2004 Toyota Camry
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Vehicle speed control is the leading concern among 799 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 25 Camry model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 223 involved a crash and 13 involved a fire. 145 people were injured and 6 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Engine and engine coolingNov 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 11V539000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, front, buckle assemblyDec 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.
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.
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..
Campaign 04V595000 on NHTSA.gov
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: vehicle speed control
265 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Apr 2, 2010, crash
2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER STATES THE ENGINE SURGED AND THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AS HE WAS PARKING. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE RAN OVER THE CURB, ACROSS THE SIDEWALK AND STRUCK AND DAMAGED A COLUMN ON THE FRONT OF A BUILDING. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT RESULTING IN A REPAIR BILL IN EXCESS OF $4,000. ON A PREVIOUS OCCASION WHEN EXITING THE FREEWAY AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE ENGINE SURGED BETWEEN GEARS BUT WHEN IT ENGAGED, THE CONSUMER DID NOT NOTICE A PROBLEM. SIX MONTHS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Mar 30, 2010, crash
2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER STATES UNINTENDED ACCELERATION CAUSING A CRASH. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DESCENDING DOWN HER DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND WOULD NOT STOP. WHEN SHE TURNED THE WHEEL, THE VEHICLE CLIMBED AN EMBANKMENT AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Mar 25, 2010, crash
ON MAY 15, 2004 I WAS INVOLVED IN A 1 PERSON AUTO ACCIDENT IN MY 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY LE. I HAD JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE LESS THAN 30 DAYS FROM THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT FROM A CERTIFIED USED TOYOTA DEALERSHIP (STONE MOUNTAIN TOYOTA). MY CAR SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AS I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR TO PULL OUT OF A STORE PARKING LOT. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE CAR BY BRAKING AND ENDED UP ROLLING OVER AN EMBANKMENT AND ON TO RAILROAD TRACKS. I WAS WEARING MY SAFETY BELT AT THE TIME. I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND AWAY FROM IT AS I FEARED IT WAS GOING TO BLOW UP. I HAD NO IDEA OF WHAT WENT WRONG AS IT ACCELERATED SO FAST. OBVIOUSLY, I WAS TERRIFIED AND REMAIN EMOTIONALLY AND PHYSICALLY DAMAGED FROM THIS EVENT. I WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE ER VIA AMBULANCE AND WAS EVALUATED FOR INJURIES. MY MAIN INJURIES WERE GENERAL BODY, HEAD, NECK, AND BACK PAIN. SUBSEQUENTLY, A LUMBAR FRACTURE WAS FOUND YEARS LATER ON A SCAN FOR ANOTHER MEDICAL ISSUE. I STILL SUFFER FROM LOW BACK PAIN AND THE EVENT HAUNTS ME. ESPECIALLY SINCE I TOLD THE POLICE, AMBULANCE WORKERS, INSURANCE COMPANY, AND THE MANAGERS AT THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED. NO ONE INVESTIGATED THE ACCIDENT FURTHER AS IF I WAS NOT MAKING ANY SENSE. I ALSO MISSED A FEW DAYS OF WORK AND WAGES BECAUSE I AM AN RN AND COULDN'T PERFORM MY JOB DUE TO THE PAIN. I AM REALLY UPSET ABOUT THE RECALLS BECAUSE IT DOESN'T INCLUDE EARLIER TOYOTA MODELS AND I REPORTED THIS INCIDENT 6 YEARS AGO WHEN I HAD MY ACCIDENT AND NOTHING WAS DONE. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 19, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED WITH AN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO STOP WITH EXTREME PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED ON TEN SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,197. UPDATED 5/10/10 *CN UPDATED 07/19/10*JB
Vehicle speed control, Mar 19, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT OPERATE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND ADVISED HIM TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED INTO THE DEALER. THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT GOING TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 103000.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 19, 2010, crash
2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER STATES RAPID ACCELERATION. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AS SHE SLOWLY TURNED INTO A PARKING SPACE AND BEGAN TO APPLY THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD, SENDING THE VEHICLE OVER A YELLOW CONCRETE BARRIER AND INTO A SMALL RETAINING WALL. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP WHEN IT HIT THE RETAINING WALL. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED. AS THE CONSUMER WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LURCHED BACKWARDS AND STARTED TO GO IN A SMALL SPIN. SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE THIRD INCIDENT HAPPENED WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS PROCEEDING UP A DRIVEWAY TO A HOSPITAL. AS SHE WAS SITTING WAITING TO PROCEED WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE ALL OF A SUDDEN LURCHED FORWARD. SHE IMMEDIATELY BRAKED HARDER AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED AFTER GOING ABOUT 3 OR 4 FEET FORWARD. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Mar 19, 2010
2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER STATES THROTTLE BODY AND GAS PEDAL MALFUNCTIONING. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND WHEN HE PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO LEAVE HIS DRIVEWAY, NOTHING HAPPENED. MEANING, THE GAS PEDAL DID NOT WORK, BUT RATHER HE SIMPLY COASTED. HE SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT, BUT RECEIVED THE SAME RESULTS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND IT STAYED ON FOR SOME TIME AFTER THE SECOND EFFORT. LATER THAT DAY, THE VEHICLE DROVE FINE WITH NO PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE THROTTLE CIRCUIT. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Mar 18, 2010
ON JULY 5 2008, I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH 67,000 MILES ON IT ON I95 IN BREVARD CO. FL. AS I ACCELERATED A LITTLE TO PASS INTO THE LEFT LANE, MY CAR TOOK OFF AND PROCEEDED TO GO FASTER EVEN THOUGH I HAD TAKEN MY FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR. AFTER ABOUT 30 SECONDS, MY ENGINE DIED. I MANAGED TO PULL THE CAR OFF THE SHOULDER. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, I FINALLY GOT THE CAR STARTED AGAIN AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. LUCKILY THERE WAS AN EXIT CLOSE BY AND I SLOWLY DROVE MY CAR OFF I95 AND STRAIGHT TO MIKE ERDMAN TOYOTA IN MERRITT ISLAND. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE THROTTLE BODY. THEY TOLD ME I WAS "LUCKY" THAT MY CAR CHOSE TO SHUT OFF AS A LADY IN MERRITT ISLAND HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO HER BUT HER CAR DIDN'T STOP UNTIL IT RAN INTO A BANK! MY TOTAL BILL, PARTS AND LABOR WERE $1048.26 PLUS ANOTHER $99.64 FOR THE RENTAL CAR FOR A GRAND TOTAL OF $1147.90. AFTER THIS HAPPENED, I WENT ONTO THE TOYOTA WEBSITE AND FILED A COMPLAINT AS I DON'T THINK A CAR WITH THIS LOW MILEAGE SHOULD HAVE THIS HAPPEN TO IT. (NEVER HEARD FROM TOYOTA) I ALSO DID SOME INTERNET RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT 100'S OF OTHER PEOPLE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEIR TOYOTA'S, MOSTLY CAMRY'S MODELS FROM 2003 - 2006. CHECK OUT THE THROTTLE BODY TOPIC ON TOPIX.COM....LOTS OF ANGRY CAMRY OWNERS WITH THROTTLE BODY ISSUES! THIS PART SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED....WE WANT OUR REPAIR MONEY BACK!!! *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 17, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK IN THE OPEN THROTTLE POSITION. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT TO NO AVAIL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A TREE. THE PASSENGER OF THE VEHICLE WAS KILLED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *9/15/2011*CW
Vehicle speed control, Mar 17, 2010
LTR OF THANKS FOR THE FEBRUARY 24TH TESTIMONY BEFORE THE HOUSE COMMITTEE, WHICH DETAILED NHTSA'S SUPERVISION OF SEVERAL TOYOTA VEHICLE RECALLS; IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THIS ISSUE BE THOROUGHLY ASSESSED TO DETERMINE THE SAFETY OF ALL TOYOTA VEHICLES. *TGW WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONSUMER AVOIDED A COLLISION, BY MAKING A SHARP RIGHT TURN AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES THE VEHICLE WAS BACK UNDER HER CONTROL. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REMOVED THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR MAT AND PLACED IT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE CONSUMER DIDN'T EXPERIENCE ANOTHER PROBLEM UNTIL JANUARY 15, 2010 SHE WAS LEAVING THE SERVICE STATION, TURNED RIGHT ONTO THE MAIN STREET AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TWICE FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE DEALER CHECKED THE VEHICLE AGAIN, BUT TO NO AVAIL. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Mar 16, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA SOLARA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ACCELERATION OCCURRED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED WITH NO RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE DECREASED IN SPEED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OF BRAKING. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,000
Vehicle speed control, Mar 12, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO NAVIGATE INTO A PARK SPACE, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. HE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 49000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Mar 10, 2010
TOYOTA CAMRY 2004. I PURCHASE TOYOTA CAMRY 2004 NEW AND I HAVE EXPERIENCE ACCELERATION OF CAR FOR TWO OCCASIONS. WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AROUND MARCH 2005 IN THE MORNING AND GAS PADDLE WENT DOWN BY ITSELF FOR A 30 SEC OR SO. I DID NOT HAD THE CONTROL OF THE GAS PADDLE. THIS HAPPENED TWICE AROUND 2005. THIS HAPPENED FOR FEW SECONDS ONLY (30-45 SEC). I EXPERIENCE LITTLE INCREASE IN THE SPEED FOR THAT BRIEF PERIOD. I HAVEN'T SHOWN THE PROBLEM TO DEALER. THIS HAPPENED FOR A BRIEF PERIOD SO I THOUGHT SOMETHING IS MY FAULT BUT NOW IT SEEMS LIKE SOME OTHER ISSUE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 10, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE PULLED INTO HER DRIVEWAY AND ACTIVATED THE GARAGE DOOR OPENER. THE DOOR HAD OPENED ABOUT 2/3 WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE HER FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE. THE GARAGE DOOR WAS KNOCKED OFF THE TRACK AND THE VEHICLE HIT A WORKBENCH. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT INJURED, BUT THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO HER VEHICLE. UPDATED 4/30/10 *CN UPDATED 06/25/10.*JB
Vehicle speed control, Mar 10, 2010
2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER STATES REPEATED GAS PEDAL SURGE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON THREE OCCASIONS. HIS WIFE WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION, WHILE HE APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Mar 9, 2010
2004 TOYOTA CAMRY GAS PEDAL STOPPED WORKING, THE CAR WENT TO IDLE AND WOULD NOT INCREASE RPM. NO CONSEQUENCES BECAUSE I WAS IN ISOLATED RURAL AREA. TURNED CAR OFF AND RESTARTED, IT WORKED AS NORMAL. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 9, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE UP TO 50 MPH AND CRASH INTO A WALL. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING THE CRASH. THE CONTACT TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT COULD NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER; THEREFORE, IT WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP AND REPAIRED. THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN COMPLETED DUE TO THE AVAILABILITY OF PARTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRASH WAS DUE TO RAPID ACCELERATION.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 7, 2010
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE MY 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY LE ONTO A PARKWAY, MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR EXPECTING THAT MY VEHICLE WOULD INCREASE IN SPEED. I WANTED TO INCREASE MY SPEED SO I COULD MATCH THE SPEED OF TRAFFIC ALREADY ON THE PARKWAY, ENABLING ME TO GET ONTO THE PARKWAY SAFELY. INSTEAD, MY CAMRY REMAINED STATIONARY AT IDLE SPEED FOR ABOUT 6 SECONDS. AFTER THE 6 SECONDS OR SO, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO INCREASE SPEED SLOWLY. FORTUNATELY THE PERSON BEHIND ME MAINTAINED A SAFE FOLLOWING DISTANCE AVOIDING A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. ON JUNE 14, 2006, I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE DEALER AND TOLD HIM WHAT HAPPENED. ON THE DEALERSHIP FORM IT STATED "WE HAVE INSPECTED YOUR VEHICLE AND VEHICLE IS OPERATING WITHIN MANUFACTURER GUIDELINES. NO REPAIRS ARE NEEDED." I HAVE ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT ON NHTSA WEB SITE (ODI # 10317412) CONCERNING MY 2004 TOYOTA IN WHICH THE ENGINE RAPIDLY AND EXPONENTIALLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AFTER I PUT MY CAR IN PARK POSITION. MY RIGHT FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL (AND ONLY THE BRAKE PEDAL) WHILE PUTTING TRANSMISSION IN PARK. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 6, 2010, crash
MY 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY LE HAD RAPIDLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN SHORTLY AFTER PLACING GEAR SELECTOR IN PARK. I WAS SLOWLY BACKING UP MY CAMRY LE ON AN INCLINE. I HAD MY LEFT FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND LIGHTLY TOUCHED THE GAS PEDAL WITH MY RIGHT FOOT. (N.B. I USED BOTH FEET, BECAUSE ON TWO OCCASIONS WHILE BACKING UP WITH MY BODY TURNED, MY RIGHT FOOT TWISTED AND GOT CAUGHT BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS--WHICH ARE THE SAME HEIGHT.) I BARELY GOT A FEW FEET BEFORE I HEARD AN ODD NOISE--A SOUND THAT I CAN NEITHER REMEMBER OR DESCRIBE --SINCE I HAVE NO FRAME OF REFERENCE FOR THIS SOUND. I BELIEVE THE CAR WAS VIBRATING WHEN THIS SOUND OCCURRED. I PUT MY RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND MOVED THE GEAR SELECTOR TO THE PARK POSITION. WITHIN ABOUT 3 SECONDS THE ENGINE RACED SO HIGH--AS IF THE CAR WAS TRAVELING 120 MILES +. I HAVE NEVER HEARD AN ENGINE ACCELERATE AS RAPIDLY AND AS HIGH AS THIS. IT WAS AS IF ROCKET FUEL WAS SUDDENLY ADDED TO THE FUEL LINE. IF THIS VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE, I WOULD HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO STOP. MY RELATIVE IS PROFICIENT IN BOTH COMPUTERS AND CARS. HE SUGGESTED THAT THERE COULD BE SEVERAL REASONS FOR THIS PROBLEM INCLUDING CORROSION ON COMPUTER PARTS, IC CHIPS NOT SEATED PROPERLY, PROBLEMS WITH THE WIRING HARNESS, AND THE LAST SUGGESTION, THAT THE ECM (CAR COMPUTER) GAVE THE WRONG COMMAND TO OPEN UP THE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RACE. AFTER I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON, THE CAR WORKED NORMAL--MY RELATIVE SAID THAT THE ECM COULD HAVE RESET ITSELF. EVEN IF TOYOTA COULD CLAIM THAT THE PROBLEM IS IN THE GAS PEDAL, ITS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT THERE IS A SENSOR BY GAS PEDAL (WIRES ATTACHED) WHICH I UNDERSTAND WOULD TELL THE ECM WHERE ITS [PEDAL] POSITION IS. SINCE THERE IS NO MECHANICAL LINKAGE (CABLE) THAT CONNECTS TO THE THROTTLE BODY--THE ACCELERATOR WOULD HAVE TO BE CONTROLLED ELECTRONICALLY. UPDATED 03/30/10.*JB THE CONSUMER WHAT HE EXPERIENCED COULD NEVER BE EXPLAINED AWAY AS A STICKY GAS PEDAL, FOOT ENTRAPMENT, A FLOOR MAT ISSUE, OR OPERATOR ERROR. THERE WERE 3 INCIDENTS OF UNWANTED ACCELERATION HE EXPERIENCED IN HIS VEHICLE. UPDATED 01/14/14
Vehicle speed control, Mar 5, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. SHE STATED THAT WHILE SHE WAS PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY SHE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GO FASTER THAN 10MPH. SHE STARTED TO DRIVE, BUT ENDED UP PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT AND PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE DEFECT TO BE THE WIRELESS THROTTLE BODY. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 5, 2010, crash
TL* CONTACT OWNED A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 5MPH WHEN HE WAS TURNING IN A PARKING LOT TRYING TO PARK. THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF AND HE HIT A STORE FRONT WHICH WAS 7 FEET FROM THE PARKING LOT. THE CONTACT STATED HE DOES NOT REMEMBER MUCH, BUT HE HAD GLASS SHATTER ALL OVER HIM. HE WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL BUT WAS NOT INJURED AT ALL. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 4, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN OVER A CONCRETE BARRIER, HIT A VEHICLE AND THEN HIT A GAS METER. HE SUSTAINED MINOR BACK INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 46000.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 4, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHEN HE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND LUNGED FORWARD SUDDENLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED IN 2006. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AGAIN, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AGAIN IN A PARKING LOT WHICH CAUSED HIM TO GRAZE A LIGHT POLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL GEAR WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. HE HAD NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO-DATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 4, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT EXITED THE DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH. THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED INTO DRIVE, FOLLOWED BY AN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF A HOUSE. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 57,000.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 3, 2010
MY TOYOTA CAMRY ACCELERATED TWICE. ONCE AS I HAD BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE. ANOTHER INCIDENT WAS SHORTLY AFTER I HAD CROSSED A NEIGHBORHOOD STREET. *TR