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
What owners actually said
638 reports
300 miles · Nov 13, 2004
Air Bags
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OF OUR 2004 CAMRY REPEATEDLY DISENGAGES. THE DEALERSHIP HAS RE-CALIBRATED THE COMPUTER FIVE TIMES NOW AND THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER SAYS THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO TOYOTA BUT THEIR ENGINEERS HAVE NOT FIGURED OUT HOW TO FIX IT. THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE ANY PARTS, SAYING THAT THERE ARE TOO MANY PART…
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THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OF OUR 2004 CAMRY REPEATEDLY DISENGAGES. THE DEALERSHIP HAS RE-CALIBRATED THE COMPUTER FIVE TIMES NOW AND THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER SAYS THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO TOYOTA BUT THEIR ENGINEERS HAVE NOT FIGURED OUT HOW TO FIX IT. THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE ANY PARTS, SAYING THAT THERE ARE TOO MANY PARTS THAT COULD BE THE PROBLEM AND THEY'D JUST BE "THROWING PARTS" AT IT. THEY ALSO CLAIM THE LEMON LAW DOES NOT APPLY TO THIS PROBLEM SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT REPLACING PARTS BUT SIMPLY RE-CALIBRATING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO PUT IN HERE FOR INCIDENT DATE BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY. I WILL USE THE LAST ONE BELOW, BUT THIS IS A REPAIR WE'VE HAD TO SEEK AGAIN FIVE TIMES. THE ONLY REASON WE HAVE NOT HAD TO SEEK IT MORE THAN THAT IS THAT NORMALLY MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR ALONE AND RARELY HAS A PASSENGER. THE AIRBAG ONLY DISENGAGES WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER. IT APPEARS THERE MAY BE SOME CONNECTION BETWEEN SEATBELT USE AND PUTTING CAR IN OR OUT OF GEAR. THIS LAST TIME IT WENT OUT WE WERE STUCK IN TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. AT ONE POINT THE PASSENGER RELEASED THE SEATBELT. WE WERE TAKING THE CAR IN AND OUT OF GEAR EVERY 5-10 MINUTES TO MOVE JUST A FEW YARDS. ANOTHER TIME THE AIRBAG DISENGAGED WAS SOMEWHAT SIMILAR. WE HAD PULLED INTO A REST AREA. I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND GOT OUT. MY WIFE LATER MOVED THE CAR (DRIVING) AND WAS WAITING FOR ME TO GET BACK IN WITH THE CAR RUNNING, IN GEAR. WHEN I GOT BACK IN, SHORTLY THEREAFTER WE NOTICED THE AIRBAG DISENGAGE LIGHT CAME ON. *JB
V6 ENGINE, 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION</A>'; RETURN TRUE;" ONMOUSEOUT="WINDOW.STATUS=''; RETURN TRUE;">AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION</A>'; RETURN TRUE;" ONMOUSEOUT="WINDOW.STATUS=''; RETURN TRUE;">AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION</A>'; RETURN TRUE;" ONMOUSEOUT="WINDOW.STATUS=''; RETURN TRUE;">AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION</A>. VEHICLE FAILS TO ACCELERATE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AFTER THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED FOLLOWING A STOP. APPEARS TO HAPPEN AFTER A QUICK ROLLING STOP AND WHEN THE <A TRUE;">AIR CONDITIONER</A> HAVING TO WORK. CAR IS UNPREDICTABLE, IT WILL START MOVING AFTER THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES. THIS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE UNPREDICTABLE NATURE OF THROTTLE HESITATION. *JB CAR ALSO HUNTS FOR GEARS AT SLOWER SPEEDS CAUSING UNCOMFORTABLE RIDE AS THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD AT UNPREDICTABLE TIMES AFTER THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE DEALER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH ALL THE V6 CAMRY'S WHICH THE DEALER COULD NOT FIX. I WAS ASKED TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR FURTHER TESTING, WHICH I DID, BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO ATTEMPT TO FIX THE VEHICLE. *JB THE VEHICLE JERKED THE CONSUMER AROUND AS GEARS WHERE SHIFTED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SEARCHES FOR THE RIGHT GEAR WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS. *TC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10098743
1,000 miles · Nov 12, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE HESITATED THEN SURGED FORWARD WITH AGGRESSIVE MEANS. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR RESPONSE IS VERY POOR AND ERRATIC. THE PEDAL HAS 1.5 TO 2 INCHES OF TRAVEL WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THE ENGINE. THE SERVICE MANAGER DROVE THE C…
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WHEN APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE HESITATED THEN SURGED FORWARD WITH AGGRESSIVE MEANS. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR RESPONSE IS VERY POOR AND ERRATIC. THE PEDAL HAS 1.5 TO 2 INCHES OF TRAVEL WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THE ENGINE. THE SERVICE MANAGER DROVE THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE AND ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH THE SAME MAKE MODEL AND YEAR TO DISCOVER BOTH VEHICLES HAD THE SAME ISSUE. *TC
NHTSA ODI #10096890
Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 2004
Child Seat
BRITAX MARATHON MODULE # E9L0605 00834, DOM 05/02/2004, AND BRITAX MARATHON E9L0605 008450, DOM 01/02/2004. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE THREE MONTHS AGO.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10099647
1,800 miles · Nov 8, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control
THIS COMPLAINT IS REGARDING A PROBLEM WITH ACCELERATION THAT I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING WITH MY 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY V6. AFTER APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE ENGINE HESITATES FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS BEFORE RESPONDING ABRUPTLY. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO, BUT THE ACCELERATION TROUBLE DID NOT BEGIN UNTIL AFTER I …
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THIS COMPLAINT IS REGARDING A PROBLEM WITH ACCELERATION THAT I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING WITH MY 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY V6. AFTER APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE ENGINE HESITATES FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS BEFORE RESPONDING ABRUPTLY. I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO, BUT THE ACCELERATION TROUBLE DID NOT BEGIN UNTIL AFTER I HAD BEEN DRIVING IT FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR INSPECTION BY THE DEALERSHIP AFTER THE PROBLEM BEGAN, I WAS SIMPLY TOLD THAT THE COMPUTER HAD NOT FOUND ANYTHING. SINCE THEN, THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND I HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY RELUCTANT TO DRIVE THE CAR.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10098451
Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2004
Air Bags
THE AIR BAG ON AND AIR BAG OFF, INDICATOR LIGHTS INDICATE THE ACTIVATION OF FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG, SIDE AIRBAG ON FRONT SEAT FAILURE. *BF THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONSUMER THAT A PERSON 70 LBS OR MORE SHOULD ACTIVATE THE AIR BAG ON LIGHT AND AFFORD THE FRONT PASSENGER PROTECTION. *SC
NHTSA ODI #10099924
Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 2004
Power Train
I HAVE A 2004 V6 CAMRY. THE CAR HAS NO CLUES AS TO WHICH GEAR IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE IN. HALF OF THE TIME YOU CAN PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE GAS AND IT WILL GO AND HALF THE TIME IT WILL NOT. I HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN HIT SEVERAL TIMES CHANGING LANES OR PULLING OUT DUE TO THE CAR BEING STUCK IN GEARS. THE SHIFTING BETWEEN 2 AND 3 WILL JER…
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I HAVE A 2004 V6 CAMRY. THE CAR HAS NO CLUES AS TO WHICH GEAR IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE IN. HALF OF THE TIME YOU CAN PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE GAS AND IT WILL GO AND HALF THE TIME IT WILL NOT. I HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN HIT SEVERAL TIMES CHANGING LANES OR PULLING OUT DUE TO THE CAR BEING STUCK IN GEARS. THE SHIFTING BETWEEN 2 AND 3 WILL JERK YOUR NECK. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIPS OVER FOUR TIMES AND EVERYTIME I AM TOLD THAT THIS IS A CHARTERISTIC OF THE CAR. I WENT LAST WEEK...THE GENERAL MANAGER TOLD ME HE FELT THE JERKS IN THE TRANSMISSION AND PROCEEDED TO CALL TOYOTA TO FIND OUT HOW TO FIX IT.30 MINUTES LATER I WAS TOLD THAT I AM ON MY OWN WITH IT. ANOTHER DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TOYOTA HAS HAD THEM REPLACING 02 SENSORS AND MANY OTHER USELESS IDEAS TRYING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS ISSUE IS ON EVERY SINGLE COMPLAINT WEBSITE (INCLUDING THIS ONE) AND I WANT TO KNOW IF SOMEONE HAS TO BE KILLED BEFORE TOYOTA IS MADE TO CORRECT THEIR MISTAKES? THE BRAKES ARE THE SECOND ISSUE...THEY DO NOT WORK!! THEY HAVE BEEN REPORTED OVER AND OVER AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. I HAVE CAME WITHIN INCHES OF HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THE BRAKES BEING SMASHED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR JUST NOT STOPPING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10098287
2,200 miles · Nov 3, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE HESITATED THEN SURGED FORWARD. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL BE REAR ENDED. *AK THE VEHICLE MAY STALL. *SC
NHTSA ODI #10094573
1,200 miles · Nov 2, 2004
Electrical SystemFire
COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL."MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE 1 1/2 HOURS AFTER IT WAS SHUT OFF AND LOCKED." PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILED INFORMATION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10099185
7,000 miles · Oct 28, 2004
Tires
DEFECTIVE BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE TIRES, REQUEST A DEFECT INVEST.,FOR TREAD SEPARATION. *BF WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE BLEWOUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE TIRE WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND THE VEHICLE HAD 7000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WANTED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR …
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DEFECTIVE BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE TIRES, REQUEST A DEFECT INVEST.,FOR TREAD SEPARATION. *BF WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE BLEWOUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE TIRE WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND THE VEHICLE HAD 7000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WANTED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE TIRE. *NM
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.
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..
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 ↗
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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