IllustrationDRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD, BRAKES AND EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED, VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN (NO PEDALS WERE WORKING), CAR CRASHED AND FIRE ENGULFED THE VEHICLE
2002 Toyota Camry
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Camry years
Owner complaints for the 2002 Toyota Camry are substantially higher than the model-year median of 295.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Camry years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1860–25K
11025–50K
8750–75K
8175–100K
96100–150K
50150K+
610 reports with mileage · 343 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 281 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 146 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 107 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
252 crash reports20 fire reports94 injury reports
What owners actually said
953 reportsTHE BRAKE SYSTEM IN THIS KIND OF VEHICLE ARE DEFECTIVE. I ALMOST CRASHED ANOTHER CARS BY REAR ENDING THEM WHEN THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPONDED AND WENT ALL THE WAY WITHOUT THE CAR STOPPING. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND HE REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND PURGED THE LINES BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS; BY THE WAY THE PADS ARE IN MORE…
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THE BRAKE SYSTEM IN THIS KIND OF VEHICLE ARE DEFECTIVE. I ALMOST CRASHED ANOTHER CARS BY REAR ENDING THEM WHEN THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPONDED AND WENT ALL THE WAY WITHOUT THE CAR STOPPING. I TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC AND HE REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND PURGED THE LINES BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS; BY THE WAY THE PADS ARE IN MORE THAN 60% LIFE. TOYOTA NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL. IT HAS BEEN TOO MUCH LENIENCY FOR THIS MANUFACTURER AND LOTS OF ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT.
THE ENGINE WILL BEGIN TO JERK AND THEN IT WILL NOT IDLE. I HAVE TO TURN IT OFF FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL RESTART THEN IT RUNS WELL FOR A MONTH OR SO BEFORE IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER WHO CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY. THAT DID NOT HELP. THE CAR HAS 151000 MILES ON IT HAS PRESENTS THIS PROBLEM ABOU…
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THE ENGINE WILL BEGIN TO JERK AND THEN IT WILL NOT IDLE. I HAVE TO TURN IT OFF FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES BEFORE IT WILL RESTART THEN IT RUNS WELL FOR A MONTH OR SO BEFORE IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER WHO CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY. THAT DID NOT HELP. THE CAR HAS 151000 MILES ON IT HAS PRESENTS THIS PROBLEM ABOUT EVERY 3000 MILES ALWAYS WHEN THE ENGINE IS AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS ON THE INTERSTATE, IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO TRY TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY OF OTHER TRAFFIC.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE STRUCK AN OBJECT AND BURST. THE VEHICLE DROVE INTO A DITCH AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY AN INCH OF SNOW ON THE GROUND. THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE STRUCK AN OBJECT AND BURST. THE VEHICLE DROVE INTO A DITCH AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY AN INCH OF SNOW ON THE GROUND. THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT UNLATCHED AND FRACTURED INTO PIECES. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT UNLATCHED. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT UNLATCH AND WAS CUT OFF TO FREE THE DRIVER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED AWAY BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 122,000.
THE SRS LIGHT HAS BLINKED FOR 5 YEARS. IT MAY BLINK FOR A DAY OR TWO AND THEN NOT BLINK FOR A WEEK. NOW IT HAS BEEN BLINKING EVERYDAY FOR 2 WEEKS. A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK WAS MADE AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG TRIED TO OPEN BUT DID NOT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AND AFTER ABOUT A MONTH THE SRS LIGHT BEGAN TO BLINK.
THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT TO FIND OUT WHY, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, SO I HAD IT REPAIRED, THE LIGHT WAS OFF. I WAS DRIVING ON THE 70 HIGHWAY IN ST LOUIS, MO WHEN GOING AROUND A CIRCULAR OFF RAMP THE CAR TURNED OFF AND IT WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON. I LIFT THE HOOD BUT COULD NOT TELL WHAT WAS WRONG. M…
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THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT TO FIND OUT WHY, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, SO I HAD IT REPAIRED, THE LIGHT WAS OFF. I WAS DRIVING ON THE 70 HIGHWAY IN ST LOUIS, MO WHEN GOING AROUND A CIRCULAR OFF RAMP THE CAR TURNED OFF AND IT WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON. I LIFT THE HOOD BUT COULD NOT TELL WHAT WAS WRONG. MO DOT (HIGHWAY TOW SERVICE) PUSHED ME OFF OF THE ROAD, AND THE DRIVER SAID IT WAS THE ENGINE. I CALLED AAA AND HAD THEM TAKE IT TO A REPAIR STATION, BUT IT WAS CLOSED. I LEFT IT THERE TILL MORNING AND WENT BACK THE NEXT MORNING TO CHECK ON IT. IT STARTED AND I LET IT RUN A FEW MINUTES TILL SOMEONE COULD LOOK AT IT. I DROVE IT TO THE BAY AND THE TECH RAN A COMPUTER CHECK ON IT ( SEE PRINTOUT). HE SAID TAKE IT BACK TO THE OTHER PLACE BUT IT STOPPED ON THE LOT. THE WORKER LIFTED THE HOOD, AND IT WAS SPEWING FROM THE RADIATOR! HE SAID TURN IT OFF, AND AFTER LOOKING SAID THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE RADIATOR, THE HEAD GASKET AND THE ENGINE! IT WOULD NOT START BACK UP, AND I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST $4,500 TO REPAIR IT!!! I HAD IT TOWED TO ANOTHER REPAIR PLACE AND WAS TOLD THE SAME!!! BEFORE THIS, I HAD NO PROBLEMS, NO LIGHTS HAD COME ON AND NO INDICATORS OF ANY PROBLEMS!! I CHECKED TOYOTA'S SITE AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINES AND HEAD GASKETS!!! THIS SHOULD BE REPAIRED!!!! CONTACT ME!!! I AM NOT IN A POSITION TO PURCHASE THEN REPAIR THIS CAR THAT HAS UNREPORTED PROBLEMS THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF. !!!!!!! I AM 63 YEARS OLD WITH BAD BACK ISSUES, MY TOYOTA SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY, AND I AM STUCK AT HOME, NOT EVEN CLOSE TO A BUS STOP!!!!!!!
TAKATA RECALL? I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 45MPH AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS INJURED AS A RESULT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 38 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND SURGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 38 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND SURGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL POURING OUT ON THE GROUND FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT FUEL WAS IN THE VACUUM LINE OF THE ENGINE. THE VACUUM CANISTER WAS ALSO FILLED WITH FUEL AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED HANLEES DAVIS TOYOTA DEALER (LOCATED ON 4202 CHILES RD, DAVIS, CA 95616), ELK GROVE TOYOTA DEALER (LOCATED ON 9640 W STOCKTON BLVD, ELK GROVE, CA 95757), AND MAITA TOYOTA OF SACRAMENTO (2500 AUBURN BLVD, SACRAMENTO, CA 95821) ALL THREE DEALERS STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR FREE REPAIRS DUE TO ITS AGE AND THE FACT THAT THERE WAS NO OPEN RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD TO QUALIFY FOR FREE REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: ON TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2017 I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK WHEN SUDDENLY I HEARD A VERY LOUD POP. AT THAT MOMENT I WASN'T SURE WHETHER THE SOUND HAD COME FROM MY VEHICLE OR SOMEONE ELSE'S, SO I CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME. WHEN I ARRIVED TO MY HOUSE I PROCEEDED TO CHECK MY VEHICLE TO MAKE S…
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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: ON TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 2017 I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK WHEN SUDDENLY I HEARD A VERY LOUD POP. AT THAT MOMENT I WASN'T SURE WHETHER THE SOUND HAD COME FROM MY VEHICLE OR SOMEONE ELSE'S, SO I CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME. WHEN I ARRIVED TO MY HOUSE I PROCEEDED TO CHECK MY VEHICLE TO MAKE SURE THAT SAID NOISE HADN'T COME FROM MY CAR. THAT'S WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS ELEVATED AND THE AIRBAG WAS VISIBLE. AFTER EXTENSIVE RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT MULTIPLE TOYOTA VEHICLES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING MODELS, 2003-2008 COROLLA, 2003-2008 MATRIX, 2003-2006 TUNDRA, AND 2002-2007 SEQUOIA HAVE HAD IDENTICAL PROBLEMS WITH THEIR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS AND HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR SAME. ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION FOUND ON TOYOTA.COM, THE REASON THESE AIRBAGS WERE UNSAFELY ERUPTING WAS DUE TO "HIGH ABSOLUTE HUMIDITY". ODDLY ENOUGH THE DAY THAT THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED IT WAS UNUSUALLY HUMID OUT; I REMEMBER TURNING MY AIR CONDITIONER ON BECAUSE IT WAS SO HOT OUTSIDE. NOW, I UNDERSTAND THAT MY CAR IS NOT AMONG THE ONES THAT I PREVIOUSLY LISTED BUT THE FACT THAT THE SAME THING THAT OCCURRED TO THE ABOVE-MENTIONED VEHICLES HAPPENED TO MINE SHOULD NOT BE DISMISSED. IT IS ALARMING TO THINK OF WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THAT AIRBAG WOULD HAVE ERUPTED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY, WHAT IF THERE WAS SOMEONE IN THE CAR WITH ME?.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE FRONTAL PASSENGER AIR BAG SEPARATED FROM THE DASHBOARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 177,000.
Official recalls
404V346000 · Air Bags:side/window
Jul 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.
01V372000 · Air Bags:frontal
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.
01V302000 · Tires
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.
01V306000 · Air Bags:frontal
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.