2003 Toyota Camry
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Vehicle speed control is the leading concern among 816 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 25 Camry model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 239 involved a crash and 10 involved a fire. 112 people were injured and 5 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
Representative owner complaints
816 reports, newest first.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 23, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A GARAGE DOOR. THE CONTACTS FOOT WAS DEPRESSING THE BRAKE IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, UPON IMPACT, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND PROCEEDED INTO TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE CRASHED A SECOND TIME INTO THE FRONT END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THERE WAS NO MENTION OF A POLICE REPORT BEING FILED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL INTERMITTENTLY BUT WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT AN INVESTIGATOR WOULD FURTHER INSPECT THE VEHICLE FAILURES. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 44,000. UPDATED 5/6/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE WAS BACKING OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY, WHEN THE VEHICLE SWERVED WITH A GREAT AMOUNT OF FORCE AND CRASHED IN HIS GARAGE DOORWAY AND DID SEVERE DAMAGE. THE CONSUMER STATED HE PLACED HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND A SPLIT-SECOND LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS RUSHING FORWARD AT A HIGH SPEED THROUGH HIS PARKING SPACE AND INTO TRAFFIC ON A TWO-WAY ROAD IN FRONT OF HIS DRIVEWAY WHERE HE COLLIDED WITH A PASSING VEHICLE THAT WAS TURNING LEFT. UPDATED 05/13/10.*JB
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Electric, Mar 23, 2010, crash
I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY ON HIGHWAY WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON INTERSTATE I-40. I WAS DRIVING 55 MPH ALONG A CONSTRUCTION ZONE WHEN IT SUDDENLY SPEED UP, BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AND CRASH INTO THE WALL. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY PUMPING ON THE BRAKE AND IT WAS FINALLY STOPPED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DEEP IN THE SAND ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO ITS SEVERE DAMAGES.
Equipment, Mar 22, 2010
ATTEMPTED TO PARK AUTO IN USPS LOT IN FAIRFIELD. PA; APPLIED BRAKE , AUTO ACCELERATED AND WENT OVER CEMENT STOP, I WAS ABLE TO STOP CAR BEFORE CRASHING INTO POST OFFICE WITH AUTO RESTING ON CEMENT STOP. REVERSED BACK OVER CEMENT STOP AND PARKED AUTO. LEFT POST OFFICE AND PUT AUTO IN REVERSE, BACKED UP, TURNED AUTO TO STRAIGHTEN AND ENGINE ACCELERATED. I PUT AUTO INTO PARK AND APPLIED BRAKE TO STOP AUTO. HAD AUTO TOWED IN TO TOYOTA DEALER WHERE IT NOW SITS TO BE DIAGNOSED TODAY. *DT
Vehicle speed control, Mar 22, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, YET, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8856 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35000.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 21, 2010, crash
WHILE PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY WITH RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE MY 2003 CAMRY SUDDENLY ACCELERATED STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED IN THE SAME DRIVEWAY. SUDDEN ACCELERATION HAS BEEN A FREQUENT PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND IS CORRECTED BY TAPPING THE BRAKE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE YET TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AS THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 19, 2010
MY WIFE'S WAS DRIVING OUR 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE TO STORE WHEN COMING TO CASUAL STOP HIT BRAKE PEDAL AND HAD LOST ALL BRAKING POWER WHILE MERGING ONTO EXIT. MY WIFE KEPT PUMPING THE BRAKES UNTIL AFTER 8-10 PUMPS OF BRAKE PEDAL CAR FINALLY REGAINED BRAKING POWER. SHE WAS TELLING ME SHE WAS ALMOST PREPARED TO RUN THE CAR OFF THE ROAD INTO DITCH TO AVOID REAR-ENDING CARS IN FRONT OF HER. MY WIFE WAS SCARED AND UPSET AND SAID SHE WON'T PUT OUR 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER OR 7 YEARS OLD SON IN THIS CAR EVER AGAIN. I HAVE HAD INTERMITTENT LOSS OF BRAKES PROBLEM SINCE NEW. WHEN WE TAKE IT TO THE DEALER THE TELL US THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN FIND WRONG. THIS HAS HAPPENED 10 TIMES SINCE NEW,BUT THIS EVENT BEING THE WORST. I AM CALLING DEALER TOMORROW MORNING TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED. MY WIFE DOES NOT WANT THE CAR AND STRONGLY BELIEVES THE PROBLEM WON'T BE FIXED BECAUSE IT IS A ENGINEERING PROBLEM NOT A MAINTENANCE PROBLEM. I AM SURE OF ALL THE TIMES WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THIS ISSUE THAT THEY CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. I AM SURE THAT WHEN I TAKE IT THERE TOMORROW NOT UNDER WARRANTY THEY WILL TURN THIS ENGINEERING PROBLEM INTO A PROFIT MAKER. THE CAR IS A GARAGE KEPT CAR WITH 44,000 MILE AND NEW FRONT AND REAR BRAKES PADS AT 40,000. MY WIFE AND I READ MANY OF THE COMPLAINTS ON BRAKING PROBLEMS AND ARE EXACTLY WHAT WE EXPERIENCE ON OUR TOYOTA CAMRY XLE. I WAS NOT IN THE CAR SO I'M NOT SURE IT WAS BRAKES OR ACCELERATOR. MY OPINION IS IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. WHEN CAR WAS NEW I HAD A PANIC STOP ON HIGHWAY ON A HOT SUMMER DAY. I HIT THE BRAKES HARD AND REAR TIRES LOCKED UP AND SKIDDED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO 30 MPH FROM 65MPH. IF THIS CAR HAS ABS HOW CAN YOU SKID THE REAR TIRES AT ANYTIME. DEALER CLAIMED TO FIND NOTHING WRONG EVERY TIME . TOMORROW AT THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD BE INTERESTING, MY WIFE WANTS ME TO TRADE IT IN AND SWEARS SHE WON'T DRIVE IT EVER AGAIN. *TR
Other or unspecified, Mar 18, 2010
CONSUMER REQUEST FORMS TO REPORT A SAFETY ISSUE WITH A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY AND ADDITIONAL FORMS SUCH AS AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE, RECALLS AND NEW CAR CRASH TESTS AND ANNUAL REPORT OF SAFETY RECALLS. *TGW
Power train, Mar 18, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND EXITING IT, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND BEGAN ROLLING BACKWARDS. THE OCCUPANT SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO TRAVEL OVER A CURB WHICH FLATTENED BOTH REAR TIRES. NO ONE WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT HAD THE PAWL MECHANISM AND TIRES REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60000. UPDATED 05/10/10 *BF THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE ENGINE WAS LEFT RUNNING; THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN THE PARK POSITION; BUT THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ON AN UPHILL SLANT,DOWNHILL BEING TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. MINUTES AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION LEVER DID MOVE INTO REVERSE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THE PAWL MECHANISM FAILED. UPDATED 05/12/10 UPDATED 07/01/10 *BF UPDATED 07/02/10.*JB
Vehicle speed control, Mar 16, 2010
SUMMER 2007, DRIVING FROM BEDFORD, TX TO SOUTHWEST FORT WORTH, 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FROM NEAR STOP CONDITION TO MUCH HIGHER SPEED FOR TWO OR MORE BLOCKS. NOT SURE HOW FAST IT WAS GOING. DON'T RECALL DETAILS. THIS NEVER HAPPENED AGAIN. STILL OWNS CAR. *TR
Service brakes, Electric, Mar 13, 2010
COMPLAINT HAVING DRIVEN A TOYOTA AND HAD THE PROBLEMS THAT'S IN THE NEWS TODAY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 12, 2010, crash
10/06/09 ACCIDENT--UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO CAR AND REAR GARAGE WALL. BECAUSE CAR HAS NOT APPEARED ON RECALL LISTS MY INSURANCE CO. ADVISES I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACCIDENT AND WILL FACE INCREASED PREMIUM. I FEEL THIS UNFAIR AND UNJUST. THIS WAS THE MOST TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE. ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME WOULD BE APPRECIATED. I WAS ADVISED TO REGISTER MY COMPLAINT WITH YOU BY TV CONSUMER ADVOCATE "7 ON YOUR SIDE". THE CAR WAS PARKED WHEN I STARTED IT TO PUT IN GARAGE--THEREFORE, I CANNOT PUT PROPER SPEED IN AREA SUBSEQUENT TO THIS SECTION. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 11, 2010, crash
IN THE PROCESS OF PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING LOT ON DECEMBER 8, 2009, MY 2003 CAMRY ACCELERATED, JUMPED THE CURB, RAN UP AN EMBANKMENT AND HIT A TREE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, WHO TEST DROVE IT AND FOUND NO PROBLEM. PLEASE EXTEND THE RECALL TO 2003 CAMRY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 11, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE OUT OF HER DRIVEWAY AT SPEEDS OF UNDER 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED FORWARD WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPIN IN A CIRCULAR MOTION AND PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A VEHICLE. THE ENGINE EXHIBITED A LOUD REVVING NOISE WHILE ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL FINALLY CRASHING INTO A TREE. UPON IMPACT, THERE WAS A TIRE BLOWOUT, EXACT LOCATION UNKNOWN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES FROM THE CRASH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 47,000.
Equipment, Mar 9, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR MAT CLIPS WOULD NOT SECURE THE FLOOR MAT WHILE HE WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CLIPS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50000. UPDATED 4/26/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED HE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED. HE STATED THE FLOOR MAT SLID FORWARD AND BLOCKED THE ACCELERATOR. UPDATE 06/15/10.*JB
Steering, Mar 8, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; PROCEEDING TO MAKE A TURN. THERE WAS EXCESSIVE FORCE APPLIED TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER MAKING A TURN. IN ADDITION, DURING THE WINTER MONTHS THE FAILURE PROGRESSED MORE FREQUENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE TECHNICIAN DISPENSED POWER STEERING FLUID IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONTINUOUS WITHOUT NO RESOLUTION. THE CONTACT IS WAITING ON A RESPONSE FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 8, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 2 MPH INTO THE GARAGE, WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE WALL. THE CONTACT STATES THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND TESTING. THE DEALER DROVE THE VEHICLE AROUND AND FOUND NO PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR. THE FRONT BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED.THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE CRASH. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 6300. UPDATED 04/20/2010. *LJ UPDATED 07/13/10.*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Mar 6, 2010, crash
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
Vehicle speed control, Mar 5, 2010, crash
I OWN A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY THAT EXPERIENCED THE SAME UNEXPLAINABLE ACCELERATION BEING AIRED ON TELEVISION NEWSCASTS ONLY A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. AS I WAS DRIVING IN FRONT OF A POPULAR SHOPPING AREA MY CAR ACCELERATED AT AN ALARMING SPEED. IT FELT LIKE A JET. I QUICKLY ATTEMPTED TO PRESS ON MY FOOT BRAKE AND EVEN TRIED THE HAND BRAKE. THE CAR CEASED TO STOP. THE CAR CROSSED A MAJOR INTERSECTION AND DANGEROUSLY ENTERED A BUSY PARKING LOT AT A POPULAR MALL. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO DODGE PEDESTRIANS, MOVING AND PARKED CARS UNTIL I TURNED SUDDENLY AND CRASHED INTO THE MEDIAN THAT DIVIDED THE PARKING ROWS IN THE PARKING LOT. ON-LOOKERS CAME TO CHECK ON ME AND SPOKE OF HOW THE BACK TIRES WERE SMOKING BECAUSE MY CAR WAS GOING SO FAST. SHAKEN UP, MY PASSENGER AND I CALLED FAMILY MEMBERS WHO RUSHED TO THE SCENE AND PROCEEDED TO CALL A TOW COMPANY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS CLEARLY NOT CAPABLE OF BEING DRIVEN. THE FRONT WHEEL AXLE WAS BENT, AND THERE WAS MUCH DAMAGE TO THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL AREA DUE TO THE ANGLE OF THE CRASH. THANKFULLY, NEITHER MY PASSENGER NOR I WERE INJURED, BUT VERY SHAKEN UP. ONCE THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A NEARBY SERVICE CENTER, THEY WERE ABLE TO SURMISE THAT THE CAR WAS A BIT MANGLED AND REQUIRED PARTS NOT READILY AVAILABLE IN HILO, HAWAII. THE ESTIMATE TO REPAIR THE CAR EXCEEDED $3,000. I CONTACTED MY CAR INSURANCE CARRIER TO REPORT THE INCIDENT. NEARLY ONE MONTH LATER, THE CAR WAS REPAIRED. MY DAUGHTER TOOK THE CAR TO A TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER AND ASKED THEM TO PLEASE EXAMINE THE CAR AND EVALUATE WHETHER IT WAS SAFE FOR DRIVING. THE MICRO CHIP DID NOT INDICATE ANYTHING ABNORMAL ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE AGENT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 5, 2010, crash
MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IN HER 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY ON 10/05/04. WHILE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE SHE STATED THAT THE CAR ACCELERATED AND THAT SHE COULD NOT GET IT TO STOP. THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT REPORT QUOTES HER AS SAYING "SHE HAD NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND SAID THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE MECHANICALLY. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE BUT I DO NOT FIND ANY INDICATION THAT THE PROBLEM OF THE ACCELERATOR WAS ADDRESSED. WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT COURSE OF ACTION WE SHOULD TAKE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 5, 2010
TL* CONTACT OWNED A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE WHEN SHE HAD IT. SHE ALMOST RAN THREW HER WINDOW WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. SHE NO LONGER HAS THE VEHICLE BUT THOUGHT THAT FILING A COMPLAINT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 70,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 5, 2010
TWICE LAST YEAR THE CAR JUST TOOK OFF ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN AND WHEN I TRIED TO USE THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR IT JUST KEPT GOING. THE FIRST TIME I COULD NOT CONTROL THE CAR BY USING THE BRAKES AND IT FINALLY STOPPED AFTER IT WENT DOWN THE STREET A WAYS AND OVER A CURB. THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED AND I HAD JUST STARTED UP THE CAR PUTTING MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL WHEN THE CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THE SECOND TIME I HAD ENTERED A PARKING GARAGE, STOPPED TO TAKE A TICKET FROM A MACHINE AND WHEN I APPLIED THE GAS IT TOOK OFF. I APPLIED THE BRAKE AND TRIED TO STEER THE CAR OUT OF DANGER. IT FINALLY HIT A CEMENT BLOCK, BOUNCING BACK GOING FORWARD AGAIN BEFORE IT STOPPED. BOTH TIMES I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE SECOND TIME IN DECEMBER 2009 THEY TOLD ME OF THE PROBLEM REGARDING THE GAS PEDAL AND THE CARPET, WHICH THEY SAID WAS OK ON MY CAR AND TOLD ME IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THE WHEELS WOULD STOP TURNING. THEY ALSO SAID THEY WERE WORKING ON A RECALL BUT THAT MY CAR WOULD NOT BE A PART OF IT AS THE PROBLEM DID NOT EXIST UNTIL 2005 ON CAMRYS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 4, 2010
IN JULY OF 2007 OR 2008 WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK MY 2003 TOYOTA SOLARA IN A KOHL'S LOT THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE ACCELERATION WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO CAUSE MY HEAD TO BE THROWN BACK BUT I DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO CHECK THE ODOMETER FOR THE REGISTERED SPEED. I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING STALL WITH ONE CAR DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME AND A CAR ON EITHER SIDE OF ME. I STOMPED ON THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD AND WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHIN AN INCH OR TWO FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS WAS PROBABLY THE SCARIEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME IN AN AUTOMOBILE. I CHECKED THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND FOUND THAT OTHER OWNERS OF SOLARAS HAD EXPERIENCED SIMILAR OCCURRENCES WITH THEIR AUTOS AND HAD BEEN TOLD THAT IT WAS POSSIBLY A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE. I FILED A REPORT AND SPOKE WITH A WOMAN FROM NHTSA WHO CALLED ME BUT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AGAIN. I BROUGHT MY SOLARA TO THE DEALER WHERE I HAD PURCHASED IT AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG OTHER THAN THE FLOOR MAT WAS PUSHED FORWARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON AND OFF WHEN I'VE BEEN BRAKING TO TURN LEFT OR AM SLOWLY COMING TO A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AND ALWAYS WHEN I HAVE THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. IT FEELS AS IF I'VE HIT AN OIL SLICK IN THE ROAD AND THE ONLY THING I CAN DO IS PRESS VERY HARD ON THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR FROM GOING FORWARD. NONE OF THESE INCIDENTS HAS EVER BEEN AS SCARY AS WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED WHEN I WAS PARKING BUT THEY'VE ALL OCCURRED WHEN I WAS STEPPING ON THE BRAKE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 4, 2010
I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. I TOOK IT INTO A TOYOTA DEALER WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED, BUT THEY DID NOTHING. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 4, 2010, crash
8/4/2000 MY TOYOTA CAMRY LE HAS SUDDEN ACCELERATION AT OAKLAND MALL PARKING LOT INTROY MICHIGAN AND I WAS INVOLVE IN ACCIDENT, TRIED EXTREMELY HARD ON BRAKE BUT COULDN'T CONTROL THE VEHICLE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 4, 2010, crash
I PULLED INTO MY BROTHER'S DRIVEWAY AND WAS GETTING READY TO PARK WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY TOOK OFF AS IF I HAD THE GAS TO THE FLOOR(WHICH I DIDN'T). I CRASHED INTO MY BROTHER'S TRUCK KNOCKING IT INTO HIS HOUSE, STILL COULDN'T STOP THE CAR, IT ACTED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO CLIMB HIS TRUCK. IT THEN VEERED TO THE LEFT AND SIDE SWIPED HIS OTHER VEHICLE. WHEN I FINALLY GOT IT STOPPED, I HAD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL REVVING AND TRYING TO GO. I FINALLY GOT IT STOPPED WHERE I COULD TURN IT OFF WITH THE KEY. THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR WAS NEARLY $14,000.00 PLUS THE DAMAGE TO MY BROTHER'S PROPERTY. *TR