2002 Toyota Camry
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Vehicle speed control is the leading concern among 1,039 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 25 Camry model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 275 involved a crash and 20 involved a fire. 146 people were injured and 13 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, side/windowJul 13, 2004
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAGS (CSA), ONE OR BOTH OF THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY BE TWISTED NEAR THE INFLATOR DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY.
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.
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.
Campaign 04V346000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalDec 11, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A THREE-SPOKE STYLE STEERING WHEEL. DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE BOTTOM SEAM OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG MODULE COVER (HORN PAD) COULD BE TORN AWAY ALLOWING THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE COVER TO COMPLETELY DETACH FROM THE AIR BAG MODULE.
IF THIS SHOULD OCCUR, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE DETACHED BOTTOM PORTION MAY STRIKE THE DRIVER CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-888-333-9376.
Campaign 01V372000 on NHTSA.gov
TiresOct 1, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL TOURING TIRES, P205-65R15 92S, INSTALLED AT THE PORTS IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA. THE INCORRECT TIRES WERE INSTALLED ON VEHICLES THAT HAD DAMAGED TIRES. THE TIRES WERE DAMAGED DURING A PORT UPGRADE TO ALUMINUM WHEELS.
THE TIRES DO NOT CONFORM TO THE SPEED RATING FOR THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE EXCEEDED THE MAXIMUM SPEED RATING (112 MPH), POSSIBLE TIRE FAILURE COULD OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FIVE TIRES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 13, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Campaign 01V302000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalSep 25, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INCOMPLETE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COULD OCCUR IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY. BOTH OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED BY TELEPHONE AND ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THIS CAMPAIGN IS 100% COMPLETED. BOTH OWNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND THEIR VEHICLES REPAIRED.
Campaign 01V306000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: vehicle speed control
295 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Dec 6, 2008, crash
AFTER BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND SWITCHING THE CAR FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, THE CAR ACCELERATED QUICKLY FORWARD CRASHING INTO TWO PARKED CARS AND FINALLY STOPPING AFTER HITTING A CONCRETE STRUCTURE. APPLYING THE BRAKE WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR. THE CAR HAS BEEN DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATION EVENTS HAVE OCCURRED BEFORE WITH THIS CAR. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Apr 4, 2008, crash
BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE, A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY AND IT TOOK OFF AT FULL SPEED AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL IT WENT ACROSS THE STREET AND HIT A TREE EVEN THOUGH I WAS TRYING TO BRAKE. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Apr 25, 2007
TOYOTA CAMRY LE 2.4 L WINTER WEATHER CAUSE TO VVT ON AUTO TO FAIL AND STALL ENGINE. STALLED ENGINE CAUSED LOST OF CONTROLS, STEERING, BRAKES, ETC..PARTS REPLACED WERE OXYGEN SENSORS, CAT.CONVERTOR, ETC.. THE VVT IS VARIABLE VALVE TIMING CONTROL ALONG WITH OCM, PCM, THROTTLE SENSOR, MASS AIR SENSOR WHICH REGULATES THE ENGINE PERFORMANCE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jan 23, 2007
TL* - WHILE BACKING UP OUT OF A PARKING LOT THE 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE WITH FULL FORCE IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING INTO A WALL. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE INTO THE LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 21265 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE IS 21200.*AK CONSUMER HAS INCLUDED THE REPAIR ORDER AND WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED. UPDATE *4/17TR
Vehicle speed control, Dec 9, 2006, crash
WE OWN A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY LAST NIGHT MY WIFE, SON AND A FRIEND WERE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT BEHIND ANOTHER CAR. WITH MY WIFE'S FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR REVVED UP AND LUNGED INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER. IMMEDIATELY AFTER HITTING HER ONCE, THE ENGINE REVVED UP EVEN HIGHER AND ACCELERATED INTO THE CAR AGAIN. HAD SHE BEEN FIRST IN LINE AT THE LIGHT, SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN THROWN INTO THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY FOUR LANE INTERSECTION AND MIGHT POSSIBLY NOT BE HERE TODAY. IF YOU HAVE ANY MORE INFO ON THIS, COULD YOU PLEASE SEND IT TO ME OR TELL ME WHERE IT COULD BE FOUND. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Nov 9, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE ON THE UPPER LEVEL OF A MULTI-LEVEL PARKING GARAGE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD, BREAKING THROUGH THE SAFETY CABLE AND DAMAGING THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 12/5/2006 - *NM
Vehicle speed control, Oct 16, 2006, crash
LTR FM (CA) RE THE 2002-2005 TOYOTA CAMRY, SOLORA, AND LEXUS AUTOMOBILES, REQUEST NHTSA DO A FULL INVESTIGATION ON THESE VEHICLE RE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *TS WHILE DRIVNG THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Oct 11, 2006, crash
DRIVER CONCLUDED BUSINESS AT A DRIVE THROUGH ATM AT A LOCAL SHOPPING MALL. VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO 'DRIVE' AND AT THAT INSTANT THE ENGINE STARTED RACING AT HIGH SPEED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY. THE DRIVER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RACING AT TOP SPEED AND THE VEHICLE WAS PICKING UP MOMENTUM. THE DRIVER PUMPED THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES, BUT NO FEEDBACK RESPONSE COULD BE FELT. THE RAPID, UNINTENDED ACCELERATION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO TRAVEL ACROSS THE CENTERLINE AND INTO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF TRAFFIC. WITH OPPOSING TRAFFIC APPROACHING THE DRIVER TURNED THE VEHICLE SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT IN AN EFFORT TO AVOID A COLLISION. SEEING A NUMBER OF CARS STOPPED AT THE APPROACHING INTERSECTION TO THE MAIN ROAD, THE DRIVER CONTINUED TO STEER THE CAR HARD TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE THEN WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT AND STRUCK A STEEL LIGHT POLE RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE AND SIGNIFICANT INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. TOTAL TRAVEL DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATION TO IMPACT WAS APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET. TOTAL INCIDENT TIME AND FINAL SPEED ARE UNCERTAIN. *NM
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Sep 22, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH IN A PARKING LOT AND ATTEMPTING TO MANEUVER INTO A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 30 MPH WITHOUT WARNING CRASHING INTO A POLE AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO A FENCE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AND THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. UPDATED 10/13/06. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Jul 17, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED AND SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED INTO A HOUSE. UPDATED 10/06/06. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Jun 27, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 10 TO 15 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 30 MPH. THE ISSUE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS NOT UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, May 4, 2006, crash
RESPONSE TO LETTER RECEIVED FROM CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR, FOR TOYOTA, ALLEGING THAT ALL SYSTEMS WERE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY FOR 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. *TS THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMED THAT ALL SYSTEMS WERE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY WHEN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND ENDED UP INSIDE A TRAVEL AGENCY. *NM SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE BATTERY WENT COMPLETELY DEAD. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE BATTERY WOULD NOT HOLD A CHARGE AND A NEW BATTERY WAS NEEDED. UPDATED 02/23/10
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Mar 31, 2006, crash
3 INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN ACCELERATIONS, THE LAST ONE CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE DEALER SAID NOTHING WRONG WITH CAR. I FOUND MANY OTHER PEOPLE ON-LINE THAT HAD SAME PROBLEM. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED IN A CROSSWALK OR PARKING LOT. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT OR SELL IT TO ANOTHER WITH THIS PROBLEM. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Mar 14, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAS LURCHED FORWARD SIX TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. THIS HAPPENS WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED AND WITH THE VEHICLE AT A STOP OR WHILE TRAVELING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 9, 2006, crash
CAR ACCELERATED WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS . THE LAST EVENT RESULTED IN SMASHING THROUGH A PLATE GLASS WINDOW OF A TRAVEL AGENCY, INJURING ONE EMPLOYEE. THE CAR ENDED UP TOTALLY IN THE AGENCY, HALTED BY AN INTERIOR WALL. THE POLICE REPORTED SKID MARKS ON THE SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF THE AGENCY, AS WELL AS WITHIN THE AGENCY AS I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE THE CAR. THERE IS ALSO EVIDENCE THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS ROTATING VERY RAPIDLY, SO MUCH SO THAT WHEN THE CAR STOPPED THE TIRE BURNED A HOLE IN THE CARPET. CARPET THREADS ARE EMBEDDED IN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL TIRE. ON THE ONE HAND, THE MARKS ON THE CARPET AND SIDEWALK INDICATE THAT SKID MARKS WERE MADE BY ALL THREE WHEELS, WHILE THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL OBVIOUSLY WAS BURNING RUBBER. *JB UPDATED 03/01/06
Vehicle speed control, Equipment, Jan 4, 2006, crash
I HAD NEW CAR BATTERY INSTALLED BY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP LATE ON 12/2/05. THE CAR SEEMED TO SHIFT AND SOUND MARKEDLY DIFFERENTLY AFTER DRIVING THE CAR OFF THE LOT WITH THE NEW BATTERY. THREE DAYS LATER MY 4 CYLINDER, AUTOMATIC 2002 4D-S TOYOTA CAMRY WAS LEFT IN "D" WITH THE OVERDRIVE BUTTON REMAINED ENGAGED. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I DID NOT DRIFT. I'D BEEN STOPPED FOR A WHILE AT A "T" INTERSECTION FOR A WHILE AND NOT MOVING; NOR WERE ANY OTHER VEHICLES MOVING. THIS PARTICULAR INTERSECTION IS CONTROLLED BY A LONG SIGNAL LIGHT. I WAS AIMED STRAIGHT AHEAD, BUT WAS THE THIRD CAR BACK FROM THE STOP LINE, SIGNALING TO TURN LEFT. ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE AN AIRPLANE ENGINE ROARING, GETTING EVER LOUDER. MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE. THE ENGINE RACED, SURGED ABRUPTLY CAUSED MY CAR TO ACCELERATE FORCEFULLY INTO THE STOPPED CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAS PUSHED INTO AN SUV IN FRONT OF IT. THE FORCE OF IMPACT CAUSED MY ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN. THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME APPEARED TO HAVE A WHIPLASH INJURY. ALL TOLD, THERE WAS ABOUT $1500.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND IT WAS ESTIMATED THE SMALLER AND OLDER CAR IN FRONT OF ME SUSTAINED ABOUT $2500.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER INFORMED ME THEY "FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR." THE CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO A SHOP FOR BODY REPAIRS. UPON THE RETURN OF MY CAMRY, IT STILL HAD A BIT OF A VIBRATORY AND AUDITORY DISTORTION THAT WAS ATYPICAL FOR THE 3 PREVIOUS YEARS. I ALSO REALIZED THAT THE BRAKES WERE BARELY WORKING. AT A RETURN VISIT TO THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD MY BRAKES WERE ALMOST "COMPLETELY GONE" AND THAT I NEEDED NEW BRAKES. HOWEVER, I AM CERTAIN THAT THE MARKED AND SUDDEN DECLINE IN MY BRAKE FUNCTION WAS A RESULT OF THE BRAKES ATTEMPTING TO HOLD MY CAR BACK AS THE ENGINE SURGED FORWARD. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Dec 12, 2005
PROBLEMS WITH 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. AUGUST 2003 - DRIVING ALONG. HUSBAND BEGAN TO STOP SLOWLY TO PULL UP TO A LIGHT AND IT FELT LIKE IT WAS NOT BREAKING BUT CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE SO HUSBAND LET OFF BRAKE AND REAPPLIED THE BRAKE AND IT FINALLY STOPPED THE SURGING. 2. WHILE GETTING GAS WE WERE DRIVING AROUND IT TO FIND AN PUMP, WE WERE PRESSING THE BRAKE AND CAR WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE AGAINST THE BRAKE AS IT WAS APPLIED. LET OFF BRAKE AND REAPPLIED QUICKLY AND CAR STOPPED NORMALLY. JANUARY 2004 HUSBAND BEGAN TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE AND AS HE STARTED TO BRAKE AGAIN THE CAR WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND SO HE LET OFF THE BRAKE, REAPPLIED IT (ALL VERY QUICKLY) AND WAS ABLE TO PARK BARELY MISSING HITTING VEHICLE BESIDE HIM. MARCH 27, 2004, WE TOOK OUR VEHICLE ONCE AGAIN TO DEALERSHIP STATING THE VEHICLE WAS SURGING WHILE DRIVING. OCTOBER 2004 ON A TRIP TO GATLINBURG, TENNESSEE- HUSBAND APPLIED THE BRAKES, CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE-REAPPLIED THE BRAKES- SURGING/ACCELERATION STOPPED. OCTOBER 3, 2005 TRIP TO NORTH CAROLINA ON 7 SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE CAR ENGINE STARTED RACING AND THE CAR HAD TO BE PUT IN NEUTRAL AND THE BRAKE HELD TIGHTLY. ON ONE OCCASION AS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP BEHIND A SCHOOL BUS FULL OF CHILDREN, ALMOST HIT THE BUS FROM BEHIND BECAUSE ACCELERATOR WENT TO FULL ACCELERATION AS WE APPLIED THE BRAKES. FORTUNATELY, MY HUSBAND PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND IT WAS REVVING AT FULL THROTTLE. HE HIT ACCELERATOR PEDAL AS WE WAS IN NEUTRAL, AND ACCELERATION WENT BACK TO IDLE SPEED. DECEMBER 5, 2005 WHILE IN WE WERE STOPPED IN A LINE OF TRAFFIC WAITING AT A LIGHT THE ENGINE ONCE AGAIN STARTED RACING HAD TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL, AND AGAIN IT REVVED AT FULL THROTTLE WHILE HOLDING BRAKE PEDAL DOWN TIGHTLY'' OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE REAR ENDED CARS IN FRONT OF US. PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL, RELEASED BRAKE PEDAL AND THEN PRESSED DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR- ENGINE SPEED WENT TO IDLE SPEED. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Dec 11, 2005, crash
I STARTED THE CAR, AND I RELEASED THE BRAKE AND STARTED IN REVERSE. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, THE CAR SUDDENLY SPED UP TO ABOUT 45 MPH IN REVERSE. THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP EVEN AS I PRESSED THE BRAKE, AND IT THEN HIT TWO CARS. THAT IS WHEN IT STOPPED. I TRIED TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE TO GO BACK INTO THE PARKING SPACE, BUT IT JOLTED FORWARD AND SKIPPED TWO PARKING BUMPERS. AT THAT TIME, I HIT ANOTHER CAR. AT THAT POINT, I LEFT THE CAR ALONE SEEING AS THERE WAS SOMETHING CLEARLY WRONG. IN THE END, MY CAR SUSTAINED DAMAGED TO THE FRONT AND TO THE BACK TOTALING $10,111.60. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE DAMAGE TO THE THREE OTHER CARS, THE TOTALS OF DAMAGE OF WHICH I AM NOT AWARE OF ALTHOUGH THEY ARE CLAIMING MY INSURANCE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER HAVING CONDUCTED RESEARCH ON WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. I FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN CLAIMS AGAINST TOYOTA FOR PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRONIC THROTTLE WHERE THERE IS A SUDDEN, INVOLUNTARY ACCELERATION. I SHOWED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ALL THE RESEARCH I HAD GATHERED FROM THE INTERNET. THE DEALER CHECKED THE CAR'S COMPUTER, AND THEY CLAIMED THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE OR WITH THE CAR'S COMPUTER. THEY CLAIMED THAT AIR POCKETS BETWEEN THE ACCELERATION AND THE BRAKE CAUSED THE PROBLEM. AS A RESULT, THEY FIXED THE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO MY CAR, BUT THEY MAINTAINED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS, SPECIFICALLY THE THROTTLE, OF THE CAR. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Nov 15, 2005, crash
DT: CONTACT STATES WHILE HIS CAR WAS PARKED, HE PUT HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE IN ORDER TO SHIFT IT INTO DRIVE AND THE CAR ACCELERATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO ACROSS TWO SIDEWALKS AND A HOSPITAL LAWN AND INTO TWO TREES. HE REPORTS HAVING NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. *JB UPDATED 12/7/2005 - *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Nov 7, 2005, crash
DT CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. WHEN PUTTING THE FOOT ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN AND TO COME TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED IT CAUSED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERS NOW. AT THIS POINT THE DEALER IS NOT SURE WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Oct 13, 2005, crash
BRAKES WERE UNABLE TO BRING CAR TO A STOP, INSTEAD THE CAR ACCELERATED. CAR FINALLY CAME TO A STOP AFTER CRASHING INTO THE HOUSE. CAR WAS DAMAGED AND THE BODY AND FENDERS OF THE CAR WERE REPAIRED BUT NOTHING WAS REPAIRED WHICH LED TO THIS OCCURRENCE IN REGARDS TO THE MECHANICS OF THE CAR. IN ADDITION AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON IMPACT.*JB
Vehicle speed control, Sep 19, 2005, crash
I WAS DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY SOUTH BOUND ON I-5 WHEN WE EXITED THE FREEWAY AND PULLED INTO THE TILLICUM CHEVRON STATION. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON BUT DISENGAGED. I TURNED RIGHT INTO A PARKING SPOT AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED (3 TO 5 MPH). I WAS ALMOST AT A COMPLETE STOP AND HAD JUST ENOUGH TIME TO REALIZE THAT I COULD NOT STOP!!! I COULD HEAR THE CAR'S ENGINE ROAR AND A MOMENT LATER FOUND THAT I HAD DRIVEN OVER A CONCRETE CURB, UP A TWO FOOT CONCRETE RETAINING WALL, AND THROUGH A CHAIN-LINK FENCE. I DON'T KNOW HOW A CAR COULD DO THIS!! THE TOTAL SPACE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN WAS ONLY ABOUT 3 LINEAR FEET!! I WAS NOT PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR!! THERE WAS INDEED AN ACCELERATION SURGE IN MY 2002 CAMRY V6. THE CAR STOPPED, STRADDLING THE CONCRETE WALL, THE FRONT DRIVE WHEELS WERE OFF THE GROUND. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND ASKED THE MECHANIC ON-SITE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THE 2002 CAMRY. I SWEAR THIS IS THE VERY FIRST THING I SAID BECAUSE I KNEW THAT I DID NOT CAUSE THE ACCIDENT. THE ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN THE TOYOTA CAMRY. A TOW TRUCK REMOVED MY VEHICLE FORM THE RETAINING WALL. I THEN DROVE THE CAR DIRECTLY TO THE TITUS-WILL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AND INDICATED IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. DAMAGE TO THE CAR INCLUDED THE FRONT BUMPER, SEVERAL MAJOR SCRATCHES, AND SEVERAL SMALL DENTS. I EXPLAINED THAT WE WERE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY AND ASKED ABOUT RECALLS. THEY INDICATED THAT THERE WERE NONE FOR MY VEHICLE. THEY DID ADMIT AFTER SOME QUESTIONING THAT THEY WOULD NOT KNOW HOW MANY TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE DEALERSHIPS DO NOT SHARE INFORMATION AND TOYOTA CORPORATE DOES NOT SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH THE DEALERSHIPS. THE YOUNG LADY (EMPLOYEE) AT THE PAYMENT DESK VOLUNTEERED THAT SHE HAD ALSO HAD UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION WITH HER TOYOTA CAMRY. I REQUEST THAT A FORMAL INVESTIGATION BE LAUNCHED AND A RECALL PLACED FOR 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY'S. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Aug 5, 2005, crash
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE IN REVERSE FOR THE SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE MADE J LIKE TURN AND HIT AN ELECTRICAL BOX WHICH CAUSED THE POWER TO GO OUT IN APPROXIMATELY THREE HOMES AND DAMAGED THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST DELIVERED IN APRIL 2002 THIS HAPPENED. BUT THE CONSUMER THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE IT WAS A NEW VEHICLE. ON JULY 5, 2005 A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND WAS TAKEN TO BELL TOYOTA . WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. *AK *SC
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jul 19, 2005
DT: CONTACT STATES THE SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATED WHILE DRIVING AND THE RPM GAUGE FLUCTUATED ON ITS OWN. THE FIRST THREE TIMES THIS HAPPENED THE CAR SLOWED DOWN . CONSUMER FELT THE SHIFT CHANGE WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING. THIS LAST TIME THE SPEEDOMETER GAUGE WENT UP TO 60 MPH WHILE SHE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, AND WHEN SHE ACCELERATED THE SPEEDOMETER SHOT UP TO 80 MPH. SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES, AND THEY TOLD HER THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. SHE TRIED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER, BUT HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REACH THEM. THIS HAPPENED SINCE JUNE 2004. THEY CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION, AND THE SPEED SENSOR IN JUNE -2004 AFTER THE FIRST 3 TIMES THIS HAPPENED. CURRENTLY, THEY TOLD HER NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Jul 13, 2005, crash
OUR CAR IS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY LE WITH THE 4-CYLINDER ENGINE, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AND CRUISE CONTROL BUT IT DOES NOT HAVE ABS. I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER IN OCTOBER 2003 AND, AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, HAD ABOUT 35,000 MILES ON IT. BASED ON THE ORIGINAL OWNER''S RECORDS AND MY OWN, NO ELECTRICAL WORK HAD EVER BEEN DONE ON THE CAR AND THE BATTERY WAS THE ORIGINAL. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON JULY 22, 2004 IN MISSION VIEJO, CALIFORNIA IN BROAD DAYLIGHT AND IN CLEAR WEATHER. COLLEEN WAS ALONE IN THE CAR AND WAS NOT HURT. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS ABOUT $3,500 IN DAMAGE. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AS MY WIFE WAS PARKING THE CAR WHEN SHE ARRIVED AT HER DOCTOR''S OFFICE FOR AN APPOINTMENT. AS SHE MADE A LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING STALL, SHE SLOWED TO ALMOST A STOP HALF WAY INTO THE PARKING SPACE. THE GEAR LEVER WAS IN THE NORMAL DRIVE POSITION AND HER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. SUDDENLY, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD JUMPING OVER THE CEMENT PARKING SPACE BUMPER, OVER THE CURB AT THE END OF THE PARKING SPACE, AND SQUARELY INTO A BLOCK WALL JUST A FOOT BEYOND THE CURB. THE SURGE IN ACCELERATION MUST HAVE LASTED LESS THAN A SECOND SINCE THE TOTAL DISTANCE TRAVELED WAS ONLY ABOUT 6 TO 8 FEET AND YET RESULTED IN $3,500 DAMAGE. MY WIFE WAS REALLY SHAKEN BY THE INCIDENT AND HAS DRIVEN VERY LITTLE EVER SINCE. SHE SWORE HER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE ALL THE TIME. LATER, HOWEVER, SINCE THERE SEEMED TO BE NO OTHER POSSIBLE CAUSE, SHE CONVINCED HERSELF THAT HER FOOT MUST HAVE SLIPPED OFF THE BRAKE AND ONTO THE ACCELERATOR. EVENTUALLY, SHE ACCEPTED BLAME FOR THE ACCIDENT AND, AS A RESULT, OUR INSURANCE COMPANY RAISED OUR RATES CONSIDERABLY. AFTER THE CAR WAS REPAIRED, I TOOK IT TO A TOYOTA DEALER AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE ACCIDENT. I ASKED THEM TO CHECK FOR ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE ACCELERATOR AND THEY FOUND EVERYTHING OPERATING ''NORMALLY''. NO PROBLEMS WERE EVER IDENTIFIED WITH THE TRANSMISSION OR THE ACCELERATOR.