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 reports
13,000 miles · Jul 15, 2008
Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL TOURING LX TIRES, SIZE P205/65R15. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED, WHICH CAUSED A SLOW LEAK. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO A TIRE STORE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE IT WAS DRY ROTTED. THE TIRE WAS …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL TOURING LX TIRES, SIZE P205/65R15. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED, WHICH CAUSED A SLOW LEAK. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO A TIRE STORE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE IT WAS DRY ROTTED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED AND THE REMAINING THREE ARE GOING TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY ARE DRY ROTTED AS WELL. THE DOT NUMBER AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000.
NHTSA ODI #10234389
12,800 miles · Jul 14, 2008
Equipment
2005 TOYOTA CAMRY REAR SPEAKER GRILLS ARE DISINTEGRATED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10234249
71,000 miles · Jul 13, 2008
Visibility
I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. I OPENED THE FRONT WINDOWS FOR ONE SECOND FOR FRESH AIR AND WHILE CLOSING, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW DIDN'T COME UP. I TRIED BOTH FROM DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SWITCHES AND IT DIDN'T WORK. I GOT THIS CAR AS BRAND NEW IN MID 2005 AND I HARDLY OPENED THE FRONT WINDOWS. I HARDLY HAVE …
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I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. I OPENED THE FRONT WINDOWS FOR ONE SECOND FOR FRESH AIR AND WHILE CLOSING, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW DIDN'T COME UP. I TRIED BOTH FROM DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SWITCHES AND IT DIDN'T WORK. I GOT THIS CAR AS BRAND NEW IN MID 2005 AND I HARDLY OPENED THE FRONT WINDOWS. I HARDLY HAVE ANY PASSENGER IN MY CAR. BOTTOM-LINE, THE WINDOW HAS BEEN RARELY USED SINCE I GOT IT AND IT CANNOT JUST STOP WORKING UNLESS THERE IS SOME MANUFACTURING DEFECT. IT WENT DOWN BUT DIDN'T COME UP. REST THREE WINDOWS ARE WORKING FINE. I THINK THERE IS SERIOUS MANUFACTURING PROBLEM WITH 2005 CAMRY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10234129
55,000 miles · Jul 2, 2008
Air BagsCrashInjury
A FRIEND WAS DRIVING MY CAR WHEN SHE FELL ASLEEP AND HIT A TREE GOING 50 MPH. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND WE BOTH SUFFERED PHYSICAL PAIN. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10233001
85,000 miles · Jun 27, 2008
Seat BeltsCrashInjury
WE OWNED A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. MY HUSBAND WAS THE DRIVER AND WAS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WHEN HE WAS CUT OFF WHILE ENTERING A STATE HIGHWAY IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND. MY 5 YEAR OLD SON WAS IN THE BACK SEAT BEHIND THE PASSENGER SEAT IN A BOOSTER SEAT WITH HIS SEAT BELT ON. DURING THE IMPACT, MY SON WAS UNRESTRAINED DUE TO A…
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WE OWNED A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. MY HUSBAND WAS THE DRIVER AND WAS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WHEN HE WAS CUT OFF WHILE ENTERING A STATE HIGHWAY IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND. MY 5 YEAR OLD SON WAS IN THE BACK SEAT BEHIND THE PASSENGER SEAT IN A BOOSTER SEAT WITH HIS SEAT BELT ON. DURING THE IMPACT, MY SON WAS UNRESTRAINED DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE SEAT BELT. THE SEAT BELT NEVER CAUGHT IN THE RETRACTING MECHANISM ALLOWING MY SON TO BE THROWN FORWARD INTO THE PASSENGER SEAT. MY SON HAD A MASSIVE HEAD TRAUMA AND WAS AIR-LIFTED TO JOHNS HOPKINS. HE WAS RELEASED THE NEXT MORNING WITH A SERIOUS CONCUSSION. THE OTHER PASSENGERS HAD VERY MINOR INJURIES.
NHTSA ODI #10232494
Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2008
Equipment
REAR STEREO SPEAKERS CRACK AND FALL INTO SPEAK CONE. TOYOTA OFFER NO ASSISTANCE ON THIS DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10231959
15,000 miles · Jun 11, 2008
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO MAKE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN AT ANY SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLUNKING SOUND. HE ALSO FEELS A SLIGHT BUMP ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER, BU…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO MAKE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN AT ANY SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLUNKING SOUND. HE ALSO FEELS A SLIGHT BUMP ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER, BUT IS STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,147 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
NHTSA ODI #10230590
47,000 miles · Jun 1, 2008
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Steering
HEARD A THUMPING NOISE IN THE DRIVE SHAFT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. IT WOULD NOT GO AWAY, TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER TO LOOK AT. MY CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED BY A TOYOTA DEALER THERE IS A PART IN THE DRIVE SHAFT THAT LINKS TO THE CONTROL ARM OF THE WHEELS, THIS PART HAS FAILED AND COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO LOOSE CONTROL …
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HEARD A THUMPING NOISE IN THE DRIVE SHAFT OF THE STEERING WHEEL. IT WOULD NOT GO AWAY, TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALER TO LOOK AT. MY CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED BY A TOYOTA DEALER THERE IS A PART IN THE DRIVE SHAFT THAT LINKS TO THE CONTROL ARM OF THE WHEELS, THIS PART HAS FAILED AND COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND DISABLED MY ABILITY TO TURN MY WHEELS, AND CAUSE A DEADLY ACCIDENT, TOYOTA MOTOR CORP, HAS FAILED TO NOTIFY THERE CUSTOMERS OF THIS TSB BULLETIN, AND THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THIS IS NOT A RECALL ITEM. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE HAD OVER 100 AND 1000'S OF 2005 CAMRY'S WITH THIS PROBLEM. YET NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. DOES SOMEONE NEED TO BE KILLED OR TOYOTA SUED TO HAVE THIS PART REPLACED. THE PART IN THE DRIVE SHAFT FAILED, THERE IS A TSB ON THIS, BUT TOYOTA REFUSED TO FIX THIS DUE TO THAT MY CAR HAS OVER 36K MILES ON IT, AND UNDER 50K, NOT ONE PERSON AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WOULD FIX THIS FOR ME, WITHOUT CHARGING ME, YET THIS PART HAS BEEN PUT ON A TSB BULLETIN. THE DEALERSHIP NOR TOYOTA DID NOT INFORM ME OF THIS SITUATION. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALLED ITEM. I HAVE MY CAR SERVICE AT TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER, YET THE LACK OF TOYOTA TO DUE SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, IS IRRESPONSIBLE. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I TOOK MY CAR TO PRIORITY TOYOTA, BECAUSE THE SERVICE BEING PROVIDED BY THE OTHER TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS IN THE AREA WAS SUBARU. I DO NOT BLAME PRIORITY TOYOTA FOR NOT FIXING THE PROBLEM, IN FACT THEY WERE THE VERY FIRST DEALERSHIP TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. THE OTHER TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS IN THE AREA FAILED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, EVEN THOUGH I TOOK MY CAR TO THESE OTHER DEALERSHIPS FOR SERVICE. FIRST TEAM TOYOTA WAS THE MAIN DEALER THAT SERVICED MY CAR WHEN THERE WAS LESS THAN 36K MILES ON IT. I USE TO BRING IT TO THEM AND HAVE THEM CHECK EVERYTHING, AND THE ONLY TSB THEY TOLD ME ABOUT WAS THE BELT PULLEY, TSB, WHEN I ASKED IF THERE WERE ANY OTHERS, THEY SAID THAT WAS IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10229424
76,900 miles · May 19, 2008
Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND HAD TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED. BOTH OF THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MIL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND HAD TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED. BOTH OF THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,937 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,900.
NHTSA ODI #10228179
Mileage unknown · May 12, 2008
Unknown Or OtherCrash
LTR TO SECRETARY REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF A FATAL ACCIDENT INVOLVING HIS MOTHER IN LAW, IN HER 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. *KB THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ALL OF THE READINGS OF THE EVENT DATA RECORDER AND WHETHER VEHICLE MALFUNCTION AND/OR VEHICLE CRASH WORTHINESS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER DIED FROM BLUNT FOR…
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LTR TO SECRETARY REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF A FATAL ACCIDENT INVOLVING HIS MOTHER IN LAW, IN HER 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. *KB THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ALL OF THE READINGS OF THE EVENT DATA RECORDER AND WHETHER VEHICLE MALFUNCTION AND/OR VEHICLE CRASH WORTHINESS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER DIED FROM BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA CAUSED BY THE COLLISION. *JB UPDATE UPDATED 9/21/2011*CW
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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