOMEBODY HELP BEFORE TRAGEDY HAPPENS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED TO 45 MPH AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE IN CIRCLES. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL IT CRASHED IN SEVERAL CAR ON THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT. THE FORCE HIT THE OTHER VEHICLES DIRECTLY IN THE REAR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED TO 45 MPH AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE IN CIRCLES. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL IT CRASHED IN SEVERAL CAR ON THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT. THE FORCE HIT THE OTHER VEHICLES DIRECTLY IN THE REAR. THE CONSUMER HIT A TOTAL OF EIGHT VEHICLES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE POLICE AND WAS DECLARED AS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,323 . UPDATED 11/01/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THREE OF THE VEHICLE INCLUDING HERS WAS TOTALED. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND SHE DISCOVERED THE FLOOR MAT WAS JAMMED UNDER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE PEDAL JAMMED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE CONSUMER WOULD EXPERIENCE A JOLT WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, THE HORN WOULD SUDDENLY START GOING OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON. UPDATED 06/22/12
1. MY CAR WAS STOPPED WHILE DRIVING 2. FIRST TIME 3. PROBLEM WITH PEDAL SENSOR, DIAGNOSE CODE PO2121/2122. *TR
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
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