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.
Steering, Feb 9, 2007
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY. A POPPING SOUND IN THE STEERING WHEEL OCCURRED WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL IN ANY DIRECTION. THE FAILURE HAPPENED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. TOYOTA STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INTERNAL MEMO DUE TO SEVERAL COMPLAINTS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83397. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON JANUARY 9, 2007. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Feb 6, 2007
SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF 2003 CAMRY WITH 27,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS PARKED, HAD FOOT ON BRAKE, TURNED CAR ON . PUT CAR IN DRIVE WHILE FOOT STILL ON BRAKE AND CAR SURGED FORWARD. THIS WAS SO FRIGHTENING AS A MOM AND CHILD WERE WALKING IN FRONT OF MY CAR. I SMASHED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, PUT CAR IN PARK AND TURNED MOTOR OFF TO MAKE IT STOP. *JB SEE ALSO 10184772. *DSY
Suspension, Feb 2, 2007
2003 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE, PULLS TO THE LEFT AFTER REPEATED ALIGNMENTS, COMPLAINTS TO DEALERS, AND TIRE ROTATIONS. DANGER IS THAT IT PULLS INTO THE LINE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND CAUSES PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. INTERNET IS FULL OF "LEFT PULL" COMPLAINTS, BUT ALMOST NO "RIGHT PULL"...STRUT MOUNT DESIGN OR ASSEMBLY IS DANGEROUSLY FLAWED. *JB
Steering, Jan 13, 2007
WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IT MAKES A VERY AWKWARD SQUEAKING SOUND. I NOTICED THE SQUEAKING IN THE WINTER OF 2004. IT DOES IT ALL THE TIME MOST NOTICEABLY DURING COLD WEATHER. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AROUND JULY 2006. THEY LUBRICATED IT AND IT STOPPED FOR A WHILE. I HAD TO TAKE IT BACK IN DECEMBER OF 2006 TO HAVE IT LUBRICATED AGAIN. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, BUT I WISH IT COULD BE CORRECTED. *JB
Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 8, 2007
POWER LOCKS - BEGINNING IN 2006, THE DRIVER SIDE/REAR POWER LOCK IN MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY SE BEGAN TO FAIL. THE FAILURE BEGINS WITH INTERMITTENT FUNCTIONING OF THE LOCKS - THE DOORS WILL LOCK/UNLOCK UNPREDICTABLY. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS - CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND THE RISK OF THEFT FROM A CAR THAT FAILED TO LOCK. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE PART WAS COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. (I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD). *NM
Air bags, Jan 3, 2007, crash
THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE HAS 54,000 MILES. THERE WERE FOUR PASSENGERS ALL WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THE TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY. A VEHICLE MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY CUT IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING THE VAN AND LOST CONTROL OF THE CAMRY. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING NORTH AFTER LOSING CONTROL THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HIT THE CEMENT MEDIAN. THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR WAS THE ONLY DOOR THAT WOULD OPEN AFTER THE CRASH. THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS UP AGAINST THE CEMENT MEDIAN. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP FACING SOUTHBOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THE AIRBAG SENSOR WAS COMPLETELY SMASHED. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE ONLY RECENT WORK DONE ON THE VEHICLE WAS AN OIL CHANGE. THE POLICE CAME ,BUT NO REPORT WAS FILED. *AK
Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 29, 2006
POWER LOCKS - BEGINNING IN 2005, THE POWER LOCKS IN MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY BEGAN TO FAIL. THE DRIVER'S DOOR WAS THE FIRST TO MALFUNCTION, FOLLOWED BY THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR AND, MOST RECENTLY, THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER DOOR. THE FAILURE BEGINS WITH INTERMITTENT FUNCTIONING OF THE LOCKS - THE DOORS WILL LOCK/UNLOCK UNPREDICTABLY. I HAVE REPLACED 2 OF THE 3 MECHANISMS AT SIGNIFICANT COST. NOW THE THIRD IS FAILING. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE FOR A COUPLE OF REASONS - CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND THE RISK OF THEFT FROM A CAR THAT FAILED TO LOCK.
Vehicle speed control, Dec 12, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING WHEN PLACED INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER BOTH TIMES HOWEVER THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. UPDATED 01/30/07. *JB
Steering, Dec 11, 2006
AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES, A KNOCKING SOUND BEGAN TO BE AUDIBLE WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN TURNING THE WHEELS SEVERAL DEGREES AT LOW SPEEDS SUCH AS IN PARKING. THE KNOCK APPEARS TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH A SLIGHT VIBRATION OF THE SAME FREQUENCY AS THE KNOCK AND A SLIGHT LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING. THE NOISE AND SLIGHT JERK IN THE STEERING WHEEL GRADUALLY WORSENED WITH TIME, AND THE CAR WAS JUST BEYOND THE GENERAL WARRANTY PERIOD WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER. THE DIAGNOSIS BY THE DEALER WAS "BAD STEERING COLUMN; NEEDS TO BE REPLACED". AS IT WAS NOT CONSIDERED A DRIVE TRAIN COMPONENT, THERE WAS NO WARRANTY COVERAGE. THE COST WOULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT $1000 AT THE TIME. NO REPAIR HAS YET BEEN DONE. THE KNOCK HAS CONTINUED AND AT ABOUT 80,000 MILES A SQUEAKING NOISE BEGAN TO ACCOMPANY THE KNOCK. NO DIFFICULTY STEERING AT NORMAL SPEED (E.G. DRIFTING) HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED AND NO ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR. THE INCIDENCE DATE IS THE DATE THE SQUEAKING NOISE WAS FIRST NOTICED. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 20, 2006
03 CAMRY MANIFOLD AT 45K TOOK CAR TO DEALER WITH COMPLAINT OF KNOCKING/VIBRATION COMING FROM ENGINE. DEALER REPLACED WATER PUMP UNDER WARRANTY AND RECOMMENDED TENSIONER BE REPLACED, OUT OF WARRANTY ITEM, TO FULLY CORRECT NOISE. NOISE PERSISTED AND I LEARNED TO DEAL WITH IT SINCE IT WASN'T HARMING THE ENGINE. PROGRESSIVELY GOT MORE ANNOYING AND AT 58K TOOK BACK TO DEALER. SSERVICE REP LISTENED TO IT FOR 2 MINUTES AND SAID IT WAS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WHICH WOULD COST $591 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. I DECIDED NOT TO LEAVE CAR AND HAVE WORK DONE AGAIN SINCE IT WAS NOT HARMING THE ENGINE AND MORE OF A NUISANCE THAN ANYTHING. AT 60,500K I E-MAILED TOYOTA AND ASKED ABOUT THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY COVERAGE AND WAS TOLD THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS COVERED UP TO 60K OR 5 YRS. I ONLY HAVE SELF TO BLAME FOR NOT BEING PROACTIVE SOONER, BUT TOYOTA SHOULD OWN UP TO THIS RATHER COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE NOTE THAT I WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA THAT "THE WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS 5 YRS OR 60,000 WHICH EVER COMES FIRST FROM THE VEHICLES DATE OF FIRST USE..."*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 12, 2006
INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKING ONLY 51000 MILES 2003 CAMRY . TOYOTA DEALERS EST. $675.00 TO REPAIR . I NOTICED ON LINE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH 2003 CAMRY. *NM
Electrical system, Oct 23, 2006
ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON FREQUENTLY FOR THE LAST 30 TO 35K MILES AND HEADQUARTER TOYOTA HAS CHARGED ME TOO REPLACE SEVERAL DIFFERENT ITEMS RELATED TO THE COMPUTER CODE GIVEN, TOTALING SOME $1,200.00 AND NOW THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR NEARLY 1-MONTH AND NOW SAYS THEY CAN NOT FIX THE PROBLEM WE WENT TODAY TOO PICKUP THE CAR , OF COURSE THEIR IS NO FURTHER PAPER WORK EXCEPT THAT THEY CHECKED THE CAR IN BACK IN SEPTEMBER/2006. I HAVE BEEN CHARGED FOR ALL TYPES OF CURES FOR WHICH THEY TOO DID NOT WORK, NOT AFFORDED A RENTAL REPLACEMENT BUT FOR 3 PRIOR DAYS ???? *NM
Steering, Suspension, Oct 18, 2006
SINCE SOON AFTER I PURCHASE MY TOYOTA CAMRY NEW I HAVE NOTICED THAT IT PULLS HARD TO THE LEFT. FORTUNATELY I HAVE YET TO HAVE A VEHICLE ACCIDENT, THOUGH SEVERAL TIMES MY CAR HAS DRIFTED INTO THE ONCOMING LANE. *NM
Steering, Oct 8, 2006
LOOSENESS AND NOISE IN INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. OCCURS WHEN TEMPERATURES ABOVE 75 DEGREES OR WHEN VEHICLE WARM FROM OPERATION. FEELING OF LOOSE CONNECTION IN STEERING LINKAGE FELT IN STEERING WHEEL. METAL AGAINST METAL NOISES HEARD ALSO. DEALER AND TOYOTA REFUSE TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH VEHICLE UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE AND NUMEROUS NHTSA AND TOYOTA TSB'S EXIST FOR THIS DEFECT ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL VEHICLE. INCIDENT DATE IS FOR MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE. PROBLEM IS ALWAYS THERE EVERY DAY. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 21, 2006
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH ABS BRAKES. THE VEHICLE IS TOYOTA CERTIFIED WITH THE 160 POINT INSPECTION WHICH INCLUDES BRAKES. THE BRAKES ARE VERY SPONGY, I HAVE TO DEPRESS THE PEDAL TWO INCHES BEFORE THE BRAKES BEGIN TO ENGAGE AND ANOTHER THREE INCHES FOR THE BRAKES TO FULLY ENGAGE. THE DEALERS SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM ON THE 2003'S AND A NEW BRAKE DESIGN ELIMINATED THE PROBLEM ON NEWER MODELS. I ASKED WHAT COULD BE DONE TO UPGRADE MY BRAKES AND WAS TOLD THAT NO IMPROVEMENTS OR ADJUSTMENTS WERE POSSIBLE. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT NUMEROUS CUSTOMERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAD "LEARNED TO LIVE WITH IT". I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN AND I WAS UPSET AT THE PROSPECT THAT A KNOWN DEFECT THAT THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES SHOULD PLACE LIVES IN JEOPARDY. THOSE TWO INCHES COULD BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH. I WONDER HOW MANY ACCIDENTS WHICH INVOLVED 2003 CAMRYS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED. I FEEL THIS WARRANTS A SAFETY ISSUE AND POSSIBLE RECALL. THANKS !!!
Exterior lighting, Jul 25, 2006
REAR BRAKE LIGHTS OF 2003 -2006 CAMRY'S ARE INOPERABLE ON A MORE FREQUENT BASIS THAN STATISTICS WOULD INDICATE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE WHAT APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT AFFECTS THE SAFETY OF THE GENERAL DRIVING PUBLIC. *JB
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 20, 2006
HAVE A 2002 CAMRY AND I HAVE NOW PURCHASED MY THIRD INSIDE DOOR LATCH. TOYOTA MUST HAVE DISCOVERED THEY HAVE A PROBLEM BECAUSE THE NEWER CAMRY'S ARE METAL. I WOULD HOPE THE NHTSA WOULD GIVE CONSUMERS SOME HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 19, 2006
MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY, WHICH I MAINTAINED IN A NORMAL MANNER, W/APPROPRIATE OIL CHANGES. THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, I PUT IN 1 QT OF OIL, THE LIGHT WENT OFF. A SHORT TIME LATER, I DROVE THE CAR AND IT STARTED MAKING A LOUD CLACKING SOUND, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I DROVE IT HOME AND PARKED IT; CALLED A MECHANIC TO COME TAKE A LOOK. HE SAID IT WAS THE ENGINE AND NEEDED TO BE TAKEN TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, AND WE COULD NOT DRIVE IT AT ALL. I TOWED IT TO THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP, APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES AWAY. THEY CHECKED IT OVER COUPLE OF DAYS, THEN CALLED AND SAID THE ENGINE HAD SLUDGE IN IT, AND NEEDED A $7,000-$8,000 REPAIR. THEY ALSO SAID IT WAS MY FAULT, BECAUSE THE OIL HAD OBVIOUSLY NOT BEEN CHANGED PROPERLY. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, THE TOYOTA DEALER TALKED ME INTO A $999 EXTENDED WARRANTY PLAN, WHICH HE ASSURED ME WOULD COVER ANY MAJOR ISSUES THAT MIGHT COME UP WITH A CAR -- THEIR TENDER LOVING CARE PACKAGE. NOW THE WARRANTY (WHICH TOYOTA IS DISTANCING THEMSELVES FROM, SAYING IS AN OUTSIDE COMPANY, THEREFORE NOT ANYTHING TO DO WITH THEM) COMPANY DENIED THE REPAIR. ALSO, TOYOTA DENIED COVERING THE REPAIR, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND TONS OF MATERIAL ONLINE INDICATING THAT THEY'VE HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE CAMRY ENGINES AND SLUDGE ISSUES. IT LOOKS LIKE THOUSANDS OF CONSUMERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, AND TOYOTA ALWAYS SAYS IT IS THE OWNER'S FAULT. I HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES, AND HAVE SOME OF THE RECORDS. I DO NOT HAVE ALL OF THE RECEIPTS, BUT HAVE WELL OVER HALF OF THEM. THE CAR HAS 96,000 MILES ON IT, AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY IS FOR 100,000 MILES. TOYOTA SHOULD FIX THE ENGINE PROPERLY AT THEIR EXPENSE. A $7-8K REPAIR IS A MONUMENTAL EXPENSE FOR OUR FAMILY. THIS MAY NOT SEEM LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT I BELIEVE IT IS, AS AN ENGINE LOCKING UP OR STOPPING COLD COULD PRESENT A SERIOUS DRIVING ISSUE, AND CERTAINLY SEEMS TO BE A VERY BROAD PROBLEM WITH THE TOYOTA CAMRYS. *NM
Steering, Jul 3, 2006
AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES, A KNOCKING SOUND BEGAN TO BE AUDIBLE WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY PRECIPITATING INCIDENT; NO COLLISIONS OR HARD CONTACT WITH CURBING, POT HOLES, ETC.. THE KNOCK COULD ALSO BE FELT AS A SLIGHT JERK IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WAS (AND STILL IS) NO NOTICEABLE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE CAR. THE NOISE AND SLIGHT JERK IN THE STEERING WHEEL GRADUALLY WORSENED WITH TIME, AND THE CAR WAS JUST BEYOND THE GENERAL WARRANTY PERIOD WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER. DIAGNOSIS BY THE DEALER WAS "BAD STEERING COLUMN; NEEDS TO BE REPLACED". AS IT WAS NOT CONSIDERED A DRIVE TRAIN COMPONENT, THERE WAS NO WARRANTY COVERAGE. THE COST WOULD HAVE BEEN ABOUT $1000 AT THE TIME. NO REPAIR HAS YET BEEN DONE. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Jun 20, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ACCELERATOR WERE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL MOVES DOWN TOO FAR. THE POSITION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR CAUSED A COLLISION WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. THE ACCELERATOR WAS ACCIDENTALLY DEPRESSED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO INCREASE IN SPEED AND COLLIDE WITH ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY PUSHED THAT VEHICLE INTO A THIRD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED, AND THERE WERE NO MECHANICS CONSULTED.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 16, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 7 MPH IN HEAVY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. MINOR DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED TO THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. UPDATED 7/13/2006 - THIS ACCELERATION PROBLEM OCCURRED 6-7 TIME PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 4, 2006
BRAKE FAILURE. HAS HAPPENED BEFORE AND COMPLAINT FILED PREVIOUSLY. THIS TIME, BRAKES FAILED WHEN APPROACHING INTERSECTION. VEHICLE SPEED BEFORE BRAKING ABOUT 35 MPH. VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN ABOUT 5 MILES WITH OCCASIONAL GENTLE BRAKING AFTER BEING PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 6 HOURS. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE ABOUT 85 DEGREES, SUNNY AND DRY. FAILURE HADN'T HAPPENED ALL WINTER, WARMER WEATHER ONLY TIME PROBLEM OCCURS. IN THIS INSTANCE, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR UPON INITIAL APPLICATION. BRAKING EFFORT INSUFFICIENT EVEN THOUGH BOTH FEET PUSHING PEDAL. I'M 210 LB ACTIVE CYCLIST. PUSHING EFFORT DEFINITELY NOT LACKING. NEARLY BROADSIDED CAR IN CROSS TRAFFIC. SWIFT EVASIVE ACTION BY OTHER DRIVER ONLY REASON ACCIDENT DIDN'T OCCUR. IN PAST, DEALER SAID THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE CONDITION. BRAKE PEDAL HAS "QUIVER" WHEN PRESSED QUICKLY. DEALER REPLACED BRAKE BOOSTER BUT PROBLEM NOT CORRECTED. BRAKE PADS, SHOES, ROTORS AND DRUMS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. BRAKE FLUID CLEAN AND AT CORRECT LEVEL. FEELS LIKE FLAW INSIDE MASTER CYLINDER OR IN PEDAL LINKAGE DESIGN WHICH IS DIFFERENT THAN MOST MOTOR VEHICLES. I FEEL CAR IS DANGEROUS TO OPERATE AND I WON'T LET OTHER 2 DRIVERS IN THE FAMILY USE THIS VEHICLE. TOYOTA SHOULD KNOW OF CAMRY BRAKING PROBLEMS AS THEY ARE POSTED MANY PLACES AND HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO TOYOTA'S CUSTOMER, INCLUDING MYSELF. THSES DEFECTIVE VEHICLES ARE HIGHLY PREVALENT ON THE HIGHWQYS AND ARE A TICKING TIME BOMB WAITING TO KILL OR MAIM SOME UNSUSPECTING PERSON. *JB
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, May 30, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY AT 1 MPH WIT FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THREE OTHER VEHICLE'S CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE AT THE TIME. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY TOYOTA. THE POLICE WERE ALERTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. UPDATED 6/19/2006 - *NM
Vehicle speed control, May 12, 2006, crash
I WAS DRIVING INTO THE AUTOMATIC CAR WASH, SLOWED TO GO UP SLIGHT RAMP TO TOP. GAVE THE CAR A LITTLE GAS AND IT STARTED REVING, DID NOT STOP WHEN BRAKE PEDAL PUSHED, JUMPED THE TRACK AND HIT THE SIDE OF THE CAR WASH. THE CAR WAS ABLE TO BE MOVED TO OUTSIDE CARWASH, STILL REVING BUT WAS ABLE TO STOP AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. THE FRONT BUMPER AND DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT FENDER WERE REPLACED, AND SUSPENSION DAMAGE REPAIRED. *NM
Suspension, Vehicle speed control, May 5, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THIS OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. THE FIRST 3 TIMES THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WITH EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE LAST TIME THE VEHICLE STRUCK A POLE. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR BODY REPAIRS CAUSED BY THE CRASH. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED THE FIRST THREE TIMES DIAGNOSTIC TESTING DID NOT IDENTIFY ANY CODES. ALSO, WHILE CARRYING 125 POUNDS OF BIRD SEED IN THE TRUNK, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VEER TO THE LEFT ON A SLUSHY ROAD. WHEN THE BIRD SEED WAS MOVED TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 7/11/2006 - THE CONSUMER REPORTED THESE INCIDENTS TO THE DEALER BUT THEY TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. *NM