Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 272 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
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NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

223 crash reports10 fire reports91 injury reports

Tires complaints

22 reports

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169,000 miles · Dec 14, 2020

Tires

TOTAL TIRE TREAD SEPARATION LESS THAN 2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE

NHTSA ODI #11383385

Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2016

Tires

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PURCHASED NEW SET OF PIRELLI FOUR SEASON PASSENGER TIRES AT LARGE-CHAIN MEMBERSHIP STORE FOR 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. LESS THAN 1 YEAR LATER ONE OF FOUR BEGAN LOOSING AIR AND TOOK IT IN FOR INSPECTION. TIRE SHOP FOUND SIDEWALLS WERE FAILING WITH NOTICEABLE BULGING IN SEVERAL PLACES AND REPLACED WITH BRAND NEW TIRE (MINUS SMALL PRORATED WARRANTY + INSTALLATION FEE). DROVE AWAY HAPPY AND ASSUMING WAS JUST A FLUKE BUT WITHIN 20 MILES ON WAY OUT OF TOWN DRIVING NORMAL 65 MPH ON MAJOR FREEWAY THE BRAND NEW TIRE BLEW OUT WITH COMPLETE INNER SIDEWALL FAILURE. WAS VERY SCARY AND AT NIGHT BUT MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND REPLACE WITH THE SPARE. NEXT DAY THE TIRE SHOP REPLACED WITH ANOTHER NEW TIRE WHICH UNFORTUNATELY WAS OF THE EXACT SAME LOT AND DATE # AS THAT WAS ALL THEY HAD IN STOCK. TOOK TALKING TO THE MANAGER TO GET THEM TO NOT CHARGE ME A SECOND INSTALLATION FEE AS THEY TRIED TO DO GIVEN IT WAS LESS THAN 16 HOURS SINCE I BOUGHT THE FAILED TIRE. THE SECOND GUY AND THE SHOP TOLD ME SIDE BAR AND OFF THE RECORD THAT THESE WERE REALLY BAD TIRES BUT THE FIRST GUY THE PRIOR DAY SAID THEY WERE GOOD. HOPING FOR THE BEST BUT REALLY MAKES ME UNEASY HEADING OUT FOR A LONG TRIP ON THESE PIRELLI TIRES AFTER TWO SEPARATE SIDEWALL ISSUES LIKE THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10938660

110,000 miles · Oct 15, 2015

Tires

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THIS IS CONCERNING THE BRIDGESTONE FUSION TOURING TIRE 205/65R15-94H. WE HAD DRIVEN OUR CAMRY TO NORTH CAROLINA FROM FLORIDA AND BACK IN JULY OR AUGUST 2015. IT WAS VERY HOT (IN THE 90'S). I THEN DROVE IN FLORIDA FROM MELBOURNE BEACH TO TALLAHASSEE AND BACK IN THE HEAT AGAIN IN AUGUST. MY CAR WAS VIBRATING AT OVER 70 MILES PER HOUR. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC, ONE OF THE TIRES HAD SHREDDED. IN LATE SEPTEMBER 2015, WE DROVE FROM FLORIDA TO HILTON HEAD AND THE CAR WAS VIBRATING AGAIN. WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC IN HILTON HEAD AND THE BELT IN ONE OF THE TIRES HAD SEPARATED. SINCE TWO TIRES OUT OF FOUR HAVE HAD STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS I THINK THESE TIRES MAY HAVE A DEFECT OR CANNOT WITHSTAND BEING DRIVEN IN HIGH TEMPERATURES AND CAN BE DANGEROUS. I WOULD LIKE THEM LOOKED AT FOR RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10782424

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2013

Tires

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I HAVE A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY LE, I BOUGHT GOODYEAR ASSURANCE TIRES BACK IN MAY 2010 AS A SET OF 4 TIRES. THESE TIRES HAVE A MANUFACTURER WARRANTY OF 80000 MILES THOUGH AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 35000 MILES THE TIRE TREAD DEPTH CAME DOWN TO BELOW 2/32ND AND THE DEALER DENIED TAKING THE CAR OUT OF DEALERSHIP WITHOUT A REPLACEMENT OR AN ASSURANCE OF IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT. I HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRE WITHIN 2 HRS AFTER COMING OUT OF DEALERSHIP AS THEY DIDN'T HAVE A READY AVAILABLE TIRE FROM NON-GOODYEAR BRAND. I AM WONDERING HOW THIS TIRES GOT DOWN TO SUCH A LOW TREAD DEPTH SO SOON? I MOSTLY DRIVE IN THE CITY AND ONLY FEW TIME HIGHWAY THAT TOO NOT MORE THAN 300 MILES. THIS CERTAINLY IS THE WORST TIRES. GOODYEAR DENIED PROVIDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE AS TO DO SO I HAVE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THEIR AUTHORIZED SHOP AND THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT ONE OF THEIR AUTHORIZED SHOP, WHICH IS SURPRISING. SINCE DEALER TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE TIRE IMMEDIATELY, MY FIRST PRIORITY WAS TO GET NEW TIRES AND WITH SUCH WORST EXPERIENCE WITH GOODYEAR, I DIDN'T WANTED THEM AGAIN. AND THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT THEIR TIRE FOR WARRANTY IF THEY ARE NOT ON THE WHEEL. VERY RIDICULOUS RULES THAT PUTS GREEDY PROFIT BEFORE SAFETY! MY DEALER ALSO FOUND THIS ODD. I WANT MONEY BACK FOR ALMOST HALF OF THE TOTAL MILEAGE PROMISED BY GOODYEAR BUT THEY ARE TOO CORRUPT AND SO THEY HAVE NHTSA ALSO ON THEIR SIDE TO BRING ANYTHING AGAINST THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10543249

59,134 miles · Apr 3, 2012

Tires

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PURCHASED 4 MASTERCRAFT GLACIERGRIP TIRES 12/11/10. DROVE 2451 MILES AND HAD REGULAR TIRES PUT BACK ON 3/17/11. PUT MASTERCRAFT TIRES BACK ON 11/17/11 AND DROVE 134 MILES WHEN LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. I WAS ON I-81 SOUTH AND HAD TO DRIVE ON THE TIRE TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY. I WAS TOLD BE THE DEALER THEY WOULD HAVE TO SEND THE TIRE BACK TO THE COMPANY. THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE ME FOR A REPLACEMENT TIRE UNTIL HE HEARD FROM THE COMPANY. THEY NEVER CALLED ME BACK. FIVE WEEKS LATER I CALLED, FOR THE THIRD TIME, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS DENIED. I DROVE ON THE TIRES ANOTHER 2891 MILES AND THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOOK THAT TIRE TO SEND BACK TO THE COMPANY AND ASKED IF THEY COULD PULL THE BACK TWO TIRES TO LOOK AT THEM. I SAID OKAY AND I WAS TOLD THEY WERE FINE. I WENT DIRECTLY TO ANOTHER TIRE INSTALLER, 8 MILES AWAY, TO GET THE TIRES OFF AND PUT THE REGULAR TIRES BACK ON THE CAR. WHEN THE INSTALLER PULLED THE LEFT REAR TIRE OFF, THE SAME ONE THAT WAS JUST INSPECTED, THERE WAS A HUGE BUBBLE ON IT. HE TOLD ME THE TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE TIRES AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD HAVE TO SEND THAT TIRE BACK TO THE COMPANY AS WELL. IT'S OVER TWO WEEKS AND I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10453899

19,999 miles · Apr 11, 2011

Tires

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD CONTINENTAL TOURING TIRES, LINE SIZE 205/65/R15 (N/A). THE TIRES BECAME COMPLETELY WORN WITHIN 10,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE VEHICLE BEING OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS ABNORMAL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SECOND DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND THE FAILURE WAS WITHIN THE TIRES. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,999 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 20,080.

NHTSA ODI #10395521

40,000 miles · Sep 10, 2010

Tires

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH PACIFIC COAST RETREADERS, INC., LING LONG L688 TIRES, SIZE P225/40/18. THE TIRES WERE REPLACEMENTS PURCHASED IN 2007. WHILE DRIVING 60-65 MPH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BLEW OUT. HE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE INSIDE WALL OF THE TIRE WAS ALSO CRACKED. HE REPLACED THE TIRE WITH A SPARE. HE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE OTHER THREE TIRES BEGAN TO LEAK. AFTER ADDING AIR TO THE TIRES SEVERAL TIMES HE CHECKED THE OTHER THREE TIRES AND THEY ALSO HAD CRACKS ON THE INSIDE OF THE WALL. THE THREE TIRES WERE REPLACED AND APPEARED TO BE BRAND NEW. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

NHTSA ODI #10354926

45,000 miles · Mar 19, 2010

Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THE TIRES LEAKED AIR SOON AFTER PURCHASE AND AFTER 6000 MILES THERE WAS UNEVEN WEAR. AFTER 25000 MILES THE DEALER INDICATED THAT NEW TIRES WERE NEEDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60000.

NHTSA ODI #10321069

62,000 miles · Oct 10, 2009

Tires

I FOUND A FLAT TIRE ON MY 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY IN JULY 2009 AFTER THE CAR SAT OVERNIGHT, SAME EVENT OCCURRED ON FRIDAY, SEPT 9, 2009. THESE TWO EVENTS WERE THE RESULT OF BAD TIRE VALVE STEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10286971

41,927 miles · Jun 18, 2009

Tires

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WE WERE DRIVING HOME FROM LANCASTER, CA TO VENTURA, CA. WHILE DRIVING WE HEARD A STRANGE NOISE AND THEN MY HUSBAND (WHO WAS DRIVING) SAID THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER. AS QUICKLY AND SAFELY AS WE COULD WE GOT TO AN OFFRAMP. WE HAD A FLAT ON THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. DURING MY CALL TO AAA, MY HUSBAND DECIDED HE WOULD CHANGE THE TIRE SO I CANCELLED THE REQUEST FOR SERVICE. GETTING BACK ON THE FREEWAY WE HEARD THE SAME NOISE THAT WE HAD HEARD EARLIER SO WE PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY AGAIN AND SAW THAT WE HAD ANOTHER FLAT TIRE, THIS WAS ON THE REAR RIGHT. I CALLED AAA AND THEY HAD TO TOW US TO VENTURA (APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES) SINCE WE USED THE SPARE TIRE FOR THE 1ST FLAT. WHEN WE GOT TO THE SEARS AUTOMOTIVE CENTER, THEY TOLD US THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THE TIRE VALVES ON OUR TIRES WHICH WE HAD PURCHASED FROM SEARS ON JULY 18, 2007. ONE OTHER COMMENT - ON MAY 6, 2009, THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE WENT FLAT AT MY WORK PLACE; AAA PUT THE SPARE ON AND THEN WE BROUGHT IT INTO SEARS TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THEY SAID THERE WAS A NAIL IN IT - NO MENTION OF TIRE VALVE PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10274274

Official recalls

16V396000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

Jun 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.

11V539000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

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.

10V035000 · Equipment:other:labels

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.

10V036000 · Equipment:other:labels

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.

04V595000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

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

DP06003 · 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

Vehicle Speed Control

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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