NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
238 reportsClear category filter26,000 miles · Aug 24, 2009
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY 4-CYLINDER VEHICLE WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 2004. WHILE DRIVING SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 2 MPH THERE WAS AN UNEXPECTED SURGE AT 3,000 RPMS, THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED AND THE CONTACT ALMOST CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY COMPUTER CHIP IN THE G…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY 4-CYLINDER VEHICLE WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 2004. WHILE DRIVING SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 2 MPH THERE WAS AN UNEXPECTED SURGE AT 3,000 RPMS, THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED AND THE CONTACT ALMOST CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY COMPUTER CHIP IN THE GAS PEDAL. THE COMPUTER CHIP WAS REPLACED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE FOR $750. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD CALL HIM BACK AFTER THEY SPOKE WITH MANAGEMENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 26,000. THE CONSUMER STATED DURING TESTING OF THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, THE DRIVERS FLOOR MAT WAS IN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED AS A UNIT WITH THE COMPUTER CHIP/SENSOR ATTACHED. UPDATED 10/23/09
NHTSA ODI #10281553
45,960 miles · May 23, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control
2004 CAMRY VIN EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION (SURGING) AFTER APPLYING BRAKE TO COME TO FULL STOP. I EXAMINED THE POSITION OF MY FEET AFTER STOPPING, AND TURNING OFF IGNITION TO CANCEL SURGING. LEFT FOOT WAS ON FOOTREST IN DRIVER FOOTWELL. RIGHT FOOT WAS ON BRAKE. THIS IS THE SECOND INSTANCE OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IN A…
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2004 CAMRY VIN EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION (SURGING) AFTER APPLYING BRAKE TO COME TO FULL STOP. I EXAMINED THE POSITION OF MY FEET AFTER STOPPING, AND TURNING OFF IGNITION TO CANCEL SURGING. LEFT FOOT WAS ON FOOTREST IN DRIVER FOOTWELL. RIGHT FOOT WAS ON BRAKE. THIS IS THE SECOND INSTANCE OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IN APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS. MILEAGE WAS 45960. NO PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED YET. I WILL CONTACT A DEALER TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS A RECALL. PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS HAVE LED TO "NO DIAGNOSIS" BY DEALERSHIPS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10269805
54,000 miles · Mar 2, 2009
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL LIGHTLY AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. THREE MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MODERATE DAMAGE, BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A P…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL LIGHTLY AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. THREE MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MODERATE DAMAGE, BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SENSOR ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED A VERBAL APOLOGY, BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000. UPDATED 03-30-09 *BF UPDATED 03/31/09*JB
NHTSA ODI #10260430
40,000 miles · Sep 8, 2008
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CURB AND A WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS MODERATELY DAMAGED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND IS WAITING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CURB AND A WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS MODERATELY DAMAGED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND IS WAITING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,000.
NHTSA ODI #10241371
45,000 miles · Apr 8, 2008
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. ON APRIL 4, 2008, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE APPROACHING A STOP. THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES LOCKED. THE VEHICLE THEN SPED ACROSS THE STREET, GRAZED A RETAINING WALL, AND STRUCK A FENCE IN SOMEONE'S BACKYARD. THE V…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. ON APRIL 4, 2008, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE APPROACHING A STOP. THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES LOCKED. THE VEHICLE THEN SPED ACROSS THE STREET, GRAZED A RETAINING WALL, AND STRUCK A FENCE IN SOMEONE'S BACKYARD. THE VEHICLE ALSO GRAZED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES AND WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL. SHE STATED THAT SHE EXPERIENCED A MILDER INCIDENT OF SURGING BEFORE, BUT SHE HAD MORE CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE IN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING IT IN APRIL OF 2007. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT YET NOTIFIED TOYOTA. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 04/23/08 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10223661
45,000 miles · Jan 14, 2008
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. IN AN ATTEMPT TO PARK THE VEHICLE, IT SURGED FORWARD AND STRUCK A POST. THE CONTACT PLACED HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, AND RELEASED THE BRAKE WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS, SIDESWIPED A VEHICLE, JUMPED A CURVE, AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE BEFORE COMING TO …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. IN AN ATTEMPT TO PARK THE VEHICLE, IT SURGED FORWARD AND STRUCK A POST. THE CONTACT PLACED HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, AND RELEASED THE BRAKE WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS, SIDESWIPED A VEHICLE, JUMPED A CURVE, AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AND THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED APPROXIMATELY $9,000 WORTH OF DAMAGES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 45,000.
NHTSA ODI #10214759
Mileage unknown · Dec 24, 2007
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
PULLING INTO A PARKING SLOT, I HIT THE BRAKE BUT IT CAUGHT THE GAS PEDAL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. ONLY THE BALCONY WALL OF THE PARKING STOPPED THE CAR. THE ACCIDENT RESULTED IN THE SPRAIN OF MY NECK AND A $3000 DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10212637
38,110 miles · Sep 5, 2007
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO PARK THE VEHICLE WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO A PLATE GLASS WINDOW OF A BUSINESS AND THROUGH THE BUILDING . THE TIRES WERE STILL SPINNING AFTER THE CRASH. AN INSURANCE CLAIM WAS F…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO PARK THE VEHICLE WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO A PLATE GLASS WINDOW OF A BUSINESS AND THROUGH THE BUILDING . THE TIRES WERE STILL SPINNING AFTER THE CRASH. AN INSURANCE CLAIM WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 38,110. UPDATED 10/03/04 *TR THE CONSUMER STATED SHE NEVER TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. UPDATED 06/15/10.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10201935
7,346 miles · Aug 20, 2007
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE LEAVING FROM A CAR WASH, THE VEHICLE SURGED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A MECHANIC. THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT B…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE LEAVING FROM A CAR WASH, THE VEHICLE SURGED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A MECHANIC. THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT BUMPER HAD TO BE REPLACED AND A WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED A LIGHT BODY SIZE MOLDING. THE POWERTRAIN, SPEED, VALID VIN, AND DEALER INFORMATION WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,980 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,346.
NHTSA ODI #10200194
26,190 miles · Mar 8, 2007
SuspensionVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE COMING OUT OF THE CAR WASH AND SWITCHING THE POSITION GEAR FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO ALMOST 50 MPH FOR ABOUT 20-30 SECONDS, CAUSING IT TO CRASH INTO A POLE. THE CONTACT TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKE, BUT COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. CONTACT CAN PROVIDE PICTURE…
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TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE COMING OUT OF THE CAR WASH AND SWITCHING THE POSITION GEAR FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO ALMOST 50 MPH FOR ABOUT 20-30 SECONDS, CAUSING IT TO CRASH INTO A POLE. THE CONTACT TRIED TO APPLY THE BRAKE, BUT COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. CONTACT CAN PROVIDE PICTURES IF NEEDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE BOTH 26,190.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO PERFORMANCE AND REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND VEER TO THE RIGHT. PERFORMANCE DODGE PICKED UP VEHICLE FOR A 2ND REPAIR AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT A DAMP MOUNT ON RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS MISSING. THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO CONSUMER ON 4/27/07 BUT CONSUMER IS STILL FEARFUL TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 05/13/07*TR
NHTSA ODI #10184576
Official recalls
3Nov 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.
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..
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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