NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
161 reports131,838 miles · Jul 31, 2017
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS CRACKED AND THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT ALSO HAD MULTIPLE CRACKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CERRITOS TOYOTA IN CERRITOS, CA WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THEY COULD ONLY REPLACE THE DASHBOARD, AND NOT THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. TH…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS CRACKED AND THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT ALSO HAD MULTIPLE CRACKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CERRITOS TOYOTA IN CERRITOS, CA WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THEY COULD ONLY REPLACE THE DASHBOARD, AND NOT THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,838. UPDATED 10/24/17*LJ *JS
NHTSA ODI #11011755
109,000 miles · Jun 9, 2017
Air BagsStructureVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
PULLING INTO A DISABLED RETAIL PARKING SPACE AT VERY LOW SPEED, CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND HIT THE METAL PARKING POLE, DAMAGING THE FRONT BUMPER AND HOOD. EYEWITNESS TO COLLISION INCIDENT CONFIRMS THIS. CAR WAS BARELY IN MOTION AND MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. I RECEIVED WHIPLASH REQUIRING MEDICAL ATTENTION AND INJURY TO MY RIGHT KNEE…
Read full complaint
PULLING INTO A DISABLED RETAIL PARKING SPACE AT VERY LOW SPEED, CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND HIT THE METAL PARKING POLE, DAMAGING THE FRONT BUMPER AND HOOD. EYEWITNESS TO COLLISION INCIDENT CONFIRMS THIS. CAR WAS BARELY IN MOTION AND MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. I RECEIVED WHIPLASH REQUIRING MEDICAL ATTENTION AND INJURY TO MY RIGHT KNEE. AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR COMPANY STATES IMPACT WAS SO SEVERE THAT FRAME WAS BENT, RESULTING IN THE INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARING VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. HOWEVER, THE AIR BAG NEVER DEPLOYED EVEN THOUGH THE BUMPER DAMAGE OCCURRED RIGHT AT THE AIR BAG LOCATION ON DRIVER SIDE. TOYOTA SOLARA AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE SUDDEN LURCH FORWARD SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED SINCE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AT THE TIME AND BARELY MOVING. PICTURES AVAILABLE. POLICE REPORT NOT POSSIBLE AS THEY DO NOT COME TO PRIVATE PARKING PROPERTY. VEHICLE STILL DRIVABLE, SO IT WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA-APPROVED AUTO REPAIR SHOP.
NHTSA ODI #10994160
129,000 miles · May 1, 2017
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
FEBRUARY 1, 2017, TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT AT 700 E. MAIN ST., GRASS VALLEY, CA, TURNED RIGHT INTO A PARKING SPACE AND AS THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE CAR SURGED FORWARD, JUMPING A CEMENT CURB, THE FENDER GRAZING A TREE ON THE LEFT, COMING TO AN ABRUPT STOP WHEN IT HIT THE CEMENT BASE OF A LIGHT POLE. FLUIDS WERE LEAKING FROM BE…
Read full complaint
FEBRUARY 1, 2017, TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT AT 700 E. MAIN ST., GRASS VALLEY, CA, TURNED RIGHT INTO A PARKING SPACE AND AS THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE CAR SURGED FORWARD, JUMPING A CEMENT CURB, THE FENDER GRAZING A TREE ON THE LEFT, COMING TO AN ABRUPT STOP WHEN IT HIT THE CEMENT BASE OF A LIGHT POLE. FLUIDS WERE LEAKING FROM BENEATH THE CAR, THE FRONT BUMPER WAS HANGING OFF, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR CAUGHT AS IT WAS OPENED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THIS WAS THE SECOND INCIDENT, WITH THE SAME EVENT OCCURRING 2 YEARS PRIOR BUT WITH LESS SURGE AND NO CAR BODY DAMAGE. BOTH INCIDENTS REPORTED TO TOYOTA IMMEDIATELY. TOYOTA INVESTIGATED AND BOTH TIMES FOUND NO CAUSE FOR THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. SINCE THE CAR HIT A STATIONARY OBJECT I AM FOUND "AT FAULT" BY MY INSURANCE, WHICH IS ANNOYING. I DID NOT HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED SINCE IT IS CLEARLY UNSAFE. TODAY, MAY 1, 2017, A SALVAGE COMPANY PICKED UP THE CAR TO BE USED SOLELY FOR PARTS. THE CAR IS IN OTHERWISE EXCELLENT CONDITION, BUT I COULD NOT PLACE ANOTHER HUMAN BEING IN JEOPARDY BY REPAIRING AND SELLING IT, NOR COULD I EVER FEEL SAFE AGAIN DRIVING THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #10981642
85,100 miles · Apr 20, 2017
Air BagsService BrakesSteeringCrashInjury
ON MARCH 6, 2016, MOVING WEST ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AT ABOUT 20 MPH 10:45 P.M., LESS THAN 500' FROM HOME. CRYSTAL CLEAR NIGHT. CAR FREEZES, STEERING & BRAKES LOCK, CAR LURCHES FORWARD AND KEEPS MUCH HIGHER SPEED. WITH BOTH ARMS, I PULLED CAR FROM HEAD-ON WITH UTILITY POLE TO VERY HIGH PALM TREE. HEAD-ON ITH TREE, AIRBAG RELEAS…
Read full complaint
ON MARCH 6, 2016, MOVING WEST ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AT ABOUT 20 MPH 10:45 P.M., LESS THAN 500' FROM HOME. CRYSTAL CLEAR NIGHT. CAR FREEZES, STEERING & BRAKES LOCK, CAR LURCHES FORWARD AND KEEPS MUCH HIGHER SPEED. WITH BOTH ARMS, I PULLED CAR FROM HEAD-ON WITH UTILITY POLE TO VERY HIGH PALM TREE. HEAD-ON ITH TREE, AIRBAG RELEASES, WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM HOOD. I TURNED CAR OFF, TOOK KEYS, CAR ENGINE CONTINUES AS DID HORN BLOWING & WHITE SMOKE. IT TOOK THREE AAA TRUCKS TO REMOVE CAR FROM TREE TRUNK, WITH STEERING AND BRAKES STILL LOCKED. CAR WAS ALONE ON A NEIGHBORHOOD ROAD MOVING WEST, DRIVER ALONE, VERY RESIDENTIAL WITH PEOPLE WALKING DOGS, PILOTS AND STEWS RUNNING, JOGGERS AND PUPS AND CATS PROWLING. NO ONE WAS AROUND. A GUARD FROM A GATED COMMUNITY ON THE STREET'S NORTH SIDE WAS THE 1ST TO APPEAR. EVENTUALLY 4 POLOCE OFFICERS WERE THERE, ONE TALKED TO ME OFTEN.
NHTSA ODI #10979427
98,000 miles · Aug 31, 2016
Air BagsCrashInjury
I HIT A PARKED VAN ON THE FRONT END. NEITHER OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I HAVE HAD A MRI DONE BECAUSE OF THE PAIN, AND HAVE SEVERAL VERTEBREAS INVOLVED. I NEED PHYSICAL THERAPY, SHOTS OR SURGERY TO HELP WITH PAIN. I CANNOT AFFORD THESE RESOURCES. I NEED TO FILE A CLAIM AGAINST THE INSURANCE COMPANY, OR PRODUCT LIABILITY FORM …
Read full complaint
I HIT A PARKED VAN ON THE FRONT END. NEITHER OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I HAVE HAD A MRI DONE BECAUSE OF THE PAIN, AND HAVE SEVERAL VERTEBREAS INVOLVED. I NEED PHYSICAL THERAPY, SHOTS OR SURGERY TO HELP WITH PAIN. I CANNOT AFFORD THESE RESOURCES. I NEED TO FILE A CLAIM AGAINST THE INSURANCE COMPANY, OR PRODUCT LIABILITY FORM TO RECEIVE THE PHYSICAL HELP I NEED. UNLESS TOYOTA WOULD RATHER SETTLE WITH ME ALONE, THIS WILL NEED TO BECOME A PUBLIC MATTER. I WAS DRIVING AND HIT A PARKED VAN. THE SUN WAS SETTING, SKINNY ROADS WITH NO LINES DIVIDING EACH LANE. PERSONAL NEIGHBORHOOD ST. PERSONALLY, I DO NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DATE.
NHTSA ODI #10902930
95,000 miles · Jul 29, 2016
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A POWER STEERING FAILURE. A MECHANIC REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V539000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED B…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A POWER STEERING FAILURE. A MECHANIC REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V539000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED BY A DEALER OR A MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
NHTSA ODI #10891672
Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine
TOYOTA TRANSMISSION U241E IS RIGGED WITH PROBLEMS. SEVERAL OF THEIR MODELS HAVE THIS AND IT'S COSTLY. IN ADDITION THE ECM ECU (COMPUTER UNIT) IS PROBLEMATIC. YOU WILL HAVE TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION OR THE COMPUTER OR BOTH. THEY HAVE RECEIVED MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS BUT DO LITTLE TO FIX OR EVEN HELP. YOU CAN FIND BUNCH OF ARTICL…
Read full complaint
TOYOTA TRANSMISSION U241E IS RIGGED WITH PROBLEMS. SEVERAL OF THEIR MODELS HAVE THIS AND IT'S COSTLY. IN ADDITION THE ECM ECU (COMPUTER UNIT) IS PROBLEMATIC. YOU WILL HAVE TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION OR THE COMPUTER OR BOTH. THEY HAVE RECEIVED MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS BUT DO LITTLE TO FIX OR EVEN HELP. YOU CAN FIND BUNCH OF ARTICLES ON IT. SEE: HTTP://QCWO.COM/TECHNICALDOMAIN/HARSH-SHIFTING-PROBLEMS-ON-TOYOTA-RAV-AUTOMATIC-TRANSMISSION-AND-PROBLEM-REPAIR
NHTSA ODI #10883035
140,100 miles · May 3, 2016
SteeringVehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CASHED INTO A PALM TREE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER COLLISION CEN…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CASHED INTO A PALM TREE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER COLLISION CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,100.
NHTSA ODI #10862842
75,000 miles · Mar 11, 2016
Unknown Or Other
DASH HAS COMPLETELY CRACKED AND CONTINUES TO SPLINTER OFF. I HAVE SEEN MANY WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS AS WELL.
NHTSA ODI #10846156
Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2016
Air Bags
TAMARA RECALL MY AIRBAG LIGHT BEEN ON FOR ABOUT TWO YEAR, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE CAUSE IS AND I'M REALLY CONCERNED DUE TO THE FACT THAT I AM PREGNANT. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIRBAG DEPLOYING WHILE DRIVING AND FEAR THE SAFETY OF MY UNBORN CHILD AND MYSELF.
NHTSA ODI #10838118
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
Illustration