NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
638 reports26,000 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
40,000 miles · Aug 7, 2009
EquipmentStructure
REAR SPEAKER GRILL COVERS DISINTEGRATED AND CRUMBLED AS A RESULT OF SUN EXPOSURE. THE WEB DISCUSSION GROUPS SHOWS THIS HAPPENING TO ALL CAMRYS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10279708
102,000 miles · Aug 6, 2009
Steering
STEERING LOOSE WHEN MOVING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH SLOWLY. HARDLY NOTICED AT FIRST. I DROVE THE CAR TODAY. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. STEERING WAS MORE LOOSE AND THE WHEELS ALSO VIBRATED ALONG WITH THE STEERING WHEEL AT ABOUT 60MPH. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND LOTS OF INFORMATION, SEE LINK: YES, SEARCH THIS FORUM…
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STEERING LOOSE WHEN MOVING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH SLOWLY. HARDLY NOTICED AT FIRST. I DROVE THE CAR TODAY. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. STEERING WAS MORE LOOSE AND THE WHEELS ALSO VIBRATED ALONG WITH THE STEERING WHEEL AT ABOUT 60MPH. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND LOTS OF INFORMATION, SEE LINK: YES, SEARCH THIS FORUM FOR "STEERING NOISE" AND YOU'LL FIND A FEW THREADS. THIS IS WHERE THEY NAILED IT: HTTP://WWW.TOYOTANATION.COM/FORUM/SH...=155639&PAGE=2. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10279640
108,000 miles · Jul 22, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
I HAVE A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY AND IT CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING DUE TO FAULTY THROTTLE BODY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10278001
77,419 miles · Jun 12, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BEFORE I COULD GET IT SERVICED THE VEHICLE STARTED CUTTING OFF WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND WITH IN A DAY STARTED CUTTING OFF WHEN IDLING. THIS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR CUT OFF THE FIRST TIME AND SOMEONE ALMOST REAR ENDED ME. WHEN MY CAR CUT …
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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BEFORE I COULD GET IT SERVICED THE VEHICLE STARTED CUTTING OFF WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND WITH IN A DAY STARTED CUTTING OFF WHEN IDLING. THIS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR CUT OFF THE FIRST TIME AND SOMEONE ALMOST REAR ENDED ME. WHEN MY CAR CUT OFF IT DECELERATED SO FAST THAT THE CAR BEHIND ME SWERVED TO AVOID ME AND RAN OFF THE ROAD. THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING CONSTANTLY AND MY CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT THIS POINT. I HAVE HAD DIAGNOSTICS RUN ON IT AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT NEEDS A THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY REPLACED AND WE ARE TRYING TO LOCATE THE PART. WHEN I RESEARCHED THE THROTTLE BODY, I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ALSO HAVING THIS PROBLEM ON TOYOTA CAMRYS' WITH RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 77,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10273669
48,000 miles · May 28, 2009
Power Train
2004 CAMRY 4-CYL. FAILS TO ACCELERATE (DELAY OF ABOUT 1 SECOND) WHEN GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, IN THIS SITUATION: YOU HAVE EITHER JUST ROUNDED A CORNER AT SLOW SPEED, OR YOU HAVE STARTED TO MOVE FROM STOP, GAINED SPEED TO ABOUT 10MPH, THEN ENGINE REVS UP TO AROUND 3000 RPM, BUT DOES NOT DELIVER POWER TO WHEELS. DANGER OF GETTING …
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2004 CAMRY 4-CYL. FAILS TO ACCELERATE (DELAY OF ABOUT 1 SECOND) WHEN GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, IN THIS SITUATION: YOU HAVE EITHER JUST ROUNDED A CORNER AT SLOW SPEED, OR YOU HAVE STARTED TO MOVE FROM STOP, GAINED SPEED TO ABOUT 10MPH, THEN ENGINE REVS UP TO AROUND 3000 RPM, BUT DOES NOT DELIVER POWER TO WHEELS. DANGER OF GETTING HIT BECAUSE YOUR CAR DOES NOT MOVE QUICKLY ENOUGH THROUGH A TRAFFIC SITUATION THAT YOU WOULD NORMALLY PROGRESS THROUGH FASTER. YOU MIGHT ALSO BE PREVENTED FROM AVERTING A CRASH SITUATION DUE TO LACK OF ACCELERATION. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. IT CAN OCCUR 1-3 TIMES IN A DAY, OR POSSIBLY NOT AT ALL, BUT IT HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR AT LEAST 10,000 MILES NOW. TOYOTA CLAIMS THIS IS JUST THE WAY THE TRANSMISSION WORKS. BUT IT CAN LEAD TO INJURY DUE TO CRASHING. DEALER CLAIMED THAT FOR SOME YEARS/LOTS OF VEHICLES, THERE WAS A SERVICE PERFORMED TO RE-PROGRAM AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. BUT HE ALSO SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WOULD TEND TO COME BACK AFTER THE SERVICE WAS APPLIED. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE INJURIES OCCUR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10270201
30,000 miles · May 26, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
I DRIVE A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY THAT HAS BEEN PERFECTLY MAINTAINED OVER THE YEARS WITH ONLY 30,000 MILES. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUE WITH IT UNTIL I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY AND IT JUST SUDDENLY STALLED ON ME. I WAS ON A HIGHWAY AND WAS NEARLY RAMMED IN THE BACK. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION AND THEY INDICATED THAT IT WAS THE …
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I DRIVE A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY THAT HAS BEEN PERFECTLY MAINTAINED OVER THE YEARS WITH ONLY 30,000 MILES. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUE WITH IT UNTIL I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY AND IT JUST SUDDENLY STALLED ON ME. I WAS ON A HIGHWAY AND WAS NEARLY RAMMED IN THE BACK. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION AND THEY INDICATED THAT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY POSITION SENSOR. I THEN HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THE EXACT SAME THING AND THAT IT WOULD COST $1300. I HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 CAMRY. THIS MATTER NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WAS NEARLY KILLED ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE OF MY CAR SUDDENLY STALLING ON ME WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHATSOEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10269957
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
34,000 miles · May 11, 2009
Wheels
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEEL BALANCING LEAD WEIGHT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS ALUMINUM ALLOY RIMS. THE WEIGHT DETACHED FROM THE RIM AND BECAME LODGED BETWEEN THE BRAKE CALIPER AND THE WHEEL. THE DEALER RE-BALANCED THE WHEEL. IF THE WEIGHT HAD ENTERED INTO THE CAL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEEL BALANCING LEAD WEIGHT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS ALUMINUM ALLOY RIMS. THE WEIGHT DETACHED FROM THE RIM AND BECAME LODGED BETWEEN THE BRAKE CALIPER AND THE WHEEL. THE DEALER RE-BALANCED THE WHEEL. IF THE WEIGHT HAD ENTERED INTO THE CALIPER, THE BRAKES WOULD HAVE COMPLETELY FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 05\19\09 *BF THE BALANCING WEIGHTS THAT WERE INSTALLED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL HAD COME OFF. IT WEDGED ITSELF BETWEEN THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND THE WHEEL. UPDATED 05/20/09.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10268406
62,000 miles · May 3, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
THROTTLE BODY FAILURE ON A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY, FOUR CYLINDER AUTOMATIC WITH ABOUT 62,000 MILES. ENGINE SHUTSDOWN WHEN FOOT LIFTED FROM ACCELERATOR, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES DID NOT WORK. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION SINCE STEERING AND BRAKING BOTH BECAME VERY DIFFICULT IN TRAFFIC. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT FAILURE WAS IM…
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THROTTLE BODY FAILURE ON A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY, FOUR CYLINDER AUTOMATIC WITH ABOUT 62,000 MILES. ENGINE SHUTSDOWN WHEN FOOT LIFTED FROM ACCELERATOR, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES DID NOT WORK. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION SINCE STEERING AND BRAKING BOTH BECAME VERY DIFFICULT IN TRAFFIC. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT FAILURE WAS IMMINENT. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALER. VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. REPORTEDLY (ON INTERNET WEB SITES) THIS IS HAPPENING WITH MANY TOYOTA CAMRY'S ,MANUFACTURED FROM 2002 TO 2006. DEALER SAID THEY WERE ABLE TO GET THE LAST THROTTLE BODY AVAILABLE IN HOUSTON WHICH MIGHT INDICATE THE PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10267606
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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