NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
80 reportsClear category filter83,000 miles · Jan 27, 2010
Steering
WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY (ABOUT 83,000 MILES ON IT), THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, THE CAR REQUIRED GREAT FORCE TO STEER, AND "STEAM" WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I SLOWLY PULLED TO THE CURB TO LOOK UNDER THE HOOD AND THEN DROVE ABOUT A QUARTER MILE (WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY) TO A NEARBY TOYOTA DEALER. THE FOLLOWING D…
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WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY (ABOUT 83,000 MILES ON IT), THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, THE CAR REQUIRED GREAT FORCE TO STEER, AND "STEAM" WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I SLOWLY PULLED TO THE CURB TO LOOK UNDER THE HOOD AND THEN DROVE ABOUT A QUARTER MILE (WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY) TO A NEARBY TOYOTA DEALER. THE FOLLOWING DAY I WAS INFORMED THAT AN ALTERNATOR BOLT HAD "BACKED OUT." THIS CAUSED THE ALTERNATOR TO LOOSEN WHICH RELEASED THE SERPENTINE BELT. AS A RESULT THE WATER PUMP AND ALTERNATOR WERE DAMAGED AND COOLANT SPRAYED OVER THE ENGINE. TOYOTA WANTED ABOUT $1100 TO REPAIR ALL OF THE DAMAGE. I COMPLAINED AND THE COST WAS REDUCED BY THE PRICE OF A RECONDITIONED ALTERNATOR, I.E., $400. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THEY RECENTLY HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM. MY CAR HAD BEEN IN FOR SERVICE TO THE SAME TOYOTA DEALER JUST 3 WEEKS EARLIER. HAD I BEEN DRIVING ON A FREEWAY (INSTEAD OF A LOCAL STREET WHERE I SLOWLY PULLED TO THE CURB), MY TOYOTA COULD HAVE BEEN STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, SINCE I COULD HARDLY STEER THE CAR. THIS IS POTENTIALLY A VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT/PROBLEM WHICH I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE.*CW
NHTSA ODI #10302559
21,000 miles · Jan 26, 2010
Steering
STEERING COLUMN MAKES BAD NOISES WHEN IT IS TURNED. THE NOISES CONTINUE AND STEERING IS ROUGH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10302325
76,000 miles · Jan 21, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingSteeringVehicle Speed Control
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
NHTSA ODI #10301768
106,664 miles · Dec 27, 2009
Steering
DURING ROUTINE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE TOYOTA MECHANIC REPORTED LOOSE STEERING COLUMN. LOTS OF PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL WHEN DRIVING - VERY POOR RESPONSIVENESS. VEHICLE TAKEN TO TOYOTA DEALER - NEW INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT REPLACED AT MY COST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10297081
60,000 miles · Oct 9, 2009
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE STEERING COLUMN MAKES A THUMPING NOISE WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT FAILED; HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN FROM THE DEALER STATED THAT ON HIS PARTICULAR MODEL THE ENTIRE STEERING SHAFT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED TO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE STEERING COLUMN MAKES A THUMPING NOISE WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT FAILED; HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN FROM THE DEALER STATED THAT ON HIS PARTICULAR MODEL THE ENTIRE STEERING SHAFT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNDER 60,000. THE CURRENT WAS 66,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10286908
102,000 miles · Aug 6, 2009
Steering
STEERING LOOSE WHEN MOVING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH SLOWLY. HARDLY NOTICED AT FIRST. I DROVE THE CAR TODAY. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. STEERING WAS MORE LOOSE AND THE WHEELS ALSO VIBRATED ALONG WITH THE STEERING WHEEL AT ABOUT 60MPH. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND LOTS OF INFORMATION, SEE LINK: YES, SEARCH THIS FORUM…
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STEERING LOOSE WHEN MOVING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH SLOWLY. HARDLY NOTICED AT FIRST. I DROVE THE CAR TODAY. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN IT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. STEERING WAS MORE LOOSE AND THE WHEELS ALSO VIBRATED ALONG WITH THE STEERING WHEEL AT ABOUT 60MPH. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND LOTS OF INFORMATION, SEE LINK: YES, SEARCH THIS FORUM FOR "STEERING NOISE" AND YOU'LL FIND A FEW THREADS. THIS IS WHERE THEY NAILED IT: HTTP://WWW.TOYOTANATION.COM/FORUM/SH...=155639&PAGE=2. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10279640
45,000 miles · Jan 5, 2009
Steering
THE STEERING COLUMN HAS FAILED ON MY 2004 CAMRY. A LITTLE BROWSING OF THE INTERNET REVEALS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CAMRY MODEL. MY DEALER IN COVINGTON, LA HAS SAID THAT ABOUT 1 IN 8 CAMRY'S HAVE THIS PROBLEM, BUT WOULD NOT OFFER TO HELD REPAIR MY VEHICLE SINCE ONLY THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY REMAINS. A CALL TO TOYOTA…
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THE STEERING COLUMN HAS FAILED ON MY 2004 CAMRY. A LITTLE BROWSING OF THE INTERNET REVEALS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CAMRY MODEL. MY DEALER IN COVINGTON, LA HAS SAID THAT ABOUT 1 IN 8 CAMRY'S HAVE THIS PROBLEM, BUT WOULD NOT OFFER TO HELD REPAIR MY VEHICLE SINCE ONLY THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY REMAINS. A CALL TO TOYOTA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE YIELDED THE SAME RESULTS. THE STEERING WHEEL MAKE A GRINDING NOISE AT SLOW SPEEDS, AND THE DEALER (NORTHSHORE TOYOTA IN COVINGTON, LA) HAS TOLD ME MY STEERING BEARINGS ARE "SHOT." THIS PROBLEM WAS FIRST REPORTED TO MY DEALER AT ABOUT 50,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10253876
29,944 miles · Dec 9, 2008
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE MAKING A TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN FOLLOWED BY A SHAKING SENSATION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE MAKING A TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN FOLLOWED BY A SHAKING SENSATION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED UNDER THE SERVICE WARRANTY. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,944 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
NHTSA ODI #10251224
Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2008
Steering
THERE IS A KNOCKING SOUND IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SOUND COMES WHEN THE STEERING TURNS RIGHT OR LEFT. IT STARTED AT AROUND 30K MILES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10235946
2,000 miles · Mar 21, 2008
Steering
MY CAR HAS BEEN MAKING A STEERING WELL/UNDER THE HOOD POPING NOISE SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED IT. THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT KNOWS WHERE IT IS COMING FROM, THE STEERING WHEEL AND POSSIBLY TENSION BELT, BUT HAS TOLD ME TO HOLD OFF UNTIL A RECALL. MY MOTHER IN ANOTHER STATE, AS WELL AS MY COUSIN HAS THE SAME ISSUE. IF T…
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MY CAR HAS BEEN MAKING A STEERING WELL/UNDER THE HOOD POPING NOISE SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED IT. THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT KNOWS WHERE IT IS COMING FROM, THE STEERING WHEEL AND POSSIBLY TENSION BELT, BUT HAS TOLD ME TO HOLD OFF UNTIL A RECALL. MY MOTHER IN ANOTHER STATE, AS WELL AS MY COUSIN HAS THE SAME ISSUE. IF TOYOTA HAS A LEAD ON THE MARKET, WHY CAN'T THEY HONESTLY HONOR THEIR REPAIRS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10221921
Official recalls
3Nov 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.
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..
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
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