NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
71 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Aug 6, 2025
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering
The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Camry. The contact’s brother performed brake repair on the vehicle and added Prestone DOT 3 brake fluid to the brake reservoir. The contact stated that several days later, while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the brakes locked up and the vehicle failed to move. The vehicle was taken to the brothe…
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The contact owns a 2005 Toyota Camry. The contact’s brother performed brake repair on the vehicle and added Prestone DOT 3 brake fluid to the brake reservoir. The contact stated that several days later, while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the brakes locked up and the vehicle failed to move. The vehicle was taken to the brother’s residence by her brother while driving and depressing the accelerator and brake pedal simultaneously. The contact’s brother flushed the brake lines however, the failure persisted. The contact’s brother became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24E101000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Steering) from the NHTSA.gov website. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that there was cross contamination of the braking system and the entire braking system needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA ODI #11678790
1,000 miles · Jul 17, 2019
Air BagsSteeringCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, AN ITEM FLEW OUT OF A TRUCK WHILE IN MOTION. THE CONTACT MOVED INTO THE RIGHT LANE SAFELY, THEN SAFELY WENT OVER BACK TO THE LEFT LANE. THE CONTACT THEN MANEUVERED THE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT, AND THE STEERING WHEEL SPIN OUT OF …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, AN ITEM FLEW OUT OF A TRUCK WHILE IN MOTION. THE CONTACT MOVED INTO THE RIGHT LANE SAFELY, THEN SAFELY WENT OVER BACK TO THE LEFT LANE. THE CONTACT THEN MANEUVERED THE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT, AND THE STEERING WHEEL SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BLOODY NOSE AND ANKLE INJURIES. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED THREE BROKEN VERTEBRAE IN THE BACK AND BROKEN RIGHT ARM. BOTH INJURED REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT DOES NOT REMEMBER IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS PARTIALLY DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD SENT OUT AN INSPECTOR AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY DON'T NORMALLY SENT OUT INSPECTOR ONLY IF THERE WAS A DEATH INVOLVED. A REPORT WAS FILED FROM THE INSPECTOR THAT THE STEERING WHEEL COULD COME UNDONE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS BETWEEN 800 OR 1000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11232867
190,000 miles · Jul 15, 2019
Air BagsSteeringUnknown Or OtherCrash
MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY I TAKE EVERYDAY AS I WAS MILDLY TURNING WITH THE ROAD THE STEERING WHEEL SPUNG TO THE LEFT AND THE CAR WENT OUT OD CONTROL SPINNING AND ENDED ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER WHERE THAN MY CAR STARTED TO FLIP OVER NONE STOP AND THE AIRBAGS DIDNT NOT BURST OR COME OUT.
NHTSA ODI #11232103
185 miles · Jul 14, 2018
Fuel/propulsion SystemSteering
TAKATA RECALL, MY POWER STEERING HAS BEEN LEAKING. 05/2018 I NOTICED IT WHEN I WAS PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, I REVERSED OUT AND STARTED TO TURN A LITTLE BIT AND IT STARTED TO MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND KIND OF HARD TO TURN.(2) TAKATA RECALL MY CAR IS OVERHEATNG AS I WAS PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY I STOPPED PUT IT IN NEUTRAL PULLED …
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TAKATA RECALL, MY POWER STEERING HAS BEEN LEAKING. 05/2018 I NOTICED IT WHEN I WAS PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, I REVERSED OUT AND STARTED TO TURN A LITTLE BIT AND IT STARTED TO MADE A GRINDING NOISE AND KIND OF HARD TO TURN.(2) TAKATA RECALL MY CAR IS OVERHEATNG AS I WAS PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY I STOPPED PUT IT IN NEUTRAL PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SAT THERE FOR 3 MINUTES AND THE DIAL WENT TO EXTREMELY HOT, I TURNED IT OFF IMMEDIATELY. EVER SINCE THEN IT DRIVES HOTTER THAN USUAL NOT AS HOT AS IT WAS THAT DAY AND I CAN SMELL BURNT RUBBER WHEN I'M DRIVING OR BURNT SOMETHING I'M NOT GETTING GOOD GAS MILEAGE IT IDLES ROUGH AFTER IT'S BEEN WARMED
NHTSA ODI #11111315
68,034 miles · Jan 31, 2018
Steering
STEERING WHEEL MAKING KNOCKING NOISE WHILE TURNING. TOOK IT TO REPAIR SHOP , WAS TOLD MOST OF CAMRYS PRODUCED IN THAT YEAR RANGE ARE AFFECTED AND HAVE SIMILAR NOISE. NOISE IS THERE WHETHER IN MOTION OR STATIONARY.
NHTSA ODI #11066034
203,000 miles · Nov 28, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 203,000.
NHTSA ODI #10928252
151,000 miles · Sep 7, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A NEW TENSIONER PULLER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.
NHTSA ODI #10904285
156,830 miles · Jun 7, 2016
Steering
MY SERPENTINE BELT RECENTLY STARTED SQUEALING, SO I BOUGHT A NEW ONE AND CHANGED IT MYSELF. UPON CHANGING IT, I REALIZED THAT MY CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HAD CHUNKS OF RUBBER THAT HAD COME OFF OF IT, AND IT SEEMED TO BE MAKING THE BELT RUB ON THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE BLOCK ON ONE OF THE TENSION PULLEY'S. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE, I FOUN…
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MY SERPENTINE BELT RECENTLY STARTED SQUEALING, SO I BOUGHT A NEW ONE AND CHANGED IT MYSELF. UPON CHANGING IT, I REALIZED THAT MY CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HAD CHUNKS OF RUBBER THAT HAD COME OFF OF IT, AND IT SEEMED TO BE MAKING THE BELT RUB ON THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE BLOCK ON ONE OF THE TENSION PULLEY'S. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE, I FOUND THAT IN 2011, TOYOTA HAD RECALLED 402,000 VEHICLES BECAUSE OF A FAULTY CRANKSHAFT PULLEY, THAT CAUSED POWER STEERING TO GO OUT, AND CAUSE ACCIDENTS. HOWEVER, IN CALLING TOYOTA, THEY STATE THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALLS ON 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY'S, EVEN THOUGH THE WEBSITE THAT I FOUND INCLUDED 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY'S IN THEIR RECALL LIST. EVEN NOW WITH A NEW BELT ON, THE BELT IS JUMPING BACK AND FORTH ON THE TENSION PULLEY CAUSING THE CAR TO HAVE A "JITTERY" FEEL WHILE IDLING. I FEEL IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS BELT IS RUINED AS WELL. I'M NOT SURE HOW CERTAIN MODELS OF TOYOTA CAMRY'S IN 2005 WOULD'VE HAD A DIFFERENT CRANKSHAFT PULLEY, THAT HAPPENS TO BE DOING THE SAME THING THAT MINE IS DOING NOW (RUBBER SEPERATING FROM THE METAL), YET THEY WERE RECALLED AND MINE WAS NOT.
NHTSA ODI #10872978
100,000 miles · May 3, 2016
EngineService BrakesSteeringCrash
MARCH 19TH 2016, DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. APPLIED THE BRAKES/EMERGENCY BRAKE. CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATED AND I ATTEMPTED TO ENTER FREEWAY. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND I HIT A CAR THAT WAS ENTERING THE FREEWAY.
NHTSA ODI #10862823
90,000 miles · Apr 19, 2016
Steering
A YEAR AGO IN MAY OF 2015, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER TOYOTA CAMRY WHEN THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OUT ON HER WHILE DRIVING AND ALMOST CAUSED HER TO CRASH. WE BROUGHT IT TO A MECHANIC WHO WAS MYSTIFIED, HE SAID HE'D NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE, IN HIS WORDS, "IT LOOKS LIKE THE PULLEY BENT ON IT'S OWN AND THEN THE BELT …
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A YEAR AGO IN MAY OF 2015, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER TOYOTA CAMRY WHEN THE POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OUT ON HER WHILE DRIVING AND ALMOST CAUSED HER TO CRASH. WE BROUGHT IT TO A MECHANIC WHO WAS MYSTIFIED, HE SAID HE'D NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE, IN HIS WORDS, "IT LOOKS LIKE THE PULLEY BENT ON IT'S OWN AND THEN THE BELT CAME OFF." HE HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAD CAUSED THE PULLEY TO GET OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND CHARGED ME ALMOST $500 TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE. NEARLY A YEAR LATER, I'M INVESTIGATING BRAKE ISSUES WITH CAMRYS AND I CAME ACROSS THIS RECALL WHICH DESCRIBES PERFECTLY WHAT THE MECHANIC COULDN'T FIGURE OUT. WHY WAS I NEVER INFORMED OF THIS RECALL? MY CAMRY IS A 2005, IT CLEARLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED. TOYOTA'S NEGLIGENCE ON THIS COULD HAVE COST MY WIFE HER LIFE IF SHE HADN'T NARROWLY AVOIDED THE CRASH THE FAILURE OF HER POWER STEERING ALMOST CAUSED. THIS COULD HAVE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED BY TOYOTA LONG BEFORE THE INCIDENT OCCURED THROUGH THE RECALL. I WANT THE COST OF MY REPAIRS REFUNDED BY TOYOTA AND ANY ADDITIONAL REPAIRS TO GET IT UP TO THE STANDARDS OF THE RECALL PAID BY THEM.
NHTSA ODI #10860224
Official recalls
5Jun 2, 2016
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Nov 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.
Feb 3, 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
Feb 3, 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
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..
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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