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
Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY WAS NOT MOVING IT WAS REAR ENDED AND PUSHED ACROSS THE HIGHWAY INTO A PARKED VAN. THE IMPACT WAS MAINLY ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY WAS NOT MOVING IT WAS REAR ENDED AND PUSHED ACROSS THE HIGHWAY INTO A PARKED VAN. THE IMPACT WAS MAINLY ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THERE HAS BEEN NO INSPECTION TO THE VEHICLE SINCE THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURY, A FRACTURED WRIST. *AK UPDATED 1/11/2006. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10145268
Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED DEFECTIVE BRAKING SYSTEM,A BECAUSE PRESSING THE BRAKES VERY HARD OVER A PERIOD OF MONTHS RESULTED IN THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM PAIN FOOT, LEG AND HIP PAIN. THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN CONTACTED, AND THEY STATED NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE AMOUN…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED DEFECTIVE BRAKING SYSTEM,A BECAUSE PRESSING THE BRAKES VERY HARD OVER A PERIOD OF MONTHS RESULTED IN THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM PAIN FOOT, LEG AND HIP PAIN. THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN CONTACTED, AND THEY STATED NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE REQUIRED TO STOP THE VEHICLE OR TO PRESS THE BRAKES WAS CAUSING DIMENSION STOPPING CAPACITY. SHE KNOW LONGER DROVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE PAIN, AND THE CONSTANT FEAR OF BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10144347
Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2005
Power Train
MY 2004 CAMRY, V6 HAS HAD A HESITATION SINCE I FIRST PURCHASED IT. THE HESITATION HAPPENS AFTER STOPPING A SIGNS OR WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. TWICE I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS SOMETHING WITH THE BRAIN THAT SENDS INFORMATION FROM THROTTLE SENSOR TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE SERVICE TECH …
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MY 2004 CAMRY, V6 HAS HAD A HESITATION SINCE I FIRST PURCHASED IT. THE HESITATION HAPPENS AFTER STOPPING A SIGNS OR WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. TWICE I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS SOMETHING WITH THE BRAIN THAT SENDS INFORMATION FROM THROTTLE SENSOR TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE SERVICE TECH STATED THAT IT WAS JUST THE V6'S AND THE 2004 CARS THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM, UNTIL MORE PEOPLE COMPLAIN NO REPAIRS OR RECALLS WILL BE MADE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10143839
19,970 miles · Nov 11, 2005
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
I WAS PULLING INTO APARTMENT COMPLEX PARKING SPACE WHEN MY 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND SURGED FORWARD. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND WAS HALF WAY IN THE SPOT WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO SURGE FORWARD AND JUMPED OVER SIDEWAY PLOWING INTO APARTMENT BUILDING. I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE TIR…
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I WAS PULLING INTO APARTMENT COMPLEX PARKING SPACE WHEN MY 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND SURGED FORWARD. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND WAS HALF WAY IN THE SPOT WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO SURGE FORWARD AND JUMPED OVER SIDEWAY PLOWING INTO APARTMENT BUILDING. I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE TIRES WERE SCREECHING, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL IT HIT THE BUILDING WALL. THE CAR WILL BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY FOR AN ESTIMATE. THERE WAS SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE APARTMENT BUILDING. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10142465
19,647 miles · Nov 7, 2005
Tires
DT: THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE HAD TWO BLOWOUTS. THE FIRST ONE WAS ON THE RIGHT REAR, AND THE SECOND ONE WAS ON THE LEFT FRONT. THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRES BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE SPEED WAS 55 MPH. THE CONSUMER HAD BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER OF THE TIRES. THE CONSUMER WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER AN…
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DT: THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE HAD TWO BLOWOUTS. THE FIRST ONE WAS ON THE RIGHT REAR, AND THE SECOND ONE WAS ON THE LEFT FRONT. THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRES BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING. THE SPEED WAS 55 MPH. THE CONSUMER HAD BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURER OF THE TIRES. THE CONSUMER WAS IN CONTACT WITH THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER AND THEY REFERRED HIM BACK TO THE TIRE MANUFACTURER. THE CONSUMER HAD PIECES OF THE TIRES AVAILABLE. THESE WERE THE ORIGINAL TIRES THAT HAD COME ON HIS VEHICLE. *AK (12/08/05) THE CONSUMER FOLLOWED UP WITH THE TIRE MANUFACTURER AND THEY AGREED TO REPLACE 2 TIES AT NO CHARGE. THE TIRE FAILURES HAD OCCURRED DURING THE DAY TIME ON CLEAR DAYS WHILE TRAVELING ON THE EXPRESSWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS REGULARLY MAINTAINED. *SC
NHTSA ODI #10141952
45 miles · Oct 28, 2005
Seat Belts
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT SEAT BELT STRAPS GRADUALLY TIGHTENED WHILE IN USE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING THIS NOR COULD HE DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. SHE PURCHASED SOME SAFETY CLIPS FOR THE SEAT BELTS. THE CLIPS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. SHE HEARD ABOUT A RECALL ON A SIMIL…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT SEAT BELT STRAPS GRADUALLY TIGHTENED WHILE IN USE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING THIS NOR COULD HE DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. SHE PURCHASED SOME SAFETY CLIPS FOR THE SEAT BELTS. THE CLIPS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. SHE HEARD ABOUT A RECALL ON A SIMILAR PROBLEM, BUT WAS NOT SURE IF THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK UPDATED 11/16/2005. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10141114
10 miles · Oct 27, 2005
Power Train
EXTREME HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOP OR FROM LOW SPEED. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10140902
9,446 miles · Oct 14, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED. *TS THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE WOULD FLUCTUATE WHILE DRIVING AND SOMETIMES WOULDN'T WORK AT ALL. THE ODOMETER BECAME STUCK ON THE SAME MILEAGE FOR 3-5 DAYS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SPEED SENSOR AND SPEEDOMETER ASSEMBLY SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONSUEMR TRADED THE VEHICLE IN BECAUSE THE DEALER WAS U…
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VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED. *TS THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE WOULD FLUCTUATE WHILE DRIVING AND SOMETIMES WOULDN'T WORK AT ALL. THE ODOMETER BECAME STUCK ON THE SAME MILEAGE FOR 3-5 DAYS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SPEED SENSOR AND SPEEDOMETER ASSEMBLY SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONSUEMR TRADED THE VEHICLE IN BECAUSE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PERMANENTLY RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10140996
11,380 miles · Oct 12, 2005
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT SLOWLY PULLED INTO GARAGE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND HIT AN OBJECT IN THE GARAGE. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR. THE CONTACT CALLED TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND LET THEM KNOW, AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NOT HEARD OF A CAR DOING THAT. THE SPEED WAS…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT SLOWLY PULLED INTO GARAGE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND HIT AN OBJECT IN THE GARAGE. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR. THE CONTACT CALLED TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND LET THEM KNOW, AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NOT HEARD OF A CAR DOING THAT. THE SPEED WAS 1 MPH.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10139471
20,000 miles · Sep 19, 2005
TiresCrash
TIRES TREAD WORE BELOW LEGAL DEPTH PRIOR TO 20,000 MILES ON THE TIRES, CREATING A HAZARD WHICH CAUSE MY DAUGHTER TO HYDROPLAIN ON ALMOST DRY ROAD - CAR WENT INTO A GRASS MEDIAN TAKING OUT A SIGN AND MUCH DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS ON A 2004 CAMRY THAT WAS PURCHASED NEW - JUST HAD IT IN TO THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND T…
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TIRES TREAD WORE BELOW LEGAL DEPTH PRIOR TO 20,000 MILES ON THE TIRES, CREATING A HAZARD WHICH CAUSE MY DAUGHTER TO HYDROPLAIN ON ALMOST DRY ROAD - CAR WENT INTO A GRASS MEDIAN TAKING OUT A SIGN AND MUCH DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS ON A 2004 CAMRY THAT WAS PURCHASED NEW - JUST HAD IT IN TO THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THEY ROTATED THE TIRES - NEVER MENTIONED THE WEAR ON THE TIRES. WHEN THE TIRES WERE EVALUATED AT THE TIRE DEALERSHIP - IT WAS NOT DUE TO IMPROPER AIR PRESSURE OR ALIGNMENT - THE WEAR WAS ALL OVER THE TIRE. *NM
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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