Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1700–25K
11225–50K
7950–75K
6075–100K
63100–150K
32150K+
516 reports with mileage · 122 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 238 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 80 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 79 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
199 crash reports11 fire reports96 injury reports
What owners actually said
638 reports
8,000 miles · May 26, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicTiresCrash
I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY LE, MY PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE ARE TWO THINGS ONE IS THE BRAKING SYSTEM/ABS AND THE SECOND IS THE TIRES BRIDGESTONE. THE PEDAL IS TOO SOFT, DOESN'T STOP THE CAR AS IT SHOULD, THE ABS LOCKED ON MANY OCCASIONS REGARDLESS OF THE WEATHER CONDITION. I MANAGED TO HIT A THE FRONT OF THE CAR TWICE AND ONCE I…
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I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY LE, MY PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE ARE TWO THINGS ONE IS THE BRAKING SYSTEM/ABS AND THE SECOND IS THE TIRES BRIDGESTONE. THE PEDAL IS TOO SOFT, DOESN'T STOP THE CAR AS IT SHOULD, THE ABS LOCKED ON MANY OCCASIONS REGARDLESS OF THE WEATHER CONDITION. I MANAGED TO HIT A THE FRONT OF THE CAR TWICE AND ONCE IN THE REAR. ALL OF THE ABS SYSTEM, WHILE THE DAMAGE IS ONLY TO MY CAR ITS BECOMING A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE REGARDING THE HOW SAFE IS THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE DEALER AND HE REPLACED THE PADS ONCE, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST AND THE REAR BREAKS ARE MAKING SQUEAKY SOUND. I HAVE 21,000 MILES ON THIS CAR AND ITS MY FIRST NEW CAR AND IT WILL BE THE LAST TOYOTA I OWN. THE DEALER DENIES ANY PROBLEMS AND THEY SAY ITS NORMAL BUT ITS NOT. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10158372
60,740 miles · May 24, 2006
Steering
I HEARD AND FELT A NOISE ON MY STEERING WHEEL ON MY 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY AN WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THAT I NEEDED A STEERING SHAFT/INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. I HAPPENED TO CHECK THE WEB AND FOUND THAT OTHER PEOPLE WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT THERE WAS A TSB ON THIS PROBLEM. ALSO THAT THERE WAS A NEW SHAFT MADE …
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I HEARD AND FELT A NOISE ON MY STEERING WHEEL ON MY 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY AN WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THAT I NEEDED A STEERING SHAFT/INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. I HAPPENED TO CHECK THE WEB AND FOUND THAT OTHER PEOPLE WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT THERE WAS A TSB ON THIS PROBLEM. ALSO THAT THERE WAS A NEW SHAFT MADE TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WHICH IN TURN HAD THE DEALER CONTACT ME. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX IT SINCE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. HE SAID THAT IF IT HAD 39,000 MILES THEY WOULD PROBABLY REPAIR BUT SINCE I HAD 60,000 THEY WOULD NOT. HE DID OFFERED ME A GOODWILL GESTURE OF 15% OFF THE COST. MY CONTENTION IS THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUED, AND SINCE THIS HAS TO DO WITH A SAFETY ISSUE SUCH AS THE STEERING WHY WASN'T SOMETHING DONE BEFORE HAVING COME TO THIS. THE CAR RUNS OUT OF WARRANTY AND PEOPLE HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE I ALSO TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTOMOBILE REPAIR SHOP TO SEE WHAT THEY THOUGHT AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY BELIEVE THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE SHAFT AND STEERING GEAR BOX. THEY DID REPAIR A VEHICLE OF SOMEONE WHO 'S CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT ONLY A FEW HUNDRED MILES OVER THE EXPIRATION OF THE WARRANTY. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10158162
100 miles · May 19, 2006
Power Train
SEVERE HESITATION WHEN DEPRESSING THROTTLE TO FULL-THROTTLE. EX: WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC OR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OVER TAKE A VEHICLE ENGINE APPEARS TO REMAIN AT IDLE WHEN GAS PEDAL IS FULLY DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. NO DOWN SHIFTING OCCURS ALONG WITH NO ENGINE RPM INCREASE. AFTER 2-4 SECONDS ENGINE THEN RESPONDS. IF THROTTLE IS G…
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SEVERE HESITATION WHEN DEPRESSING THROTTLE TO FULL-THROTTLE. EX: WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC OR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OVER TAKE A VEHICLE ENGINE APPEARS TO REMAIN AT IDLE WHEN GAS PEDAL IS FULLY DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. NO DOWN SHIFTING OCCURS ALONG WITH NO ENGINE RPM INCREASE. AFTER 2-4 SECONDS ENGINE THEN RESPONDS. IF THROTTLE IS GRADUALLY DEPRESSED TO FULL-THROTTLE THERE IS NO SYMPTOMS, ENGINE DOES RESPOND PROPERLY. I BELIEVE IT MAY BE A PROBLEM IN COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND TRANSMISSION TCM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10157898
14,788 miles · May 17, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL 3 TIMES WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE CONSUMER NEVE RHIT ANOTHE RPERSON OR CAR. SHE LID IN A RETIREMENT HOME WITH OTHERS WHO PARK IN A CROWDED LOT. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT A DEFECT CAUSED THESE THREE INCIDENTS. UPDATED 06/01/2006. *AK *TS …
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL 3 TIMES WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE CONSUMER NEVE RHIT ANOTHE RPERSON OR CAR. SHE LID IN A RETIREMENT HOME WITH OTHERS WHO PARK IN A CROWDED LOT. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT A DEFECT CAUSED THESE THREE INCIDENTS. UPDATED 06/01/2006. *AK *TS
NHTSA ODI #10157726
87,000 miles · Apr 27, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #10156209
10 miles · Apr 24, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control
I OWN A 2004 CAMRY SE WITH THE 3.3 LITER V6. EVER SINCE WE PURCHASED THIS CAR WE HAVE PUT UP WITH A TERRIBLE HESITATION IN THROTTLE RESPONSE. MANY TIMES WE HAVE NEARLY BEEN HIT BY OTHER CARS WHILE PULLING INTO THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SPOKEN WITH THE MANAGER AS WELL AS MET WITH THE REGIONAL TOYO…
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I OWN A 2004 CAMRY SE WITH THE 3.3 LITER V6. EVER SINCE WE PURCHASED THIS CAR WE HAVE PUT UP WITH A TERRIBLE HESITATION IN THROTTLE RESPONSE. MANY TIMES WE HAVE NEARLY BEEN HIT BY OTHER CARS WHILE PULLING INTO THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SPOKEN WITH THE MANAGER AS WELL AS MET WITH THE REGIONAL TOYOTA REP. THEY BOTH ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE BUT OFFERED NO RESOLUTION. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10156012
30,000 miles · Apr 19, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL IT GOES TO THE FLOOR CAUSING AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED.
NHTSA ODI #10155695
16,000 miles · Mar 31, 2006
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF OUR 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE AFTER SLOWING DOWN AND MAKING A 100 DEGREE RIGHT TURN INTO THE GARAGE. THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN FOR 90 FEET, SIDE-SWIPED OUR JEEP PARKED IN THE GARAGE, AND THEN TOOK OUT THE LOAD BEARING WALL AT THE REAR RIGHT OF THE GARAGE. CAR HAS 16K MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN GARAGED A…
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SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF OUR 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE AFTER SLOWING DOWN AND MAKING A 100 DEGREE RIGHT TURN INTO THE GARAGE. THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN FOR 90 FEET, SIDE-SWIPED OUR JEEP PARKED IN THE GARAGE, AND THEN TOOK OUT THE LOAD BEARING WALL AT THE REAR RIGHT OF THE GARAGE. CAR HAS 16K MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN GARAGED AT ALL TIMES. INSURANCE ADJUSTER SAYS THERE APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM, BUT CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT SINCE THIS IS CAR RELIES ON ELECTRONIC CONTROL THROUGHOUT. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10154294
Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2006
Power Train
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND VIBRATES WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEARS. OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER CAN'T FIND PROBLEM. DANGEROUS WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10152601
Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control
CONSUMER PRESSED GAS PEDAL AND VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE, THREE SECONDS LATER VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. *TX THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. ABOUT 17 MONTHS LATER THE VEHICLES WAS REPAIRED. *NM UPDATED *JB
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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