NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Tires complaints
54 reportsClear category filter90,000 miles · Mar 20, 2015
TiresCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR ASSURANCE COMFORTRED TOURING TIRES, SIZE 205/65R15 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE DRIVER SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A BARRIER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR ASSURANCE COMFORTRED TOURING TIRES, SIZE 205/65R15 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE DRIVER SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A BARRIER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD A THREE INCH CRACK PRESENT IN THE SIDEWALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10700731
26,712 miles · Jul 23, 2013
Tires
MY '02 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE HAS 115,530 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES FOUR TIMES OVER THIS PERIOD (DETAILS BELOW). AT THIS POINT, FIRESTONE BELIEVES THE PROBLEM LIES WITH THE ENGINEERING OF THE CAR SOMEHOW BECAUSE THEIR MAINTENANCE LOG SUPPORTS THE FACT THAT I HAVE GIVEN THESE TIRES THE PROPER CARE …
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MY '02 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE HAS 115,530 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES FOUR TIMES OVER THIS PERIOD (DETAILS BELOW). AT THIS POINT, FIRESTONE BELIEVES THE PROBLEM LIES WITH THE ENGINEERING OF THE CAR SOMEHOW BECAUSE THEIR MAINTENANCE LOG SUPPORTS THE FACT THAT I HAVE GIVEN THESE TIRES THE PROPER CARE (REGULAR ALIGNMENT CHECKS, TIRE BALANCE/ROTATION EVERY 4K MILES, AND MAINTAINING PROPER AIR PRESSURE) AND THEY ARE NO LONGER WILLING TO HONOR TIRE WARRANTIES FOR THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE EACH TIME THE TIRES ARE REPLACED, THEY ARE UNDER THE WARRANTY. THEY CLAIM THAT THE PROBABILITY OF THE PROBLEM LYING WITH THE TIRES IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE, GIVEN THIS TIRE HISTORY. HERE ARE THE DETAILS OF DATES, ODOMETER READINGS, AND TIRE DETAILS EACH TIME THEY WERE REPLACED: FIRST SET REPLACED 10/3/04 WITH 26,712 MILES ON ODOMETER (WITH FIRESTONE 106879 AFFINITY LH30 P215/60R16 TLBL PS). SECOND SET REPLACED 9/1/06 WITH 49,619 MILES ON ODOMETER (WITH BRIDGESTONE 109355 TURANZA LS-T W/UNI-T AW BL P215/60R16 94T 80,000 WARRANTY). THIRD SET REPLACED WITH 91,000 MILES ON ODOMETER (MISPLACED PAPERWORK ON DETAILS, BUT CAN PROVIDE FROM FIRESTONE DATABASE IF NEEDED). FOURTH SET REPLACED 7/23/13 WITH 115,530 ON ODOMETER (WITH BRIDGESTONE 147127 TURANZA W.SERENITY PLUS BL 215/60R16 95V 75,000 WARRANTY). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10531514
Mileage unknown · May 22, 2013
Tires
NO FAILURE YET BUT THE SIDEWALLS OF THE TIRES ARE BADLY CHECKED. THE TIRES ARE ONLY 5 YEARS OLD AND THE CAR HAS BEEN GARAGED OR PARKED IN THE SHADE MOST OF THE TIME. THERE IS STILL CLOSE TO HALF THE TREAD LIFE LEFT. I PUT IN TODAYS DATE FOR THE "APPROXIMATE INCIDENT DATE" JUST BECAUSE A DATE IS REQUIRED, BUT THERE HAS NOT BEEN…
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NO FAILURE YET BUT THE SIDEWALLS OF THE TIRES ARE BADLY CHECKED. THE TIRES ARE ONLY 5 YEARS OLD AND THE CAR HAS BEEN GARAGED OR PARKED IN THE SHADE MOST OF THE TIME. THERE IS STILL CLOSE TO HALF THE TREAD LIFE LEFT. I PUT IN TODAYS DATE FOR THE "APPROXIMATE INCIDENT DATE" JUST BECAUSE A DATE IS REQUIRED, BUT THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN INCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10513144
97,908 miles · Mar 30, 2012
Tires
I BOUGHT 4 NEW PIRELLI CINTURATO P5 TIRES FOR MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY IN FEBRUARY OF 2010 FROM DISCOUNT TIRE. I WAS TOLD THAT THESE TIRES THEY EASILY LAST FOR 85,000 MILES BEFORE HAVING TO REPLACE THEM. SINCE THEN I GONE BACK TO DISCOUNT TIRE TO HAVE THEM REGULARLY ROTATED AND BALANCED. LAST TIRE ROTATION WAS IN THE MONTH OF DEC…
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I BOUGHT 4 NEW PIRELLI CINTURATO P5 TIRES FOR MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY IN FEBRUARY OF 2010 FROM DISCOUNT TIRE. I WAS TOLD THAT THESE TIRES THEY EASILY LAST FOR 85,000 MILES BEFORE HAVING TO REPLACE THEM. SINCE THEN I GONE BACK TO DISCOUNT TIRE TO HAVE THEM REGULARLY ROTATED AND BALANCED. LAST TIRE ROTATION WAS IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2011. WHEN I WENT TO GET MY TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED AGAIN ON 3-23-2012, I WAS TOLD THAT TWO OF THE TIRES ARE ALREADY WORN OUT AND OTHER TWO ARE CLOSE TO GETTING WORN OUT AND I WOULD BE BETTER OFF TO GET NEW TIRES TO KEEP ME SAFE WHILE DRIVING. I INFORMED THE SALES PERSONNEL THAT THESE TIRES ARE JUST TWO YEARS OLD AND WITH LESS THAN 27,000 MILES SINCE PURCHASED. HE MENTIONED TO ME THAT TIRES MANY A TIMES DO NOT GIVE THE MILEAGE THEY ARE RATED FOR. IN MY CASE, I GOT LESS THAN 1/3RD OF THE RATED MILEAGE. WITH MY DRIVING PATTERN (12,000 MILES/YEAR), I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED THESE TIRES TO LAST FOR ABOUT SIX YEARS AS I TAKE GOOD CARE (ROTATING, BALANCING, AND ALIGNMENT) OF THEM. WITH MY DRIVING PATTERN (12,000 MILES/YEAR), I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED THESE TIRES TO LAST FOR ABOUT SIX YEARS AS I TAKE GOOD CARE (ROTATING, BALANCING, AND ALIGNMENT) OF THEM. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10453573
30,000 miles · Mar 4, 2009
Tires
TREAD IS SEPARATION AND VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10260750
136,444 miles · Feb 19, 2009
Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE VEHICLE HAS SUMITOMO TIRES. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR DRIVING UP TO 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD HYDROPLANE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TREAD WAS BALD ON THE ONE YEAR OLD TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A SEARS REPAIR SHOP FOR A ROUTINE TIRE ROTATION THREE TIMES WITHIN ONE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE VEHICLE HAS SUMITOMO TIRES. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR DRIVING UP TO 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD HYDROPLANE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TREAD WAS BALD ON THE ONE YEAR OLD TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A SEARS REPAIR SHOP FOR A ROUTINE TIRE ROTATION THREE TIMES WITHIN ONE YEAR. ON EACH VISIT, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE DOT NUMBER, TIRE LINE, AND TIRE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 142,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,444. UPDATED 03/12/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/13/09. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10259378
41,453 miles · Jul 25, 2008
Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE VEHICLE HAS B.F. GOODRICH TRACTION T/A TIRES, SIZE 205/65R15 (NA). THE TREAD ON ALL FOUR TIRES HAS CRACKS ON THE FIRST AND LAST ROWS. B.F. GOODRICH OFFERED TO GIVE THE CONTACT NEW TIRES AT A 40 PERCENT DISCOUNT. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES AVAILABLE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE VEHICLE HAS B.F. GOODRICH TRACTION T/A TIRES, SIZE 205/65R15 (NA). THE TREAD ON ALL FOUR TIRES HAS CRACKS ON THE FIRST AND LAST ROWS. B.F. GOODRICH OFFERED TO GIVE THE CONTACT NEW TIRES AT A 40 PERCENT DISCOUNT. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES AVAILABLE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,500. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,453. UPDATED 08/14/08 *BF UPDATED 08/14/08
NHTSA ODI #10235724
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2008
Tires
3 FLAT TIRES FAULTY VALVE STEMS IN ALL 3 TIRES REPLACED THE 3 VALVE STEM. REPLACED VALVE STEM PART NUMBER IS TR414. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10234016
47,000 miles · Jul 10, 2008
Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE TIRE SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE VALVE STEM WAS CRACKED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. WITHIN THE FOLLOWING WEEKS, THE THREE REMAINING VALVE STEMS FAILED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE TIRE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE TIRE SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE VALVE STEM WAS CRACKED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. WITHIN THE FOLLOWING WEEKS, THE THREE REMAINING VALVE STEMS FAILED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE TIRE SHOP AND THEY REPLACED THE VALVE STEMS. THE STEMS THAT WERE REPLACED WERE THE TR418, MANUFACTURED BY DILL AIR CONTROLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
NHTSA ODI #10233781
Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2007
StructureTires
INSIDE DRIVER DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. PASSENGER INSIDE DOOR HANDLE DID THE SAME THING IN 2003. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10208058
Official recalls
4Jul 13, 2004
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAGS (CSA), ONE OR BOTH OF THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY BE TWISTED NEAR THE INFLATOR DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE CSA MAY NOT DEPLOY RAPIDLY ENOUGH WHEN ACTIVATED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION. THIS MAY RESULT IN FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE INTENDED HEAD PROTECTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CSAS AND REPLACE THE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 6, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Dec 11, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A THREE-SPOKE STYLE STEERING WHEEL. DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE BOTTOM SEAM OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG MODULE COVER (HORN PAD) COULD BE TORN AWAY ALLOWING THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE COVER TO COMPLETELY DETACH FROM THE AIR BAG MODULE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS SHOULD OCCUR, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE DETACHED BOTTOM PORTION MAY STRIKE THE DRIVER CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-888-333-9376.
Oct 1, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL TOURING TIRES, P205-65R15 92S, INSTALLED AT THE PORTS IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA. THE INCORRECT TIRES WERE INSTALLED ON VEHICLES THAT HAD DAMAGED TIRES. THE TIRES WERE DAMAGED DURING A PORT UPGRADE TO ALUMINUM WHEELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE TIRES DO NOT CONFORM TO THE SPEED RATING FOR THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED THE MAXIMUM SPEED RATING (112 MPH), POSSIBLE TIRE FAILURE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FIVE TIRES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 13, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Sep 25, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INCOMPLETE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COULD OCCUR IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY. BOTH OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE AND ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THIS CAMPAIGN IS 100% COMPLETED. BOTH OWNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND THEIR VEHICLES REPAIRED.
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
4DP06003 · 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.
PE02079 · Engine Compartment Fire
Opened Oct 22, 2002 · Closed Mar 18, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
ODI'S DATA ANALYSIS FOUND THE FIRES RATES TO BE CONSISTENTLY LOW AND EVENLY DISTRIBUTED AMONG SIX MODEL YEARS AND SIX DIFFERENT ENGINE CONFIGURATIONS.ODI EXAMINED A VARIETY OF ROOT CAUSES, THOSE BEING DETONATION (RESULTING IN OIL PAN PUNCTURE FROM CONNECTING ROD), STARTER FIRES, VARIOUS FUEL RELATED FIRES, LEAKING OIL FILTERS, WIRING ISSUES, IMPROPER REPAIRS AND BRAKE FLUID LEAKS.NONE OF THE ISSUES EXAMINED HAD REPORTS THAT INDICATED A TREND WHEN NORMALIZED FOR POPULATON AND EXPOSURE.SEE ATTACHED REPORT FOR FULL DETAILS.
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