2005 Toyota Camry
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Vehicle speed control is the leading concern among 721 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 25 Camry model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 223 involved a crash and 10 involved a fire. 126 people were injured and 18 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Seats, front assembly, seat heater/coolerJun 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.
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 16V396000 on NHTSA.gov
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
Equipment, other, labelsFeb 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.
A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 10V036000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsFeb 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.
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
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.
Campaign 10V035000 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
Representative owner complaints
721 reports, newest first.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 29, 2007
FAULTY BRAKE SYSTEM. *TR
Power train, May 24, 2007
VEHICLE SURGES, REVS WHEN ACCELERATING, STALLS WHEN DECELERATING, HAVE HAD PROBLEM SINCE CAR WAS NEW. NOW 19 MONTHS OLD. RETURNED TO DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES. THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM, TOYOTA ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM. "WITHIN DESIGN PARAMETERS" THEY SAY. TWO CONTACTS WITH TOYOTA H.O. REP. ACTUALLY CALLED IT A "DESIGN DEFECT". TOLD ME TO "PAT THE ACCLERATOR" WHEN I HAVE THE PROBLEM. ALSO TOLD ME "MULTIPLE DRIVERS" WILL HELP THE CAR PERFORM BETTER. THE VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS AND UNTRUSTWORTHY. THOUSANDS OF OTHERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. NO FIX AS THIS TRULY IS A DESIGN DEFECT, "DRIVE BY WIRE" SCHEME. WILL ANYONE WITH CLOUT STEP UP? PAID $30000 FOR THE VEHICLE. V6 XLE. JUNK. EVERYONE ADMITS THE PROBLEM, NO ONE ASSUMES THE RESPONSIBILITY.
Vehicle speed control, May 23, 2007
2005 CAMRY CUSTOMER STATES THAT HE FELT SURGES FROM DRIVING THE CAR**NAR**CC THE CONSUMER STATED WHENEVER SHE SLOWS DOWN AND ACCELERATE, OR CHANGE LANES THE VEHICLE THROWS HER BACK AND FORTH AT TIMES. *JB
Vehicle speed control, May 22, 2007
THE 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH JUST OVER 40,000 MILES ON IT ALL OF A SUDDEND DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD. I WAS FORCED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND RESTART IT. THIS OCCURED EVERY TIME I ACCELERATED AFTER THE INITIAL INCIDENT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ,AND THEY REPORTED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND ACTUATOR WERE STUCK. I HAD OIL CHANGED AS THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED, AND FELT THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM THAT A TWO YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD NOT BE HAVING. I WAS FORCED TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY AND ACTUATOR AT MY OWN EXPENSE AS THEWARRANTY EXPIRED APPROXIMATELY 5,000 MILES PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT.*AK
Vehicle speed control, May 17, 2007, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE DEPRESSES THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES INSTEAD OF STOPPING. THE CONTACT HAS TO REMOVE HIS FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE ACCELERATION. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE ON MAY 7, 2007. THE POLICE STATED THAT SINCE THE CRASH OCCURRED ON PRIVATE PROPERTY, THERE WAS NO NEED TO FILE A POLICE REPORT. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA BY THE REPAIR SHOP. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED PICTURES OF THE DAMAGED VEHICLE. UPDATED 06/08/07 *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 11, 2007
I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY LE, 4 CYLINDERS IN JULY 2005. THE FUEL ECONOMY IN THE CAR WAS APPROXIMATELY 21 TO 23 MPG 70% FREEWAY, 30% LOCAL. OR 330 MILES PER 15.5 GALLONS. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO TOYOTA DEALER FOR THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THEY DIDN'T FIND ANY DEFECTS. BUT NOW, I AM STILL DRIVING THE CAR WITH ONLY 21 TO 23 MPG WHICH WAS NOT GAS EFFECTIVE. I KEPT ALL THE RECEIPT OF GAS FOR PROOF. *AK
Tires, May 7, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE, THE STEERING WAS UNEASY, AND THE RIDE WAS BUMPY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE TREAD DETACHED FROM THE TIRE. THE CONTACT CHANGED THE TIRE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DEALER AND BRIDGESTONE WERE NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 20,048. THE CONSUMER STATED THIS IS THE 2ND TIME TREAD DETACHED FROM THE TIRE. UPDATED 05/23/07 *TR
Suspension, Tires, May 5, 2007
THE CAR STARTED WANDERING AND WEARING TIRES ABOUT 5000 MILES ,I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. I GOT IT LINED UP, THE CAR STARTED WANDERING AGAIN, THE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG THAT THEY CAN SEE. BUT THE CAR IS WEARING TIRES OUT ON THE INSIDE FRONT. THE CAR IS WANDERING FROM SIDE TO SIDE PRETTY BAD AND IF YOU HIT A DIP IN THE ROAD IT WILL FOLLOW IT. IF THAT IS TOYOTA'S ANSWER TO A GOOD RIDE THEN I WONT BUY ANOTHER ONE. I ALSO HAVE A GAS PEDAL PLAY PROBLEM. *JB
Steering, Apr 29, 2007
THIS IS A FOLLOW-UP TO ODI NO. 10172668 ON THE STEERING PUMP REPLACEMENT. WHEN THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AND THE DEALER COULDN'T DIAGNOSE IT, I COMPLAINED TO TOYOTA CORP. THE DEALER REVISITED THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE STEERING RACK (UNDER WARRANTY). THE CAR DRIVES GREAT AGAIN. *TR
Tires, Apr 24, 2007
I OWN A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY 4 CYL. LE. THIS CAR CAME WITH GOODYEAR INTEGRITY TIRES. 205 65 R 15. THE TIRES FAILED AT 31,728 MILES. ONE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT A 3 INCH HOLE AND THE OTHER TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION. THE SIDEWALL WAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR SEAT. THE OTHER TIRE WAS ON THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT, AND HAD TREAD SEPARATION. THERE WAS ONLY ONE PERSON IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Apr 10, 2007
WHENEVER I APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AT LOW SPEEDS BETWEEN 1-30 MPH AS APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, A STOP SIGN OR AN IMMEDIATE BRAKE THE TRANSMISSION SWITCHES GEARS, AND THE RPMS INCREASED. THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR JOLTED FORWARD, AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AGAIN. FORTUNATELY, I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT. OTHERS HAVE. I HAVE HAD THE DEFECTIVE BRAKE PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IN 2004. I HAD THE DEALER'S REPAIR TECHNICIANS DRIVE THE CAR ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THEY SAID THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM. THIS WAS NOT HOW ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WERE SUPPOSED TO WORK. TOYOTA NEEDED TO RESEARCH THIS DEFECT THOROUGHLY AND ANNOUNCE A RECALL BEFORE OTHERS GET HURT OR KILLED.*AK
Seat belts, Apr 10, 2007
1 - SEAT BELT - GETS STUCK , CAUSING IT TO BE INOPERABLE AND FLOPPY. THE PLASTIC GUIDE ALLOWS THE WEBBING BELT TO GET STUCK IN IT. 2 - I CANNOT BUY REPLACE THE BELT , AN IMPORTANT , COMMON , INEXPENSIVE ITEM , FROM ANYONE, BUT THE DEALER $200 + $100 LABOR. I CAN PURCHASE LAP BELT FOR $15, BUT THAT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH AND DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. GOOD DESIGN FOR THE MANUFACTURER , CHEAP BECAUSE RIGHTWAS SAME AS LEFT , BUT POOR DESIGN FOR ME AS IT CASUSED BELT TO BE WORN AND GET STUCK . CAR WAS 2005, BUT HAS 65000 SO NO MORE WARRANTY . -MAYBE THERE SHOULD BE FOR ALL CAR MAKERS , EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR CERTAIN ITEMS THAT WEAR OUT OVER TIME , SAFETY ITEMS LIKE SEAT BELTS , THAT WEAR OUT OVER TIME , 36 MONTHS 3 YEARS , MOSTLY DUE TO POOR DESIGN . *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 17, 2007
MY CAR ACCERATED WHEN THE BRAKE WENT DOWN ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. I HAVE NOTED THAT PRIOR TO THIS THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT IN THE LA AREA. IN THAT ACCIDENT THERE WHERE PEOPLE INJURED. LAST WEEK THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING THE SAME TYPE AND YEAR CAR AND THERE WAS ONE DEATH IN THIS ONE. WHAT HAPPENED TO ME AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE I APPLIED THE BRAKE AND THE BRAKE WENT DOWN AND MY EDGE OF MY SHOE CAUGHT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND MY CAR WENT PART WAY ON THE CURB. HAD THERE BEEN A CAR IN FRONT OF ME I WOULD HAVE HIT IT. I TOOK MY CAR TO TOYOTA AND THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID IT WAS OK. I NOW TRY TO WATCH OUT FOR ANY BRAKE PROBLEMS BUT THIS A WORRIE TO ME AND MY WIFE.
Power train, Mar 9, 2007
SINCE THE FIRST MONTH I PURCHASED MY 2005 4-CYLINDER CAMRY THE ACCELERATION PEDAL DOES NOT IMMEDIATELY ENGAGE AND THE TRANSMISSION OCCASIONALLY SLIPS THEN MAKES CONTACT FOR ACCELERATION. ESPECIALLY TROUBLESOME IN TIGHT AREAS SUCH AS PARKING LOTS WHERE I HAVE HAD CLOSE CALLS WITH OTHER VEHICLES CLOSE TO HITTING ME DUE TO THIS HESITATION. MY TOYOTA DEALER AFTER ABOUT 4 - 5 VISITS HAVE STATED THAT SINCE OTHER CAMRY'S IN PARKING LOT DO THE SAME, IT IS O.K. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES ON TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT THAT TRANSMISSION HAS SLIPPED MAKING IT HARD TO MOVE ALONG. THE DEALERSHIP DID REPLACE A SOLENOID VALVE AFTER CONTINUALLY BADGERING THEM AND THAT DIDN'T HELP. THEY SAY PROBLEM COULD BE IN COMPUTER BOX TO TRANSMISSION (THAT CANNOT BE ACCESSED BY TECHNICIANS) IS SET AT FACTORY AND CANNOT BE ADJUSTED. ALL THIS COMPUTERIZED HAS MADE IT DIFFICULT TO MAKE ANY CORRECTIONS THAT A CUSTOMER COMPLAINS ABOUT. THE OTHER ISSUE IS THE THUMPING NOISE ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS MAKE WHEN GOING DOWN. AGAIN THEY SAID THAT OTHER CAMRY'S DO IT, SO IT IS FINE. THAT IS NOT A WAY TO BUILD A CAR. BOTH OF THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN GOING ON SINCE THE FIRST MONTH I PURCHASED VEHICLE. *JB
Power train, Mar 2, 2007
I AM CURRENTLY THE OWNER OF A 2007 LE 4 CYLINDER CAMRY. AT APPROXIMATELY 76K MILES MY TRANS STARTED ACTING FUNNY AS IF IT DID NOT WANT TO PULL AND WAS LEAKING TRANS FLUID. UPON TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A VERY BAD LEAK (WHICH MAY HAVE RESULTED IN A BAD/DEFECTIVE SEAL) AND THAT BEFORE ANY FURTHER WORK COULD BE DONE IT NEEDED TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. THE NEXT DAY I WAS TOLD THAT THE PUMP WAS DAMAGED, AS WELL AS, THE TORQUE CONVERTER. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR REPLACE THE WHOLE TRANS. EITHER WAY I'M LOOKING AT A 4K BILL WHICH I CAN'T AFFORD AND THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I CALLED TOYOTA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER AND TO NO AVAIL I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. *JB
Power train, Feb 18, 2007
I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2005 4-CYLINDER CAMRY IN 2004 AFTER OWING A 1988 WITH 256,000 MILES AND BEING EXTREMELY HAPPY WITH IT. HOWEVER, I WAS DISSATISFIED WITH MY NEW CAMRY ONLY AFTER HAVING IT FOR A WEEK WHEN I STARTED NOTICING HOW IT WOULD HESITATE FROM TAKING OFF FROM A DEAD STOP AND WHEN TURNING CORNERS. I STILL CAN??T FIGURE WHAT TURNING CORNERS HAS TO DO WITH SPEED. I HAD TO CHANGE MY DRIVING HABITS BECAUSE IT WAS GETTING DANGEROUS. I NOW HAVE TO ALLOW LONGER A FEW MORE SECONDS TO TURN IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC, IN CASE IT HESITATES SINCE IT DOESN'T DO THIS CONSISTENTLY. I TOOK IT IN TO TOYOTA, THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM, 60 MILES FROM WHERE I LIVE, TWICE AND THEY COULDN'T SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY SEEMED TO KNOW OF THE PROBLEM, DUE TO OTHERS REPORTING IT AND THEM SENSING IT THEMSELVES, BUT JUST ACKNOWLEDGED IT WASN'T AN ISSUE TO BE FIXED. THEY GAVE US THE NAME OF THEIR CUSTOMER RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE IN CALIFORNIA TO CONTACT, WHICH WE DID. WHEN FIRST CONTACTING HIM, HE TOO MADE IT SOUND LIKE IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT AND HE WOULD IMMEDIATELY TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE AND GET BACK WITH US. THE NEXT THING WE HEARD FROM HIM WAS THE SAME THING WE HAD ALREADY HEARD, THIS ISN'T A PROBLEM, THIS IS NORMAL, THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO FOR YOU. THIS MAY NOT BE PROBLEM FOR THEM BUT IT IS FOR ME AND IT SURE SOUNDS LIKE IT IS A PROBLEM FOR AN AWFUL LOT OF OTHERS OUT THERE THAT ARE COMPLAINING ON THIS WEBSITE TOO. YOU ASK WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, NOTHING BY TOYOTA!!! *NM
Vehicle speed control, Feb 6, 2007, crash
SUDDEN ACCELERATION CAUSED OVER $8000 DAMAGE IN 17 FEET. I PUT CAR IN REVERSE AND IT STARTED REVVING UP. THEN THE CAR TOOK OFF BACKWARDS AND HIT A TREE, IMMEDIATELY AFTER HITTING TREE THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND HIT ANOTHER TREE TWICE. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Jan 23, 2007, crash
WE WERE PARKED AT THE ENTRANCE TO HAMMOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, LAUREL, MD WAITING TO PICK UP TWO CHILDREN A FEW MINUTES BEFORE DISMISSAL. NO SCHOOL BUSSES WERE PRESENT AT THE TIME WE PARKED. SEVERAL BUSES SOON ARRIVED, HOWEVER, WHICH PROMPTED OUR DECISION TO MOVE TO A BETTER PLACE AWAY FROM THE BUSES. I CAUTIOUSLY STARTED TO BACK UP AND, TO MY AMAZEMENT, THE ENGINE RACED AT HIGH RPM AS SOON AS I SHIFTED INTO REVERSE FROM PARK. ALTHOUGH I WAS PRESSING ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR ZOOMED BACK ABOUT 20-35 FEET. THE LEFT REAR CORNER OF MY CAR STRUCK THE LEFT FRONT CORNER OF A PARKED SCHOOL BUS. AT THIS TIME, STILL IN SHOCK, I QUICKLY PULLED THE SHIFT LEVER FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, INTENDING TO GET AWAY FROM THE BUS. AT THAT MOMENT THE CAR THEN SHOT FORWARD, MY FOOT STILL PRESSING ON THE BRAKE. IT WENT BACK THROUGH THE PARKING SPACE, OVER THE CURB, AND INTO A PLAYGROUND. ABOUT 60 FEET INTO THE PLAYGROUND THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HIT THE CORNER OF A SQUARE WOODEN BORDER SURROUNDING SOME PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT. AFTER STRIKING THE WOODEN BARRIER, THE CAR CONTINUED AT HIGH SPEED IN THE GRASSY PLAYGROUND PROBABLY ANOTHER 100 FEET BEFORE I COULD GET IT OUT OF DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL AND PARK. THIS WHOLE EPISODE HAPPENED WITHIN A FEW SECONDS. MY FOOT WAS ALWAYS PRESSING ON THE BRAKE. THE AUTO WAS TOWED TO TRUE2FORM COLLISION CENTER IN LAUREL, MD. THE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN HELD UP UNTIL AN INSPECTION HAS BEEN MADE BY NHTSA. GEICO INFORMED ME TODAY, 11/30/06, THAT AN ATTORNEY FOR THE DRIVER OF THE SCHOOL BUS IS CLAIMING INJURY. TO MY KNOWLEDGE HE MENTIONED NO PROBLEM TO THE EMT PERSONNEL AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. IF THE ACCIDENT HAD OCCURRED WHILE CHILDREN WERE PRESENT, IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN MANY INJURIES/DEATHS. *JB *NM
Power train, Jan 22, 2007
WE BOUGHT OUR 2005 CAMRY LE V6 IN THE FALL OF 2004. FROM DAY ONE, WE NOTICED THE HESITATION. WHEN LEAVING A STOP SIGN, FOR EXAMPLE, IT WOULD LAG FOR A SPLIT SECOND, THEN SUDDENLY JERK INTO GEAR. THE FIRST WEEK WE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS IS NORMAL FOR THE FIRST 1000 MILES. WHEN IT CONTINUED WE WERE TOLD IT WAS THE COMPUTER. WE MENTIONED IT AT EVERY WARRANTY CHECK AND THEY SAID THEY NEVER SAW THE PROBLEM. WE WISH WE KNEW THAT WE'RE NOT THE ONLY ONES SO WE WOULD HAVE PURSUED IT EARLIER. TOYOTA NEVER MENTIONED KNOWING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS IN THE 2005 CAMRY. NOW OUR DAUGHTER HAS TO LEARN HOW TO DRIVE! *JB
Air bags, Jan 11, 2007
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS OFF WHEN THE PASSENGER WHO WEIGHS 100 POUNDS SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WILL TURN ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE IS A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4900 MILES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THEY TESTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS THE INVOICE FROM THE DEALER. *AK UPDATED 04/17/07. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Jan 5, 2007, crash
I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY THROUGH A PARKING LOT TO LOCATE A PARKING SPACE. AS I APPROACHED A SPACE, I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I EASED OFF OF THE BRAKE TO COAST INTO THE PARKING SPACE AND WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO THE SPACE. SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT MY FOOT BEING ON THE ACCELERATOR. I APPLIED THE BRAKE, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. MY CAR WENT OVER A CONCRETE MEDIAN, AND INTO A LANE OF TRAFFIC. MY CAR STRUCK TWO CARS. IT HIT ONE OF THE VEHICLES, AN SUV, WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT KNOCKED THE SUV UP OVER A CURB INTO A GRASSY AREA. THOUGH I HAD BOTH FEET APPLYING THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I COULD, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, AND THERE WAS NOT TIME FOR ME TO THINK TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION. MY CAR SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDES AND TO THE FRONT. IT DAMAGED THE FRONT OF THE SUV AND THE REAR OF THE OTHER CAR. THERE WAS A PASSENGER IN EACH OF THE VEHICLE, AND I WAS THE ONLY OCCUPANT OF MY VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO SERIOUS INJURIES. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. I REQUESTED A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE INSPECT THE CAR. THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE A CAUSE FOR THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE REPRESENTATIVES WERE QUITE HELPFUL UNTIL THE INSPECTION WAS COMPLETE. I REQUESTED A COPY OF THE REPORT OF THEIR FINDINGS; HOWEVER, TOYOTA CORPORATION WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO SEE A COPY OF THE REPORT. THEY SAID I COULD CONTACT THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT OR GET A SUBPOENA. THE CUSTOMER RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE AT THE DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED I FILE A CLAIM FOR ARBITRATION, BUT THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR DISPUTE SETTLEMENT STATES THAT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS WRECKED, I DO NOT QUALIFY FOR ARBITRATION. MEANWHILE, I AM LEFT WITH A VEHICLE THAT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE. *NM
Air bags, Dec 27, 2006, crash
SLID INTO SUV IN FRONT OF ME. IT DID ABOUT $4000.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE BUT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Dec 27, 2006, crash
ON DEC. 23, 2006, AROUND 11:20 AM, I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 5 MPH IN A PARKING LOT. AS I MADE A SLIGHT TURN TO THE LEFT TO STRAIGHTEN OUT, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT A PARKED CAR. THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK, EVEN WHEN FLOORED. THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL IT PUSHED ANOTHER CAR UP ONTO THE SIDEWALK AND ITS WHEELS BUMPED UP AGAINST THE CURB. THE CAR WAS EVENTUALLY STOPPED BY TURNING OFF THE ENGINE USING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. (TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL SEEMED TO MAKE IT GO FASTER.) THE WEATHER WAS SUNNY, BUT THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED OUTSIDE IN THE RAIN THE TWO PREVIOUS DAYS. I HAD NOT USED THE CRUISE CONTROL ANYTIME RECENTLY BEFORE THE INCIDENT. WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR, ALTHOUGH OCCASIONALLY, THE RADIO TURN HAS TURNED ITSELF ON WHILE WE WERE DRIVING. *NM
Power train, Dec 19, 2006, crash
TL* - THE CONTACT STATES THAT ON 12/9/06 SHE DRIVING WHEN HER VEHICLE HAD POWER SURGE THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR. SHE WAS PARKING WHEN HER VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND JUMPED THE CURB. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE SAYING THAT THEY HAVE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR OCCURRENCE. THE CONTACT SAID THAT SHE FOUND SEVERAL OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE PROBLEM IS A RESULT OF A FAULTY SPEED CONTROL MODULATOR. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A REPAIR SHOP. THE CONTACT ALSO HAS A COPY OF A POLICE REPORT.
Vehicle speed control, Dec 18, 2006, crash
I WAS SLOWLY TURNING RIGHT TO PARK IN FRONT OF A STORE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES PREPARING TO STOP WHEN MY 2005 CAMRY ACCELERATED, JUMPED THE CURB AND CRASHED INTO A STOREFRONT WINDOW. *JB