IllustrationINTAKE MANIFOLD DEFECT, 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. TICKING SOUND FROM INSIDE THE MANIFOLD. *TR
2004 Toyota Camry
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Camry years
Owner complaints for the 2004 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
1700–25K
11225–50K
7950–75K
6075–100K
63100–150K
32150K+
516 reports with mileage · 122 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 238 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 80 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 79 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
199 crash reports11 fire reports96 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
30 reportsWHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE AND THEN SLOW DOWN ALMOST TO A STOP WITHOUT DRIVER PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CHANGING. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THE VEHICLE NOT BE DRIVEN BEFORE REPAIRS COUL…
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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE AND THEN SLOW DOWN ALMOST TO A STOP WITHOUT DRIVER PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CHANGING. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THE VEHICLE NOT BE DRIVEN BEFORE REPAIRS COULD BE MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT AT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A DEFECTIVE THROTTLE PEDAL CONTROL, P/N 78010-33010. I AM WAITING ON THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *TR
WHILE EXITING EZ-PASS TOLL MY VEHICLE'S ENGINE REVVED UP OUT OF CONTROL, AS IF THE ACCELERATOR WAS BEING FLOORED WHEN I WAS JUST BARELY TOUCHING IT. I RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR AND WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, APPLY THE FOOT BRAKE, AND PULL OVER SAFELY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I'M W…
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WHILE EXITING EZ-PASS TOLL MY VEHICLE'S ENGINE REVVED UP OUT OF CONTROL, AS IF THE ACCELERATOR WAS BEING FLOORED WHEN I WAS JUST BARELY TOUCHING IT. I RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR AND WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, APPLY THE FOOT BRAKE, AND PULL OVER SAFELY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I'M WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THEM. *TR
ON APRIL 15,2008 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY DOWN OUR STREET WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WENT INTO IDLE AND WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. I HAD A EXTENDED WARRANTY STILL IN EFFECT SINCE THE CAR ONLY HAD 42,393 MILES ON THE CAR SO I CALLED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR. WE HAVEN'T HAD…
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ON APRIL 15,2008 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY DOWN OUR STREET WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WENT INTO IDLE AND WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. I HAD A EXTENDED WARRANTY STILL IN EFFECT SINCE THE CAR ONLY HAD 42,393 MILES ON THE CAR SO I CALLED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR. WE HAVEN'T HAD A PROBLEM SINCE BUT I AM AFRAID THAT THE REPLACED SENSOR MAY BE DEFECTIVE AND COULD CAUSE UNWANTED ACCELERATION/DECELERATION SINCE IT WAS REPLACED IN 2008. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE NEWLY REPLACED ACCELERATOR SENSOR MAY NOT BE SAFE EITHER CONSIDERING ALL THE RECENT REPORTS. PLEASE USE YOUR POWER AND GET TOYOTA TO ADD THE 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY TO THEIR RECALL LIST BEFORE OTHER SERIOUS PROBLEMS OCCUR. THANKS FOR YOUR SERIOUS CONSIDERATION ON THIS MATTER. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU DECIDE. *TR
THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF (DIED) WHILE DRIVING TWO TIMES. ONCE ON RAILROAD TRACKS AND ONCE ON A HIGHWAY OFF RAMP. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE TEST FOUND A CODE P2112 INDICATING THROTTLE STUCK CLOSED. MECHANIC SAID THROTTLE BODY MOTOR WAS THE CAUSE. THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WITH MOTOR WAS REPLACED. MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE CAR WAS…
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THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF (DIED) WHILE DRIVING TWO TIMES. ONCE ON RAILROAD TRACKS AND ONCE ON A HIGHWAY OFF RAMP. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE TEST FOUND A CODE P2112 INDICATING THROTTLE STUCK CLOSED. MECHANIC SAID THROTTLE BODY MOTOR WAS THE CAUSE. THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WITH MOTOR WAS REPLACED. MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE THROTTLE MIGHT GET STUCK OPEN CAUSING A RUNAWAY. CAR MILEAGE WAS 32,743. OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES FOR A STOP SIGN ON A SECONDARY ROAD(20-25MPH) THE ENGINE SPEED FAILED TO REDUCE AND THE BRAKES WERE INEFFECTIVE AT STOPPING THE VEHICLE. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION KEY A THAT POINT AND STOPPED BEFORE THE SIGN. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RESURFACED SINCE. *TR
ACCELERATION ON MY 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE WILDLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. CAR WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE, THEN DECELERATE ALMOST NON-STOP. I SHUT ENGINE OFF, CALLED TOYOTA AND HAD THE CAR TOWED IN. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD BE REPLACED UNDER A FEDERALLY MAND…
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ACCELERATION ON MY 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE WILDLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. CAR WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE, THEN DECELERATE ALMOST NON-STOP. I SHUT ENGINE OFF, CALLED TOYOTA AND HAD THE CAR TOWED IN. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD BE REPLACED UNDER A FEDERALLY MANDATED WARRANTY - CAR HAD 76,000 MILES, AND WARRANTY WAS GOOD TO 80,000 MILES. HOWEVER THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY HAD SIMULTANEOUSLY FAILED. THAT WOULD COST ME $681. TOYOTA'S OWN TECHNICIAN SAID THAT THE ECM FAILURE CAUSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO FAIL. TOYOTA CORPORATE, HOWEVER, TOLD ME THAT THE TWO INCIDENTS WERE UNRELATED. AFTER READING ABOUT THE "ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKING" PROBLEM IN THE NEWS LATELY, I WONDER IF MY PROBLEM IS NOT PART OF A MUCH LARGER PROBLEM INVOLVING THE ECM ON TOYOTAS CARS. IF I WAS NOT WISE ENOUGH TO SHUT OFF MY ENGINE WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED, A SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD EASILY HAVE OCCURRED. PLEASE CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE THE ECM PROBLEM, AS I BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA IS NOT FORTHCOMING WITH THE FULL STORY HERE. *TR THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WEAS AN ENGINE KNOCK COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPALCED THE TENSIONER, AND BELT. THE WATER PUMP WAS WEARING PREMATURELY, THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON ALL THE TIME. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE ECM AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL WERE REPLACED. UPDATED IVOQ 04/15/11
I WAS DRIVING FORWARD SLOWLY IN A DRIVEWAY AND WAS BRAKING LIGHTLY TO STOP BEFORE TURNING ONTO A STREET. ALTHOUGH I WAS BRAKING, MY CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE. I PRESSED THE BRAKE HARD AND IT BUCKED BRIEFLY. THEN I PUT IT IN PARK. THE ENGINE RACED FOR A FEW MORE SECONDS AND THEN DROPPED BACK TO NORMAL. *TR
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BEFORE I COULD GET IT SERVICED THE VEHICLE STARTED CUTTING OFF WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND WITH IN A DAY STARTED CUTTING OFF WHEN IDLING. THIS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR CUT OFF THE FIRST TIME AND SOMEONE ALMOST REAR ENDED ME. WHEN MY CAR CUT …
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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. BEFORE I COULD GET IT SERVICED THE VEHICLE STARTED CUTTING OFF WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND WITH IN A DAY STARTED CUTTING OFF WHEN IDLING. THIS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR CUT OFF THE FIRST TIME AND SOMEONE ALMOST REAR ENDED ME. WHEN MY CAR CUT OFF IT DECELERATED SO FAST THAT THE CAR BEHIND ME SWERVED TO AVOID ME AND RAN OFF THE ROAD. THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING CONSTANTLY AND MY CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT THIS POINT. I HAVE HAD DIAGNOSTICS RUN ON IT AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT NEEDS A THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY REPLACED AND WE ARE TRYING TO LOCATE THE PART. WHEN I RESEARCHED THE THROTTLE BODY, I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ALSO HAVING THIS PROBLEM ON TOYOTA CAMRYS' WITH RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 77,000 MILES. *TR
I DRIVE A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY THAT HAS BEEN PERFECTLY MAINTAINED OVER THE YEARS WITH ONLY 30,000 MILES. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUE WITH IT UNTIL I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY AND IT JUST SUDDENLY STALLED ON ME. I WAS ON A HIGHWAY AND WAS NEARLY RAMMED IN THE BACK. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION AND THEY INDICATED THAT IT WAS THE …
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I DRIVE A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY THAT HAS BEEN PERFECTLY MAINTAINED OVER THE YEARS WITH ONLY 30,000 MILES. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUE WITH IT UNTIL I WAS DRIVING ONE DAY AND IT JUST SUDDENLY STALLED ON ME. I WAS ON A HIGHWAY AND WAS NEARLY RAMMED IN THE BACK. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION AND THEY INDICATED THAT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY POSITION SENSOR. I THEN HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THE EXACT SAME THING AND THAT IT WOULD COST $1300. I HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 CAMRY. THIS MATTER NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WAS NEARLY KILLED ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE OF MY CAR SUDDENLY STALLING ON ME WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHATSOEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR
Official recalls
311V539000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Nov 9, 2011
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AVALON VEHICLES; 2004 AND 2005 CAMRY, CAMRY SOLARA, HIGHLANDER, AND SIENNA VEHICLES, 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID; 2004 AND 2005 LEXUS ES330 AND RX330; AND 2006 LEXUS RX400H VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH THE 1MZ-FE OR 3MZ-FE ENGINE. THE AMOUNT OF ADHESIVE AGENT APPLIED BETWEEN THE OUTER RING AND THE TORSIONAL RUBBER DAMPER (INNER RING) IN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY MAY BE INADEQUATE. IF THE ADHESIVE IS INSUFFICIENT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE OUTER RING MAY BECOME MISALIGNED AND IT MAY NOT PROPERLY ROTATE WITH THE INNER RING, CAUSING NOISE AND/OR ILLUMINATION OF THE BATTERY DISCHARGE INDICATOR LIGHT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN SOME CASES, THE BELT FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM THE PULLEY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND A SUDDEN INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL CHECK THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY TO IDENTIFY WHETHER IT WAS PRODUCED BY THE U.S. SUPPLIER. IF SO, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PULLEY WITH A NEW ONE AT NO CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING EARLY JANUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
04V595000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
Dec 15, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A FRONT PASSENGER POWER SEAT, WHEN INSTALLING CERTAIN REAR-FACING INFANT CHILD SEAT BASES ONTO THE SEAT WITH AN EXCESSIVELY HIGH SEATBELT TENSION, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO UNSEAT A COMPONENT CALLED THE BUCKLE STATUS SWITCH FROM THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SWITCH BECOMES UNSEATED, THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM MAY MISTAKE THE REAR-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT FOR AN UNBELTED ADULT OCCUPANT, AND MAY NOT SUPPRESS THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT BUCKLE STATUS SWITCH. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN (SSC 40M) BEGAN ON DECEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987..
04V346000 · 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.
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
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