NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
16 reportsClear category filter200,000 miles · Dec 28, 2014
Power Train
BRINGING UP SPEED ON FREEWAY ENTRANCE TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC GOING 65 MPH OF MORE. I GOT UP TO 45 AND MY CAR STALLED AS IF LOSING POWER, IT DID THIS FOR A FEW SECONDS (ENOUGH TO ALMOST GET ME HIT), IT SUDDENLY JERKED FORWARD AND ACCELERATED UP TO 60MPH AT WHICH TIME I TAPPED MY BRAKES AND THE CAR STARTED DRIVING NORMALLY. IT ALS…
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BRINGING UP SPEED ON FREEWAY ENTRANCE TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC GOING 65 MPH OF MORE. I GOT UP TO 45 AND MY CAR STALLED AS IF LOSING POWER, IT DID THIS FOR A FEW SECONDS (ENOUGH TO ALMOST GET ME HIT), IT SUDDENLY JERKED FORWARD AND ACCELERATED UP TO 60MPH AT WHICH TIME I TAPPED MY BRAKES AND THE CAR STARTED DRIVING NORMALLY. IT ALSO DOES THIS WHEN I AM IN A SITUATION THAT I HAVE TO BRAKE SUDDENLY. IT DRAGS BEFORE I CAN ACCELERATE AGAIN TO WHATEVER SPEED I AM GOING. WHEN SLOW IN A LOT OF TRAFFIC IT ALMOST STOPS ON ME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10668567
117,087 miles · Oct 18, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train
VSC WARNING LIGHT, VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL WARNING, TRAC WARNING LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL WARNING. ENGINE SPUTTERS ON ACCELERATION, FEEL SHIFTS IN DRIVETRAIN, FROM FULL STOP AT RED LIGHT. ENGINE STALL HAS NOT HAPPENED YET BUT ENGINE SEEMS TO WANT TO DYE. SHIFTING IN THE DRIVETRAIN SEEMS TO SLIP AND BREAK WHILE ACCELERATING. …
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VSC WARNING LIGHT, VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL WARNING, TRAC WARNING LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL WARNING. ENGINE SPUTTERS ON ACCELERATION, FEEL SHIFTS IN DRIVETRAIN, FROM FULL STOP AT RED LIGHT. ENGINE STALL HAS NOT HAPPENED YET BUT ENGINE SEEMS TO WANT TO DYE. SHIFTING IN THE DRIVETRAIN SEEMS TO SLIP AND BREAK WHILE ACCELERATING. LIGHTS REMAIN ON AFTER STARTUP, WITH STANDARD CHECK ENGINE *TR
NHTSA ODI #10548391
31,800 miles · May 12, 2010
Air BagsElectrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I PURCHASED A CERTIFIED USED TOYOTA CAR (VEHICLE VIN: [XXX]) ON 12/22/2008 FROM FREMONT TOYOTA DEALER ([XXX]), WHICH LEADS A NIGHTMARE AS IT'S A WRECKED CERT. REJECTED CAR WITH 2 TIRE VALVE STEMS BROKEN ON DAY 1 AND DAY 8 AFTER PURCHASE…
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INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I PURCHASED A CERTIFIED USED TOYOTA CAR (VEHICLE VIN: [XXX]) ON 12/22/2008 FROM FREMONT TOYOTA DEALER ([XXX]), WHICH LEADS A NIGHTMARE AS IT'S A WRECKED CERT. REJECTED CAR WITH 2 TIRE VALVE STEMS BROKEN ON DAY 1 AND DAY 8 AFTER PURCHASE AND ANOTHER 2 TIRES FLAT AGAIN ON MAY 10 1. THE REAR RIGHT TIRE VALVE STEM BROKE ON 12/23/2008 (THE FIRST DAY AFTER PURCHASE) AND THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM INDICATOR (TPWS) WAS ON SO I DROVE THE CAR TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON 12/24/2008. DEALER CLAIM THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM AND ALSO CHECKED ALL THE OTHER TIRES AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE WORKING. 2. ON 1/1/2009, THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE VALVE STEM BROKE AGAIN AND THE TPWS WAS NOT ON. THIS HAPPENED WHEN WE DROVE ON HIGHWAY 5 AT 75 MILES/HOUR AND WE DON'T EVEN KNOW THE TIRE ALREADY 2/3 WAS FLATTENED!! WE HAPPENED TO LOOK FOR RESTAURANT AT THAT TIME AND A PERSON COMING OUT OF RESTAURANT POINTED TO US THIS FLAT TIRE! IF WE DID NOT EXIT FOR REST, ALL 5 PASSENGERS IN THE CAR COULD NO LONGER BE IN THIS WORLD NOW. 3. FURTHER COMPLETE DISCOVERY ON THIS CAR REVEALS: A. BONDO WAS APPLIED ON THE FOLLOWING AREAS: LEFT FENDER ON REAR BEHIND WHEEL OPENING AREA; RIGHT DOOR FROM UPPER CENTER TO BOTTOM OF DOOR; AND, RT QUARTER PANEL IN FRONT OF WHEEL OPENING AREA THE AMOUNT OF BONDO APPLIED TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLE,CLEARLY INDICATES THE DAMAGE/WRECK/REPAIR IN THESE AREAS WERE EXTENSIVE. B.SAND SCRATCHED AND DIRT UNDER PAINT ARE OBVIOUS IN MANY AREAS, THIS IS THE RESULT OF A POOR QUALITY RE-PAINT JOB. THE RE-PAINT OF THE VEHICLE IS FURTHER EVIDENCED BY THE PAINT MIL GAUGE READINGS FROM 8 MILES TO 12 MILES. THIS MATCHES KEARNY MESA TOYOTA'S 160 POINT REJECTION. C.THE PAINT JOB ALONE ESTIMATE (NOT INCLUDING THE BODY REPAIR) WAS OVER $2200 AND YET WAS THIS RE-PAINT WAS NOT REPORTED. THE FAULTY PAINT JOB IS A KNOWN DEFECT TO ANYONE THAT LOOKS AT THE VEHICLE IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY. D. THE RIGHT FENDER WAS PREVIOUSLY REMOVED. AND MORE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10330154
2,000 miles · Mar 31, 2010
Power TrainUnknown Or Other
MY ISSUES OCCURRED 5 YEARS AGO, IT WAS THE FIRST YEAR TOYOTA USED THE COMPUTERIZED ACCELERATION IN THEIR CARS. THIS INFORMATION IS IMPORTANT TO THE INVESTIGATION BEING CONDUCTED BY NASA. FEBRUARY 21, 2005 WE PURCHASED A BRAND NEW TOYOTA SOLORA BY JUNE WE SOLD IT. THE CAR FAILED TO ACCELERATE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BY NOT RESPO…
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MY ISSUES OCCURRED 5 YEARS AGO, IT WAS THE FIRST YEAR TOYOTA USED THE COMPUTERIZED ACCELERATION IN THEIR CARS. THIS INFORMATION IS IMPORTANT TO THE INVESTIGATION BEING CONDUCTED BY NASA. FEBRUARY 21, 2005 WE PURCHASED A BRAND NEW TOYOTA SOLORA BY JUNE WE SOLD IT. THE CAR FAILED TO ACCELERATE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BY NOT RESPONDING WHEN I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL. I REALIZE THIS IS THE OPPOSITE END OF THE SPECTRUM, BUT TRUST THAT IT IS RELEVANT. PLEASE ENSURE NASA GETS THIS INFORMATION IT WILL GIVE THEM MORE TO WORK WITH. I AM WRITING YOU TODAY BECAUSE FOLLOWING A NEWS BROADCAST ABOUT TOYOTA MY CHILD ASKED ME IF I REMEMBERED OUR INCIDENT THAT ALMOST COST US OUR LIVES IN THAT CAR. I HAVE PLACED THIS INFORMATION IN YOUR HANDS TO DO THE RIGHT THING WITH. VIN# 4T1CA30P15UXXXXXX CASE NUMBERS ON FILE WITH TOYOTA 200504110025 -APRIL 11, 2005 200505090783 'MAY 9, 2005 200505120765 - MAY12, 2005 THE ISSUES WERE FIRST HANDLED AT THE DEALERSHIP LEVEL WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, BEFORE I REALIZED THERE WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION I CAN BE REACHED AT XXX-XXX-XXXX XXXXXX XXXXX
NHTSA ODI #10323056
2,000 miles · Mar 31, 2010
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA SOLARA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH MAKING A LEFT TURN AND THERE WAS NO POWER RESPONSE. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, THE ENGINE STALLED. IMMEDIATELY, THE GEAR SELECTOR WAS SHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE IN OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NU…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA SOLARA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH MAKING A LEFT TURN AND THERE WAS NO POWER RESPONSE. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, THE ENGINE STALLED. IMMEDIATELY, THE GEAR SELECTOR WAS SHIFTED INTO FIRST GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE IN OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 2,000.
NHTSA ODI #10323051
50,100 miles · Dec 11, 2009
Power TrainCrash
SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA FROM A SLOW MOVING TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10295407
37,000 miles · Sep 2, 2008
Power Train
CLUTCH ON 2005 TOYOTA SOLARA NEEDS TO BE REPLACE AFTER 37,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10240667
28,650 miles · Oct 13, 2006
Power TrainVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT PROVOCATION, CRASHING INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER WHICH THANKFULLY STOPPED THE FORWARD MOTION. I DON'T KNOW IF RELATED, BUT THE VEHICLE HAS A HISTORY OF HESITATION AND ROUGH SEQUENCING THROUGH GEARS OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. ADVISED BY MANUFACTURER THIS IS A WIRE…
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WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT PROVOCATION, CRASHING INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER WHICH THANKFULLY STOPPED THE FORWARD MOTION. I DON'T KNOW IF RELATED, BUT THE VEHICLE HAS A HISTORY OF HESITATION AND ROUGH SEQUENCING THROUGH GEARS OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. ADVISED BY MANUFACTURER THIS IS A WIRELESS TRANSMISSION, AND THAT THERE WAS A SOFTWARE UPDATE, INSTALLED 1/27/06. CONDITION CONTINUED THEREAFTER THOUGH NEVER ANYTHING APPROACHING THIS. SPEED AT INCIDENT DIFFICULT TO KNOW AND COMPONENT FAILURE BEST GUESS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10170762
500 miles · Sep 22, 2006
Electrical SystemPower Train
THE SECOND GENERATION TOYOTA SOLARA USES "DRIVE BY WIRE" TECHNOLOGY INSTEAD OF A THROTTLE CABLE. MY CAR EXPERIENCES A LAG BETWEEN THE TIME WHEN I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND WHEN THE CAR ACTUALLY STARTS TO MOVE. THIS HAPPENS IN A SPECIFIC SCENARIO WHERE THE CAR IS DECELERATING, BUT THEN THE DRIVER RESUMES ACCELERATING. THE LAG CA…
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THE SECOND GENERATION TOYOTA SOLARA USES "DRIVE BY WIRE" TECHNOLOGY INSTEAD OF A THROTTLE CABLE. MY CAR EXPERIENCES A LAG BETWEEN THE TIME WHEN I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND WHEN THE CAR ACTUALLY STARTS TO MOVE. THIS HAPPENS IN A SPECIFIC SCENARIO WHERE THE CAR IS DECELERATING, BUT THEN THE DRIVER RESUMES ACCELERATING. THE LAG CAN LAST UP TO 2 SECONDS AND PRESENTS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE WHICH HAS LED TO THREE NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS IN INTERSECTIONS FOR ME. THIS FEELS LIKE IT WOULD IF YOUR CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION AND THEN THE LIGHT CHANGED. A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED FOR CERTAIN VIN SOLARAS WHICH REFLASHED THE ECU TO A NEW PROGRAM IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE THE LAG. THIS WAS NOT AN EFFECTIVE CORRECTIVE ACTION. TOYOTA HAS NO SOLUTION AT THIS TIME AND THIS PUTS MY SAFETY AT RISK. *NM,
NHTSA ODI #10168990
Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2006
Power Train
THROTTLE LAG AT LOW SPEED AND FROM STOP IS INCONSISTENT AND HAS BEEN THE CAUSE FOR SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED; DEALER INVESTIGATED; STATES THIS IS NORMAL AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE, THAT LAG IS "ACCEPTABLE". SOME INSTANCES HAVE BEEN SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE ACTUAL THROTTLE RESPONSE. DRIVE…
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THROTTLE LAG AT LOW SPEED AND FROM STOP IS INCONSISTENT AND HAS BEEN THE CAUSE FOR SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED; DEALER INVESTIGATED; STATES THIS IS NORMAL AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE, THAT LAG IS "ACCEPTABLE". SOME INSTANCES HAVE BEEN SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE ACTUAL THROTTLE RESPONSE. DRIVER HAS TO USE HARDER ACCELERATION TO COMPENSATE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF BUT DECLINES TO ADMIT IT IS A PROBLEM. DRIVER IS VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS ISSUE WILL BE CAUSE OF AN ACCIDENT. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10168704
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
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