2007 Toyota Camry
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 3,615 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 25 Camry model years with reports.
Of the 2007 reports, 314 involved a crash and 72 involved a fire. 199 people were injured and 4 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
Visibility, power window devices and controlsOct 22, 2015
Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.
If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is C0M.
Campaign 15V689000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, seat heater/coolerNov 19, 2014
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
Campaign 14V743000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, power window devices and controlsOct 10, 2012
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The power window master switch assemblies in some of these vehicles were built using a less precise process for lubricating the internal components of the switch assemblies. Irregularities in this lubrication process may cause the power window master switch assemblies to malfunction and overheat.
If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.
Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will inspect the switch and apply a special grease that inhibits heat build up or replace any switch damaged by the defect, free of charge. Toyota owners that experience a problem with a switch should not attempt to make repairs, but should contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331. General Motors will contact the Pontiac Vibe owners affected by this recall and GM dealers will inspect and repair switches as necessary. Those owners may contact Pontiac Customer Care at 1-800-762-2737.
Campaign 12V491000 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
Vehicle speed control, accelerator pedalJan 21, 2010
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 AVALON, MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 CAMRY, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 COROLLA, COROLLA MATRIX, RAV4, MODEL YEAR 2010 HIGHLANDER, MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 SEQUOIA, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 TUNDRA VEHICLES. DUE TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THE FRICTION LEVER INTERACTS WITH THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INSIDE THE PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY, THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE LEVER MAY BECOME SMOOTH DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IN THIS CONDITION, IF CONDENSATION OCCURS ON THE SURFACE, AS MAY OCCUR FROM HEATER OPERATION (WITHOUT A/C) WHEN THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IS COLD, THE FRICTION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS OPERATED MAY INCREASE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECOMING HARDER TO DEPRESS, SLOWER TO RETURN, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION.
THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BECOME HARD TO DEPRESS, SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BAR IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH WILL ALLOW THE PEDAL TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY. GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS FOR THE PONTIAC VIBE PLEASE SEE 10V-018. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2010 AND WILL BE COMPLETED ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 10V017000 on NHTSA.gov
Vehicle speed control, accelerator pedalOct 5, 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.
A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
TOYOTA FILED AN AMENDED DEFECT REPORT ON NOVEMBER 25, 2009, STATING THAT DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND, ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ALTER THE SHAPE OF THE FLOOR SURFACE UNDER THE PEDAL. THESE CHANGES ADDRESS THE RISK OF PEDAL ENTRAPMENT DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
Campaign 09V388000 on NHTSA.gov
EquipmentSep 26, 2007
CERTAIN ALL WEATHER FLOOR MATS (AWFM) SPECIFICALLY SOLD AS AN OPTIONAL ACCESSORY FOR USE ON THE 2007 AND 2008 MODEL YEAR LEXUS ES350 AND TOYOTA CAMRY VEHICLES. THE AWFM INCLUDES TWO GROMMET HOLES AND RETAINING HOOKS (CLIPS) TO SECURE THE MAT TO THE VEHICLE'S CARPET. IF THE AWFM IS NOT SECURED BY ITSELF OR IF IT IS PLACED ON TOP OF AN EXISTING CARPETING FLOOR MAT, THE MAT COULD MOVE FORWARD DURING THE VEHICLE USAGE AND IT MAY INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY TEMPORARILY BECOME STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION WHEN RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, IT MAY INCREASE THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH.
TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF ALL 2007 AND 2008 LEXUS ES350 AND TOYOTA CAMRY VEHICLES ABOUT THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH NOT ALL OF THESE OWNERS WILL HAVE PURCHASED THE ALL WEATHER MATS. IF THE OWNER HAD NOT PURCHASED THE MATS, THEY ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL. THIS LETTER WILL ADVISE OWNERS WHEN REPLACEMENT MATS WILL BE AVAILABLE OR HOW TO RETURN THE ALL WEATHER FLOOR MAT SET TO OBTAIN A REFUND. A SECOND LETTER WILL BE SENT AFTER MATS ARE AVAILABLE REQUESTING OWNERS TO RETURN THEIR MATS TO A LEXUS OR TOYOTA DEALER FOR EXCHANGE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE MAT. THE FIRST LETTER IS EXPECTED TO BE SENT DURING EARLY OCTOBER 2007 AND THE SECOND IN LATE NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT THE LEXUS CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-255-3987 OR THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER AT 1-888-270-9371.
Campaign 07E082000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsApr 3, 2006
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, WHICH IS USED IN THE SIDE AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG, AND THE KNEE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, SOME INFLATORS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF THE HEATING AGENTS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN THIS CONDITION, THE EXPANSION FORCE OF THE GAS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT TO PROPERLY INFLATE THE AIR BAG WHEN THE SRS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED DURING A CRASH.
THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPECIFIC SRS AIR BAG. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371, SCION AT 1-866-548-1851, OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
Campaign 06V096000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: vehicle speed control
683 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jun 20, 2014
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS OF OVER 60 MPH, SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS BECAME ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY ON THE VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD. THE LIGHTS THAT WERE ILLUMINATED INCLUDED THE ABS INDICATOR, PARKING BRAKE INDICATOR, AND WARNING LIGHT, AMONG OTHERS. THE TEXT "CHECK VSC SYSTEM" IS ALSO CONSTANTLY DISPLAYED ON THE VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD. SINCE THESE WARNING LIGHTS HAVE ILLUMINATED, BREAKING HAS BECOME MORE DIFFICULT AND THE VEHICLE SHAKES WHILE BREAKING AT LOW SPEEDS. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 19, 2014
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT CAME UP AND THE BRAKES BECAME INEFFECTIVE. AS I WAS DRIVING, THE BRAKES WENT SOFT TO THE FLOOR, AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN ENGAGED. IT BRAKE SO HARD, IT FELT LIKE A HIT SOMETHING. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE BRAKE LIGHT, TRACTION/STABILITY CONTROL (VSC) AND ABS LIGHTS TURNED ON, AND CHECK VSC SYSTEM DISPLAYED. I TOOK IT TO TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS ABS ACTUATOR FAILURE AND MALFUNCTIONING OF THE REAR BRAKES. I CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT THE FAILURE AND THEY CLAIMED THAT MY SITUATION WAS ONE OF A KIND AND THERE WAS NOT PATTERN OF SIMILAR FAILURES FOR THIS MODEL. AFTER PROLONGED ARGUMENTS WITH TOYOTA AND THE DEALERSHIP, I COULD NOT GET THEM TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM UNDER THE 100,000 MILES WARRANTY FOR THE HYBRID COMPONENTS OF THE CAR. I HAD TO PAY OVER $3,000 TO GET THE CAR REPAIRED. TODAY, I FOUND OUT (THROUGH CONSUMER REPORTS FORUMS) THAT THERE ARE OTHER OWNERS OF THIS CAR THAT HAVE FACED EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM, INDICATING THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED BY NHTSA BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR LOSES LIFE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jun 19, 2014
WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN VSC ERROR ON DISPLAY LOUD TONE FROM DASH CAR WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL I DOWNSHIFTED AND USED PARKING BRAKE IF THERE HAD BEEN A CAR IN FRONT OF ME I WOULD HAVE SLAMMED INTO IT FULL FORCE .SOMEONE WILL GET INJURED FROM THIS DEFECT DEALER SAYS AROUND $2500 TO FIX AND THEY STATED IF I WAIT PROBABLY WILL BE RECALLED SOON...WHEN? *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Engine, Jun 18, 2014
FIRST: I GOT CHECK VSC SYSTEM WHEN I MADE A U-TURN. I READ THE FAILURE CODE IS C1391. SO, IT MEANS ABS ACCUMULATOR IS LEAKING. I ALSO NOTICED ABS ACCUMULATOR WAS PRETTY NOISE ABOUT TWO MONTH BEFORE. I THOUGH IT MAY BE A PROBLEM, BUT I DID NOT PAY ATTENTION ON IT BECAUSE I WAS SUFFERING THE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION. NOW, IT REALLY DIED. I GOT MANY CASES ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUES AND THEY REPORTED THAT TOYOTA HAS REDESIGNED THIS ACCUMULATOR, SO IT MEANS TOYOTA ALREADY KNEW THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE. IT MAY CAUSE DEADLY ACCIDENT IF THE BRAKE DOESN'T WORK SUDDENLY. IN ADDITION, FIX THIS PROBLEM NEEDS OVER TWO THOUSANDS DOLLARS. IT SHOULD NOT BE PAID BY OWNER SINCE THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT. I HOPE TOYOTA WILL RECALL THIS PROBLEM. SECOND, THIS CAR'S ENGINE PISTON RING HAS DEFECT. THIS CAUSES ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION. IN FACT, MY CAR IS BURNING ENGINE OIL NOW. IT'S ABOUT 1500 MILES/0.6QUART. IT WILL GET WORSE AND THIS ALSO MAY CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE IN THE FUTURE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jun 17, 2014
AS I WAS BACKING UP, THE BRAKES WENT SOFT TO THE FLOOR, AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BRAKES ENGAGED. IT BRAKE SO HARD, IT FELT LIKE A HIT SOMETHING. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE BRAKE LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS LIGHTS TURNED ON, AND CHECK VSC SYSTEM DISPLAYED. I TOOK IT TO TOYOTA AND THEY SAID IT WAS CODE-1391, ABNORMAL LEAK IN ACCUMULATOR. THE COST WAS GOING TO BE $2694.00. I DECLINED THE REPAIR, BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO REPAIR. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jun 17, 2014
FOR TWO YEARS NOW, THE "CHECK VSC" LIGHT WILL COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. IT HAS HAPPENED BOTH WHEN I AM IN MOTION AS WELL AS STATIONARY. AT THAT TIME, SEVERAL OTHER LIGHTS ON THE CLUSTER SUCH AS THE ABS LIGHT WILL COME ON. THE BRAKES BECOME VERY SLUGGISH BUT I CAN ULTIMATELY STOP THE CAR. THE WARNING LIGHTS WILL EVENTUALLY GO OUT, USUALLY AFTER I TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT. ONCE THE WARNING LIGHTS ARE OFF, THE BRAKES WORK NORMALLY. THE BRAKES ARE NOW MAKING A BARKING SOUND WHEN DEPRESSED. MY MECHANIC SAYS I NEED A NEW ABS SYSTEM WHICH WILL COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 12, 2014
ON JUNE 5, 2014 I WAS DRIVING MY 07 CAMRY AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE ABS, BRAKE AND VSC WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. IT TOOK MORE EFFORT TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES IN THE CAR AND I DROVE THE CAR TO KEYES TOYOTA. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED AND SEVERAL CODES WERE IDENTIFIED. C012 REAR SPEED SENSOR RH CIRCUIT, C0215 REAR SPEED SENSOR LH CIRCUIT, C1331 OPEN CIRCUIT IN LEFT FRONT CIRCUIT, U0073 CONTROL MODULE BUS OFF. SERVICE WRITER FOUND THAT THE ABS ACTUATOR WAS SHORTING OUT INTERMITTENTLY AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE MAY NOT BE SAFE TO DRIVE. HE ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $2,750 PLUS TAX. I WAS NOT ABLE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR AT THIS TIME. ON 6-9-14 CONTACT WAS MADE TO TOYOTA AND THEY ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR TSB'S FOR THE ABS SYSTEM ON NON HYBRID 07 CAMRY EVEN THOUGH THE SYMPTOMS EXPERIENCED AND THE REPAIR CODES WERE SIMILAR. TOYOTA DECLINED ASSISTANCE AND ADVISED THAT IF THEY DID DO A RECALL I COULD SUBMIT FOR POSSIBLE REIMBURSEMENT OF THE REPAIR. IN RESEARCHING THIS I FOUND OVER 125 ABS RELATED COMPLAINTS REPORTED TO NHTSA. IN ADDITION THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET WITH PERSONS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE VERY SAME SYMPTOMS SOME OF WHICH HAVE ALMOST BEEN INVOLVED IN COLLISIONS. THIS SEEMS TO BE THE VERY SAME ISSUE THAT THE 07 HYBRID CAMRY WAS RECALLED FOR AND YET NOTHING IS BEING DONE FOR THE NON HYBRID VERSION. THIS TO ME IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jun 11, 2014
I WAS ONLY DRIVING MY VEHICLE ABOUT A MILE WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED. I WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT AND ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES. NOTHING HAPPENED. THE STEERING WENT OUT AND THE BRAKES FELT LIKE THEY WEREN'T CATCHING. THANKFULLY, I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 25-30 MPH, AND HAD ENOUGH SPACE TO STOP BEFORE HITTING ANOTHER CAR THAT WAS STOPPED AT THE LIGHT. I LOOKED AT THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY AND NOTICED SOMETHING THAT READ, "CHECK VSC SYSTEM". THERE WAS ALSO A WARNING TRIANGLE. THE CAMRY MANUAL INSTRUCTED US TO BRING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP - BUT I CAN'T AFFORD THAT. THE NEXT DAY, IT WORKED FINE. A FEW WEEKS LATER, THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE I WAS EXITING THE HIGHWAY AND COMING TO A RED LIGHT. I WAS DECELERATING FROM ABOUT 65 MPH TO A FULL STOP AND FELT THE BRAKES GIVE AGAIN AND THE STEERING WAS DIFFICULT. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, TURN OFF THE CAR, AND RESTART AND IT WAS FINE AGAIN. I HAD THE BRAKE PADS CHANGED, BUT DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING. WE DIDN'T HAVE THE PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. BUT NOW IT FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES WANT TO GIVE WHEN I AM IDLING IN TRAFFIC. WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR WILL SQUEAK AND SUBTLY JERK FORWARD LIKE THE BRAKES ARE ABOUT TO GIVE UP THE GHOST. IT'S REALLY SCARY, BUT I CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER CAR AT THIS TIME. I'VE LOOKED INTO THE VSC SYSTEM AND DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THAT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY AFFECT MY BRAKING AND STEERING ABILITY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jun 10, 2014
PARKED THE AUTO, WAS IN A MEETING FOR 45 MIN. STARTED THE AUTO AND "CHECK VSC SYSTEM" WARNING CAME ON. TRIED DRIVING AND BRAKES WERE ERRATIC, TOOK TO DEALER, THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD TO REPROGRAM THE COMPUTER BECAUSE I HAD DONE SOMETHING TO THE BATTERY. NOT TRUE. BUT IT SEEMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED AS IT PERFORMED OK. ON MAY 29, 2014 I BACKED THE CAR OUT OF OUR GARAGE AND PARKED IT ON THE STREET, ABOUT ONE HOUR LATER I STARTED IT TO RETURN IT TO THE GARAGE AND THE "CHECK VSC SYSTEM" CAME ON AND THE BRAKES WERE VERY ERRATIC. I THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE CLOSEST DEALER AND THEY CHECKED IT AND INFORMED ME THAT THE BRAKE CONTROL COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT ACCOST OF NEARLY $2000.00. AS THIS APPEARS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE I FEEL THAT TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE PARTS UNDER A RECALL PROGRAM. I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE THAT THE BRAKE CONTROL COMPUTER DID NOT FAIL WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 4, 2014
I PURCHASED MY 2007 TOYOTA CAMRY IN JULY 2006, NEW. AT APPROXIMATELY 50K MILES, WHEN TURNING CORNERS MY ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS STALLING, THE ACCELERATOR DID NOT WORK, AND A "LOW ENGINE FUEL" WARNING CAME ON. I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS ASSURED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. THIS SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED AT LEAST 7 TIMES SINCE AND EACH TIME I WAS ASSURED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY, AND THEN MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN THESE INCIDENTS FIRST OCCURRED. I'M NOW AT 108K MILES. FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING CORNERS, THE "LOW ENGINE FUEL" WARNING DISPLAYED BRIEFLY. SINCE THE DEALERSHIP PREVIOUSLY ASSURED ME THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR, AND MY CAR HAD 2K MORE MILES BEFORE MY NEXT OIL CHANGE, I CONTINUED TO DRIVE MY CAR. THEN ON SUNDAY, JUNE 25TH I DECIDED TO HAVE AUTO ZONE TAKE A LOOK AT MY CAR. TO MY UTTER SURPRISE, THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO OIL ON THE STICK WHEN THE AUTO ZONE GUY CHECKED MY OIL LEVELS. I PURCHASED TWO QUARTS OF OIL AND THE AUTO ZONE GUY PUT THE OIL IN MY CAR. THE FOLLOWING SATURDAY I TOOK MY CAR TO MY USUAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED MY EXPERIENCE. THE SERVICE ADVISOR INFORMED ME THAT MY PISTON IS PROBABLY WORN OUT AND OIL IS PROBABLY LEAKING INTO MY ENGINE, WHICH WOULD BE A $4K REPAIR COST. AS I STATED TO THE SERVICE ADVISOR, AT ANY MOMENT MY CAR CAN CONK OUT WHILE DRIVING, BECAUSE OIL IS LEAKING INTO MY ENGINE AND THE ONLY TIME A WARNING APPEARS IS WHEN I TURN CORNERS. IF I'M DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WHERE SPEEDS ARE IN EXCESS OF 80 MPH, AND MY CAR CONKS OUT BECAUSE OIL IS LEAKING INTO MY ENGINE, THAT IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. A SERVICE TECHNICIAN WHO OVERHEARD OUR CONVERSATION STATED, "YEAH, THE ENGINES ON THOSE CARS ARE A PIECE OF JUNK." TOYOTA REFUSES FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jun 4, 2014
WHILE DRIVING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE THE INDICATING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED - RED BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING ICON, RED ABS LIGHT, RED BRAKE LIGHT, RED MASTER WARNING LIGHT. IN ADDITION, THE SCREEN DISPLAYED "CHECK VSC SYSTEM" AND AN AUDIBLE WARNING TONE SOUNDED. FROM ABOUT 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, THE BRAKE ACTUATOR MOTOR WOULD CYCLE ON/OFF FREQUENTLY AFTER A TRIP. OVER TIME, THE DURATION OF THE ON AND OFF CYCLING AFTER A TRIP GRADUALLY INCREASED FROM ABOUT 30 SECONDS TO APPROXIMATELY 90 SECONDS. THE ACTUATOR MOTOR ALSO CYCLED WHEN OPENING THE DOOR BEFORE A TRIP. OTHER SYMPTOMS THAT SURFACED PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT INCLUDED FREQUENT ON/OFF CYCLING OF THE BRAKE ACTUATOR MOTOR AT TRAFFIC LIGHT STOPS AND AN AUDIBLE "BARKING" SOUND FROM UNDER THE HOOD. RESEARCH ON THE WORLD-WIDE-WEB REVEALED MANY OWNERS WITH SAME SYMPTOMS. BECAUSE THE ENGINE IN THE HYBRID CARS TURN OFF DURING NORMAL OPERATION, ENGINE VACUUM IS NOT READILY AVAILABLE FOR THE POWER BRAKE ASSISTANCE AS FOUND IN CONVENTIONAL AUTOMOBILES. CONSEQUENTLY, THE FAILURE OF THE POWER ASSIST IS DUE TO THE INADEQUATE DESIGN OF THE HYBRID SYSTEM. FURTHERMORE, I UNDERSTAND THAT THE REPLACEMENT BRAKE ACTUATOR PART THAT TOYOTA PROVIDES FOR THE 2007 AND 2008 CAMRY HYBRIDS HAS A DIFFERENT PART NO. THAN THE ORIGINAL ONE PROVIDED. THIS STRONGLY SUGGESTS THAT TOYOTA RECOGNIZES ITS ORIGINAL BRAKE ACTUATOR HAS A FAULTY DESIGN. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR SINCE THIS INCIDENT FOR FEAR OF LOSING THE POWER ASSIST ON THE BRAKES. THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER HAS NOT REPLIED TO MY INQUIRY ON THIS MATTER. I ALSO HAVE A 2009 CAMRY HYBRID AND ALTHOUGH THE BRAKE ACTUATOR CYCLES ON AND OFF AFTER OPENING THE DOOR BEFORE A TRIP AND AFTER THE SYSTEM IS SHUTDOWN FOLLOWING THE TRIP, THE CYCLE IS VERY SHORT AND THE DURATION IS NO LONGER THAN 30 SECONDS. I DO NOT HAVE ANY BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH THE 2009 MODEL. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, May 27, 2014
FIRST INCIDENT OF BRAKE FAILURE HAPPENED ON THE DRIVE WAY OF MY HOME. STARTING THE CAR FOR THE MORNING COMMUTE, HAD THE "CHECK VSC" SIGN AND OTHER WARNING LIGHTS LIT ON THE DASH. I TRIED PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SHUTTING AND RESTARTING THE CAR. AFTER A FEW TRIES, THE WARNINGS WERE GONE AND BREAK PADDLE FELT NORMAL. SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ON A FREEWAY TRAVELING AT 65 MILES AN HOUR. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE DASH BOARD LIT UP WITH WARNING LIGHTS AD I LOST THE BRAKING POWER. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE PULLOVER WITHOUT AN INCIDENT. IF THE INVESTIGATION ON THIS SUBJECT HAS STATED AS OF JAN 2014, WHEN SHOULD WE EXPECT TO HEAR FROM THE AGENCY ON THE OUTCOME? *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, May 23, 2014
THE VSC LIGHT APPEARED & THE CAR LOST BRAKES. LIKE OTHERS, I HAVE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE BRAKE ACTUATOR / BOOST ACCUMULATOR. ALTHOUGH THE BRAKES WORK TO A DEGREE, THERE IS NO BOOST. DESPITE APPLICATION OF MY MAXIMUM EFFORT TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, STOPPING DISTANCES ARE VERY LONG AND STOPPING SPEEDS ARE VERY SLOW. I CONSIDER THE CAR DANGEROUS TO DRIVE & HAS BEEN SHELVED PENDING NHTSA REVIEW. REPORTS ARE THAT TOYOTA HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM & HAS REFUSED TO ADDRESS IT NHTSA SHOULD REQUIRE THAT TOYOTA REPLACE THIS PART AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER IN VIEW OF TOYOTAS UNCONSCIONABLE BEHAVIOR. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, May 14, 2014
DRIVING ALONG A CITY ROAD IN MY 2007 CAMRY HYBRID (MILEAGE APPROX. 49K) AT ABOUT 25-30 MPH WHEN I SAW THE "CHECK VSC SYSTEM" AND "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" WARNINGS ON MIL AND SIMULTANEOUSLY GOT NO RESPONSE FROM PRESSING EITHER THE BRAKE OR IGNITION PEDAL. CAR WOULD NOT GO AND WOULD NOT STOP. I COASTED TO THE SHOULDER AND THE CAR SLOWED TO A STOP (FORTUNATELY IN A LEGAL PARKING SPOT!). I AM HAVING IT TOWED TO THE DEALER TOMORROW. I WILL PROVIDE AN UPDATE WHEN I KNOW MORE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, May 13, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,239 AND THE CURRENT WAS MILEAGE 34,000. UPDATED 07/28/14 MA THE CONSUMER STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DID NOT ENGAGE SMOOTHLY, AS THERE WAS SOME HESITATION, WHEN PULLING OFF FROM A STOP. UPDATED 07/29/14
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, May 12, 2014
I HAVE BEEN HAVING OFF AND ON OCCURRENCES OF THE "CHECK VSC SYSTEM" WARNING WITH BRAKE, ABS, ETC. THE COST TO REPAIR IS OVER $3,000. FOR THE BRAKE ACTUATOR / ACCUMULATOR. BRAKES STILL SORT OF WORK BUT IT IS DIFFICULT TO STOP IN A HURRY AND I'M NOT SURE IF I'LL TOTALLY LOSE THE ABILITY TO STOP THE CAR IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THIS IS A PRETTY NASTY PROBLEM THAT SEEMS TO BE COMMON AMONG ALL OF THE CAMRY HYBRIDS OF THIS VINTAGE. I HOPE A RECALL IS ISSUED SOON AND THAT TOYOTA CAN WORK WITH CUSTOMERS ON THIS GIVEN THAT THE PROBLEM COSTS 10% OF WHAT THE CAR WAS WORTH BRAND NEW TO FIX. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, May 11, 2014
THE CAR HESITATES TO STOP AT TIMES, ISLES UP AND ACTS AS IT WANTS TO TAKE OFF, AND JERKS AS I'M DRIVING IT. IT SHOES ON THE DASH TO CHECK VSC SYSTEM. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, May 9, 2014
I WASN'T DRIVING MY CAR WHEN ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON. BUT EVERY BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON AND A MESSAGE READ CHECK VSC SYSTEM. I HAD NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A SOUND THE CAR MAKES WHEN THE CAR IS NOT ON. BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS THE CAR IDENTIFYING THE KEY WAS CLOSE BECAUSE I ALWAYS HAD THE KEY WITH ME WHEN I WOULD HEAR THIS SOUND. THE MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS TOLD ME THAT SOUND IS RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. THE ONLY PLACE TO GET THE PART IS THROUGH TOYOTA AND ESTIMATED COST FOR THE PART IS $2500. IF THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF WHY ARE THEY NOT MADE TO RECALL THIS ITEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WHO HAS THAT KIND OF MONEY TO MAKE A REPAIR ? *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, May 5, 2014
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE, ABOUT 80% OF MY BRAKES GAVE OUT AND I LOST STABILITY. MY ABS INDICATOR AND THE MESSAGE "CHECK VSC SYSTEM" CAME ON. AS I CAME TO A STOP, MY BRAKES JERKED A BIT AND I CAME TO A SUDDEN AND AGGRESSIVE STOP. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT, AND EVERYTHING DROVE FINE. THIS SAME THING HAPPENED SPORADICALLY ABOUT 20 TIMES OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS, BUT NOW MY ABS LIGHT AND CHECK VSC INDICATOR ARE ON AT ALL TIMES. MY BRAKES ARE DIMINISHED MOST OF THE TIME DOWN TO 50%, AND EVERY NOW AND AGAIN, MY CAR WILL COME TO A REALLY HARD STOP AS I BRAKE. I HAD A TOYOTA DEALER LOOK AT IT, AND I WAS TOLD MY ACTUATOR WAS OUT AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $3,000. THAT IS JUST FOR THE PART, NOT INCLUDING LABOR. I ONLY PAID $15,000 FOR THE CAR. ON TOP OF THAT, THEY AREN'T EVEN USING THE 2007 MODEL ACTUATORS, THEY ARE USING A LATER MODEL, WHICH TELLS ME THEY KNOW SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE 2007. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, May 3, 2014
I HAD MY REAR BRAKES INSTALLED AT HOLLYWOOD TOYOTA IN OCTOBER OF 2013. AS I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP ONCE THE JOB WAS COMPLETE, MY ABS LIGHT, THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, MY SPEED ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING ALONG WITH MY AC WHICH STARTED BLOWING HOT AIR. I TOOK THE CAR BACK THE FOLLOWING DAY AND GOT THE RUNAROUND. THE TOYOTA MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR SINCE IT WAS NEW, AND IT WAS GIVING TO MUCH AMPS. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE PLACE THE ALTERNATOR WAS PUT IN. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED AFTER GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH THE PROBLEM. MY SERVICE TECH [XXX] SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE ON THE CAR. OF COURSE I GOT MAD! WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR IN I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE SUNDAY BEFORE MY LAST VISIT TO HOLLYWOOD TOYOTA, IT STARTED RAINING, WHICH CAUSED MY WINDOWS TO FOG UP INSIDE AND ME DRIVING IN A DITCH BECAUSE OF POOR VISIBILITY. NOT FROM THE OUTSIDE, BUT FROM THE INSIDE EVERYTHING BECAME FOGGING IN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHERE I EITHER HAD TO MAKE CONTACT WITH A CAR IN FRONT OF ME OR GO OFF INTO THE DITCH TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT FROM WHIPPING THE WINDOW TRYING TO SEE IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN, I SAW HOLLYWOOD TOYOTA NOT WANTING TO EXCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACTIONS IT HAS CAUSED! I CONTACTED TOYOTA CORPORATE AND THEY IN TURN ALLOWED ME TO TAKE THE CAR IN FOR ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC WITHOUT COST. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP, THE PROBLEM WAS NO BETTER THEN I TOOK IT IN. BUT IN ADDITION TO ME TAKING IT IN. I WENT ONLINE AND SAW I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAD PROBLEM WITH THE ABS, BRAKE LIGHT STYLE COMING ON ALONG WITH THE SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING. AFTER DANG NEAR PULLING WHAT HAIR I HAVE LEFT OUT, I AM REACHING OUT TO YOU TO HELP ELIMINATE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE A MAJOR ACCIDENT OCCUR AND LIVES ARE LOST, BECAUSE SOMEONE ELSE WHO'S AC MAY NOT BE WORKING ON THE ACCOUNT OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILING WOULD BE A TRAGEDY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Structure, Vehicle speed control, May 1, 2014, crash
CHECK VSC SYSTEM WARNING, ABS, MULTI LIGHTS ON. WHEN BUZZ SOUND CONTINUALLY ARMS, IT IS SO HARD TO APPLY BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP COMPLETELY. THE BRAKES ARE OUT OF CONTROL. IT IS A DEFECT FROM MANUFACTURE, NOT A USING CONSUMER. THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS SO IMPORTANT WHEN MOVING. PLEASE RECALL TO FIX BEFORE CAUSING DEATHLY ACCIDENT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Apr 24, 2014
PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE ABS SYSTEM ON THE HYBRID 2007 CAMRY. I ALMOST KILLED MYSELF ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. I WAS GOING ABOUT 60MPH WHEN I HIT ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN ON A CURVE THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND, IT WAS LIKE THE BRAKES WERE REALLY HARD TO STEP ON, AND TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. THE LIGHTS TO CHECK THE VSC SYSTEM CAME ON, CHECK ABS, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT. AFTER A FEW SECONDS EVERYTHING WOULD GO BACK TO NORMAL. I HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH AND THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS ON THE 2007 CAMRY HYBRID. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT SO TOYOTA CAN RECALL AND FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. AFTER TAKING IT TO TOYOTA FOR THE LAST 5 MONTHS WITHOUT FINDING A PROBLEM, BECAUSE THE COMPUTER WOULD NOT REGISTER ANYTHING AND THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, NOW THEY ARE SAYING ITS THE ABS SYSTEM AND IT COST $4,000 TO FIX IT. THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY CLAIM THAT NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE HAVE REGISTERED COMPLAINTS. SO I ASK HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE WE GET ANY ATTENTION. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Apr 22, 2014
ABS ACTUATORS IS FAILURES ON 2007 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID 71K MILES: ABS LIGHT IS ON, THE E-BRAKE LIGHT IS ON EVEN WHEN THE E-BRAKE IS DISENGAGED, AND THE CAR IS SAYING TO CHECK THE VSC SYSTEM. THE BRAKES ARE ALSO NOTICEABLY WEAKER TO THE EXTENT THAT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY KIDS!!!!! *TR
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Apr 20, 2014
I WAS DRIVING ON STREET THAT HAD SEVERAL POTHOLES IN BOTH LANES. LANES WERE BLOCKED BY BARRELS BECAUSE OF THE ROADWORK BEING DONE. THERE WERE TOO MANY POTHOLES TO DODGE AND NONE SEEMED SIGNIFICANTLY BIGGER THAN THE REST. SINCE I WAS UNABLE TO SWERVE, BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC GOING THE OTHER WAY IN THE LANE BESIDE ME, I HIT A SERIES OF POTHOLES. AFTER THE LAST ONE, WHICH SEEMED A LITTLE BIGGER THAN THE OTHERS, I HEARD A BEEP AND THE DISPLAY READ, "CHECK VSC," WHICH I KNOW FROM THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED MEANS "VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL." THE PARKING BRAKE LIGHT SEEMED TO COME ON AT THAT TIME. I COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO ROLL ANY BUT INSTEAD HAD TO HIT THE ACCELERATOR TO MOVE AT ALL. THE BRAKE WAS NOT AS POWERFUL, SO I HAD TO BE SURE TO BRAKE IN PLENTY OF TIME. THE STEERING SEEMED MORE RESTRICTED ALSO, AND THERE WAS A HIGH-PITCHED BUZZING THAT CONTINUED ALL THE TIME UNLESS THE CAR WAS OFF WITH ALL DOORS SHUT. I LIVE CLOSE BY, SO I WAS ABLE TO GET MY CAR BACK HOME BUT DID NOT THINK IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAD AAA TOW IT A FEW DAYS LATER. THEY TOLD ME AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT A PART OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THEY LATER FOUND THAT ONE OF THE LINES INVOLVED IN KEEPING THE ENGINE COOL WAS LEAKING AND THE WATER PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Apr 20, 2014
A WEEK BEFORE THE INCIDENT, HEARD A HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKE DISTRIBUTOR AREA OF THE ENGINE WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED. IT CONTINUED AT ABOUT 1-MINUTE INTERVALS WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND ALSO WHEN PARKED AND TURNED OFF. IT WOULD END WITHIN ABOUT 5 MINUTES OF BEING TURNED OFF. IT SEEMED AS THOUGH THE BRAKES WERE TRYING TO ENGAGE OR THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT PRESSURE TO THEM. A DAY BEFORE THE INCIDENT, WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING, THERE WOULD BE A CHIRPING NOISE AS WELL. THEN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, EVERY BRAKE-RELATED WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD LIT UP AND A MESSAGE APPEARED SAYING, "MAINTENANCE REQUIRED. CHECK VSC SYSTEM." THE BRAKES DIDN'T FAIL, THOUGH, SO I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I HAVE HAD VSC SYSTEM ISSUES IN THIS CAR. 3 YEARS AGO THE VERY SAME THING HAPPENED, AGAIN ON THE HIGHWAY, WHERE THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE VSC WARNING MESSAGE CAME ON AS WELL. FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS BEFORE THAT, THE BRAKES WERE CHIRPING WHEN ENGAGED AND ALSO WHEN THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND PARKED, THEY WOULD CHIRP FOR A LONG TIME AS IF THEY WERE TRYING TO ENGAGE THEN TOO. IT COST ME $2100 TO REPLACE THE MODULE. NOW IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN. I AM NOT PREPARED TO RISK BRAKE FAILURE NOR PAY AN EXORBITANT AMOUNT OF MONEY ON THE BRAKING SYSTEM FOR THIS CAR, AGAIN. TOYOTA NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR POOR, SHODDY DESIGN AND FIX THIS ISSUE IMMEDIATELY! *TR