IllustrationWHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THE CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD AND ACCELERATED AT A HIGHER RATE. *TR
2005 Toyota Camry
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Camry years
Owner complaints for the 2005 Toyota Camry are substantially higher than the model-year median of 295.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Camry years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1860–25K
14725–50K
10650–75K
5375–100K
57100–150K
26150K+
575 reports with mileage · 146 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 272 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 84 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 71 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
223 crash reports10 fire reports91 injury reports
What owners actually said
721 reports2005 TOYOTA CAMRY ACCELERATED WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OF THE GAS PEDAL AND SLAMMED INTO, AND WENT UP ON, A SNOW BANK. I ATTEMPTED TO STEP ON THE BRAKE BUT IT WAS TOO LATE, AND I SUFFERED A SPRAINED ANKLE UPON IMPACT. I WENT TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ONE THAT HAD BEEN RECALLED AND IF I WANTED,…
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2005 TOYOTA CAMRY ACCELERATED WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OF THE GAS PEDAL AND SLAMMED INTO, AND WENT UP ON, A SNOW BANK. I ATTEMPTED TO STEP ON THE BRAKE BUT IT WAS TOO LATE, AND I SUFFERED A SPRAINED ANKLE UPON IMPACT. I WENT TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ONE THAT HAD BEEN RECALLED AND IF I WANTED, I COULD BRING THE CAR IN FOUR DAYS LATER TO BE LOOKED AT BUT I WOULD BE CHARGED. *TR
SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *TR
CAMRY ACCELERATION. MY 2005 CAMRY HAS ACCELERATED AT FULL THROTTLE AT LEAST 5 TIMES. THE LATEST OCCURRENCE WAS ON 2-18-2010. SO FAR NO ONE HAS GOTTEN HURT, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK TWICE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONE TIME IN THE FALL AND AGAIN WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH IN THE SUMMER. WHEN THE CONTACT TAPPED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECREASE IN SPEED EACH TIME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FAC…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK TWICE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONE TIME IN THE FALL AND AGAIN WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH IN THE SUMMER. WHEN THE CONTACT TAPPED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECREASE IN SPEED EACH TIME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WEATHER WAS NOT A FACTOR AND THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WHO STATED THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD BE MADE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,000.
I WAS STOPPED AT A SIGNAL LIGHT. THE TOYOTA CAMRY I WAS DRIVING OFF OF HOLT AVE. POMONA. CA. I ACCELERATED BY TAPPING THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR ABRUPTLY STARTED ACCELERATING AGGRESSIVELY ON ITS OWN AND LEAD ME DIRECTLY HEAD ON INTO A TREE. IT WAS ALMOST LIKE THE CAR WAS "TAKEN OVER" BY SOMETHING. I SUFFERED SOME MINOR INJURIE…
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I WAS STOPPED AT A SIGNAL LIGHT. THE TOYOTA CAMRY I WAS DRIVING OFF OF HOLT AVE. POMONA. CA. I ACCELERATED BY TAPPING THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR ABRUPTLY STARTED ACCELERATING AGGRESSIVELY ON ITS OWN AND LEAD ME DIRECTLY HEAD ON INTO A TREE. IT WAS ALMOST LIKE THE CAR WAS "TAKEN OVER" BY SOMETHING. I SUFFERED SOME MINOR INJURIES OF THE BACK, HEAD, AND SHOULDER. I ALMOST DIED. THE AIRBAG CAME OUT SO I SURVIVED. I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR CHECK UP AND RELEASED THE SAME DAY. I WAS HOLDING A NEVADA LICENSE. I CALLED THE POMONA POLICE TODAY FOR A ACCIDENT REPORT NUMBER HOWEVER THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DENIED THERE WAS REPORT TAKEN. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THE CAR WAS INSURED IN CALIFORNIA. THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED AFTER A OTHER CAR IN OUR FAMILY OF 2, MYSTERIOUSLY ROLLED OVER ON ROAD OF THE 15 INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WERE MY MOTHER ALMOST DIED. THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT IS ALSO STILL UNKNOWN.THE ACCELERATION SPEED IS UNKNOWN I HAVE GUESSED THE SPEED IN THE FURTHER DOCUMENTATION..I AM NOT SURE OF THE EQUIPMENT TYPE IN THE CAR. *TR
SEAT BELTS DOUBLE UP AND JAM IN RETRACTION GUIDES WHEN RETRIEVING AND CAN NOT BE UNJAMMED WITHOUT SOME SORT OF TOOL. COMPLAINT OF PROBLEM TO TOYOTA DEALER WHERE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AND WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR NEW SEATBELTS. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN DEFECT. I HAVE ASKED TO MEET WITH FACTORY REP.-I HAVE HEARD NOTHING A…
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SEAT BELTS DOUBLE UP AND JAM IN RETRACTION GUIDES WHEN RETRIEVING AND CAN NOT BE UNJAMMED WITHOUT SOME SORT OF TOOL. COMPLAINT OF PROBLEM TO TOYOTA DEALER WHERE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AND WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR NEW SEATBELTS. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN DEFECT. I HAVE ASKED TO MEET WITH FACTORY REP.-I HAVE HEARD NOTHING AND AM HAVING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE DEFECTIVE SEAT BELTS EACH DAY. CAN YOU HELP ME? *TR
ON OR ABOUT JAN. 25, 2010, I WAS PARKING MY 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY ON THE STREET IN FRONT IF MY HOUSE. AS I PUT IT INTO REVERSE TO BACK INTO THE PARKING SPACE, IT SUDDENLY SURGED BACKWARD INCREDIBLY FAST. THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED IT WAS THE CAR PARKED BEHIND ME. NO DAMAGE WAS VISIBLE ON THE OTHER CAR; BUT MY BUMPER WAS SCRATCHED A…
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ON OR ABOUT JAN. 25, 2010, I WAS PARKING MY 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY ON THE STREET IN FRONT IF MY HOUSE. AS I PUT IT INTO REVERSE TO BACK INTO THE PARKING SPACE, IT SUDDENLY SURGED BACKWARD INCREDIBLY FAST. THE ONLY THING THAT STOPPED IT WAS THE CAR PARKED BEHIND ME. NO DAMAGE WAS VISIBLE ON THE OTHER CAR; BUT MY BUMPER WAS SCRATCHED AND CRACKED. IT SCARED ME. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH HE HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AROUND THE TRUNK AREA. WHEN HE DROVE OVER A BUMP THE NOISE WAS MORE FREQUENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT REAR STRUTS AND STRUT MOUNTS WERE LOOSE AND THE ESTIMATED COST FOR REPAIR WAS $600. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH HE HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AROUND THE TRUNK AREA. WHEN HE DROVE OVER A BUMP THE NOISE WAS MORE FREQUENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT REAR STRUTS AND STRUT MOUNTS WERE LOOSE AND THE ESTIMATED COST FOR REPAIR WAS $600. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY GAVE HIM A DISCOUNT ON THE REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 24,000. UPDATED 4/22/10 *CN THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE SPEEDOMETER ALWAYS READ 4 MILES PER HOUR SLOWER, BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 07/06/10.*JB
ON 11/30/2009 MY WIFE WAS PARKING HER 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CAR SUDDENLY SPED UP AND SHE TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND CRASHED THE LEFT FRONT OF THE CAR INTO THE POURED CONCRETE FOUNDATION. FORTUNATELY SHE WAS NOT INJURED. SHE IS CERTAIN THE FLOOR MAT DID NOT GET STUCK UNDER THE GAS PEDAL. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD U…
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ON 11/30/2009 MY WIFE WAS PARKING HER 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CAR SUDDENLY SPED UP AND SHE TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND CRASHED THE LEFT FRONT OF THE CAR INTO THE POURED CONCRETE FOUNDATION. FORTUNATELY SHE WAS NOT INJURED. SHE IS CERTAIN THE FLOOR MAT DID NOT GET STUCK UNDER THE GAS PEDAL. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD US THE 2005 MODEL YEAR CAMRY WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL (THEY ALSO TOLD US THE 2005 MODEL YEAR WAS NOT FLY-BY-WIRE AND AFTER CHECKING RECANTED THAT STATEMENT) AND SUBMITTED A CLAIM TO OUR INSURANCE COMPANY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WILL NOT PURSUE TOYOTA FOR REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE THE COST TO DO SO WOULD EXCEED THE COST TO REPAIR THE CAR (ABOUT $5,000). THE DEALERS REPAIR SHOP SAYS THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LOW, BURNED AND BLACK AND THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD. IN THE COURSE OF REPAIRS THEY FLUSHED AND REFILLED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID (AT OUR EXPENSE) AND SAID THAT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED WITH ONLY 12,630 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND THE FRONT END REPAIRED AFTER A SIMILAR CRASH. WE HAD NO IDEA ABOUT ANY PROBLEM REGARDING THE ACCELERATOR SYSTEM STICKING AT THAT TIME. WITH THE MOST RECENT TOYOTA RECALL I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT REFLASHING THE COMPUTER FOR THAT PORTION OF THE SOFTWARE THAT CONTROLS THE ACCELERATOR SYSTEM. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE REFLASH INSTALLS AN OVERRIDE THAT CANCELS THE ACCELERATOR WHEN THE BRAKES ARE DEPRESSED. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO COMPUTER UPGRADE AVAILABLE FOR THE 2005 MODEL CAMRY, ONLY 2007 AND NEWER MODELS.
Official recalls
516V396000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
Jun 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.
11V539000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Nov 9, 2011
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AVALON VEHICLES; 2004 AND 2005 CAMRY, CAMRY SOLARA, HIGHLANDER, AND SIENNA VEHICLES, 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID; 2004 AND 2005 LEXUS ES330 AND RX330; AND 2006 LEXUS RX400H VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH THE 1MZ-FE OR 3MZ-FE ENGINE. THE AMOUNT OF ADHESIVE AGENT APPLIED BETWEEN THE OUTER RING AND THE TORSIONAL RUBBER DAMPER (INNER RING) IN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY MAY BE INADEQUATE. IF THE ADHESIVE IS INSUFFICIENT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE OUTER RING MAY BECOME MISALIGNED AND IT MAY NOT PROPERLY ROTATE WITH THE INNER RING, CAUSING NOISE AND/OR ILLUMINATION OF THE BATTERY DISCHARGE INDICATOR LIGHT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN SOME CASES, THE BELT FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM THE PULLEY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND A SUDDEN INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL CHECK THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY TO IDENTIFY WHETHER IT WAS PRODUCED BY THE U.S. SUPPLIER. IF SO, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PULLEY WITH A NEW ONE AT NO CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING EARLY JANUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
10V035000 · Equipment:other:labels
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.
10V036000 · Equipment:other:labels
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.
04V595000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
Dec 15, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A FRONT PASSENGER POWER SEAT, WHEN INSTALLING CERTAIN REAR-FACING INFANT CHILD SEAT BASES ONTO THE SEAT WITH AN EXCESSIVELY HIGH SEATBELT TENSION, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO UNSEAT A COMPONENT CALLED THE BUCKLE STATUS SWITCH FROM THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SWITCH BECOMES UNSEATED, THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM MAY MISTAKE THE REAR-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT FOR AN UNBELTED ADULT OCCUPANT, AND MAY NOT SUPPRESS THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT BUCKLE STATUS SWITCH. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN (SSC 40M) BEGAN ON DECEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987..
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