IllustrationDEFECTIVE STRUTS, FRONT END AND REAR END NOISE, SEVERE SHUDDER WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. *JB
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 reportsDT: CONSUMER OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE SEAT TRACK WORE OUT. SHE FELT THAT THIS MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT ALLOWED THE SEAT TO MOVE FREELY. THE DEALER TOLD HER THE SEAT REPAIR WOULD COST $350 FOR LABOR AND THE PART WAS $1304. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THE MANUFACTURER LEFT HER A MESSAGE SAYING THAT THEY WOULD M…
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DT: CONSUMER OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE SEAT TRACK WORE OUT. SHE FELT THAT THIS MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT ALLOWED THE SEAT TO MOVE FREELY. THE DEALER TOLD HER THE SEAT REPAIR WOULD COST $350 FOR LABOR AND THE PART WAS $1304. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THE MANUFACTURER LEFT HER A MESSAGE SAYING THAT THEY WOULD MAKE HER A ONE TIME OFFER OF REIMBURSING $1000. *AK
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE IN REVERSE FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE MADE J LIKE TURN AND HIT AN ELECTRICAL BOX WHICH CAUSED THE POWER TO GO OUT IN APPROXIMATELY THREE HOMES AND DAMAGED THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST DELIVERED IN APRIL 2002 THIS HAPPENED. BUT THE CONSUMER THOUGHT IT…
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DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE IN REVERSE FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE MADE J LIKE TURN AND HIT AN ELECTRICAL BOX WHICH CAUSED THE POWER TO GO OUT IN APPROXIMATELY THREE HOMES AND DAMAGED THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST DELIVERED IN APRIL 2002 THIS HAPPENED. BUT THE CONSUMER THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE IT WAS A NEW VEHICLE. ON JULY 5, 2005 A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND WAS TAKEN TO BELL TOYOTA . WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. *AK *SC
THE INSIDE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE (THE OPENER) BROKE (SIMPLY SNAPPED IN TWO) AND BECAME INOPERABLE IN MY 2002 CAMRY. WHEN I WENT TO GET A REPLACEMENT, THE PARTS OFFICE TOLD ME IT HAPPENED EVERY DAY, IT WAS PLASTIC AND TO BE EXPECTED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IN AN EMERGENCY, THE RIDER WOULD HAVE A DIFFICULT TI…
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THE INSIDE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE (THE OPENER) BROKE (SIMPLY SNAPPED IN TWO) AND BECAME INOPERABLE IN MY 2002 CAMRY. WHEN I WENT TO GET A REPLACEMENT, THE PARTS OFFICE TOLD ME IT HAPPENED EVERY DAY, IT WAS PLASTIC AND TO BE EXPECTED. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IN AN EMERGENCY, THE RIDER WOULD HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME EXITING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE/HAD TWO OTHER CAMRYS- ONE A 1987 MODEL AND THE OTHER A 1996. NEITHER HAS HAD THE PROBLEM AND HAVE HAD FAR MORE USE OF THE DOOR HANDLE THAN THIS NEWER CAR. *JB
DT: ON JUNE 29, 2005 CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED, AT 65 MPH, AND THEN IT HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT KNOW WHY THEY DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. SHE SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND WA SSEEING A CHIROPRACTOR. THIS HAPPENED IN A…
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DT: ON JUNE 29, 2005 CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED, AT 65 MPH, AND THEN IT HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT KNOW WHY THEY DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. SHE SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND WA SSEEING A CHIROPRACTOR. THIS HAPPENED IN A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED, AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN.*AK
DT: CONTACT STATES THE SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATED WHILE DRIVING AND THE RPM GAUGE FLUCTUATED ON ITS OWN. THE FIRST THREE TIMES THIS HAPPENED THE CAR SLOWED DOWN . CONSUMER FELT THE SHIFT CHANGE WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING. THIS LAST TIME THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE WENT UP TO 60 MPH WHILE SHE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, AND WHEN SHE ACCELERATED…
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DT: CONTACT STATES THE SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATED WHILE DRIVING AND THE RPM GAUGE FLUCTUATED ON ITS OWN. THE FIRST THREE TIMES THIS HAPPENED THE CAR SLOWED DOWN . CONSUMER FELT THE SHIFT CHANGE WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING. THIS LAST TIME THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE WENT UP TO 60 MPH WHILE SHE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, AND WHEN SHE ACCELERATED THE SPEEDOMETER SHOT UP TO 80 MPH. SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES, AND THEY TOLD HER THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. SHE TRIED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER, BUT HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REACH THEM. THIS HAPPENED SINCE JUNE 2004. THEY CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION, AND THE SPEED SENSOR IN JUNE -2004 AFTER THE FIRST 3 TIMES THIS HAPPENED. CURRENTLY, THEY TOLD HER NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR.*AK
ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE CRACKED AND BROKE. UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE - THIS COULD POSE A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. PART WAS REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE - INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT IT IS CONSIDERED "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR."
OUR CAR IS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY LE WITH THE 4-CYLINDER ENGINE, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AND CRUISE CONTROL BUT IT DOES NOT HAVE ABS. I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER IN OCTOBER 2003 AND, AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, HAD ABOUT 35,000 MILES ON IT. BASED ON THE ORIGINAL OWNER''S RECORDS AND MY OWN, NO ELECTRICAL WORK HAD E…
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OUR CAR IS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY LE WITH THE 4-CYLINDER ENGINE, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AND CRUISE CONTROL BUT IT DOES NOT HAVE ABS. I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER IN OCTOBER 2003 AND, AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, HAD ABOUT 35,000 MILES ON IT. BASED ON THE ORIGINAL OWNER''S RECORDS AND MY OWN, NO ELECTRICAL WORK HAD EVER BEEN DONE ON THE CAR AND THE BATTERY WAS THE ORIGINAL. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON JULY 22, 2004 IN MISSION VIEJO, CALIFORNIA IN BROAD DAYLIGHT AND IN CLEAR WEATHER. COLLEEN WAS ALONE IN THE CAR AND WAS NOT HURT. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS ABOUT $3,500 IN DAMAGE. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AS MY WIFE WAS PARKING THE CAR WHEN SHE ARRIVED AT HER DOCTOR''S OFFICE FOR AN APPOINTMENT. AS SHE MADE A LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING STALL, SHE SLOWED TO ALMOST A STOP HALF WAY INTO THE PARKING SPACE. THE GEAR LEVER WAS IN THE NORMAL DRIVE POSITION AND HER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. SUDDENLY, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD JUMPING OVER THE CEMENT PARKING SPACE BUMPER, OVER THE CURB AT THE END OF THE PARKING SPACE, AND SQUARELY INTO A BLOCK WALL JUST A FOOT BEYOND THE CURB. THE SURGE IN ACCELERATION MUST HAVE LASTED LESS THAN A SECOND SINCE THE TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED WAS ONLY ABOUT 6 TO 8 FEET AND YET RESULTED IN $3,500 DAMAGE. MY WIFE WAS REALLY SHAKEN BY THE INCIDENT AND HAS DRIVEN VERY LITTLE EVER SINCE. SHE SWORE HER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE ALL THE TIME. LATER, HOWEVER, SINCE THERE SEEMED TO BE NO OTHER POSSIBLE CAUSE, SHE CONVINCED HERSELF THAT HER FOOT MUST HAVE SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE AND ONTO THE ACCELERATOR. EVENTUALLY, SHE ACCEPTED BLAME FOR THE ACCIDENT AND, AS A RESULT, OUR INSURANCE COMPANY RAISED OUR RATES CONSIDERABLY. AFTER THE CAR WAS REPAIRED, I TOOK IT TO A TOYOTA DEALER AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE ACCIDENT. I ASKED THEM TO CHECK FOR ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE ACCELERATOR AND THEY FOUND EVERYTHING OPERATING ''NORMALLY''. NO PROBLEMS WERE EVER IDENTIFIED WITH THE TRANSMISSION OR THE ACCELERATOR.
I PURCHASED MY 2002 CAMRY NEW [XXX]. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 25,000 MILES (4 JAN 03 WAS REPAIR DATE), THE FRONT BRAKES BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND SHAKE, CAUSING SOME CONTROL PROBLEMS WHEN BRAKING. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THE FRONT ROTORS WERE RESURFACED AND NEW PADS WERE INSTALLED. NOW, AT APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES, THE SAME PROBLEM …
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I PURCHASED MY 2002 CAMRY NEW [XXX]. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 25,000 MILES (4 JAN 03 WAS REPAIR DATE), THE FRONT BRAKES BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND SHAKE, CAUSING SOME CONTROL PROBLEMS WHEN BRAKING. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THE FRONT ROTORS WERE RESURFACED AND NEW PADS WERE INSTALLED. NOW, AT APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES, THE SAME PROBLEM DEVELOPED. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE AND THAT HE BLAMED POOR DRIVING HABITS ON THE FAILURE. AGAIN, THE FRONT ROTORS WERE RESURFACED AND NEW PADS WERE INSTALLED. EVEN THOUGH I HAD PAPERWORK FROM THE FIRST REPAIR, AND I HAD PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, THIS REPAIR WASN'T COVERED. AFTER CONDUCTING SOME RESEARCH AT THIS WEBSITE, I FIND THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT BRAKES, BUT TOYOTA IS EVIDENTLY NOT OWNING UP TO THE PROBLEM. THERE IS A TOYOTA SERVICE BULLETIN (00602), BUT I CAN'T SEEM TO GET THE DEALER TO FIND OR ADMIT TO THAT BULLETIN. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
DRIVER'S SIDE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE AND DOOR CANNOT BE OPENNED FROM THE INSIDE. HANDLE IS MADE OF PLASTIC. I HAVE HAD TO SPECIAL ORDER A REPLACEMENT PART FROM THE DEALER AT MY OWN EXPENSE.
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.