2002 Toyota Camry Complaint Log

BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE, A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY AND IT TOOK OFF AT FULL SPEED AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL IT WENT ACROSS THE STREET AND HIT A TREE EVEN THOUGH I WAS TRYING TO BRAKE. *TR

3/21/2008 CAR STOPPED RUNNING WHILE ON EXPRESSWAY. TOWED 50 MILES INTO DEALERSHIP ALAMO TOYOTA, SAN ANTONIO, TX =NOT WHERE PURCHASED 100 MILES FROM RESIDENCE. TOLD ENGINE MOUNTING BOLTS SHEERED OFF INTO THE ENGINE BLOCK WHICH CAUSED CRACK. ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. DEALER FOUND SALVAGE ENGINE WITH 37000 MILES ON IT. OWNER DID NOT RECEIVE PROOF OF THE MILEAGE. DEALER KEPT USED ENGINE $4,000.00+. INCLUDED USED LONGBLOCK, OIL, OIL FILTER COOLANT REAR MAIN SEAL, FIPC, RADIATOR CLEANING. OWNER RENTED AT OWN EXPENSE RENTAL VEHICLE. TOLD CAR WAS REPAIRED. PICKED CAR UP DROVE OFF LOT, TURNED AROUND AND WENT BACK INTO DEALERSHIP. CAR WAS MISFIRING. HAD TO LEAVE CAR AGAIN. ADDITIONAL $235.00 TO REPLACE 4 COILS APRIL 11,2008. ON MAY 2 2008, A/C STOPPED COOLING. TOOK CAR INTO CHAMPION TOYOTA, AUSTIN TEXAS. $613.00 FOR AC CONDENSER, CONDENSER ASSY, RELAY, WARRANTY. AC CONDENSER LEAKING, PROBABLY DAMAGED DURING RADIATOR CLEANING AT ALAMO TOYOTA. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY CHARCOAL CANISTER THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 82,630. UPDATED 07/15/08 *BF UPDATED *JB 07/15/08

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DURING A TRIP TO LEXINGTON, KY ON A SATURDAY. I EXPERIENCED A BAD SHIFT ON ONE OCCASION DURING THAT TRIP. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING MONDAY. WAS TOLD THAT MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS GOING BAD. COST TO REPAIR WAS APPROX $800. ELECTED NOT TO REPAIR CAR AT THAT TIME. I HAVE APPROX 127000 MILES ON CAR AND JUST PAID IT OFF LAST DECEMBER. WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF THIS VISIT TO THE DEALER, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JERK WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN 25 AND 40 MPH. I PARKED CAR AND BEGAN TO DRIVE MY OLDER VEHICLE UNTIL I COULD GET IT BACK INTO DEALER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ON FEB 14 AND WAS TOLD THAT MY TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACED. I HAD ALL OF COMPLETED TRANSMISSION SERVICES DURING THE LIFE OF THE CAR. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AS THE TRANSMISSION HESITATED DURING DRIVING AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN ME BEING REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. I AM CONCERNED WITH THE QUALITY OF TOYOTA VEHICLES AS I HAVE READ ABOUT THEIR ENGINE SLUDGE PROBLEMS AND OTHER PEOPLE WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURES. *TR

PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT ON 2/8/2008 AT 8:55PM THERE WERE 2-3 EPISODES WITHIN A 6 YEAR PERIOD WHEN ANA LOPEZ FELT THE VEHICLE MILDLY ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN FOR ONLY A FEW SECONDS. THE EPISODES WERE SO MILD THAT SHE QUESTIONED HERSELF WHETHER THE CAR TRULY ACCELERATED AND SO SHE NEVER HAD THE CAR INSPECTED. HOWEVER, ON 2/8/2008 AT 8:55PM WHILE DRIVING HOME HEADING SOUTH ON THE VETERANS EXPRESSWAY IN TAMPA SHE EXPERIENCED WHAT SHE DESCRIBES AS THE MOST FRIGHTENING EVENT IN HER LIFE. THE FIRST SIGN THAT SOMETHING WAS GOING WRONG WAS THE DASH LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER ON AND OFF SO SHE MADE AN ATTEMPT TO PULL OVER SO SHE COULD CALL HER HUSBAND AND MAKE HIM AWARE OF HOW THE CAR WAS PERFORMING. AS SHE BEGAN SLOWING DOWN AND VEERING OFF THE ROAD ON THE OUTSIDE LANE, WHICH WAS WITNESSED, THE VEHICLE MAD A VERY POWERFUL ACCELERATION ACCOMPANIED BY A LOUD ACCELERATION SOUND AND LOSS OF STEERING ABILITY AS THE CAR BEGAN TO STEER TO THE LEFT GOING BACK INTO TRAFFIC LANES. SHE FELT AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS NOW CONTROLLING ITSELF AND SHORTLY AFTER BEGAN TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE BARRIER WALL AND CAME TO A FINAL REST ON THE RIGHT SOUTHBOUND LANE. ANA LOPEZ SUFFERED MULTIPLE FRACTURES TO HER RIGHT LEG AND SPENT 2 MONTHS IN THE HOSPITAL AND REHAB UNIT WHERE SHE SUFFERED GREATLY WITH PAIN AND CONTINUES TO SUFFER FROM PAIN AND DEBILITATION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A PROFESSIONAL INSPECTOR AT HER HOME AND NOTHING WAS FOUND WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. BUT THE INSPECTION WAS A PRELIMINARY INSPECTION AND SHE FEARED THAT A MORE THROUGH INSPECTION WOULD BE TOO COSTLY FOR HER. HER STORY ABOUT THE INCIDENT HAS NEVER CHANGED AND STILL IS TRAUMATIZING TO HER. THIS COMPLAINT WAS TRANSLATED AND WRITTEN BY ALBERTO LOPEZ, HER SON. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING 25-30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE. AS A RESULT, THE STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER CAUSED THE FAILURE. AS OF FEBRUARY 7, 2008, THE MECHANIC HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 53,000. UPDATED 3/1/08 *CN UPDATED 03/11/08 *TR

MY 2002 CAMRY BEGAN "LURCHING" APPROX. 2 YEARS AGO. WE HAVE TAKEN IT FOR SERVICE 5 TIMES, TO NO AVAIL. WE REPLACED SPARK PLUGS, A SENSOR AND WERE TOLD BY ONE DEALER THAT IT WAS JUMPING FROM CYLINDER TO CYLINDER, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. TWO OTHER VISITS TO 2 SEPARATE DEALERS WERE UNSUCCESSFUL IN EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM DURING TEST DRIVES. THEY EVEN HAD A REGIONAL MANAGER COME AND CHECK IT OUT. THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND COULD NOT DIAGNOSE IT. IT HAPPENS INCONSISTENTLY WHEN CRUISING AT LOWER SPEEDS AND AGAIN AT HIGHER SPEEDS. SOMETIMES IT IS WORSE THAN OTHERS AND THEN IT GOES DAYS WITHOUT HAPPENING. I AM NOW CONCERNED THAT IT MAY BE A SAFETY ISSUE CONNECTED TO THE GAS PEDAL AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND HAVE IT CORRECTED. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED ISSUES WHEN BRAKING WHEN GOING DOWNHILL ON A BUMPY SURFACE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I HAD THE CAR. WHEN I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS JUST THE WAY THE DISC BRAKES WORK, BUT IT WAS SCARY - FEELS LIKE YOU DON'T HAVE CONTROL OVER THE CAR. WE HAVE BEEN LOYAL TOYOTA OWNERS FOR MANY YEARS DUE TO THEIR HISTORY OF QUALITY, RELIABLE CARS, BUT HAVE CONCERNS NOW. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP US WITH THESE ISSUES. THANK YOU. APPROX. INCIDENT DATES BELOW ARE NOT ACCURATE. IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR 2 OR 3 YEARS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN HE TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE INTO AN INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STOPPED ON IT'S OWN. THE CAMRY IS A 6 CYLINDER VEHICLE AND THE MECHANIC WHO LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE STATED THAT THE 4 CYLINDER HAD A GAS CABLE AND A 6 CYLINDER HAS ELECTRONICS. THE MECHANIC THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY THE ELECTRONICS. THE CONTACT ALSO HIT A WIRE WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHICH PREVENTED HIM FROM MAKING THE RIGHT TURN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56759. UPDATED 04/01/10 *BF UPDATED 07/14/10.*JB

SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL BY INTENSIVE BRAKING AT THE TIME IT WAS THOUGHT TO BE AN ISOLATED INCIDENT - SO NO REMEDY WAS SOUGHT APROX. 5 MPH. 9-26-08 SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND BRAKE FAILURE WHEN PULLING OUT OF GAS STATION AND MAKING RIGHT HAND TURN WITHIN 100 FEET OF GAS STATION-FINALLY UNDER CONTROL WITHIN 12" OF HOME APROX. 15 MPH. DIAGNOSIS - ABS SENSOR FAILURE COMPLETE BRAKING SYSTEM REPLACED. 5-21-09 SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND BRAKE FAILURE WHILE TRYING TO SLOW DOWN FROM 5 MPH RESULTING IN CITATION BY MA STATE POLICE FOR DRIVING 87 MPH. COURT RECORDS AVAILABLE (I'VE NEVER HAD A CITATION EVER IN 45 YEARS OF DRIVING.) 8-31-09 SUDDEN ACCELERATION & BRAKE FAILURE APROX 15 MPH. BRAKE FAILURE - COMPLETELY NEW BRAKE SYSTEM INSTALLED. TOYOTA DOESN'T RETURN CALLS. DEALERSHIP SAYS IT'S NOT ON RECALL LIST SO THEY REFER ME TO TOYOTA. I HAVE LESS THAN 59,000 MILES ON THIS CAR IT IS A 2002. WE DO NOT DRIVE IT MUCH SINCE THE SECOND INCIDENT ON 9-26-08. UPDATED 04/28/10.*JB

I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA WITH 62,000 MI. I HAVE BEEN TO TWO TOYOTA DEALERS TO FIGURE OUT MY PROBLEM. THE VSC TRAC, VSC OFF, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ARE COMING ON. FINALLY AFTER @$700 OF MY MONEY, THEY FIGURED OUT THE PROBLEM TO BE THE ECU. THIS WILL NOW COST ME @1800 FOR PARTS, AND WHO KNOWS YET FOR LABOR. I HAVE READ ONLINE THAT MANY OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE SITUATION, UNLESS YOU HAVE THE EXT. WARRANTY. I FEEL THAT TOYOTA NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, MAYBE RECALL THIS AND FIX THESE CARS BEFORE THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. I LIVE IN NEW YORK WHERE THERE IS ALOT OF SNOW. MY VSC WILL NOT WORK UNTIL I GET THIS FIXED. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND HAVE TO RELAY ON STANDARD BRAKES IN THE SNOW UNTIL THIS IS FIXED. TOYOTA SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR REPUTABLE NAME AND FIX THESE PROBLEMS ASAP..... *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ERRATICALLY SHIFTS. WHILE ACCELERATING UP AN INCLINE AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DRIVES AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL. WHEN SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR, IT FEELS STUCK ON SECOND GEAR AND THEN POPS INTO THIRD. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED IN EITHER NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER OF 2007, BUT THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WITH A MECHANIC FOR OVER A WEEK, BUT THEY STILL CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 132,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 EVENFLO DISCOVERY, MODEL NUMBER 4791255P1 CHILD SEAT. WHENEVER THE CONTACT PLACES THE CHILD SEAT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BACK SEAT, THE BASE IS VERY UNSTABLE. SHE DOES NOT LIKE TO PLACE THE CHILD BY THE WINDOWS AND FEELS THAT THE MIDDLE OF THE SEAT IS THE SAFEST PLACE. UPDATED 02-19-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HER MOM OWNS THE CAR AND JENNIFER ROMERO IS THE COMPLAINANT. UPDATED 02/20/08 *TR

PASSENGER INSIDE VEHICLE WENT TO EXIT VEHICLE AND INSIDE DOOR HANDLE CRACKED AND BROKE. HANDLE WAS REPLACED BY DEALER AT COST OF $78.00. *TR

BRAKES HAVE A LONG STOPPING DISTANCE; EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS. MECHANICS CAN'T FIX IT. THIS CAR HAS BEEN LIKE THIS SINCE IT WAS BROUGHT NEW. *TR

AT ABOUT 105,000 MILES ON MY 2002 CAMRY V6, THE CAR EXPERIENCED HESITATING DRIVING WHILE DRIVEN AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH WHEN REMOVING SLIGHTLY THE FOOT FROM THE THROTTLE PEDAL. THE CAR IS BUCKING BACKWARD AND FORWARD FOR INDEFINITE TIME UNTIL THE THROTTLE PEDAL IS FULLY DEPRESSED OR FULLY PRESSED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE SITUATION SINCE ON THE HIGHWAY THE SPEED CANNOT BE DECREASED OR INCREASED ANY TIME. NOTIFIED DEALER AND TOLD THAT THIS CANNOT BE IDENTIFIED SINCE THERE IS NO ERROR CODE GENERATED (NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON). REPLACED ALL SPARK PLUGS AT 108,000 MILES ON AUG 24, 2007. PROBLEM NOT SOLVED. SPOUSE NOTICED INCREASED BUCKING WHILE DRIVING DOWN HILL. WENT BACK TO THE DEALER. PERFORMED TEST DRIVE WITH TECHNICIAN IN THE CAR AND THE DIAGNOSE SYSTEM HOOKED TO THE CAR'S COMPUTER. DETECTED SOME MISFIRES ON CYLINDERS 5 AND 6. REPLACED SOLENOID IGNITION PACKS FOR CYLINDER 5 & 6 AND TEST DROVE AGAIN. PROBLEM NOT SOLVED. TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT FUEL INJECTORS ARE CLOGGED. PERFORMED FUEL INJECTORS PURGE (CLEANING). PROBLEM NOT SOLVED. TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE ALL FUEL INJECTORS AND SOLENOID IGNITION PACKS. CAR WAS MAINTAINED PROPERLY DURING THE OWNERSHIP. OIL & FILTER CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES, REPLACED AIR FILTER EVERY 30,000 MILES, REPLACED TIMING BELT AND BELT TENSIONERS AT 87,000 MILES, REPLACED WATER PUMP AT 87,000 MILES, FLUSHED TRANSMISSION FLUID AT 87,000 MILES. FROM READING VARIOUS CUSTOMERS COMPLAINTS, IT APPEARS TO BE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM BUT DEALER DID NOT MENTION ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *JB

THERE WAS A VIBRATION SOUND ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER CHECKED OUT THE VEHICLE AND INDICATED AIR BAG MALFUNCTION PROBLEM, AND THAT IT MAY DEPLOY OR MAY NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF ACCIDENT. DRIVING THE VEHICLE IS NOT RECOMMENDED DUE TO SAFETY ISSUE. *TR UPDATED 10/10/07 *TR

INSIDE DRIVER DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. PASSENGER INSIDE DOOR HANDLE DID THE SAME THING IN 2003. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2002 CAMRY (NEW) AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS FRONT DOOR HANDLES DUE TO BREAKAGE, WERE NOT TALKING EXCESSIVE FORCE HERE. THIS IS THE PART YOU PUT YOUR FINGERS IN TO PULL OPEN DOOR LATCH. THEY ARE BREAKING AT THE PIVOT POINT, WHERE THE PIN GOES THROUGH. TOYOTA IS CHARGING $37.00 APIECE FOR AN ITEM THAT WILL GET YOUR VIRGINIA STATE INSPECTION STICKER REVOKED UNTIL REPAIRED, AS I JUST FOUND OUT. IN MY OPINION THE SAFETY ASPECT OF THIS( NOT BEING ABLE TO EGRESS THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY)CONSTITUTES A RECALL. THANKYOU, MARK GROSE *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. BEGINNING ON AUGUST 14, 2007, THE VEHICLE'S GEARS WOULD SHIFT INTO REVERSE, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 15 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. A NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED WITHOUT THE OWNER'S CONSENT, KNOWLEDGE, AND NEED FOR A NEW BATTERY. THE COST FOR THE REPAIR WAS $4,432. IN DECEMBER OF 2007, THE VEHICLE WOULD OCCASIONALLY NOT SWITCH GEARS OR ALLOW THE CONTACT TO DRIVE ABOVE 10-15 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON DECEMBER 13, 2007 AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED ONCE MORE UNDER THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY FOR THE PREVIOUS TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE DUST BOOT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT HAS THE DUST BOOT AVAILABLE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,083.

SIDEWALL IS BULGING - WILL BE RETURNING TO DEALER (COSTCO). HAS NOT COMPLETELY FAILED. TIRE IS A MICHELIN MXV4 S8 ALL SEASON P215/60R16 94V RRBL. INSTALLED 1/10/06. ABOUT 10,000 MILES OF USE. *TR

JUST AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED (5 YEARS, 4 MONTHS) THE ?CHECK ENGINE? LIGHT CAME UP WITH THE GENERIC P0770 CODE OF WHAT SEEMS TO BE A FREQUENT TRANSMISSION/SOLENOID FAILURE PROBLEM FOR FEW TOYOTA MODELS. I CONTACTED TOYOTA CANADA FOR SUPPORT IN THIS MATTER TO ONLY EXPERIENCE MORE DISAPPOINTMENT. AFTER BEING ASSURED THAT A RESPONSE TO MY REQUEST WOULD NOT TAKE LONGER THAN SEVEN TO TEN BUSINESS DAYS, I HAD TO FOLLOW UP WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE ON FEW OCCASIONS, BY E-MAIL AND PHONE, UNTIL FINALLY RECEIVING A RESPONSE AFTER SIX WEEKS ? A NEGATIVE ONE. MY CURRENT DISAPPOINTMENT IS NOT SO MUCH DUE TO THE FACT THAT TOYOTA TOOK SUCH A LONG TIME TO REPLY, BUT TO THE INFLEXIBILITY PROVEN BY THOSE WHO ANALYZED AND ?SOLVED? MY CASE. ALSO, THEY SEEM TO SEND "CANNED MESSAGES". BUT, TO BE MORE SPECIFIC, HERE ARE THE QUICK FACTS ABOUT MY CAR AS ALSO PRESENTED IN MY CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE CUSTOMER SERVICE: 1. THE SOLENOID FAILURE WAS FIRST REPORTED AT 43,000 KM (25,000 MILES) WHEN THE CAR WAS 4 YEARS OLD, WELL UNDER WARRANTY. AT THAT TIME INSTEAD OF DEALING WITH THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM, A TRANSMISSION FLUSH WAS PERFORMED AND THE CODE RESET. BUT THE CODE REAPPEARED WHEN THE CAR WAS FIVE YEARS AND FOUR MONTHS OLD, AND ONLY 67,000 KM (40,000 MILES). JUST 4 MONTHS OUT OF THE OFFICIAL WARRANTY. 2. THE PROBLEM MY CAR HAS IS COMMON FOR TOYOTA CARS. ALTHOUGH THE P0770 CODE I GOT IS A GENERIC CODE, A GOOGLE SEARCH RETURNS ONLY TOYOTA REPORTED ISSUES IN THE FIRST 40 RESULTS. MY CAMRY HAS TRANSMISSION U140E WHICH IS SHARED WITH OTHER TOYOTA CARS. LEXUS RX300 (USING U140E) HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN (1999-2002): PROPER IDENTIFICATION OF THE 5 SOLENOIDS USED IN THE U140E/U140F TRANSMISSIONS (NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 10009396) THERE ARE ALSO NUMEROUS TSB FOR SOLENOID PROBLEMS WITH THE FOLLOWING TOYOTA CARS: TUNDRA, HIGHLANDER, MATRIX, CAMRY, LEXUS RX300, SIENNA. THEY SEEMED TO BE PLAGUED BY THIS PROBLEM. EVEN SIENNA 2004 (5 YEARS LATER AFTER THE FIRST TSB IN 1999) STILL HAS THAT PROBLEM. *JB

2002 TOYOTA CAMRY, STALLS AS COMING TO A STOP OR SLOWING DOWN FOR TRAFFIC, TURNING OR SOMEONE PULLING IN FRONT OF ME IN TRAFFIC. CAR WILL NOT START FOR 20 MINUTES. WHEN TRYING TO START CAR BEFORE 20 MINUTES IT TURNS OVER BUT NOT START OR HAS A HARD TIME STARTING AND SPUTTERS TILL I CAN PULL OVER OFF THE STREET AND STALLS IN A PARKING LOT. WHEN I WAIT THE FULL 20 PLUS MINUTES THE CAR STARTS AS IF NEVER HAD A PROBLEM. BY THE TIME I GET TO THE DEALER OR ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP THEY CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG OR SAY IT HAS TO DO WITH THE EMISSIONS CONTROL AND THEY DO NOT GUARANTEE THAT MAY BE THAT PROBLEM & I MAY HAVE TO BRING THE CAR BACK IN & I WILL NOT BE REFUNDED MY MONEY & WILL HAVE TO PAY MORE OUT OF THE POCKET. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 2 YEARS. IT IS WORSE IN THE HEAT & HUMIDITY (HAPPENS MORE OFTEN). *TR

I WAS ON A 150 MILE TRIP. WAS GOING DOWN A HILL IN THE COUNTRY AND LOST SPEED CONTROL OF MY CAR. THE CAR WAS GOING FASTER AND FASTER AND THE BRAKES WERE DOING NOTHING. WE FLEW OVER A RAILROAD CROSSING AND THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. I BROUGHT THE CAR UNDER CONTROL USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. *TR

OIL SLUDGE BUILD UP RESULTING IN POTENTIAL FOR ENGINE SEIZURE AND FIRE. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2002 TOYOTA SEQUOIA IN NOVEMBER 2002. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE SALES PERSON TOLD ME THAT THE HEATING/AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM APPEARED TO BE A POORLY DESIGNED, BUT I DID NOT THINK THAT A BIG OBSTACLE TO MY PURCHASE. I HAD CONTINUAL PROBLEMS TRYING TO REGULATE THE TEMPERATURE IN THE VEHICLE. IT WAS EITHER 65 DEGREES AND THE NEXT LEVEL DOWN WAS COLD. I WAS ALWAYS FLIPPING THE KNOB BACK AND FORTH TRYING TO REGULATE THE TEMPERATURE. THIS WAS NOT A BIG SAFETY ISSUE UNLESS TAKING MY EYES OFF THE ROAD FOR THESE ADJUSTMENTS CAN BE CONSIDERED HAZARDOUS. BUT I LIVE IN A SOMEWHAT COLD CLIMATE AND I HAVE HAD TROUBLE KEEPING THE WINDOWS DEFROSTED ON SOME DAYS PARTICULARLY IF THE HUMIDITY WAS HIGH. THIS COULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE. I JUST TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE AIR CONDITIONER LIGHT WAS BLINKING. LOOKING AT A REPAIR BILL OF AROUND $1,600.00 FOR A NEW COMPRESSOR AND CLUTCH. OF COURSE, I DO NOT HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AS THIS WAS MY SIXTH TOYOTA ,AND I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS SUCH AS THIS IS THE PAST. SINCE I HAVE READ THAT OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS I WOULD URGE SOMEONE TO LOOK INTO THE ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GOT KILLED BECAUSE OF INABILITY TO SEE OUT THE FRONT WINDOW. *AK

ONE WEEK AGO I WAS RUNNING ERRANDS WITH THE TOYOTA SEQUOIA, BUT THE CAR REFUSED TO START ONCE I COMPLETED MY ERRANDS. EVENTUALLY, THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AND THE REPAIR SHOP REPORTED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT BRACKET AND LEVER WERE BROKEN AND THEREFORE PREVENTED THE GEAR FROM PROPERLY GOING INTO PARK. THE REPAIR SHOP REPORTED SEEING SEVERAL SUCH CASES RECENTLY BUT STATED THAT TOYOTA HAS INFORMED HIM THAT THE PROBLEM RESULTED FROM IMPROPER HANDLING OF THE GEAR SHIFT. I HAD THECAR FOR MORE THAN 5 YEARS AND HAVE ALWAYS FOLLOWED THE PROPER PROCEDURE. PERHAPS THIS NEEDED FURTHER INVESTIGATION. *AK

2002 CAMRY LE WAS PARKED IN LARGE MALL PARKING LOT. WHEN STARTED AND PUT INTO DRIVE, CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AS I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. AS I APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE CAR CONTINUED RAPIDLY ACCELERATING BY ITSELF EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT WAS OFF THE PEDAL. BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION AT ALL; CAR CONTINUED TO INCREASE SPEED. I DOWNSHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED WITH A JOLT. I DROVE THE CAR TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER WHERE IT WAS TESTED. RESULT:"COULD NOT DUPLICATE CONCERN. VEHICLE OPERATING AS DESIGNED." THIS HAPPENED ONLY ONCE. CAR NOW HAS 51,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 60 MPH IN CLEAR WEATHER CONDITIONS, HE PLACED HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AS THE VEHICLE PERSISTED TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 112377 5/10/2010*CW UPDATED 05/14/10.*JB

I THINK MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY HAS THE SAME STEERING PROBLEM AS THE RECENT STEERING RECALL FOR THE TOYOTA AVALONS. ON 2/27/09 I HAD TO GET $970.00 OF REPAIRS INCLUDING A "REMAN GEAR ASSY AND CONE RETURM". WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR REPAIRS THE TOYOTA DEALER WAS STUMPED AS TO THE PROBLEM, BUT IT SOUNDS A LOT LIKE THE RECENT AVALON PROBLEM, COULD THE CAMRYS HAVE THE SAME DEFECTIVE PARTS? *TR

I BOUGHT A NEW CAMERY TOYOTA 2002 IN 2002 AT DAVE EDWARDS IN SPARTANBURG SC AFTER 5YEARS THE CADILAC INVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED SO I HAD THE DEALERSHIP INSTALL A NEW ONE IN 2007 AND NOW 9 YEARS LATER IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN IT SOUNDS TO ME THIS PARTICULAR PART HAVE TO BE DEFECTIVE I ASK A COUPLE OF DIV MECHANICS AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT IS RARE THAT TWO CADILLAC INVERTER GO BAD MOST OF THE TIME IT OUTLAST A CAR. CAN U HELP ME WITH THAT .

TOYOTA CAMRY LE 2.4 L WINTER WEATHER CAUSE TO VVT ON AUTO TO FAIL AND STALL ENGINE. STALLED ENGINE CAUSED LOST OF CONTROLS, STEERING, BRAKES, ETC..PARTS REPLACED WERE OXYGEN SENSORS, CAT.CONVERTOR, ETC.. THE VVT IS VARIABLE VALVE TIMING CONTROL ALONG WITH OCM, PCM, THROTTLE SENSOR, MASS AIR SENSOR WHICH REGULATES THE ENGINE PERFORMANCE. *TR

LAST YEAR MY DAD'S TOYOTA WAS GOING INTO REVERSE ON THE 710 FREEWAY (EASTBOUND TO PARAMOUNT, CA, TO WORK) WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GEAR SHIFT. THIS REALLY FRIGHTENED US. HE TOOK MY CAR IN TO HAVE THEM THOROUGHLY INSPECT THIS PROBLEM. THEY TOLD HIM NOTHING WAS WRONG THAT THEY COULD SEE. HE TRIED TO DRIVE IT AGAIN AND IT WAS JUST A SHORT TIME THAT MY DAD'S TOYOTA WAS GOING INTO REVERSE ON THE 710 FREEWAY (EASTBOUND TO PARAMOUNT, CA, TO WORK)WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GEAR SHIFT. AGAIN, I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR!! FRIGHTENED AT THE THOUGHTS OF THIS HAPPENING AGAIN AND SERIOUS THREAT TO MY DAD'S LIFE, HE TRADED IN HIS 2002 CAMRY AND BOUGHT A 2009 COROLLA LAST YEAR - TO SAVE HIS LIFE!! THIS IS AN ABSOLUTELY INAPPROPRIATE RESPONSE TO MY DAD'S PROBLEM. HE LOVED THE CAMRY COMPARED TO THE COROLLA AND WOULD NEVER, EVER HAVE SOLD HIS CAR IF HE WEREN'T IN FEAR OF HIS LIFE ON LOS ANGELES FREEWAYS. WE WATCHED THE TESTIFYING OF A LADY IN FRONT OF THE COMMITTEE IN WASHINGTON, D.C., SAYING SHE COULDN'T STOP HER CAR FOR 500 FT. THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO OUR DAD AND ONLY BY CIRCUMSTANCE, IT DIDN'T. HOWEVER, HE HAD TO BUY A NEW CAR WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOTALLY UNNECESSARY. HE IS ON SS AND MEDICARE AND THIS WAS A HORRIFYING AND VERY APPALLING EXPERIENCE AND EXPENSE THAT SHOULD HAVE NOT BEEN IN HIS LIFE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE UP AND WHILE HAVING HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. AFTER HE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN TO PARK AND TURNED IT OFF, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING THROUGH HOOD FROM THE ENGINE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND FAILURE COULD NOT DUPLICATED . THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS DONE TO THE VEHICLE . THE FAILURE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 03/04/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PEDAL BECAME STUCK. THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH A SECOND CAMRY. UPDATED 09/16/10

1:40 PM, JAN 20, 2007, I WAS DRIVING MY SEQUOIA N/B ON SIERRA HWY IN THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA. I WAS TRAVELING APPROX 40-45 MPH. I NOTICED A SLIGHT STIFFNESS IN THE STEERING. A SHORT TIME LATER THE LEFT FRONT OF MY VEHICLE VIOLENTLY FELL TO THE GROUND. THERE WERE VEHICLES BEHIND ME AND WITH DIFFICULTY I STEERED TO THE CURB. WHEN THE VEHICLE FELL TO THE GROUND, I HEARD A LOUD 'BANG', AND I FELT THAT I LOST SOME OF MY BRAKES. ONE OF THE DRIVERS BEHIND ME TOLD ME SHE SAW SPARKS COMING FROM UNDER MY VEHICLE. I LOOKED AT THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. I SAW THE LEFT FRONT TIRE, WHEEL & HUB (ALL STILL ATTACHED) FOLDED UNDER THE LEFT RUNNING BOARD PREVENTING THE FRONT FENDER AND BUMPER FROM FALLING DIRECTLY TO THE ROADWAY. I SAW THAT THE BRAKE LINES APPEARED TO BE BROKEN. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO TOYOTA ON MON, JAN 22, 2007. I WAS TOLD THAT IT APPEARED THE LEFT UPPER BALL JOINT HAD BROKEN CAUSING THE WHEEL TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP CONTACTED THEIR SERVICE DIRECTOR TO DETERMINE WHAT REPAIRS SHOULD BE MADE. I WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT TOYOTA HAD 'NO LIABILITY' TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE AT THEIR EXPENSE. REPAIR ESTIMATE IS APPROX $5,000. + THE RENTAL VEHICLE THEY ARRANGED. I WAS TOLD A REGIONAL SERVICE INSPECTOR WOULD LOOK AT MY VEHICLE. I TOLD THEM THAT I WANTED THE OLD PARTS IF REPAIRS WERE TO BE MADE. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE. I WENT TO THE TOYOTA WEB SITE AND NOTICED NUMEROUS RECALL NOTICES FROM TOYOTA FOR FRONT BALL JOINT FAILURES ON MY TYPE OF VEHICLE. I RECEIVED NO RECALL NOTICES FROM TOYOTA. TOYOTA STATED MY VIN WAS NOT ON THE LIST FOR ANY RECALL NOTICES. THE TOYOTA SERVICE DEPT STATED THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED 'NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR' THAT WOULD REQUIRE ME TO HAVE THIS ITEM CHECKED DURING ALL OF MY REGULAR MAINTENANCE SERVICES. THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY TO MYSELF AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. AS OF THIS DATE I HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED THAT THE REGIONAL INSPECTOR HAS INSPECTED MY VEHICLE. *JB

MY WIFE, AMY S. JENSON, REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE ON S MAIN ST IN FINDLAY, OH. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO FRONT END OF HER CAR. THE ENGINE WAS PUSHED BACK THE BEST PART OF A FOOT BECAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THERE WAS NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT OF ANY SORT FROM THE ACCIDENT. ISN'T THAT WHAT AIR BAGS ARE THERE FOR? AS A RESULT THERE IS SIGNIFICANT BRUISING OF MY WIFE'S HEAD WHERE IT HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND BROKE IT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS DEFECTIVE AIR BAG IS COMMON AMONG HER CAR TYPE. SHE DRIVES A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. *NM

APPLIED BRAKES TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP AT 25 MPH. THE BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR(SPONGY) AND ALSO ABS GOT ACTIVATED BUT DID NOT STOP. IT HIT VEHICLE IN FRONT AND STOPPED WITHOUT ANY DAMAGE. THIS HAPPENED COUPLE OF TIMES EARLIER, BUT NOT INVOLVED ANY ACCIDENT. BEFORE THIS ACCIDENT, GOT THE BRAKES ADJUSTED 3 TIMES AT DEALER FOR LOW PEDAL. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS DONE, THE BRAKES STILL REMAINED THE SAME. ON BUMPY ROADS ABS GETS ACTIVATED DIRECTLY. I PAID FINE FOR THE ACCIDENT FOR TOYOTA FLAW. WILL GET RID OF THIS CAMRY IF TOYOTA DOES NOT RECALL. *NM

TL* - WHILE BACKING UP OUT OF A PARKING LOT THE 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE WITH FULL FORCE IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING INTO A WALL. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE INTO THE LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 21265 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE IS 21200.*AK CONSUMER HAS INCLUDED THE REPAIR ORDER AND WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED. UPDATE *4/17TR

I WAS DRIVING MY WIFE'S 2002 CAMRY SE V6. TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH APPLIED BRAKES TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AT TRAFFIC LIGHT (LIGHT WAS RED) AND BRAKES CONTINUED TO TRAVEL TO FLOOR WITHOUT STOPPING VEHICLE. I QUICKLY RELEASED BRAKE PEDAL AND PUMPED BRAKE. CAR THEN SLOWED BUT I HAD TO MAKE A VERY AGGRESSIVE TIRE SQUEALING RIGHT TURN. IF I DID NOT THINK TO PUMP BRAKE I DON'T FEEL THAT CAR WOULD HAVE SLOWED AT ALL. IF I WAS NOT MAKING A RIGHT TURN, BY THE TIME THE BRAKES ACTIVATED THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE ENTERED OR PASSED THE INTERSECTION BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS HAPPENED AT APPROX. 5:30 AM. I TOOK VEHICLE TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AT 8 AM THE SAME MORNING. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY "COULD NOT DUPLICATE CONCERN". *NM

WE OWN A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY LAST NIGHT MY WIFE, SON AND A FRIEND WERE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT BEHIND ANOTHER CAR. WITH MY WIFE'S FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR REVVED UP AND LUNGED INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER. IMMEDIATELY AFTER HITTING HER ONCE, THE ENGINE REVVED UP EVEN HIGHER AND ACCELERATED INTO THE CAR AGAIN. HAD SHE BEEN FIRST IN LINE AT THE LIGHT, SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN THROWN INTO THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY FOUR LANE INTERSECTION AND MIGHT POSSIBLY NOT BE HERE TODAY. IF YOU HAVE ANY MORE INFO ON THIS, COULD YOU PLEASE SEND IT TO ME OR TELL ME WHERE IT COULD BE FOUND. *JB

I PURCHASED MY CAR IN 2001, USED WITH 17K MILES, FORM TOYOTA OF DURHAM. I HAVE 105K MILES NOW ON IT. I KEPT THE ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND HAD SLUGGISH OIL PROBLEMS EVERY TIME I GOT MY OIL CHANGED. THERE WAS NO DOCUMENTED OIL SLUGGISH PROBLEM FROM TOYOTA. MY VEHICLE IS CLICKING WITH A STRANGE SOUND. I HAD IT LOOKED AT AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE TIMING BELT IS GOING. BUT HE ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT. I DID AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE ENGINE. I NEED A NEW ENGINE. A NEW ENGINE, NO WAY. HOW IS IT THAT A TOYOTA CAMRY WITH BARELY 100K MILES NEED A NEW ENGINE AND NOTHING IS SAID TO BE WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE OWNED TOYOTA AND LEXUS MODELS FOR A LONG TIME NOW AND HAVE YET TO DEAL WITH SUCH SHAME IN THEIR MODELS. I AM REALLY DISAPPOINTED AT THIS MESS OF A CAR. SURELY, WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE SOMETHING THAT NEED TO BE DONE AT A CERTAIN TIME BUT WHY IS IT THAT A NEW ENGINE WOULD BE REQUIRED? I AM REALLY NOT GOING TO BE THE BEST PERSON PROMOTING TOYOTA CARS IN THE FUTURE. I HAD PLANS ON LOOKING INTO THE TOYOTA SIENNA FOR MY FAMILY. BUT THE ODYSSEY IS LOOKING MUCH BETTER NOW. *JB

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. SHE NOTICED GAS FUMES AND A GAS LEAK COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONTACT THIS OCCURRED WHEN THE GAS TANK WAS OVERFILLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR REPAIR. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CHARCOAL CANISTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY OTHER OCCURRENCES SINCE THE REPLACEMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70000. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED SHE ALWAYS TOPPED OF THE TANK AND THERE WAS NO WHERE IN THE MANUAL WHERE IT SAID IT COULDN'T BE DONE. UPDATED 04//12/07. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE ON THE UPPER LEVEL OF A MULTI-LEVEL PARKING GARAGE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD, BREAKING THROUGH THE SAFETY CABLE AND DAMAGING THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 12/5/2006 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A DEER AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT INCURRED A MINOR HEAD INJURY DUE TO STRIKING THE STEERING WHEEL, AND THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT PROCESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AT 10 MPH THROUGH A PARKING LOT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD, AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF ALL BRAKING POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED FORWARD MOTION STRIKING THREE NEARBY PEDESTRIANS WHO SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES TO THE UPPER AND LOWER EXTREMITIES, AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THERE WAS MODERATE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE ALERTED, AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. AFTERWARDS, THE BRAKING PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AS WELL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT WAITING TO TURN LEFT. I SUDDENLY HEARD MY ENGINE REV AND LOOKED AT THE DASH. THE RPM'S WERE ALL THE WAY OVER TO THE RIGHT. MY CAR LURCHED FORWARD, HARD, AND HIT A LINCOLN NAVIGATOR IN FRONT OF ME. I PRESSED THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD, WITH BOTH FEET, TO TRY AND STOP, BUT ULTIMATELY HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF TO STOP IT FROM MOVING FORWARD. I AM NOW WAITING FOR AN INVESTIGATION, WHICH THEY HAVE TOLD ME COULD TAKE UP TO 30 DAYS. I WAS TOLD THAT IF THEY DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A MECHANICAL FAILURE, THEY HAVE ANOTHER 30 DAYS TO FIX IT. I AM IN SALES AND USE MY CAR ALL DAY, EVERY DAY. THEY WEREN'T VERY CONCERNED ABOUT IT. *NM

DRIVER CONCLUDED BUSINESS AT A DRIVE THROUGH ATM AT A LOCAL SHOPPING MALL. VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO 'DRIVE' AND AT THAT INSTANT THE ENGINE STARTED RACING AT HIGH SPEED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY. THE DRIVER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RACING AT TOP SPEED AND THE VEHICLE WAS PICKING UP MOMENTUM. THE DRIVER PUMPED THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES, BUT NO FEEDBACK RESPONSE COULD BE FELT. THE RAPID, UNINTENDED ACCELERATION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO TRAVEL ACROSS THE CENTERLINE AND INTO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF TRAFFIC. WITH OPPOSING TRAFFIC APPROACHING THE DRIVER TURNED THE VEHICLE SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT IN AN EFFORT TO AVOID A COLLISION. SEEING A NUMBER OF CARS STOPPED AT THE APPROACHING INTERSECTION TO THE MAIN ROAD, THE DRIVER CONTINUED TO STEER THE CAR HARD TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE THEN WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT AND STRUCK A STEEL LIGHT POLE RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE AND SIGNIFICANT INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. TOTAL TRAVEL DISTANCE OF THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATION TO IMPACT WAS APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET. TOTAL INCIDENT TIME AND FINAL SPEED ARE UNCERTAIN. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED, AIR WAS NOTICED LEAKING FROM A REAR TIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD NO WARNING LIGHTS FOR TIRE PRESSURE. THE LEAK WAS CONTINUOUS AND NO PROBLEM WAS DETECTED IN THE TIRE ITSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO DETERMINED THE LEAK WAS COMING THROUGH THE CAST ALLOY RIM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO TOOK THE CASE AND PROMISED TO CALL BACK THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY WHICH NEVER HAPPENED. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN BECAUSE THE OTHER THREE WHEELS COULD BE DEFECTIVE AS WELL.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH IN A PARKING LOT AND ATTEMPTING TO MANEUVER INTO A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 30 MPH WITHOUT WARNING CRASHING INTO A POLE AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO A FENCE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AND THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. UPDATED 10/13/06. *JB

I HAVE HAD THE DOOR HANDLES ON BOTH FRONT DOORS OF MY CAMRY BREAK IN THE COURSE OF NORMAL USAGE. THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE BROKE IN THE SPRING AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE THIS MONTH. WHILE THE BROKEN DOOR HANDLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS AN INCONVENIENCE (MY WIFE RODE IN THE BACK UNTIL THE HANDLE WAS REPAIRED), THE BROKEN DRIVER SIDE HANDLE WAS A DANGER IN THAT I HAD TO LOWER THE WINDOW AND OPEN THE CAR DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE. WERE I IN AN ACCIDENT THIS EXIT ROUTINE COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. EARLIER THIS YEAR THE DEALER REPLACED THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE AT NO CHARGE BUT DISCLAIMED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DRIVER SIDE HANDLE. THE PARTS REPLACED WERE KEPT OR DISPOSED OF BY THE DEALER. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE FUEL FILTER NEEDED TO BE CLEANED AND THE FUEL FILLER CAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, IT WAS DETERMINED THE FUEL FILTER WAS CORRODED DUE TO OXIDIZATION OF THE FUEL FILTER MATERIAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.