I WENT TO A LOCAL STORE TO SHOP. I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN THE STORE LOT, SAW A SPACE CLOSE TO THE FRONT OF THE STORE. I SLOWED DOWN TO START TURNING (MAYBE 5-10 MPH) INTO THE PARKING SPACE AND WHEN I TRIED TO BRAKE, MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR STARTED SPEEDING UP. IT KEPT GOING LIKE SOMEONE ELSE H…
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I WENT TO A LOCAL STORE TO SHOP. I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN THE STORE LOT, SAW A SPACE CLOSE TO THE FRONT OF THE STORE. I SLOWED DOWN TO START TURNING (MAYBE 5-10 MPH) INTO THE PARKING SPACE AND WHEN I TRIED TO BRAKE, MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR STARTED SPEEDING UP. IT KEPT GOING LIKE SOMEONE ELSE HAD CONTROL OF THE CAR! I COULDN'T STOP IT AND IT RAN INTO A CAR THAT WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE SPACE. IT PUSHED THE OTHER CAR COMPLETELY OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT AND RAMMED HER CAR IN THE FRONT AREA. WE BOTH SUFFERED VEHICLE DAMAGE AND I WAS CHARGED. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER MY CAR AND AS I WAS ATTEMPTING TO STOP MY RUNAWAY CAR, MY FOOT SLIPPED ONTO THE ACCELERATOR. I THOUGHT MAYBE MY BRAKES HAD GIVEN OUT BUT THE OFFICER SAID THE BRAKES WERE NOT BAD. THERE WERE SKID MARKS SHOWING I TRIED TO STOP AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME, VERY SLOWLY. I WAS SO SCARED!! I REMEMBER SEEING A SEGMENT ON TV ABOUT TOYOTA HAVING PROBLEMS REGARDING SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN SOME OF THEIR CARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10692681
103,000 miles · Mar 5, 2015
Air Bags
DASH AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR SHOWED OFF EVEN THROUGH SOMEONE WAS IN THE SEAT. FIRST THE DEALER TRIED TO RESET SYSTEM, BUT TWO DAYS LATER LIGHT CAME BACK ON. TOOK TO DEALER SECOND TIME AND THEY HAD TROUBLE FINDING ISSUE AT FIRST. ISSUE TRACED TO AIRBAG SWITCH UNDER BACK SEAT. LEARNED THAT WHILE LIGHT…
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DASH AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR SHOWED OFF EVEN THROUGH SOMEONE WAS IN THE SEAT. FIRST THE DEALER TRIED TO RESET SYSTEM, BUT TWO DAYS LATER LIGHT CAME BACK ON. TOOK TO DEALER SECOND TIME AND THEY HAD TROUBLE FINDING ISSUE AT FIRST. ISSUE TRACED TO AIRBAG SWITCH UNDER BACK SEAT. LEARNED THAT WHILE LIGHT IS ON ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILS. DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SURPRISED BY LACK OF REDUNDANCY IN SUCH AN IMPORTANT SYSTEM. COST OF REPAIR SEEMS VERY EXCESSIVE AT $1,000 FOR A SENSOR, BUT HAVE LITTLE CHOICE. I REALIZE THAT THE CAR IS ~10 YEARS OLD, BUT FAILURE OF THIS COMPONENT SEEM VERY PREMATURE. CAR IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION WITH NO EXCESS WEAR OR SUBJECT TO ABUSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10692381
232,000 miles · Feb 26, 2015
Air BagsCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A SEMI TRUCK REAR ENDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A SEMI TRUCK REAR ENDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 232,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10690862
56,000 miles · Feb 26, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or OtherCrash
CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF WHEN PARKING AND WOUND UP ON SIDEWALK. COULD NOT BRAKE. CAR WAS PUT IN PARK WHILE MOVING AND THEN STOPPED WHILE STILL APPLYING BRAKES.
NHTSA ODI #10690777
Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT AND ANOTHER OCCUPANT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFAC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT AND ANOTHER OCCUPANT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10670987
Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 2014
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH DURING RAINY WEATHER, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND AVOID A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH DURING RAINY WEATHER, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND AVOID A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10667668
200 miles · Dec 15, 2014
Latches/locks/linkagesSeat BeltsStructure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS FAILED TO ADJUST PROPERLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SEAT BELTS JAMMED MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN THE SEAT BELTS WERE EJECTED FROM THE BUCKLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHERE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS FAILED TO ADJUST PROPERLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SEAT BELTS JAMMED MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN THE SEAT BELTS WERE EJECTED FROM THE BUCKLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHERE THE SEAT BELTS WERE TAKEN APART AND REINSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200. UPDATED 2/3/15*CN UPDATED 02/09/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOW. UPDATED 03/03.15 UPDATED 6/9/2015 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10664362
110,000 miles · Nov 8, 2014
Air Bags
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD STARTED TO DETERIORATE AROUND THE AIR BAG AREA. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE…
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TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD STARTED TO DETERIORATE AROUND THE AIR BAG AREA. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA ODI #10653593
188,000 miles · Nov 2, 2014
StructureCrash
I, WITH MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER, WAS IN LOWER MANHATTAN CAUGHT IN LANES OF BUMPER-TO-BUMPER STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC CRAWLING TOWARD THE ENTRANCE TO THE HOLLAND TUNNEL.THE CAR DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME WAS A YARD OR LESS AHEAD. I DON'T KNOW IF MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE OR IF I WAS GENTLY FEEDING A LITTLE GAS -- THERE WERE NO OTHER CHOICES…
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I, WITH MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER, WAS IN LOWER MANHATTAN CAUGHT IN LANES OF BUMPER-TO-BUMPER STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC CRAWLING TOWARD THE ENTRANCE TO THE HOLLAND TUNNEL.THE CAR DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME WAS A YARD OR LESS AHEAD. I DON'T KNOW IF MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE OR IF I WAS GENTLY FEEDING A LITTLE GAS -- THERE WERE NO OTHER CHOICES -- WHEN SUDDENLY WE HEARD A SURGING ROAR AND OUR CAR SLAMMED FORWARD INTO THE CAR I WAS FOLLOWING. IT NECESSITATED REPAIRS OF OVER $600 ON THE REAR END OF THAT CAR. THIS HAS BEEN AT LEAST THE THIRD INCIDENCE OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION BY OUR 2004 CAMRY.THE LAST TIME, ON MAY 13, 2012, WHILE PARALLEL-PARKING MY CAR, IT SURGED AND STRUCK THE BMW PARKED JUST IN FRONT OF ME WITH SUCH FORCE THAT THE BMW'S BUMPER AND CRASH ABSORPTION SYSTEM SUFFERED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. SEVERAL YEARS EARLIER IN A HOME DEPOT PARKING LOT, AS I WAS STARTING MY CAR, IT SURGED FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY BETWEEN SEVERAL CARS BEFORE I COULD GET IT TO STOP. OTHER THAN INSPECTING THE CAR AND FINDING EVERYTHING OK, TOYOTA WILL DO NOTHING. ISN'T IT TIME TO ORDER A RECALL? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10651953
96,000 miles · Oct 31, 2014
Service Brakes
I WAS IN A FAST FOOD DRIVE THRU. AS THE LINE MOVED, I TAPPED MY GAS LIGHTLY TO MOVE A BIT FORWARD AND THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR CONTINUED TO LUNGE FORWARD EVEN THOUGH I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE! I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF TOTALLY. I MADE MY REPORT TO ALLSTATE. I ALSO CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY TOL…
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I WAS IN A FAST FOOD DRIVE THRU. AS THE LINE MOVED, I TAPPED MY GAS LIGHTLY TO MOVE A BIT FORWARD AND THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR CONTINUED TO LUNGE FORWARD EVEN THOUGH I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE! I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF TOTALLY. I MADE MY REPORT TO ALLSTATE. I ALSO CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WAS NOT ONE OF THE CARS RECALLED WITH THAT TYPE OF PROBLEM, AND HUNG UP ON ME. A FEW MONTHS LATER, A NEWS REPORT SHOWED JUST THE OPPOSITE. THEY STILL HAVE NOT INSPECTED MY CAR. ALSO, THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON ALTHOUGH WE HAVE HAD THE CAR CHECKED AND THE MECHANIC CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH THE LIGHT STAYING ON. *TR
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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