PROBLEM: 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SHIFT GEAR FROM OVERDRIVE TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT PRESSING GEAR BUTTON. OVER THE WEEKEND, I WAS DRIVING THE CAR GOING UPHILL WITH LEFT TURN, THE PASSENGER AT FRONT WAS TRYING TO REACH NAPKIN BOX AT THE BACK SEAT, HE ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE GEAR WITH HIS ELBOW, EVEN THOUGH VERY LIGHTLY, THE SHIFT GEAR SUDDENLY…
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PROBLEM: 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SHIFT GEAR FROM OVERDRIVE TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT PRESSING GEAR BUTTON. OVER THE WEEKEND, I WAS DRIVING THE CAR GOING UPHILL WITH LEFT TURN, THE PASSENGER AT FRONT WAS TRYING TO REACH NAPKIN BOX AT THE BACK SEAT, HE ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE GEAR WITH HIS ELBOW, EVEN THOUGH VERY LIGHTLY, THE SHIFT GEAR SUDDENLY SHIFTED FROM OVERDRIVE TO NEUTRAL GEAR WHILE I WAS MAKING LEFT TURN UPHILL AND SUDDENLY LOST POWER. I HAVE FORD TAURUS THAT DOES NOT HAVE SUCH PROBLEM. IT ALWAYS REQUIRES PRESSING THE GEAR BUTTON TO SHIFT GEAR. I SINCERELY REQUEST TOYOTA MANUFACTURER TO FIX CURRENT DESIGN FLAW TO PREVENT FUTURE ACCIDENTS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10132892
14,200 miles · Jun 3, 2005
Power TrainSteering
RECENTLY I BROUGHT MY 04 CAMRY TO MY DEALER BECAUSE OF SULFUR SMELL AND RATTLE AT LIGHT ACCELERATION. THE DEALER VERIFIED THE PROBLEMS AND REPLACED THE CONVERTER AND INTAKE MANIFOLD ACCORDING TO THE TSBS. THEY SAID THEY ALSO HAD TO RE-PROGRAM THE ECM. THEN AFTER I PICKED UP THE CAR, I FOUND EVERYTHING IS HARDER: THE ACCELERATION…
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RECENTLY I BROUGHT MY 04 CAMRY TO MY DEALER BECAUSE OF SULFUR SMELL AND RATTLE AT LIGHT ACCELERATION. THE DEALER VERIFIED THE PROBLEMS AND REPLACED THE CONVERTER AND INTAKE MANIFOLD ACCORDING TO THE TSBS. THEY SAID THEY ALSO HAD TO RE-PROGRAM THE ECM. THEN AFTER I PICKED UP THE CAR, I FOUND EVERYTHING IS HARDER: THE ACCELERATION, STEERING, AND BRAKING. I FOUND IT IS HARD TO MAINTAIN A SPEED WHETHER ON LOCAL OR HIGHWAY. ON MAY 28,2005, WHILE I DROVE THE CAR ON HIGHWAY WITH 4 PERSONS SITTING IN THE CAR (INCLUDING ME), I FOUND THE STEERING WAS VERY HARD AND FELTED LIKE IT WAS LOCKED, AND I FOUND IT IS VERY HARD TO ACCELERATE TO HWY SPEED AND HARD TO MAINTAIN IT. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER AGAIN ON MAY 31. AFTER HAVING A TECHNICIAN TEST DROVE IT, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS SIMILAR TO OTHER CAMRYS (NORMAL) AND WOULDN'T WANT TO SOLVE MY PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THEY NEVER TRIED TO REPRODUCE MY PROBLEM (BY HAVING MORE PEOPLE SITTING IN THE CAR). I THINK THIS PROBLEM IS A SAFTY ISSUE SO I FILE COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. I ALSO FEEL THE CAR DOESN'T SHIFT RIGHT AND ENGINE IS NOISER AFTER THE CONVERT/INTAKE CHANGE AND RE-PROGRAMMING.
NHTSA ODI #10124083
12,500 miles · Apr 29, 2005
Power Train
CONTACT STATES: MANUAL TRANSMISSION, GOING 50 MPH WITH NO POWER. SPEED DROPS AND THERE IS NO ACCELERATION. LAST A COUPLE OF SECONDS ANYWHERE 10 TO 30 SECONDS IT PICKS BACK UP. NOTICED ABOUT A WEEK AGO. NORMAL DRIVE HAPPENING ANYTIME. HAVEN'T NOTICED IT BEFORE 50 MPH. SPEED DROPS BUT HASN'T CHANGED SPEED WITH ACCELERATOR WITH ST…
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CONTACT STATES: MANUAL TRANSMISSION, GOING 50 MPH WITH NO POWER. SPEED DROPS AND THERE IS NO ACCELERATION. LAST A COUPLE OF SECONDS ANYWHERE 10 TO 30 SECONDS IT PICKS BACK UP. NOTICED ABOUT A WEEK AGO. NORMAL DRIVE HAPPENING ANYTIME. HAVEN'T NOTICED IT BEFORE 50 MPH. SPEED DROPS BUT HASN'T CHANGED SPEED WITH ACCELERATOR WITH STILL APPLYING PRESSURE ON ACCELERATOR. NOTICED THIS HAPPENING FOR ABOUT A WEEK. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10118668
1 miles · Mar 13, 2005
Power Train
SEVERE HESITATION ON ACCELLERATION. THE CAR REMINDS ME OF A 1970'S VOLKSWAGEN I HAD THAT WOULD STALL WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IT CAN BE SCARY ACCELERATING ACROSS AN INTERCECTION WITH CARS COMING OR PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC BECAUSE OF THE UNPREDICTABILITY.*AK
WHILE PARKING HIS 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND HIT A PARKED CAR. *NM WHEN TURNING SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WERE GOING TO FLIP, SHIFTING GEARS WERE NOT SMOOTH, THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT SOFT AND WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR AND THERE WAS AN ERRATIC EFFECT WHEN CHANGING THE RADIO STATIONS. …
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WHILE PARKING HIS 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND HIT A PARKED CAR. *NM WHEN TURNING SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WERE GOING TO FLIP, SHIFTING GEARS WERE NOT SMOOTH, THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT SOFT AND WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR AND THERE WAS AN ERRATIC EFFECT WHEN CHANGING THE RADIO STATIONS. *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10113721
10,524 miles · Dec 28, 2004
Power Train
WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR THE TRANSMISSION WILL HESITATE FOR A SECOND OR TWO. AT THE SAME TIME THE WHOLE DRIVE TRAIN WILL SHUDDER. THE HESITATION WILL HAPPEN JUST AS I PULL INTO TRAFFIC FROM A SIDE ROAD. I HAVE HAD THE CAR AT TOYOTA SERVICE THREE TIMES, AND ALL THEY HAVE DONE IS TO CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO LEAK OIL.…
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WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR THE TRANSMISSION WILL HESITATE FOR A SECOND OR TWO. AT THE SAME TIME THE WHOLE DRIVE TRAIN WILL SHUDDER. THE HESITATION WILL HAPPEN JUST AS I PULL INTO TRAFFIC FROM A SIDE ROAD. I HAVE HAD THE CAR AT TOYOTA SERVICE THREE TIMES, AND ALL THEY HAVE DONE IS TO CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO LEAK OIL. *JB
V6 ENGINE, 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION</A>'; RETURN TRUE;" ONMOUSEOUT="WINDOW.STATUS=''; RETURN TRUE;">AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION</A>'; RETURN TRUE;" ONMOUSEOUT="WINDOW.STATUS=''; RETURN TRUE;">AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION</A>'; RETURN TRUE;" ONMOUSEOUT="WINDOW.STATUS=''; RETURN TRUE;">AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION</A>. VEHICLE FAILS TO ACCELERATE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED FOLLOWING A STOP. APPEARS TO HAPPEN AFTER A QUICK ROLLING STOP AND WHEN THE <A TRUE;">AIR CONDITIONER</A> HAVING TO WORK. CAR IS UNPREDICTABLE, IT WILL START MOVING AFTER THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES. THIS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE UNPREDICTABLE NATURE OF THROTTLE HESITATION. *JB CAR ALSO HUNTS FOR GEARS AT SLOWER SPEEDS CAUSING UNCOMFORTABLE RIDE AS THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD AT UNPREDICTABLE TIMES AFTER THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DEALER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH ALL THE V6 CAMRY'S WHICH THE DEALER COULD NOT FIX. I WAS ASKED TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR FURTHER TESTING, WHICH I DID, BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO ATTEMPT TO FIX THE VEHICLE. *JB THE VEHICLE JERKED THE CONSUMER AROUND AS GEARS WHERE SHIFTED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SEARCHES FOR THE RIGHT GEAR WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS. *TC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10098743
Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2004
Power Train
I HAVE A 2004 V6 CAMRY. THE CAR HAS NO CLUES AS TO WHICH GEAR IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE IN. HALF OF THE TIME YOU CAN PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE GAS AND IT WILL GO AND HALF THE TIME IT WILL NOT. I HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN HIT SEVERAL TIMES CHANGING LANES OR PULLING OUT DUE TO THE CAR BEING STUCK IN GEARS. THE SHIFTING BETWEEN 2 AND 3 WILL JER…
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I HAVE A 2004 V6 CAMRY. THE CAR HAS NO CLUES AS TO WHICH GEAR IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE IN. HALF OF THE TIME YOU CAN PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE GAS AND IT WILL GO AND HALF THE TIME IT WILL NOT. I HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN HIT SEVERAL TIMES CHANGING LANES OR PULLING OUT DUE TO THE CAR BEING STUCK IN GEARS. THE SHIFTING BETWEEN 2 AND 3 WILL JERK YOUR NECK. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIPS OVER FOUR TIMES AND EVERYTIME I AM TOLD THAT THIS IS A CHARTERISTIC OF THE CAR. I WENT LAST WEEK...THE GENERAL MANAGER TOLD ME HE FELT THE JERKS IN THE TRANSMISSION AND PROCEEDED TO CALL TOYOTA TO FIND OUT HOW TO FIX IT.30 MINUTES LATER I WAS TOLD THAT I AM ON MY OWN WITH IT. ANOTHER DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TOYOTA HAS HAD THEM REPLACING 02 SENSORS AND MANY OTHER USELESS IDEAS TRYING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE IS ON EVERY SINGLE COMPLAINT WEBSITE (INCLUDING THIS ONE) AND I WANT TO KNOW IF SOMEONE HAS TO BE KILLED BEFORE TOYOTA IS MADE TO CORRECT THEIR MISTAKES? THE BRAKES ARE THE SECOND ISSUE...THEY DO NOT WORK!! THEY HAVE BEEN REPORTED OVER AND OVER AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. I HAVE CAME WITHIN INCHES OF HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THE BRAKES BEING SMASHED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR JUST NOT STOPPING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10098287
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2004
Power Train
WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS OVER 40 MPH THEN REDUCING SPEED DUE TO TRAFFIC OR TO TURN THERE IS A MARKED DELAY IN THROTTLE AND TRANSMISSION RESPONSE ON RE-ACCELERATION, DANGEROUSLY SLOW WHEN CHANGING LANES ON THE FREEWAY. WHEN THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION FINALLY DUE KICK IN, THE TACHOMETER JUMPS TO RED LINE AND THE CAR ROCKETS FORWARD…
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WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS OVER 40 MPH THEN REDUCING SPEED DUE TO TRAFFIC OR TO TURN THERE IS A MARKED DELAY IN THROTTLE AND TRANSMISSION RESPONSE ON RE-ACCELERATION, DANGEROUSLY SLOW WHEN CHANGING LANES ON THE FREEWAY. WHEN THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION FINALLY DUE KICK IN, THE TACHOMETER JUMPS TO RED LINE AND THE CAR ROCKETS FORWARD! *JB
NHTSA ODI #10093118
500 miles · Sep 18, 2004
Power Train
TRANSMISSION MAY DELAY GEAR SELECTION AND ACCELLERATION FOR UP TO 4 SECONDS PUTTING LIVES IN JEAPORDY WHEN WISHING TO ACCCELERATE OR PASS. TRANSMISSION KNOCKS AND SEARCHES WHEN CREAPING IN TRAFFIC BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. CLEARING AN INTERSECTION FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC MAY BE HAZARDOUS. PASSING DOWNSHIFTS ARE COMPLETELY DAN…
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TRANSMISSION MAY DELAY GEAR SELECTION AND ACCELLERATION FOR UP TO 4 SECONDS PUTTING LIVES IN JEAPORDY WHEN WISHING TO ACCCELERATE OR PASS. TRANSMISSION KNOCKS AND SEARCHES WHEN CREAPING IN TRAFFIC BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. CLEARING AN INTERSECTION FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC MAY BE HAZARDOUS. PASSING DOWNSHIFTS ARE COMPLETELY DANGEROUS.....WOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO PASS ANYMORE IN THIS CAR! *AK
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.
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..
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
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