IllustrationFRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT TO PROVIDE PASSENGER A SECURE BELT TENSION. THE SEAT BELT WAS EXTENDED TO PERMIT A PASSENGER TO SECURE THE SEAT BELT IN PREPARATION TO RIDE IN THE CAR. THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT DUE TO ABOUT A 3/8 INCH FOLD ON THE RIGHT EDGE OF THE BELT THAT SOMEHOW DEVELOPED. *TR
2005 Toyota Camry
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Camry years
Owner complaints for the 2005 Toyota Camry are substantially higher than the model-year median of 295.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Camry years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1860–25K
14725–50K
10650–75K
5375–100K
57100–150K
26150K+
575 reports with mileage · 146 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 272 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 84 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 71 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
223 crash reports10 fire reports91 injury reports
What owners actually said
721 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A WHIPLASH AND INJURIES TO THE STERNUM AND CHEST. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A WHIPLASH AND INJURIES TO THE STERNUM AND CHEST. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 11/14/14*CN UPDATED 7/28/2015 *JS
THE BRAKES TURN OFF WHEN RIDING OVER A ROUGH SURFACE. I KNOW HOW ABS WORKS. THERE IS NOTHING THAT SHOULD TRIGGER THE ABS. I KNOW HOW IT WORKS OVER SNOW. THE BRAKES WORK FINE OVER SMOOTH SURFACE. BUT IF BRAKING OVER A POTHOLE THE ABS UNNECESSARILY TURNS ON CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID AND SLIDE MUCH FURTHER THAN NORMAL STOPPING DI…
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THE BRAKES TURN OFF WHEN RIDING OVER A ROUGH SURFACE. I KNOW HOW ABS WORKS. THERE IS NOTHING THAT SHOULD TRIGGER THE ABS. I KNOW HOW IT WORKS OVER SNOW. THE BRAKES WORK FINE OVER SMOOTH SURFACE. BUT IF BRAKING OVER A POTHOLE THE ABS UNNECESSARILY TURNS ON CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID AND SLIDE MUCH FURTHER THAN NORMAL STOPPING DISTANCE. NO OTHER CAR I HAVE DRIVEN IN MY LIFE HAS DONE THIS. THIS SERIOUSLY NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON MY CAR SINCE 2005. TOYOTA DEALER HAS REFUSED TO ADDRESS ISSUE. AND I SEE MANY OTHERS HAVE POSTED THE SAME COMPLAINTS TO NHTSB, BUT NO RECALL CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA. *TR
UPON HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED ON JULY 30 TH 2014 ON OUR WAY TO LAS VEGAS TO SURPRISE MY FATHER IN LAW FOR 90 YEARS YOUNG I WAS INFORMED BY THE GOOD YEAR SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT WHAT HE WAS ABOUT TO SHOW ME WAS RECALED 2005 9 YEARS AGO! RACK AND PINION STEERING LEAKAGE AND OTHER KNOWN STEERING PROBLEMS. BEING A MECHANIC ALL MY…
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UPON HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED ON JULY 30 TH 2014 ON OUR WAY TO LAS VEGAS TO SURPRISE MY FATHER IN LAW FOR 90 YEARS YOUNG I WAS INFORMED BY THE GOOD YEAR SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT WHAT HE WAS ABOUT TO SHOW ME WAS RECALED 2005 9 YEARS AGO! RACK AND PINION STEERING LEAKAGE AND OTHER KNOWN STEERING PROBLEMS. BEING A MECHANIC ALL MY ENTIRE WORKING AND MILITARY LIFE US NAVY .THERES NOT ALLOT OF MECHANICS I DON'T KNOW. FROM THE LEAKY BOOT AND STEERING PLAY THIS WAS A MESS. WHY DIDN'T TOYOTA INFORM ME OF THIS RECALL?. I WILL HOW EVER BRING MY VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALER TO LET THEM SEE FOR THEM SELVES THAT THE PROBLEM IS REAL.AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED 9 YEARS AGO!. ITS ALREADY BEEN RECALLED AND THEY SHOULD HONOR THE PROBLEM. *TR
THIS INFORMATION IS IN ADDITION TO ODI 10617939 SUBMITTED EARLIER TODAY. THE RACK AND PINION INSTALLED AT 50946 MILES FAILED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE PART AND I WAS CHARGED ANOTHER $450 FOR LABOR PLUS INCIDENTALS. WITHIN 4 MONTHS OF THE REPLACEMENT, CLICKING SYMPTOMS SLOWLY RETURNED IN THE STEERING. I'VE ONLY PUT ANOTHER …
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THIS INFORMATION IS IN ADDITION TO ODI 10617939 SUBMITTED EARLIER TODAY. THE RACK AND PINION INSTALLED AT 50946 MILES FAILED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE PART AND I WAS CHARGED ANOTHER $450 FOR LABOR PLUS INCIDENTALS. WITHIN 4 MONTHS OF THE REPLACEMENT, CLICKING SYMPTOMS SLOWLY RETURNED IN THE STEERING. I'VE ONLY PUT ANOTHER 12K ON THE CAR SINCE 2011 AND WILL RIDE IT OUT UNTIL THE CLICK TURNS BACK INTO A CLUNK. *TR
STARTED NOTICING A WORSENING CLICK IN THE STEERING WHEEL UNTIL TURNED INTO A BIG CLUNK. THE WORK COST ME $2000 THROUGH A PRIVATE MECHANIC. I SHOULD HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND MADE A BIG STINK BECAUSE THE CAR WAS UNDER 60K BUT OVER 5 YEARS OLD. BUT THE CAR WAS ALREADY TAKEN APART AND I NEEDED TO GET IT ON THE ROAD FOR WO…
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STARTED NOTICING A WORSENING CLICK IN THE STEERING WHEEL UNTIL TURNED INTO A BIG CLUNK. THE WORK COST ME $2000 THROUGH A PRIVATE MECHANIC. I SHOULD HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND MADE A BIG STINK BECAUSE THE CAR WAS UNDER 60K BUT OVER 5 YEARS OLD. BUT THE CAR WAS ALREADY TAKEN APART AND I NEEDED TO GET IT ON THE ROAD FOR WORK. *TR
WHEN YOU PULL TO WEAR SEAT BELT, IT WOULDN'T PULL ALL THE WAY TO TIGHT IT IN. IT GETS STUCK AND YOU HAVE TO PULL IT VERY HARD SOME TIME IT WORKS. MOST OF TIME IT DOESN'T PULL BACK THE EXTRA LENGTH OF SEAT BELT (SHOULD BE AUTOMATIC TO ADJUST). *TR
WESTBOUND ON I-285, MIDDLE LANE, A CAR STOPPED TOTALLY IN FRONT OF US, AT DUSK. WE HAD 5-6 VEHICLE LENGTHS BETWEEN US ,BUT MOMENTARILY DID NOT REALIZE THE CAR IN FRONT WAS NOT MOVING, AS SHE DID NOT EVEN PUT ON HER BRAKE LIGHTS. WE BRAKED, HITTING HER IN THE REAR BUMPER. WE WERE NEARLY HIT BY A TRACTOR TRAILER BEHIND US, BUT M…
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WESTBOUND ON I-285, MIDDLE LANE, A CAR STOPPED TOTALLY IN FRONT OF US, AT DUSK. WE HAD 5-6 VEHICLE LENGTHS BETWEEN US ,BUT MOMENTARILY DID NOT REALIZE THE CAR IN FRONT WAS NOT MOVING, AS SHE DID NOT EVEN PUT ON HER BRAKE LIGHTS. WE BRAKED, HITTING HER IN THE REAR BUMPER. WE WERE NEARLY HIT BY A TRACTOR TRAILER BEHIND US, BUT MERCIFULLY, HE WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE FRONT OF HIS RIG TO THE RIGHT LANE BESIDE US. WE REALIZED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THAT OUR AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, EITHER SIDE. THE SEAT BELTS REALLY HELD US. WE CONTACTED TOYOTA REQUESTING THEY PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO SEE IF THE AIRBAGS ARE FUNCTIONAL. WE SENT A CERTIFIED LETTER PER THEIR INSTRUCTIONS 4/16/14. THEIR STATED RESPONSE TIME IS TWO WEEKS, BY LETTER. WE STILL HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM. WHILE THE CAR HAS HAD SOME SMALL FENDER BENDERS ON ITS REAR, IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OF THIS MAGNITUDE. WE OWN 2 TOYOTA CAMRY XLES AND ARE CONCERNED OUR AIRBAGS. ...UPDATED 07/15/14 *BF
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY AND BACK SEAT BELT COMES UNDONE ,, I DID NOT KNOW THIS THEN I PUT MY GRANDSON IN THIS CAR SEAT , CLICK IT UP IT WAS FINE THEN WENT AROUND A CORNER IT UNCKICK HE FLIP OVER ...... AND I CANT AFFORD TO GET IT FIX (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=2005, MAKE=TOYOTA, MODEL=CAMRY). *TR
PURCHASED THIS CAR IN JULY AND FROM THE DAY AFTER WE BOUGHT THIS CAR HAVE EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT WHEN PULLED OUR FOR LARGER PEOPLE TO BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT FOLDS OR ROLLS OVER BINDING THE SEAT BELT LOCK AND NOT ALLOWING THE SEAT BELT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. WITH SOME MANIPULATION YOU CAN GET THE…
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PURCHASED THIS CAR IN JULY AND FROM THE DAY AFTER WE BOUGHT THIS CAR HAVE EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT WHEN PULLED OUR FOR LARGER PEOPLE TO BUCKLE THE SEAT BELT FOLDS OR ROLLS OVER BINDING THE SEAT BELT LOCK AND NOT ALLOWING THE SEAT BELT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. WITH SOME MANIPULATION YOU CAN GET THE SEAT BELT TO RELEASE BUT THE NEXT TIME THE LARGER PERSON ATTEMPTS TO PUT THE SEAT BELT ON THE SEAT IS AGAIN FOLDED OVER AND DOES NOT LOCK PROPERLY. I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE AS WELL AS TOOK IT IN FOR ALTERNATE WORK IN WHICH I HEARD SOMEONE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM SO SEVERE THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO GET THE SEAT BELT TO LOCK ANY FURTHER. SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL AS MY VEHICLE. I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED TOYOTAS BUT AM SERIOUSLY QUESTIONING THE REPUTATION OF THIS 2005 CAMRY. *TR
Official recalls
516V396000 · 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
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