NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
71 reportsClear category filter30,000 miles · Feb 10, 2010
Steering
I GOT INTO MY 05 TOYOTA CAMRY 4CYL AND AS I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY I NOTICED A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT RATHER SHARPLY AND THE CAR REMAINED TRAVELING STRAIGHT. I PULLED BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND TRIED AGAIN - THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR SO I HAD …
Read full complaint
I GOT INTO MY 05 TOYOTA CAMRY 4CYL AND AS I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY I NOTICED A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT RATHER SHARPLY AND THE CAR REMAINED TRAVELING STRAIGHT. I PULLED BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND TRIED AGAIN - THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR SO I HAD IT TOWED TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THEY CHECKED IT FOR THE BETTER PART OF THE DAY AND SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG AND COULD NOT GET IT TO REPEAT THE PROBLEM. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD A FEW MINOR INCIDENTS OF THE CAR NOT TURNING TO THE DEGREE THAT IT SHOULD WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AN NO ONE CAN FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE IN MY CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10308299
Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2010
Steering
SUBJECT:2005 CAMRY LE STEERING SHAFT PROBLEM I WANTED TO FIND OUT WHETHER THERE'S BEEN ANY CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OR PROBLEMS REPORTED IN REGARDS TO A CLUNKING, POPPING OR KNOCKING NOISE REPORTED IN TOYOTA'S 2003-2006 CAMRY'S AND THE 2004-2006 SOLARA'S STEERING COLUMNS WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT, OR GOING OVER …
Read full complaint
SUBJECT:2005 CAMRY LE STEERING SHAFT PROBLEM I WANTED TO FIND OUT WHETHER THERE'S BEEN ANY CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OR PROBLEMS REPORTED IN REGARDS TO A CLUNKING, POPPING OR KNOCKING NOISE REPORTED IN TOYOTA'S 2003-2006 CAMRY'S AND THE 2004-2006 SOLARA'S STEERING COLUMNS WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT, OR GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD. MY 2005 CAMRY LE BEGAN EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM BACK IN EARLY 2008 AND IT IS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE. I TOOK MY CAR INTO MY MECHANIC AT HARBOR AUTO CENTER IN COSTA MESA, CA ABOUT A YEAR 1/2 AGO TO GET THE PROBLEM CHECKED. (I DON'T TRUST TOYOTA DEALERSHIP REPAIR SERVICE OR THEIR PRICES). UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION HE WAS ABLE TO DISCOVER WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND EVEN FOUND A TOYOTA TECHNICAL SEVICE BULLETIN TITLED "STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NOISE", REFERENCE # ST001-06, DATE OF ISSUE 2/16/06 THAT OUTLINED THE EXACT PROBLEM WITH MY STEERING COLUMN. I THEN CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, BUT SINCE MY CAR WAS PAST THE 72,000 MILE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THIS WAS NOT A RECALL ITEM, THEY WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE ME. OBVIOUSLY TOYOTA CORPORATION IS VERY AWARE THAT THERE IS A MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING SHAFT ON THESE TWO MAKES & MODELS, SINCE EVEN THE DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE SERVICE BULLETON. EVEN THOUGH MY MECHANIC THOUGHT MY CAR WAS PROBABLY OK TO DRIVE, I AM VERY CONCERNED, BECAUSE THE CLUNKING NOISE IS GETTING MORE PRONOUCED THE LONGER I DRIVE THE CAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL, GO OVER SPEED BUMPS OR BRAKE AND TURN. I'M NOT SURE WHAT RECOURSE I HAVE TO GET THIS FIXED, BUT WITH ALL THE CURRENT PROBLEMS TOYOTA IS EXPERIENCING, IT MAKES ME VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE DEPENDABILITY OF MY OWN CAR. FROM NHTSA WEB SITE. *CN
NHTSA ODI #10307623
Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2010
Steering
WHEN BACKING UP, DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS, AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, A CLICKING OR DULL CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS OCCURRENCE IS REGULAR. AT FIRST THIS WAS EXPERIENCED 36K MILES, AT THAT TIME REPAIR WAS DONE UNDER THE WARANTY. UNCLEAR IF THE PART WAS REPLACED OR REPAIRED. NOW SAME OCCURED AT 72K MILES, WHEN…
Read full complaint
WHEN BACKING UP, DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS, AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, A CLICKING OR DULL CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS OCCURRENCE IS REGULAR. AT FIRST THIS WAS EXPERIENCED 36K MILES, AT THAT TIME REPAIR WAS DONE UNDER THE WARANTY. UNCLEAR IF THE PART WAS REPLACED OR REPAIRED. NOW SAME OCCURED AT 72K MILES, WHEN BROUGHT TO THE DEALER'S ATTENTION, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT IT WAS NORMAL AND NO PEPAIRS NEEDED TO BE DONE *CN
NHTSA ODI #10307001
47,000 miles · Feb 3, 2010
Steering
WHEN BACKING UP, DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS, AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, A CLICKING OR DULL CLUNK CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS OCCURRENCE IS REGULAR. NUMEROUS ONLINE COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE TOYOTA VEHICLE FORUMS AND TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A TSB #ST001-06 DATED FEBRUARY 16, 2006 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE…
Read full complaint
WHEN BACKING UP, DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS, AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, A CLICKING OR DULL CLUNK CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS OCCURRENCE IS REGULAR. NUMEROUS ONLINE COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE TOYOTA VEHICLE FORUMS AND TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A TSB #ST001-06 DATED FEBRUARY 16, 2006 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AS THE CORRECTIVE ACTION. HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE NUMEROUS ONLINE FORUM COMPLAINTS OF THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE, THERE IS A TREND DEVELOPING FOR VEHICLES THAT HAVE MORE THAN 40,000 MILES. FAILURE OF THE SHAFT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10304816
36,500 miles · Feb 2, 2010
Steering
INTERMEDIATE SHAFT (STEERING) ON 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. CAR HAS ONLY 36K AND "CLUNKING NOISE. ONLY REAL FIX IS TO REPLACE SHAFT. STARTED TO READ ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY FREQUENT OCCURRENCE IN THIS MODEL/YEAR. IN SHORT, THE PART APPEARS TO BE DEFECTIVE AND THE POSSIBILITY FOR STEERING FAILURE IS PRESENT. NO INJURIES…
Read full complaint
INTERMEDIATE SHAFT (STEERING) ON 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. CAR HAS ONLY 36K AND "CLUNKING NOISE. ONLY REAL FIX IS TO REPLACE SHAFT. STARTED TO READ ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY FREQUENT OCCURRENCE IN THIS MODEL/YEAR. IN SHORT, THE PART APPEARS TO BE DEFECTIVE AND THE POSSIBILITY FOR STEERING FAILURE IS PRESENT. NO INJURIES TO REPORT; HOWEVER, THE POTENTIAL FOR STEERING FAILURE IS PRESENT. ASKING THAT NHTSA LOOK INTO THIS MATTER TO PREVENT POTENTIAL DISASTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10303821
40,000 miles · Aug 26, 2009
Steering
CLUNK IN STEERING WHEEL HAD TO REPLACE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT AT 41,000 MILES STARTED THE NOISE AT 36,000. THERE ARE SEVERAL TOYOTA SERVICE BULLETINS ON THIS ISSUE AND NUMEROUS CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS. TOYOTA REFUSES TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY OR NOTIFY THE CONSUMER OF THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10281882
45,000 miles · Feb 17, 2009
Steering
I AM HEARING A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM MY STEERING WHEEL. I ONLY HAVE 45,000 MILES ON MY CAR. I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY THEY TOLD ME THAT MY STEERING COLUMN IS LOOSE AND THAT IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ASAP; WITH THE COST OF $500 DOLLARS. AFTER CHECKING ONLINE I SEE THAT THERE IS SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME …
Read full complaint
I AM HEARING A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM MY STEERING WHEEL. I ONLY HAVE 45,000 MILES ON MY CAR. I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY THEY TOLD ME THAT MY STEERING COLUMN IS LOOSE AND THAT IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ASAP; WITH THE COST OF $500 DOLLARS. AFTER CHECKING ONLINE I SEE THAT THERE IS SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM/COMPLAINT. THEY ALSO HAVE A TOYOTA CAMRY. I TAKEN MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP PREVIOUS WITH COMPLAINTS, OF COURSE BEFORE MY WARRANTY WENT OUT AND TOLD THEM THAT I FELT LIKE MY CAR WAS PULLING AND WAS STEERING WEIRD. THEY TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR AND THAT IT WAS NORMAL. WELL I'M SURE IT WASN'T NORMAL, AND NOW I DON'T HAVE A WARRANTY ON MY CAR. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED! LOOK AT ALL THE COMPLAINTS ONLINE! THIS IS RIDICULOUS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, SHELBY DURFEE *TR
NHTSA ODI #10259166
110,000 miles · Feb 6, 2009
Steering
IMPENDING FAILURE OF INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINTS THAT CURRENTLY CAUSES 'CLUNKS' IN STEERING BUT IS PROGRESSING AND COULD CAUSE FAILURE OF STEERING SHAFT AND LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF VEHICLE OR BINDING OR LOCKING OF STEERING ASSEMBLY. TOYOTA HAS A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM TO REPLACE FAULTY DESIGN, BUT ONLY EXTEND…
Read full complaint
IMPENDING FAILURE OF INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINTS THAT CURRENTLY CAUSES 'CLUNKS' IN STEERING BUT IS PROGRESSING AND COULD CAUSE FAILURE OF STEERING SHAFT AND LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF VEHICLE OR BINDING OR LOCKING OF STEERING ASSEMBLY. TOYOTA HAS A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM TO REPLACE FAULTY DESIGN, BUT ONLY EXTENDS THAT DURING THE ORIGINAL 3/36 WARRANTY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THUS FAR TOYOTA IS OF LITTLE OR NO HELP. ANECDOTALLY, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS SERIES OF CARS AND SEVERAL OTHER LINES OF TOYOTAS OF SIMILAR VINTAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10257683
Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2009
Steering
I HAVE HAD THIS CAR 2 YEARS.. THE STEERING COLUMN (SHAFT TO THE WHEEL) VIBRATES AT TIMES WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. OCCASIONALLY, WHEN GOING OVER CERTAIN OR DIFFERENT SECTIONS OF THE ROAD... IT IS LIKE A RATTLE VIBRATION. IT IS NOT CONSTANT BUT IS THIS NORMAL?? IS IT A DEFECT?? SHOULD IT VIBRATE AT ALL??? *TR THE CONSUMER FELT THE…
Read full complaint
I HAVE HAD THIS CAR 2 YEARS.. THE STEERING COLUMN (SHAFT TO THE WHEEL) VIBRATES AT TIMES WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. OCCASIONALLY, WHEN GOING OVER CERTAIN OR DIFFERENT SECTIONS OF THE ROAD... IT IS LIKE A RATTLE VIBRATION. IT IS NOT CONSTANT BUT IS THIS NORMAL?? IS IT A DEFECT?? SHOULD IT VIBRATE AT ALL??? *TR THE CONSUMER FELT THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE INFORMED HIM ABOUT THE ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE BEFORE HE PURCHASED IT. UPDATED 03/12/10
NHTSA ODI #10256197
42,000 miles · Oct 15, 2008
Steering
THE STEERING ON MY TOYOTA CAMRY LE 2005 MAKES A PERSISTENT CLUNKING NOISE. WE HAVE NOT HAND ANY INJURIES BUT ARE SCARED TO TAKE THIS CAR ON THE ROAD ESPECIALLY LONG DISTANCES. THE TIRES WEAR OUT QUICKER AND THE ALIGNMENTS DO NOT LAST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10245543
Official recalls
5Jun 2, 2016
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
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.
Feb 3, 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
Feb 3, 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
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..
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
Illustration