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.
Steering, Nov 30, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A CLUNKING NOISE WAS HEARD AND EXCESSIVE PLAY OCCURRED IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT IN THE STEERING COLUMN. UPDATED 1/29/2007 - *NM
Vehicle speed control, Nov 29, 2006, crash
THIS MAY BE A REPEAT COMPLAINT BECAUSE I FILLED THIS OUT EARLIER BUT MY COMPUTER CRASHED. MY MOTHER AND SISTER HAD A MINOR ACCIDENT TODAY (11/29/2006, 12:10 P.M.)IN WHICH OUR 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY SURGED FORWARD FROM IT'S PARKING SPACE WHERE MY MOTHER HAD PULLED IN INTO THE OPPOSITE PARKING SPACE AND INTO A PARKED FORD EXPLORER SUV, KNOCKING OFF THE EXPLORER'S FRONT LICENSE PLATE COMPLETELY ONTO THE GROUND. MY SISTER SAID SHE LOOKED DOWN TO SEE IF MY MOTHER'S FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR AND IT WAS NOT, IT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. SHE HEARD MY MOTHER SAY "I CAN'T STOP!" AS SHE STOOD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CAR SURGED FORWARD INTO THE PARKED EXPLORER ON IT'S OWN ACCELERATION. WE HAD A TOYOTA IN THE EARLY 1980'S AND HAD THIS EXACT PROBLEM RESULTING IN ANOTHER CRASH. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR TOYOTA'S SINCE THEN. TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE FIXED THIS PROBLEM OVER THE LAST 20+ YEARS. BACK THEN THERE WAS NO INTERNET TO FILL OUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CRASH TO COMPLAIN. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 12, 2006, crash
IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING ANY OF MY OTHER VEHICLES BESIDES THE 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY THAT I HAVE OWNED FOR 4 MONTHS, I WOULD NOT HAVE CRASHED INTO THE BUMPER OF THE STOPPED TRUCK. I SAW THE TRUCK IN TIME TO APPLY THE BRAKES WHILE MOVING AT 15 MILES PER HOUR,ON DRY CLEAN PAVEMENT, TO STOP BEFORE HITTING THE REAR END OF THE TRUCK WHEN IT WAS A GOOD 20 FEET AWAY. NOT ONLY DID MY TOYOTA NOT STOP WHEN I SMASHED ON THE BRAKES, IT LEFT ABSOLUTELY NO SKID MARKS, AND MANAGED TO COMPLETELY RIP THE GRILLE AND HEADLIGHTS OFF THE FRONT BUMPER, AND CURL THE HOOD BACK OVER A FOOT. THE FORCE DID NOT DEPLOY THE AIRBAG, AND ONLY CAUSED MINOR DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER OF THE TRUCK. THE BRAKES ABSOLUTELY WERE AT FAULT, AND I REGRET HAVING TO FIND OUT IN SUCH AN EXPENSIVE WAY THAT THE BRAKES ARE NOT DEPENDABLE AT ALL, ESPECIALLY FOR A CAR WITH ONLY 28,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. TOYOTA SHOULD PAY FOR THE DAMAGES IF THE SAME PROBLEM EXISTS FOR ANY OTHER DRIVERS. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 7, 2006, crash
2005 TOYOTA CAMRY 4-CYL LE WITH SOFT/SPONGY BRAKE ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE BRAKE GOES DOWN ALL THE WAY ALMOST TO FLOORBOARD. TOYOTA MOTORS INSISTS IT'S NORMAL & WON'T FIX IT. ALREADY LOST ARBITRATION. ALREADY HAD ACCIDENT WHEN BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE AS IT SHOULD AT 65 MPH WITH DAMAGE OF ABOUT $500.00. PLEASE GO TO AUTOBYTEL.COM & OTHER TOYOTA OWNER WEBSITES FOR MORE BRAKE PROBLEMS. MY CASE #200602070910 WITH TOYOTA MOTORS. *JB
Steering, Nov 5, 2006
WHEN THE CAR WAS ONLY SIX MONTHS OLD, THE POWER STEERING STARTED TO MAKE NOISE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED, BUT THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER THE PART. SO, I HAD TO MAKE ANOTHER TRIP TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE WORK DONE (UNDER WARRANTY). AFTER THE REPAIR THE NOISE STOPPED, BUT THE STEERING STILL DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT TO ME. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY DROVE THE CAR AND INSPECTED THE STEERING SYSTEM AND TOLD ME EVERYTHING LOOKED FINE. NONETHELESS, I AM QUITE SURE THE STEERING IS DIFFERENT THAN WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR. SOMETIMES THE STEERING SEEMS TO CATCH AND I FEEL LIKE I DON'T HAVE GOOD CONTROL, PARTICULARLY DURING A WIDE LEFT TURN THROUGH A LARGE INTERSECTION. *JB
Air bags, Seats, Nov 5, 2006, crash
THE CAR WAS REAR ENDED AND HIT ON THE LEFT SIDE AT A HIGH SPEED. NEITHER THE AIR BAGS IN THE FRONT NOR THE SIDE CURTAINS WERE ACTIVATED. ALSO THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS BROKEN. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. *NM UPDATED11/21/06. *JB
Tires, Nov 1, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE WASHING THE VEHICLE, THE TIRES WERE OBSERVED TO BE DRY ROTTED WITH CRACKS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE WALL. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE 5 TIRES WERE DRY ROTTED AND OFFERED 1 FREE TIRE IF THE OTHERS WERE PURCHASED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. TIRE MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDED 35 PSI. AT EVERY OTHER OIL CHANGE THE TIRES WERE ROTATED AND THE PRESSURE WAS CHECKED. THERE WAS NO VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS ALSO NO ABNORMAL BULGING IN TIRES. MAKE: CONTINENTAL MODEL: TOURING CONTACT, SIZE: 20565R15.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 29, 2006
CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 2 MPH - ENGINE WOULD DIE OUT UPON ACCELERATION. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART IMMEDIATELY. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Oct 5, 2006, crash
I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT TO PARK. WHILE STILL HAVING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, I WAS JUST BEGINNING TO PUT MY CAR INTO PARK WHEN THE CAR JUST SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD. I COULDN'T STOP THE CAR. AS HARD AS I BRAKED, I COULDN'T STOP THE CAR. I HIT A TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME, PROCEEDED THOUGH THE PARKING LOT IN THE MIDST OF A LOT OF PEDESTRIANS WHO WERE EXITING THE FUNCTION, MIRACULOUSLY MISSING THE PEDESTRIANS. I PROCEEDED THROUGH THE PARKING LOT AND OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND ACROSS THE STREET AND THEN ON ACROSS THE STREET ONTO A LAWN. I TOOK DOWN A MAIL BOX AND PROCEEDED BACK INTO THE STREET AGAIN. STILL GOING FORWARD RAPIDLY, I HIT ANOTHER PARKED TRUCK AND THEN A WALL BEFORE THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 22, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE SNOW COVERED DRIVEWAY AT A LOW SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE BRAKES LOCKED UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS RECOVERED AND TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
Power train, Sep 14, 2006
RE 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY V-6 XLE 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (A/T), 1MZ-FE ENGINE. VEHICLE PURCHASED NOV 30 2004. FROM DAY OF PURCHASE THROUGH CURRENT, A/T HAS NOT SHIFTED SMOOTHLY AS IT WAS ADVERTISED TO. FOLLOWING DEPENDS ON ACCELERATOR PRESSURE - DOES NOT OCCUR ALWAYS. HESITANT & SOMETIMES HARSH FROM 1ST TO 2ND & 2ND TO 3RD PERIODICALLY, IN 35 TO 45 MPH RANGE, ROUGH SHIFT DOWN AND THEN BACK UP. AT TIMES THE HESITANT SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD HAS PUT ME IN AN UNSAFE SITUATION. IT IS NOT A "SURE/POSITIVE" SHIFT - IT WINDS UP BEFORE IT ENGAGES. PRIOR VEHICLE WAS 1999 CAMRY V6 - NO SHIFTING PROBLEMS. *JB
Tires, Sep 5, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TIRE SEPARATED AWAY FROM THE RIM WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. THE TIRE WAS CONTINENTAL. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE TIRE.
Air bags, Aug 31, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS STOLEN ON 8-9-06. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOLEN IT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE HIT A HEAVY METAL GUARD RAIL AT A DEAD END. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED.
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Aug 29, 2006, crash
2005 TOYOTA CAMRY LURCHED FORWARD ON OCCASIONS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING ACCIDENT. *KB WHILE PARKING, ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO A PARTING SPACE.. EACH TIME THE CONSUMER S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL PREPARING TO STOP. DURING THE SECOND OCCURRENCE THE CONSUMER'S HUSBAND HEARD THE ENGINE REV FROM NEAR IDLE SPEED TO VERY HIGH RPM'S, AT OR CLOSE TO THE MAXIMUM RPM. THE VEHICLE HIT A TREE. *NM
Visibility, Aug 11, 2006
2005 TOYOTA CAMRY WINDSHIELD HAS HASH MARKS THAT MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE WHEN THE SUN IS SHINING DIRECTLY ON THE WINDSHIELD. *KB *JB
Vehicle speed control, Aug 7, 2006, crash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON INITIAL ACCELERATION AT LOW SPEEDS ON A CITY STREET, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE REAR END. DURING THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO FIRM BRAKE PRESSURE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT MINOR DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED TO THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE WAS NOT CONTACTED AND NO REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED, BUT BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED ON 8-17-06 BY A TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVE, HOWEVER HE REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR. UPDATED 09/05/06. *JB
Power train, Aug 5, 2006
PURCHASED A 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY LE AND I AM EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. AT ABOUT 24-30 MPH IT WILL REV TO ABOUT 3000-4000 RPMS BEFORE IT SWITCHES TO 2ND GEAR. ALSO WHEN SLOWING DOWN THE CAR WILL JERK INTO GEAR. ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN TRYING TO PASS CARS IT WILL JUST IGNORE MY REQUEST FOR ABOUT 3 SECONDS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CAR!!! TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY STATED IT IS WORKING AS DESIGNED. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND TOYOTA NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. JB
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 20, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY PULLED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO ALIGNED THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. AFTERWARDS, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED. UPDATED 2/26/10 *CN UPDATED 09/02/10*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 19, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BRAKING FROM A SPEED OF 25 MPH, THERE HAS BEEN A MOMENT OF RESISTANCE IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, THEN THE PEDAL DEPRESSES TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS DETERMINED TO BE A NORMAL OCCURRENCE WITH ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEMS IN THE NEWER MODELS.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 27, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY WHILE THE DRIVER'S FOOT WAS PLANTED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING PARKED WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE HIT A POLE AND STOPPED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED ON 06/26/06 AND COULD NOT DETERMINE WHY THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED.
Power train, Jun 19, 2006
CONSUMER 2005 CAMRY HAS A PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED FROM A STOPPED POSITION, ABOUT 20% OF THE TIME , THE FIRST TWO TRANSMISSION SHIFTS WILL EXTEND BEYOND A NORMAL TIME PERIOD WHILE THE CAR'S ENGINE REVS TO ABOUT 3000 RPMS. AT TIMES, WHEN SLOWING TO ABOUT 10 TO 20 MPH AND THEN ACCELERATING, ABOUT 80% OF THE TIME THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HESITATE FOR 2 TO 3 SECONDS WHILE IT SELECTS A GEAR AND WILL THEN ENGAGE, SOMETIMES IN A HARSH MANNER DEPENDING UPON THE PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL. THERE WAS NO SPECIFIC TIME WHEN THE ERRATIC SHIFTS WOULD OCCUR. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Jun 8, 2006
WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY BEGAN TO REV UNCONTROLLABLY WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM ME. DUE TO THE HIGH REVOLUTIONS OF THE ENGINE THE BRAKES WERE INCAPABLE OF PRVENTING THE CAR FROM MOVING FORWARD EVEN THOUGH THE BRAKE PETAL WAS FULLY DEPRESSED. THE ONLY WAY TO PREVENT MY CAR FROM HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAS TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. TWO SUBSEQUENT ATTEMPTS TO RE-START THE ENGINE RESULTED IN A REPEAT OF THE OVER-REVVING SITUATION. ONLY AFTER THE THIRD ATTEMPT DID THE ENGINE RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. A PASSENGER IN THE CAR AT THE TIME VERIFIED THAT THE ACCELERATOR WAS NOT ENGAGED AT ANY TIME DURING THE INCIDENT. THE CAR WAS IMMEDIATELY DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED IT AND FOUND NO FAULT WITH THE ETC SYSTEM AND NO STORED CODES THAT WOULD VERIFY MY COMPLAINT. THE CAR WAS SUBSEQUENTLY RETURNED TO US AND WAS DRIVEN WITHOUT INCIDENT FOR THE NEXT NINETEEN MONTHS BEFORE THE PROBLEM ONCE AGAIN PRESENTED ITSELF. AS WE WERE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PETAL THE ENGINE ONCE AGAIN BEGAN TO OVER-REV WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM ME. AGAIN, THE PASSENGER IN THE CAR WHO HAD WITNESSED THE FIRST INCIDENT IMMEDIATELY LOOKED TO SEE IF THE ACCELERATOR WAS ACCIDENTALLY BEING DEPRESSED. IT WAS NOT. AGAIN, THE ONLY MEANS OF PREVENTING MY CAR FROM STRIKING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME WAS TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. *NM
Seat belts, Jun 8, 2006, crash
I WAS DRIVING AT 15 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED SUDDENLY, AND I REAR-ENDED IT. *NM
Vehicle speed control, May 17, 2006, crash
I WAS SLOWLY TURNING LEFT INTO A PARKING SPACE AT ABOUT 3:30 P.M., WHEN MY 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY SUDDENLY, AND QUITE RAPIDLY, ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM ME. IT JUMPED A CURB, CROSSED A SIDEWALK, AND A TREE STOPPED THE CAR. IT FELT LIKE I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR. ALSO, THE STEERING WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. SOMEHOW, I MANAGED TO STEER THE CAR AWAY FROM THE APARTMENT BUILDING AND MY NEIGHBOR GLASS SLIDER. THE CAR TRAVELED ABOUT 30 PLUS FEET IN ITS ACCELERATION, WHEN A TREE STOPPED IT. IT LEFT ABOUT 20 FEET OF SKID MARKS. I WAS NOT HURT IN THE CRASH. THE CAR SUSTAINED DAMAGE, MAINLY TO THE FRONT BUMPER, COOLANT SYSTEM, AND HOOD, FOR APPROXIMATELY $5,400. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA CORPORATION, TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, AND THEY INVESTIGATED THE CAR. THEY REPORTED THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, AND THERE WERE NO DESIGN FAULTS. THE TOYOTA DEALER WHERE I HAD BOUGHT THE CAMRY ADDITIONALLY TESTED THE CAR COMPUTERS, AND ALSO CALLED IN A TOYOTA FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE TO TEST THE CAR. THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I SOLD THE CAMRY BACK TO THIS DEALER. THE CAR HAD ABOUT 5,400 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. THE CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING WELL UNTIL THIS SUDDEN, UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATION THAT RESULTED IN A CRASH. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 30, 2006, fire
I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK WHEN I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF MY CAR. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ON THE SERVICE ROAD TO THE MAJOR HIGHWAY I WAS ABOUT TO GET ON. UPON GETTING OUT OF MY CAR AND OPENING THE HOOD I WAS FACED WITH FLAMES. CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY AS WELL AS THE SAFETY OF PASSERS-BY, MY FIRST REACTION WAS TO TRY TO PUT OUT THIS FIRE. I RAN TO MY TRUNK, WHERE I ALWAYS KEEP A CASE OF BOTTLED WATER, AND TOOK APPROXIMATELY 8 WATER BOTTLES. I WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. I AM CERTAIN THAT, HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO PULL SAFELY OFF THE ROAD OR DID NOT HAVE THE CLEAR MIND TO TRY TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, THE CAR WOULD'VE BEEN ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND TOTALED CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY TO ME AND POTENTIALLY THOSE CLOSE TO THE INCIDENT. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. I AM TOLD THAT THERE IS "SEVERE DAMAGE" BUT DO NOT HAVE ALL OF THE DETAILS YET. *NM