1996 TOYOTA CAMRY

7 recalls — 50 complaints

09E025000 May 11, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
42,540 vehicles affected
08E050000 Aug 11, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
1,921 vehicles affected
06E049000 May 24, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
27,176 vehicles affected
06E026000 Mar 23, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
61,944 vehicles affected
99V307000 Nov 1, 1999
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED CAUSING STEERING VIBRATION AND LOOSENESS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL SET NUT.
540,037 vehicles affected
96V037000 Feb 20, 1996
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
THE PLASTIC MATERIAL OF THE BULB HOLDERS OF THE REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT HEAT RESISTANCE. WHEN THE BULB IS ILLUMINATED, THE RESULTING HIGH TEMPERATURE CAN CAUSE THE BULB HOLDER TO DEFORM.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR COMBINATION LAMP BULB HOLDER TO SEE IF IT IS THE DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. THE DEFECTIVE BULB HOLDER TOGETHER WITH THE WIRING HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED WITH A CORRECT BULB HOLDER AND HARNESS.
756 vehicles affected
96E001000 Jan 3, 1996
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THESE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEMS FAIL TO HOLD THE SPEED SET BY THE DRIVER AND CAN ACCELERATE ABOVE THE INTENDED SET SPEED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE CRUISE CONTROL ASSEMBLIES.
5,145 vehicles affected
SUSPENSION Dec 31, 2020
THE STEERING SUCKS IVE TRIED EVERYTHING BUT NOTHING IT STILL DRIVES MY SUCKS
ENGINE Dec 31, 2020
THE STEERING SUCKS IVE TRIED EVERYTHING BUT NOTHING IT STILL DRIVES MY SUCKS
STEERING Dec 31, 2020
THE STEERING SUCKS IVE TRIED EVERYTHING BUT NOTHING IT STILL DRIVES MY SUCKS
AIR BAGS Aug 22, 2019
MY 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY IS LISTED UNDER THE "AIRBAGS" UNREPORTED RECALL FOR REPAIR/REPLACEMENT. PLEASE ADVISE.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Jan 15, 2017
I AM THE OWNER OF THE 96 TOYOTA CAMRY IDENTIFIED BY THE VIN NUMBER PROVIDED. I HAVE EXPERIENCED AN ABNORMAL SPEEDING OF MY CAR AS EXPLAINED BELOW: THIS PAST FRIDAY, JAN 13TH ABOUT 6:30 PM CENTRAL TIME, I WAS TRAVELING ON I-65 SOUTH (FROM BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA TO HOOVER, ALABAMA). ABOUT 15 TO 20 MINUTES ON THE ROAD, WHEN I WAS JUST ABOUT TO REACH MY DESTINATION, MY VEHICLE STARTED ACCELERATING ABRUPTLY EVEN WHEN THE FOOT WAS OFF THE PEDAL. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES BUT THE ENGINE KEPT REVVING UPWARDS OF 3000 RPM. IN GREAT DISTRESS, PRAYING TO JESUS, I KEPT HARDLY PRESSING THE BRAKES AND WAS ABLE TO SHIFT GEAR TO NEUTRAL. IT STARTED REVIVING UP HIGHER IN NEUTRAL. SHIFTED TO PARK AND STOPPED THE ENGINE. IT SEEMS, THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE DESIGN OF THROTTLE OR THE PARTS INVOLVED IN THE VEHICLE'S SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM. I TOWED THE VEHICLE TO MY PLACE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AND ADVICE ME IF I HAVE TO REACH OUT TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR A CAR REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT. *TR
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Nov 22, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPEED UP IN EXCESS OF 100 MPH AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO A GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRAIN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AFTER THE FIRST OCCURRENCE AND ADVISED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AT A TOYOTA DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER, THE SPECIFIC DETAILS OF THE DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR COULD NOT BE PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. ..UPDATED 05/09/17 *BF CONSUMER REPLACED THE PART CAUSING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WITH NEW PART ON JULY 26,2013. CONSUMER HAD A CAR ACCIDENT ON NOVEMBER 25,2013. UPDATED 9/5/18*JB
Crash 1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Jul 29, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, IT INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000. UPDATED 10/06/16*LJ *TR
STEERING Mar 10, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SEIZE IN THE TURNED POSITION WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE WHEN IT SEIZED. IN ADDITION, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO PROVIDE ACCURATE READING LEVELS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Mar 10, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SEIZE IN THE TURNED POSITION WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE WHEN IT SEIZED. IN ADDITION, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO PROVIDE ACCURATE READING LEVELS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Nov 2, 2015
BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW HAVE STOPPED WORKING ON OCCASION. PRESENTLY THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MAY GO DOWN, BUT WILL NOT GO UP. THE NEXT DAY IT MAY GO UP. I DON'T PUT IT DOWN BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE IT DOWN IN RAIN OR OVERNIGHT. MY PREVIOUS CAMRY ALSO HAD ELECTRICAL WINDOW PROBLEMS.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Aug 28, 2015
I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES WHEN THE GAS PEDAL SEEMED TO BE SUCKED TO THE FLOOR. THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 50 AND I COULD BARELY GET IT TO STOP. I HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP; BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I'M NOT CRAZY. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME IN 2 WEEKS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. WHAT IS WRONG?
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Aug 15, 2015
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. I WAS TURNING A CORNER WITH MY FOOT SLIGHTLY ON THE BRAKE. SUDDENLY THE CAR LUNGED AHEAD AT A FAST SPEED WITHOUT ME HAVING MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. THEN JUMPED A CURB AND FLATTENED A STOP SIGN. THE CAR WAS THEN HEADING TOWARDS A CHAIN-LINK FENCE SURROUNDING A MULTITUDE OF HIGH ELECTRICAL TOWERS. I TURNED THE WHEEL TO MY RIGHT AND BOUNCED DOWN THE CURB ONTO THE STREET. I WAS HEADING TOWARDS SOME LAWN MOWER TRAILERS. I HAD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PRESSING DOWN AS HARD AS I COULD, BUT THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN. SUDDENLY THE ENGINE DIED AND THE CAR STOPPED. TOYOTA TOWED THE CAR IN FOR INSPECTION. THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT NOW AND I AM WITHOUT A CAR. I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND SAW THAT THIS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION HAPPENED WITH MANY 1996 MODELS. IT WAS A TERRIFYING EXPEROENCE. I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE. THERE WAS A LAWN CREW WORKING IN THE AREA AT THE TIME THIS OCCURRED. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE? THE DATE THIS HAPPENED WAS FIRST MID-WEEK IN APRIL, 2015. THANK YOU.
Crash
AIR BAGS Jul 21, 2015
DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, BRAKING WINDSHIELD AND BRUISING DRIVER WHEN CAR BARELY MOVING FORWARD. TAPPED ANOTHER CARS BUMPER, NO OTHER DAMAGE TO EITHER VEHICLE.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Sep 22, 2014
ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2014, WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING A 96 TOYOTA CAMRY CAR HOME, ALL OF THE SUDDEN, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATED, SHE HIT THE BRAKE HARD BUT THE VEHICLE STILL WENT 40 MPH. SHE ALMOST HIT SEVERAL VEHICLES BEFORE SHE MANAGED TO SHIFT IT TO THE PARKING MODE AND STOP THE VEHICLE IN THE UP-SLOPE DRIVEWAY. AT THIS TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ROARING AND SMOKE CAME OUT AND SHE TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. WE FELT THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND IS SIMILAR TO ACCIDENT HAPPENED SEVERAL YEARS AGO. WE WOULD LIKE TO REPORT IT TO NHTSA AND WISH YOU START A SWIFT INVESTIGATION. THANK YOU. *TR
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Jul 21, 2014
96 TOYOTA CAMRY WITH 185K MILES ACCELERATED TO A HIGH SPEED FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. TRYING TO HALT THE CAR, A LANDSCAPING TREE WAS HIT, THE WHEEL BLEW OUT, EVENTUALLY STOPPING THE CAR. VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO GEAR, PEDAL OR SHUT OFF OF VEHICLE FROM COMMANDS GIVEN. INSTEAD, AFTER HITTING LANDSCAPING TREE RUNOVER, NEAR MISS PEDESTRIANS, TIRE BLOWOUT, THEN HALTED. POLICE TESTED (ON POLICE REPORT VERIFIED) TURN ON OF VEHICLE IN WHICH CAR RESUMED HIGH SPEED REVVING. *TR
Crash
AIR BAGS May 27, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH MAKING A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO BOTH THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT AND REAR DOOR WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
Crash 1 injured
SEATS May 11, 2014
WAS INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT WHERE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WAITING TO EXIT FREEWAY: BACKUP ON FREEWAY EXIT, WAS REAR ENDED AT HIGH SPEED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. CAUSING CHAIN REACTION CRASH, VEHICLE WAS SANDWICHED BETWEEN TWO VEHICLES. VEHICLE FLOORING BECAME DEFORMED WHICH MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSING AND MOST IMPORTANTLY FOR THE SEAT BELT TO FAIL CAUSING ME TO BANG MY FACE INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. I FOUND THE SEAT BELT WAS UNBUCKLED AFTER THE CRASH. AIRBAGS DID DEPLOY. *TR
Crash 1 injured
SEAT BELTS May 11, 2014
WAS INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT WHERE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WAITING TO EXIT FREEWAY: BACKUP ON FREEWAY EXIT, WAS REAR ENDED AT HIGH SPEED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. CAUSING CHAIN REACTION CRASH, VEHICLE WAS SANDWICHED BETWEEN TWO VEHICLES. VEHICLE FLOORING BECAME DEFORMED WHICH MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSING AND MOST IMPORTANTLY FOR THE SEAT BELT TO FAIL CAUSING ME TO BANG MY FACE INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. I FOUND THE SEAT BELT WAS UNBUCKLED AFTER THE CRASH. AIRBAGS DID DEPLOY. *TR
Crash 1 injured
AIR BAGS May 11, 2014
WAS INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT WHERE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP WAITING TO EXIT FREEWAY: BACKUP ON FREEWAY EXIT, WAS REAR ENDED AT HIGH SPEED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. CAUSING CHAIN REACTION CRASH, VEHICLE WAS SANDWICHED BETWEEN TWO VEHICLES. VEHICLE FLOORING BECAME DEFORMED WHICH MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO DRIVER'S SEAT COLLAPSING AND MOST IMPORTANTLY FOR THE SEAT BELT TO FAIL CAUSING ME TO BANG MY FACE INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. I FOUND THE SEAT BELT WAS UNBUCKLED AFTER THE CRASH. AIRBAGS DID DEPLOY. *TR
Crash 1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Oct 2, 2013
STUCK ACCELERATOR PEDAL ENTERED I-75 S ON-RAMP AT ELLENTON FL AND WAS ACCELERATING. AT ABOUT 60 MPH, RAPID ACCELERATION OCCURRED. I WAS QUICKLY APPROACHING A TRACTOR TRAILER ABOUT MID-RIVER ( MANATEE RIVER), CHECKED THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT (NOT ON) AND HIT THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES SLOWED THE VEHICLE FROM 70MPH BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE. I HAD THE BRAKE PETAL FULLY ENGAGED, WHICH DECREASED SPEED TO ABOUT 40 MPH. I PULLED ONTO THE BERM ABOUT ONE-HALF MILE PAST BRIDGE AND WHILE KEEPING FOOT ON BRAKE PULLED GEAR SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. ENGINE WAS FULLY ENGAGED PRODUCING A LOUD SCREECHING SOUND. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A STOP. THE CAR WAS TOWED BY AAA TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP.. WORDING ON REPAIR ESTIMATE IS AS FOLLOWS: WORK REQUESTED: ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK. WORK PERFORMED: DIAGNOSE TO AIR INTAKE BOOT DETERIORATED, FOUND SMALL PIECE FELL OFF AND JAMMED INTO THROTTLE PLATE, INSTALL NEW AIR INTAKE BOOT. (AIR MASS METER BOOT). (THE DEFECTIVE DETERIORATING BOOT IS IN MY POSSESSION.) *TR
STRUCTURE:BODY Jul 29, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES FRACTURED INTO PIECES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT AND THEY INFORMED THERE WAS NOT A RECALL RELATED TO THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Jun 19, 2013
THIS EVENT OCCURRED TWICE: I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30-40 MPH W/OUT THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED. WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OF THE GAS PEDAL TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. I HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AS HARD AS I COULD TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IN THE SECOND INCIDENT I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR OUT OF GEAR WHICH CAUSED THE RPM TO JUMP SIGNIFICANTLY. ONCE THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE CAR FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT FIND ANY OPEN RECALLS NOR COULD THE DEALER IDENTIFY ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. I ALSO TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY ANY PROBLEMS. *TR
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Sep 11, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD INCREASE ACCELERATION SPEEDS INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 96E001000(VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) BUT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER BUT DID NOT GET A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE Dec 21, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A GASOLINE ODOR WAS EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE EVEN WHEN THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURE OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Oct 28, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD FREQUENTLY EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. IN ADDITION, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS INOPERABLE. WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO AVOID A CRASH, THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE CONTACTED HAD TO STEER ABRUPTLY TO AVOID THE CRASH BUT THE VEHICLE THEN ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE ACCELERATION UNTIL CRASHING INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
Crash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Oct 20, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED AND THE GEAR WAS PLACED IN NEUTRAL BUT THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED TO 5000. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DID NOT RETURN TO IDLE POSITION AND REMAINS STUCK IN OPEN THROTTLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 185,257.
STEERING Jul 29, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 15 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE REAR, SIMILAR TO A THUMP. THE STEERING THEN BECAME DIFFICULT AND THE CONTACT BEGAN HAVING DIFFICULTIES STEERING THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE SWAY BAR AND FRONT END SUSPENSION FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE SPRINGS AND STRUTS WERE FRACTURED, AN OIL LEAK WAS DISCOVERED AND THE DEALER RECOMMENDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,510 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,555.
SUSPENSION:FRONT Jul 29, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 15 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE REAR, SIMILAR TO A THUMP. THE STEERING THEN BECAME DIFFICULT AND THE CONTACT BEGAN HAVING DIFFICULTIES STEERING THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE SWAY BAR AND FRONT END SUSPENSION FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE SPRINGS AND STRUTS WERE FRACTURED, AN OIL LEAK WAS DISCOVERED AND THE DEALER RECOMMENDED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,510 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,555.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Jun 2, 2011
WE HAD A SITUATION DESCRIBED BELOW. I SHALL BE GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD SHED SOME LIGHT ON IT. THIS INCIDENT INVOLVES TOYOTA CAMRY 1996. IT IS A CRITICAL SITUATION. YOUR ASSISTANCE WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. [XXX] DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCIDENT: MONDAY (4/25/2011) WAS THE TRASH COLLECTION DAY AT OUR DEVELOPMENT. WE HAVE TWO CARS: CAMRY AND LEXUS. WE HAD TO PULL ONE CAR OUT TO BRING THE TRASH CAN IN. IT WAS APPROXIMATELY AROUND 6 P.M. MY WIFE VOLUNTEERED TO PULL THE CAR OUT, SO THAT I COULD BRING THE TRASH CAN IN. MY WIFE PULLED THE CAR OUT ON THE DRIVEWAY AND PARKED, STILL HER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. AS SHE WAS BRINGING THE GEAR TO DRIVE, AS SOON AS IT REACHED THE REVERSE GEAR, THE CAR SPEEDED BACKWARD IN AN UNCONTROLLABLE SPEED AND WITH IN SECONDS IT HIT AND SHATTERED OUR NEIGHBOR?S MAIL BOX AND ITS METAL POST. THE CAR STOPPED. I WAS STANDING AND WAS SHOCKED TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING. SHE THOUGHT THAT SHE WAS IN OUR NEIGHBOR?S LAWN, AND WANTED TO BRING THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AS SOON AS SHE BROUGHT THE GEAR TO THE DRIVE, IT AGAIN RACED FORWARD IN HIGH UNCONTROLLABLE SPEED AND HIT OUR BRICK WALL OF OUR HOUSE AND WAS PINNED DOWN AND STOPPED. THE CAR WAS TOTALED, WRECKING THE FRONT AND THE BACK WITH TWO IMPACTS. BOTH AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. SHE HAD HER SEAT BELT ON. THESE TWO DEVICES PROBABLY SAVED HER LIFE. SHE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. POLICE ARRIVED AND ACCOMPANIED US TO THE HOSPITAL. WE SPENT FOUR TO FIVE HOURS IN THE HOSPITAL. REPORT ENCLOSED. SHE HAS SEEN HER PERSONAL PHYSICIAN. SHE HAS SEEN ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON. SHE IS ALSO GOING TO PHYSICAL THERAPY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash 1 injured
STEERING Mar 2, 2011
MY HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM, FORTUNATELY I HAVE NOT CRASHED AT THIS POINT BUT I HAVE SWERVED AND AT NEAR ACCIDENT SITUATIONS. I CANNOT SEE IN THE DARK AND I AM FORCED TO USE MY HIGH BEAMS. AROUND SUMMER OF 2010, I CRASHED M Y CAR ON A CURVE GOING TO SAN FRANCISCO, CA ON HIGHWAY 85. AS I WAS ABOUT TO CURVE I SLOWLY WENT FROM 65 MPH TO 25 MPH OR A BIT LOWER TO CURVE CORRECTLY. MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO CURVE APPROPRIATELY SO MY CAR CONTINUED STRAIGHT AND HIT THE SIDE OF THE CURVE (LUCKILY IT WAS BLOCKED BY A STEEL HIGHWAY FENCE). I REPLACED THE DRIVERS DOOR AND FRONT BUMPER WITH AN AWFUL OFF COLOR PAINT JOB. I DID NOT MAKE A POLICE REPORT AND I DID NOT CONTACT MY INSURANCE. I FIXED MY CAR AND NOW I AM AFRAID IT MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN. PROPERTY DAMAGE OF MY CAR WAS DONE. MY WINDOW NO LONGER WORKS AND MY KEY ENTRY IS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING AS WELL DUE TO THE CRASH. *TR
Crash
EXTERIOR LIGHTING Mar 2, 2011
MY HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM, FORTUNATELY I HAVE NOT CRASHED AT THIS POINT BUT I HAVE SWERVED AND AT NEAR ACCIDENT SITUATIONS. I CANNOT SEE IN THE DARK AND I AM FORCED TO USE MY HIGH BEAMS. AROUND SUMMER OF 2010, I CRASHED M Y CAR ON A CURVE GOING TO SAN FRANCISCO, CA ON HIGHWAY 85. AS I WAS ABOUT TO CURVE I SLOWLY WENT FROM 65 MPH TO 25 MPH OR A BIT LOWER TO CURVE CORRECTLY. MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO CURVE APPROPRIATELY SO MY CAR CONTINUED STRAIGHT AND HIT THE SIDE OF THE CURVE (LUCKILY IT WAS BLOCKED BY A STEEL HIGHWAY FENCE). I REPLACED THE DRIVERS DOOR AND FRONT BUMPER WITH AN AWFUL OFF COLOR PAINT JOB. I DID NOT MAKE A POLICE REPORT AND I DID NOT CONTACT MY INSURANCE. I FIXED MY CAR AND NOW I AM AFRAID IT MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN. PROPERTY DAMAGE OF MY CAR WAS DONE. MY WINDOW NO LONGER WORKS AND MY KEY ENTRY IS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING AS WELL DUE TO THE CRASH. *TR
Crash
PARKING BRAKE Mar 2, 2011
MY HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM, FORTUNATELY I HAVE NOT CRASHED AT THIS POINT BUT I HAVE SWERVED AND AT NEAR ACCIDENT SITUATIONS. I CANNOT SEE IN THE DARK AND I AM FORCED TO USE MY HIGH BEAMS. AROUND SUMMER OF 2010, I CRASHED M Y CAR ON A CURVE GOING TO SAN FRANCISCO, CA ON HIGHWAY 85. AS I WAS ABOUT TO CURVE I SLOWLY WENT FROM 65 MPH TO 25 MPH OR A BIT LOWER TO CURVE CORRECTLY. MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO CURVE APPROPRIATELY SO MY CAR CONTINUED STRAIGHT AND HIT THE SIDE OF THE CURVE (LUCKILY IT WAS BLOCKED BY A STEEL HIGHWAY FENCE). I REPLACED THE DRIVERS DOOR AND FRONT BUMPER WITH AN AWFUL OFF COLOR PAINT JOB. I DID NOT MAKE A POLICE REPORT AND I DID NOT CONTACT MY INSURANCE. I FIXED MY CAR AND NOW I AM AFRAID IT MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN. PROPERTY DAMAGE OF MY CAR WAS DONE. MY WINDOW NO LONGER WORKS AND MY KEY ENTRY IS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING AS WELL DUE TO THE CRASH. *TR
Crash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Dec 21, 2010
FOR SEVERAL WEEKS WHEN I HAVE OCCASIONALLY, ACCIDENTALLY, AFTER TURNING OFF THE IGNITION, WHILE THE TRANSMISSION WAS STILL IN THE DRIVE POSITION I REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION (WHILE IT WAS STILL IN GEAR), AND IT ROLLS. IT IS A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY LE V6. *TR
TIRES Nov 5, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN RADIAL TIRES. THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN ONE OF THE REAR TIRES BLEW OUT. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER AND PUT THE SPARE ON. TWO DAYS LATER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE SECOND REAR TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE MANUFACTURED 17 YEARS AGO. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 133,664. UPDATED 1/25/11 *CN UPDATED 04/18/11
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Aug 30, 2010
I JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY, THE CAR RUNS GREAT BESIDES THE FACT THAT IT SOMETIMES STARTS TO SELF ACCELERATE. THE PEDAL GETS STUCK IN PRESS MODE AND THE CAR JUST PICKS UP INCREDIBLE SUDDEN SPEED. IN PRIOR OCCASIONS I HAVE SUDDENLY JUST PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THEN THE ENGINE REVS UP TO 6500 RPM. I'VE ALSO NOTICED THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES ARE REALLY HOT. ON CERTAIN OCCASIONS I HAVE CAME VERY CLOSE IN BECOMING INVOLVED WITH AN ACCIDENT. IN THESE SCENARIOS I HAVE EVEN PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND SHUTTING IT DOWN. I HAVE EVEN OPENED THE HOOD MANY OF TIMES AND HAVE SEEN THAT THE CARS ACCELERATOR WIRE IS FULLY CLINCHED TO THE MAX. THIS HAS BEEN A VERY BIG SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME AND HAS ENDANGERED MY LIFE MANY OF TIMES. I HAVE CONTACTED A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, THEY SAID THEY REALLY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING REGARDING A 1996 CAMRY AND ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS. THIS IS INDEED A VERY BIG ISSUE AND IT IS VERY APPARENT THAT THIS PROBLEM OF ACCELERATORS DO EXIST FROM LONG TIME BEFORE AND NOT JUST IN THE RECENT CAMRY'S. I DO NOT WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN ANY SORT OF ACCIDENT AS I'VE COME VERY VERY CLOSE. *TR
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Apr 15, 2010
MY 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL ON APRIL 12, 2010. WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK (A DISTANCE OF 26 MILES) I ENTERED THE FREEWAY AND GAVE MY CAR GAS TO MOVE INTO THE SECOND FROM THE LEFT HAND LANE. AFTER GETTING INTO THE PROPER LANE, THE CAR BEHAVED IN THE SAME WAY AS A CAR AFTER PRESSING THE RESUME BUTTON, AFTER DISABLING CRUISE CONTROL. THIS HAPPENED AT 4:30P DURING THE START OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE ONLY WAY I COULD KEEP FROM HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS TO FLOOR THE BRAKE. AT ONE POINT THE CAR RACED TO SPEEDS OF 65-75 MPH. I COULD TELL THAT AT THE 75 MPH RANGE THAT I WAS VERY LIKELY TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. TO PREVENT THIS I BRIEFLY PLACED THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, THEN SWITCHED IT INTO REVERSE TWICE IN QUICK SUCCESSION. THE CAMRY MADE A HORRIBLE NOISE, BUT DID SLOW DOWN AFTER THAT. THE BRAKES SEEMED TO BE UNABLE TO ENGAGE PROPERLY FROM THAT POINT, POSSIBLY DUE TO EXCESSIVE USE. I WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER THAT. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE CAR, TEST DROVE IT AND STATED THAT THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. STATEMENT FROM SPOUSE: AS A RECENTLY RETIRED ENGINEER FROM A LARGE RESEARCH LABORATORY, I'D LIKE TO ADD MY COMMENTS: I SPENT 33 YEARS DESIGNING LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS TO RUN SAFELY AND RELIABLY. OVER THOSE YEARS, I FORMED THE OPINION THAT LAB EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE DESIGNED SO THAT MALFUNCTIONS CAUSE ONLY MINOR PROBLEMS, NOT MAJOR ONES. SINCE TOYOTA'S PROBLEMS WITH UNINTENDED ACCELERATION SEEM TO AFFECT VEHICLES OF VARIOUS AGES AND DESIGNS, I SUSPECT THE ROOT CAUSE IS NOT A SPECIFIC PIECE OF HARDWARE, BUT RATHER A FAILURE TO DESIGN THEIR EQUIPMENT SO THAT MALFUNCTIONS CAUSE ONLY MINOR PROBLEMS, NOT MAJOR ONES. PERHAPS THERE ARE COMPONENTS OF THEIR VEHICLES THAT FAIL IN A WAY THAT GIVES THE VEHICLE FULL POWER, WHEREAS A SAFER FAILURE MODE WOULD BE HAVE NO POWER. *TR
STEERING Mar 31, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE FAILURE STOPPED AFTER DRIVING 5 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 63,000.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Mar 24, 2010
RE: INSPECTION OF 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY INVOLVED IN 2006 FATAL CRASH, 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY 4 DOOR, MODEL LXS (MINNESOTA VEHICLE LICENSE KJL 696) STATE OF MINNESOTA V. KOUA FANG LEE(CRIMINAL VEHICULAR HOMICIDE). *TWX UPDATED 9/29/11*CW THE DRIVER OF THE TOYOTA WAS CONVICTED IN 2007 OF CRIMINAL VEHICULAR HOMICIDE-GROSS NEGLIGENCE WHICH KILLED THREE PEOPLE AND SEVERELY INJURED TWO OTHERS. THE DEFENDANTS ATTORNEY HAS RAISED CONCERNS THAT A SUDDEN ACCELERATION DEFECT IN THE TOYOTA CAMRY MAY HAVE CAUSED THE CRASH. UPDATED 03/30/10. (COUNTY ATTORNEY REQUESTED THAT NHTSA PARTICIPATE IN THE INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE) UPDATED 04/07/10 RECEIVED FOLLOW-UP LETTER. UPDATED 04/07/10.*JB
Crash 2 injured 3 deaths
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL Mar 17, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND PROCEEDED TO ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE. SHE WAS ABLE TO FINALLY STOP THE VEHICLE AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, OBSERVED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD COLLAPSED IN THE OPEN THROTTLE POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO RELEASED THE WEDGED ACCELERATOR CABLE. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED A SECOND TIME. SHE WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP AND DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE REPAIRS WERE MADE FOR THE PREVIOUS FAILURE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FAILURE ONE ADDITIONAL TIME WHILE TRAVELING IN SNOWY WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DID NOT FEEL SAFE IN THE VEHICLE AND HAD A RELATIVE FOLLOW HER HOME IN CASE OF ADDITIONAL FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Mar 16, 2010
TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD REPEATEDLY. THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Mar 2, 2010
I ENTERED THE FREEWAY ON-RAMP AND ACCELERATED. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE EVEN AFTER I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL. I KICKED THE PEDAL DOWN A COUPLE TIMES TO GET IT UNSTUCK. INSTEAD OF COMING UNSTUCK, IT STUCK ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. (THE ENGINE ACCELERATED TO THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT. I THINK THE ACTUAL PEDAL CAME BACK UP TO THE IDLE POSITION.) THE BRAKES SLOWED THE CAR SOME WHEN I PUSHED ON THE PEDAL WITH BOTH FEET WITH MY HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND STANDING UP SO ALL MY WEIGHT AND STRENGTH WAS ON THE BRAKE. THE BRAKES SMELLED OF BURNING AND I THOUGHT FOR A SECOND THAT MAYBE I WAS GETTING IT UNDER CONTROL. HOWEVER, WHEN I LOOKED AT THE SPEEDOMETER, IT READ 95 AND THE BRAKES WERE SMOKING AND SMELLING QUITE STRONG. I PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND CONTINUED TO PUSH HARD ON THE BRAKE. IT SLOWED DOWN TO MAYBE TO 65 OR SO. BY THEN THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING SO FAST I THOUGHT IT WOULD BLOW UP AND IT WAS NIGHT ON A RELATIVELY DESERTED FREEWAY SO I PUT IT BACK INTO GEAR AND CONTINUED THIS PATTERN FOR APPROXIMATELY 8 MILES - SPEEDING UP TO WAY PAST 95, RIDING THE BRAKES UNTIL THEY SMOKED AND SMELLED TOO MUCH (I THOUGHT THEY WOULD BECOME USELESS IF I LET THEM BURN UP) PUTTING IT INTO NEUTRAL AND SLOWING DOWN FOR AS LONG AS I THOUGHT WAS OK BEFORE BLOWING THE ENGINE, REPEAT, ETC.. JUST PRIOR TO MY EXIT, THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION STOPPED AND I GOT OFF ONTO THE SIDE STREETS. WHEN I ACCELERATED AFTER A STOP SIGN, THE ACCELERATOR STUCK BUT I IMMEDIATELY PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN SHUT THE KEY OFF, STOPPING THE ENGINE. IT DID THIS TWO MORE TIMES. THE REPAIR SHOP CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY AND IT HAS NOT HAPPENED AGAIN. I WAS IN THE ARMY INFANTRY DURING THE 60'S BUT HAD NOT HAD A FLASHBACK FOR A VERY LONG TIME. I HAD FLASHBACKS OF THIS EXPERIENCE SEVERAL TIMES WHEN ENTERING A FREEWAY ENTRANCE RAMP. IT WAS A MOST TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE AND RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT OUR ABILITY TO RESPOND LOGICALLY IS GREATLY DIMINISHED UNDER THAT HIGH STRESS. *TR
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Feb 26, 2010
1996 CAMRY WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT THEN SURGED FORWARD INTO THE INTERSECTION WHERE IT WAS STRUCK BY A MOTORCYCLE AND PICK-UP TRUCK. CAMRY AND MOTORCYCLE BOTH TOTALED. AIRBAGS IN CAMRY DIDN'T DEPLOY ON IMPACT BUT HAD A DELAY. POLICE INVOLVED WITH CASE. CAMRY DRIVER CITED FOR FAILURE TO YIELD TO A RED LIGHT WHICH DRIVER WAS STOPPED AT INITIALLY. NO FURTHER INVESTIGATION. WITH TOYOTA IN THE NEWS, FOUND REPORTS OF OTHER 1996 CAMRY'S WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION SO FILED THIS COMPLAINT. FAMILY MEMBER WAS OWNER AND DRIVER OF CAMRY. MOTORCYCLE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT RESULTED IN DEATH 5 YEARS LATER. *TR UPDATED 05/10/10 *BF UPDATED 07/08/10.*JB
Crash 3 injured 1 deaths
AIR BAGS Feb 26, 2010
1996 CAMRY WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT THEN SURGED FORWARD INTO THE INTERSECTION WHERE IT WAS STRUCK BY A MOTORCYCLE AND PICK-UP TRUCK. CAMRY AND MOTORCYCLE BOTH TOTALED. AIRBAGS IN CAMRY DIDN'T DEPLOY ON IMPACT BUT HAD A DELAY. POLICE INVOLVED WITH CASE. CAMRY DRIVER CITED FOR FAILURE TO YIELD TO A RED LIGHT WHICH DRIVER WAS STOPPED AT INITIALLY. NO FURTHER INVESTIGATION. WITH TOYOTA IN THE NEWS, FOUND REPORTS OF OTHER 1996 CAMRY'S WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION SO FILED THIS COMPLAINT. FAMILY MEMBER WAS OWNER AND DRIVER OF CAMRY. MOTORCYCLE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT RESULTED IN DEATH 5 YEARS LATER. *TR UPDATED 05/10/10 *BF UPDATED 07/08/10.*JB
Crash 3 injured 1 deaths
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Feb 25, 2010
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING RE TOYOTA SAFETY RECALL FOR SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *TGW DURING THE MONTHS OF MAY THROUGH JULY 2009, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. OFF AND ON, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, UNTIL THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. THERE WAS A STRANGE ODOR COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. IT WOULD GENERALLY HAPPEN WHEN ATTEMPTING A ROUTINE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THEN ON AUGUST 19, 2009, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED; THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK AND THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. AS THE CONSUMER DESPERATELY SHIFTED FROM NEUTRAL, SECOND AND THIRD GEAR, SHE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS ABLE TO WEAVE IN BETWEEN CARS AS THERE WAS NO PLACE FOR HER TO PULL OVER WITHOUT CRASHING. SHE PUT ON HER HAZARD LIGHTS AND BEEPED THE HORN TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS. SHE THEN SWUNG INTO A WIDE PARKING LOT ENTRANCE AND SLAMMED THE GEAR INTO PARK AND CAME TO AN ABRUPT HALT. *JB
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC Feb 25, 2010
S10 APPROPRIATE HANDLING RE TOYOTA SAFETY RECALL FOR SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *TGW DURING THE MONTHS OF MAY THROUGH JULY 2009, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. OFF AND ON, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, UNTIL THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. THERE WAS A STRANGE ODOR COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. IT WOULD GENERALLY HAPPEN WHEN ATTEMPTING A ROUTINE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THEN ON AUGUST 19, 2009, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED; THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK AND THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. AS THE CONSUMER DESPERATELY SHIFTED FROM NEUTRAL, SECOND AND THIRD GEAR, SHE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS ABLE TO WEAVE IN BETWEEN CARS AS THERE WAS NO PLACE FOR HER TO PULL OVER WITHOUT CRASHING. SHE PUT ON HER HAZARD LIGHTS AND BEEPED THE HORN TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS. SHE THEN SWUNG INTO A WIDE PARKING LOT ENTRANCE AND SLAMMED THE GEAR INTO PARK AND CAME TO AN ABRUPT HALT. *JB
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM Feb 24, 2010
1996 TOYOTA CAMRY DEVELOPED PROBLEMS STALLING OUT IN TRAFFIC AND WOULD BUCK LIKE A BRONCO SOMETIMES WHEN DRIVING (BEFORE STALLING). DEALERSHIP REPAIRS COST ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. VERY DANGEROUS TRYING TO GET FROM HERE TO THERE IN THIS VEHICLE. TECHNICIANS KEPT TAKING THE CAR BACK DOWN TO THE ENGINE BLOCK. SENT A LETTER TO TOYOTA REQUESTING THEY EXAMINE THE INVOICES AND REPAIRS ON A CAR WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. THE SENT A LETTER BACK. ONE LINE-"NOTHING IN THESE INVOICES IS UNDER WARRANTY" TOYOTA WAS NOT INTERESTED IN FIXING THEIR MISTAKES AND WAS NOT INTERESTED IN LEARNING FROM THEM. THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED IN THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. I KNEW AT THAT TIME THEY WERE INTERESTED IN GROWTH AND PROFIT AND LET IT BE KNOWN TO MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT THEY SHOULD NOT BUY TOYOTA VEHICLES. *TR
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Feb 3, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH WHEN PLACING HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND SLOWING DOWN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. BY PUTTING EXTREME PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE, SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THIS HAS OCCURRED ONLY ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN IN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECENT RECALL FOR TOYOTA. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS DONE TO THE VEHICLE . THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 101046. UPDATED 03/09/10. *LJ UPDATED 06/14/10.*JB
STEERING Jan 26, 2010
THIS IS A REPAIR SHOP IN THE BETHESDA MARYLAND AREA AND THE CUSTOMERS CAR IS A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY STATION WAGON. THE CAR HAS APPROX. 135,000 MILES. WE DID MAJOR REPAIRS TO THE CAR INCLUDES REPLACE LOWER BALL JOINTS AND RIGHT FRONT AXLE. THE CUSTOMER CALLED AND SAID THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL FOLDED UNDER THE CAR. WE HAD CAR TOWED TO SHOP AND FOUND THE CASTLE RETAINER NUT FOR THE RIGHT OUTER TIE WAS COMPLETELY MISSING AND THE TIE ROD END CAME OUT OF STEERING KNUCKLE. THE COTTER KEY WAS STILL INSIDE OF THE HOLE, WHICH INDICATED THE NUT DID NOT UNTHREAD BUT CAME APART- I WENT BACK WHERE THE CAR WAS TOWED FROM BUT COULD NOT FIND ANY PART OF THE CASTLE NUT. WE REPLACED BOTH OUTER TIE ROD ENDS FOR SAFETY AND DID FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT AT NO CHARGE TO CUSTOMER. WE FOUND NO CRACKS OR PROBLEMS WITH THE CASTLE NUT FROM THE OTHER SIDE, BUT BOTH OUTER TIE ROD ENDS CAME WITH NEW CASTLE NUTS. WE ARE FILING THE PROBLEM TO SEE IF ANY OTHER CAMRY PROBLEMS LIKE THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED , AT CUSTOMERS REQUEST. *TR
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Nov 6, 2009
OUR 1996 CAMRY, WHICH HAS RECENTLY BEEN SAFETY CHECKED AND HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON, BEGAN TO ACCELERATE OUT OF CONTROL. WE WERE ABLE TO STOP IT BY USING THE BRAKES, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND HAD TO PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRING, BUT IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. OUR MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. SINCE THIS ACCELERATION PROBLEM HAS BEEN IN THE PRESS WITH OTHER TOYOTA'S WE DECIDED TO REPORT THIS SAME EXPERIENCE. I REALIZE THE CAR IS OLDER, BUT IT OTHERWISE FUNCTIONS WELL. THANK YOU. *TR
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Nov 6, 2009
1996 TOYOTA CAMRY, CA DXLESEXLE CRUISE CONTROL RECENTLY STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING ALONG AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY INCREASED SPEED (OCCURRENCE DATE OCT 18 2009) AND I PRESSED THE BRAKE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGED. SUBSEQUENT ATTEMPTS TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL GOT THE SAME RESULT, CONTINUOUS INCREASE OF SPEED UNTIL TURNED OFF. CHECKED FOR RECALL, AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE 1996 CAMRY IN REFERENCE TO THE CRUISE CONTROL, HOWEVER THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER CHECKED THE VIN AND SAID THAT IT IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST, AND TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS TOOK MY INFO AND ALSO TOLD ME THE VIN IS NOT ON THE LIST. THE SYMPTOMS ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS IN THE RECALL. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AS PEOPLE MAY THINK THEY ARE UNDER CRUISE AND NOT REALIZE THEY ARE ACCELERATING. *TR