NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
60 reports99,300 miles · Sep 16, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
IN MY 2002 TOYOTA SOLARA THE HYDRAULIC POWER BOOSTER ACTUALLY PUSHES BACK THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THE DRIVER ACCELERATES. THE GAS PEDAL OVERRIDES THE BRAKES AND WILL PUSH THE DRIVERS FOOT OFF OF THE PEDAL IF PRESSED AT THE SAME TIME. IN REAL WORLD SCENARIOS, SUCH AS A DRIVER ACCELERATING TO PASS A VEHICLE AND THEN NEEDING TO QUIC…
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IN MY 2002 TOYOTA SOLARA THE HYDRAULIC POWER BOOSTER ACTUALLY PUSHES BACK THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THE DRIVER ACCELERATES. THE GAS PEDAL OVERRIDES THE BRAKES AND WILL PUSH THE DRIVERS FOOT OFF OF THE PEDAL IF PRESSED AT THE SAME TIME. IN REAL WORLD SCENARIOS, SUCH AS A DRIVER ACCELERATING TO PASS A VEHICLE AND THEN NEEDING TO QUICKLY APPLY THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES BECOME DIFFICULT TO PUSH DOWN ON. THE BRAKE WILL NOT PRESS DOWN PAST A CERTAIN POINT AND THE CAR WILL NOT SLOW DOWN, A FRIGHTENING AND DANGEROUS PREDICAMENT. AFTER A FEW SECONDS IT BECOMES NORMAL, BUT YOU LOSE THE SPACE TO SLOW DOWN DURING THOSE SECONDS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10356002
73,900 miles · Aug 2, 2010
Steering
2002 TOYOTA SOLARA CONVERTIBLE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION. I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED CONVERTIBLE. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS VIBRATION THAT IS NOT RELATED TO SPEED. ALL TIRES AND BOTH FRONT AXLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. A FOUR-WHEEL ALIGNMENT HAS BEEN COMPLETED AS WELL. I HAVE CONCERNS THAT THE VEHICLE HAS STEERING PROBLEMS SIMILAR…
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2002 TOYOTA SOLARA CONVERTIBLE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION. I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED CONVERTIBLE. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS VIBRATION THAT IS NOT RELATED TO SPEED. ALL TIRES AND BOTH FRONT AXLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. A FOUR-WHEEL ALIGNMENT HAS BEEN COMPLETED AS WELL. I HAVE CONCERNS THAT THE VEHICLE HAS STEERING PROBLEMS SIMILAR TO OTHER RECALLS ISSUED BY TOYOTA MOTORS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10346746
65,000 miles · Jun 27, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
I WAS DRIVING MY TOYOTA 2002 SOLARA INTO THE PARKING LOT ON 6-27-10 TO THE POST OFFICE. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT ALONG SIDE OF THE POST OFFICE BUILDING, WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE ACCELERATION STARTED TO INCREASE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. THE CAR JUMPED THE PARKING STOP AND THEN THE SIDE WA…
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I WAS DRIVING MY TOYOTA 2002 SOLARA INTO THE PARKING LOT ON 6-27-10 TO THE POST OFFICE. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT ALONG SIDE OF THE POST OFFICE BUILDING, WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE ACCELERATION STARTED TO INCREASE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. THE CAR JUMPED THE PARKING STOP AND THEN THE SIDE WALK INTO THE WALL OF THE BUILDING. THE TWO AIR BAGS EXPLODED, THEN TRYING TO PUT THE CAR INTO PARK THE CAR WENT INTO REVERSE BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT. THEN FINALLY THE CAR WAS IN PARK AND IGNITION WAS SHUT OFF. I CALLED 911 AND THEN WENT THE HOSPITAL FOR X-RAYS. THIS IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THESE CARS AND THE FLOORMAT DIDN'T GET STUCK ON THE GAS PEDAL. IS THIS A PROBLEMATIC THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM WITH TOYOTA CARS? IS THERE A WAY TO FIND OUT WHAT CAUSE THIS PROBLEM? IS THERE ANY COMPUTER IN THE CAR THAT WILL STORE THIS INFORMATION WHAT HAPPEN? I'M AM SO SHOOK UP THAT I DON'T THINK I CAN EVER DRIVE ANOTHER VEHICLE AGAIN. PLEASE KEEP ME INFORMED WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT THIS AND WHO DO I CAN SUE WHAT HAPPEN TO ME. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10340300
Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingCrash
2002 TOYOTA SOLARA CONVERTIBLE STALLED ON RAILROAD TRACKS IN RALEIGH, NC. THE DRIVER WAS KILLED SECONDS AFTER WHEN AN AMTRAK TRAIN COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE. A MECHANICAL DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN RULED OUT. THE CAR IS STILL IN THE POSSESSION OF THE DECEDANTS WIDOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10319670
30,100 miles · Mar 11, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. AFTER SHIFTING INTO REVERSE IN AN ATTEMPT TO BACK INTO HER DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARD AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. SHE THEN SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. AFTER SHIFTING INTO REVERSE IN AN ATTEMPT TO BACK INTO HER DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARD AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. SHE THEN SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. AFTER SHIFTING THE VEHICLE BACK INTO DRIVE, AND REMOVING HER FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AGAIN. SHE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE A SECOND TIME AND AGAIN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. SHE WAS ABLE TO PARK THE VEHICLE SUCCESSFULLY AND SHE IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN TO BE DIAGNOSED AND ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE A RESULT OF DRIVER ERROR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND SHE WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,100.
NHTSA ODI #10318835
64,275 miles · Feb 18, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
ENTERING A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT DRIVE THROUGH LANE, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. INSTEAD OF STOPPING THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND STRUCK THE CAR IN FRONT. FRONT END DAMAGE TO MY CAR: 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10311845
59,000 miles · Feb 5, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
MY TOYOTA SOLARA, CRASHED AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. AAA INSURANCE PAID,BUT I DIDN'T AGREE TO SETTLEMENT BECAUSE I THINK THE CAUSE WAS FAILURE OF ACCELERATOR, AS BRAKING DID NOT STOP THE CAR -- GAS PEDAL DID NOT RELEASE. CAR REAR ENDED CAR AHEAD WHICH STOPPED AS ANOTHER CAR STOPPED SHORT AHEAD OF HIM. I HAD TIME TO STOP BUT WA…
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MY TOYOTA SOLARA, CRASHED AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. AAA INSURANCE PAID,BUT I DIDN'T AGREE TO SETTLEMENT BECAUSE I THINK THE CAUSE WAS FAILURE OF ACCELERATOR, AS BRAKING DID NOT STOP THE CAR -- GAS PEDAL DID NOT RELEASE. CAR REAR ENDED CAR AHEAD WHICH STOPPED AS ANOTHER CAR STOPPED SHORT AHEAD OF HIM. I HAD TIME TO STOP BUT WAS UNABLE TO. I REPORTED THIS TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10306767
106,000 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed ControlCrash
I HAVE A TOYOTA SOLARA 2002, AND SINCE I OWNED IT BACK IN 2006, I'VE BEEN FIXING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS (ALL KINDS OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES), AND IT NEVER ENDS. RECENTLY, I'VE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS PEDAL, IT GOT STUCK AND I HIT A WALL IN THE GARAGE PARKING, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID SINCE THIS IS NOT A PART OF THE RECA…
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I HAVE A TOYOTA SOLARA 2002, AND SINCE I OWNED IT BACK IN 2006, I'VE BEEN FIXING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS (ALL KINDS OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES), AND IT NEVER ENDS. RECENTLY, I'VE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS PEDAL, IT GOT STUCK AND I HIT A WALL IN THE GARAGE PARKING, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID SINCE THIS IS NOT A PART OF THE RECALLS, THEY WON'T FIX IT, AND THEY WON'T EVEN CHECK IT. PLEASE HAVE 2002 CAMRYS AND SOLARAS INVESTIGATED, I BELIEVE THEY HAVE A LOT OF SAFETY ISSUES AS WELL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10304259
81,700 miles · Jan 10, 2010
Seat Belts
PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEATBELT WON'T RETRACT AGAIN AFTER A 2ND SEATBELT WAS INSTALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10298895
70,008 miles · Jan 10, 2010
Seat Belts
2002 TOYOTA SOLARA PASSENGER FRONT SEATBELT FAILS TO RETRACT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10298894
NHTSA investigations
3DP06003 · 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
PE04021 · Throttle Control System
Opened Mar 3, 2004 · Closed Jul 22, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control
THE LEXUS MODELS WERE THE SUBJECT OF DEFECT PETITION (DP) 04-003.TWELVE ODI COMPLAINTS ARE DUPLICATIVE TO TOYOTA REPORTS, INCLUDING THE TWO MINOR CRASHES.THE V6 EQUIPPED SOLARA MODELS HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED BECAUSE THEY DO NOT CONTAIN THE SUBJECT THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM.TOYOTA INTRODUCED ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES BEGINNING IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002.ODI OPENED THE INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE IF THE SYSTEM COULD BE THE CAUSE OF COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THE ENGINE SPEED INCREASED, OR FAILED TO DECREASE, (FOR A SHORT DURATION) WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED (THE ALLEGED DEFECT).DURING THE COURSE OF THE INVESTIGATION, ODI ANALYZED AGENCY DATA AND REVIEWED VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE (VOQ) REPORTS, CONDUCTED INTERVIEWS INVOLVING 113 VOQ AND 36 TOYOTA REPORTS, INSPECTED TWO COMPLAINANT VEHICLES, REVIEWED RELEVANT TOYOTA SERVICE AND NEW CAR FEATURE DOCUMENTATION, REVIEWED AND ANALYZED TOYOTA?S RESPONSES TO ODI?S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER, CONDUCTED A LIMITED CONTROL PEDAL ASSESSMENT, AND ATTENDED A TOYOTA TECHNICAL PRESENTATION THAT INCLUDED THE ASSESSMENT OF TWO DEMONSTRATION VEHICLES.THROUGH INTERVIEWS, ODI IDENTIFIED 14 VOQ AND 6 TOYOTA REPORTS (20 UNIQUE VEHICLES) WHERE COMPLAINANTS REPORT MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.IN SOME CASES THE CONDITION WAS EXPERIENCED BY DIFFERENT VEHICLE OPERATORS OR WAS WITNESSED BY OTHER OCCUPANTS.ODI WAS UNABLE TO MAKE A DETERMINATION AS TO THE CAUSE OF 9 TOYOTA AND AN ADDITIONAL 37 VOQ REPORTS (WHICH DESCRIBE 28 UNIQUE INCIDENTS) DUE TO INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION.THE REMAINING COMPLAINANTS INTERVIEWED (62 VOQ, 21 TOYOTA) DESCRIBED CONDITIONS NOT CAUSED BY A FAILURE OF THE THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM AND WERE THUS CONSIDERED UNRELATED TO THE INVESTIGATION.NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS INTERVIEWED REPORTED A COMPONENT FAILURE (OR OTHER INDICATOR OF A SYSTEM FAILURE) AS THE POTENTIAL CAUSE OF INCIDENTS RELEVANT TO THIS INVESTIGATION.IN MANY CASES, THE COMPLAINT VEHICLES WERE SUBSEQUENTLY INSPECTED BY DEALERSHIP OR MANUFACTURER REPRESENTATIVES WHO ALSO FAILED TO IDENTIFY A FAULT WITHIN THE VEHICLE.TOYOTA IDENTIFIED 43 RELATED WARRANTY CLAIMS, 24 OF WHICH WERE FOR DIAGNOSTIC PURPOSES ONLY (NO REPAIRS PERFORMED).ODI FOUND NOTHING ABNORMAL IN THE CONTROL PEDAL CONFIGURATION OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.A DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE THE ATTACHED SUMMARY FOR FURTHER DETAIL.
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