10 of the
66 complaints about the 2001 Toyota Camry Solara are about the
braking system — 15% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
69,832 miles.
MY NAME IS [XXX] I DIDN'T BACK UP MY CAR AT ALL. CITY THAT THE ACCIDENT TOKEN PLACE WAS OAKLAND CALIFORNIA. LOCAL REPORT NUMBER, [XXX]. THIS, ACCIDENT HAPPENED IN ALAMEDA COUNTY ON THE TIME FRAME OF MONDAY. 300 FEET WEST OF MCAURTHUR BLV. I DID NEVER BACK UP MY CAR HITTING V2 OR P2. MY V1 AND P1 CAR, WAS LEAVING AFTER PREVIOUSLY CHECKING FOR DAMAGES, THEN ABOUT COUPLE MINS COLLISION. HOWEVER, I'M LUCKY MY AIR BAGS DIDNT GO OUT PLUS MORE. I STILL HAVE TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL. MY CAR WAS LEAVING MCAURTHER BLV WHEN ANOTHER PERSON SECOND PARTY HIT MY CAR FROM BEHIND WHILE MY 2001 TOYOTA SOLOR AKA CAMERY WAS LEAVING THE JUNKTION. DUE, TO THE FACT THAT MY CAR HAD MADE A FULL STOP PREVIOUSLY WITHOUT ANY DAMAGES WARNING ANOTHER DRIVER AND OTHER WITNESS PRIVOUSLY. FOR EXAMPLE, MY 2001 TOYOTA SOLAR WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE ON THE RIGHT SIDE SLOW LANE THAT, YOU ARE SUPPOSE TO SIGNAL FOR WORKERS OR OTHER DRIVERS YET THAT IS GOING FASTER. TO INCLUDE, WHO MAY BE AT A RUSH. ALSO MOST OF THE TIME THE LEFT LANE IS FOR LIKE, CARPOOL AND SUCH ON. [XXX] WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED THAT WAS UNCONTROLLABLE PLUS THAT'S OVIOUSLY THAT CAUSED THE COLLIONS. THEN, [XXX] DIDN'T WANT TO EXCHANGE ANY INFORMATION DUE TO THE FACT THAT SHE WANTED TO WAIT UNTIL THE CHP OFFICIERS ARRIVED. WHEN THE CHP INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC
NHTSA complaint #11340476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Antioch, CACrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
ON 5/10/2006 WHILE DRIVING MY 2001 CAMRY SOLARA ON A RURAL ROAD I COULDN'T SLOW THE CAR DOWN, BRAKING DIDN'T HELP. I KEPT BEARING TO THE RIGHT OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE I WAS HAVING A HARD TIME CONTROLLING THE CAR, CAR WANTED TO GO TOWARDS THE CARS TRAVELING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. FINALLY, I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OFF THE ROAD, CAR SPUN OUT IN GRAVEL THAT WAS ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CAR DID AT LEAST TWO FULL CIRCLES THAN POPPED SOME 10 FEET WHERE CAR HIT TELEPHONE POLE ON ITS DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THIS WAS A GREAT IMPACT ON MY SHOULDERS. AT THE TIME ALL I KNEW WAS THAT THE CAR WOULDN'T SLOWDOWN EVEN WHEN BRAKING. I KNOW NOW AND HAVE FOR SOME YEARS THAT THE EXCELERATOR STUCK ON THIS VEHICLE. SURE ENOUGH NOT UNTIL A COUPLE YEARS AFTER MY ACCIDENT TOYOTA CAME OUT WITH THERE EXCELERATOR PROBLEMS. SO I JUST THOUGHT IT SHOULD BE KNOWN THAT TOYOTA HAD THESE PROBLEMS ON THERE 2001 CAMRY'S ALSO BECAUSE IT HAPPENED TO ME. I SAVED SOME DOCUMENTION FROM THIS ACCIDENT BUT I REALIZE IT'S BEEN SOME YEARS AGO.
NHTSA complaint #11287565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,557 milesWarrenton, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO PARK IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,557.
NHTSA complaint #10637480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 81,664 milesHuffman, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, MY 2001 TOYOTA SOLARA BEGAN TO SHUDDER, SOMETIMES VIOLENTLY, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 60+ MPH. WHILE PULLING OVER TO THE OFF RAMP, AND APPLYING THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, THE BRAKE PEDAL ITSELF WOULD FIGHT BACK, PUSHING AGAINST THE PRESSURE. AN INSPECTION BY THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP REVEALED NO FRONT END ALIGNMENT PROBLEM (THE FRONT END HAD BEEN ALIGNED LESS THAN 10,000 MILES EARLIER), AND A CHECK BY THE TIRE COMPANY DID NOT REVEAL ANY UNEVEN WEAR ON THE TIRES. THE PROBLEM WOULD MANIFEST ITSELF INTERMITTENTLY, AND ONLY AFTER TRAVELING MORE THAN 5 MILES ON THE FREEWAY AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. I TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP LAST MONTH AND, AFTER A TEST DRIVE WITH THE MECHANIC, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGING WHEN THEY HEATED UP AFTER DRIVING MORE THAN 5 MILES. THE SOLUTION SUGGESTED WAS TO REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER AT A COST OF $1400! I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE CAR UNDER THESE CONDITIONS WOULD RESULT IN THE BRAKES LOCKING UP - A VERY SCARY SITUATION. THE DEALERSHIP ASSURED ME THERE HAD BEEN NO BULLETINS OR RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS MODEL AND PROBLEM, BUT I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT MY SOLARA IS THE ONLY CAMRY MODEL TO EXPERIENCE THIS SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS CONDITION. I HAVE DRIVEN AMERICAN CARS IN THE PAST - ONE, A BUICK LESABRE, FOR MORE THAN 13 YEARS AND MORE THAN 180,000 MILES WITHOUT A PROBLEM OF THIS MAGNITUDE. I FEEL THAT DRIVERS ARE DISCOURAGED FROM REPORTING THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM, KEEPING IT OFF THE BULLETIN LIST AND AVOIDING ANY RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10166644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 81,664 milesHuffman, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, MY 2001 TOYOTA SOLARA BEGAN TO SHUDDER, SOMETIMES VIOLENTLY, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 60+ MPH. WHILE PULLING OVER TO THE OFF RAMP, AND APPLYING THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, THE BRAKE PEDAL ITSELF WOULD FIGHT BACK, PUSHING AGAINST THE PRESSURE. AN INSPECTION BY THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP REVEALED NO FRONT END ALIGNMENT PROBLEM (THE FRONT END HAD BEEN ALIGNED LESS THAN 10,000 MILES EARLIER), AND A CHECK BY THE TIRE COMPANY DID NOT REVEAL ANY UNEVEN WEAR ON THE TIRES. THE PROBLEM WOULD MANIFEST ITSELF INTERMITTENTLY, AND ONLY AFTER TRAVELING MORE THAN 5 MILES ON THE FREEWAY AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. I TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP LAST MONTH AND, AFTER A TEST DRIVE WITH THE MECHANIC, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGING WHEN THEY HEATED UP AFTER DRIVING MORE THAN 5 MILES. THE SOLUTION SUGGESTED WAS TO REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER AT A COST OF $1400! I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE CAR UNDER THESE CONDITIONS WOULD RESULT IN THE BRAKES LOCKING UP - A VERY SCARY SITUATION. THE DEALERSHIP ASSURED ME THERE HAD BEEN NO BULLETINS OR RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS MODEL AND PROBLEM, BUT I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT MY SOLARA IS THE ONLY CAMRY MODEL TO EXPERIENCE THIS SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS CONDITION. I HAVE DRIVEN AMERICAN CARS IN THE PAST - ONE, A BUICK LESABRE, FOR MORE THAN 13 YEARS AND MORE THAN 180,000 MILES WITHOUT A PROBLEM OF THIS MAGNITUDE. I FEEL THAT DRIVERS ARE DISCOURAGED FROM REPORTING THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM, KEEPING IT OFF THE BULLETIN LIST AND AVOIDING ANY RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10166644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,000 milesAtlanta, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
TOYOTA SOLARA 2001 HAD TO HAVE BRAKE VACUUM ASSIST PART REPLACED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. WAS TOLD THAT THIS WOULD CAUSE HARM TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND EVENTUALLY MAY STOP ON HIGHWAY. CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS EXCELLENT CARE. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT TOYOTA HAD RECALL OF THIS PART FOR THEIR COROLLAS FOR THAT YEAR, BUT NOT THE SOLARA. THIS COST ME $800 AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER. TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR ALL THE VACUUM ASSIST DRUMS FOR THAT YEAR SINCE THE PART IS THE SAME FOR ANY MODEL.
NHTSA complaint #10150917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,000 milesAtlanta, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TOYOTA SOLARA 2001 HAD TO HAVE BRAKE VACUUM ASSIST PART REPLACED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. WAS TOLD THAT THIS WOULD CAUSE HARM TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND EVENTUALLY MAY STOP ON HIGHWAY. CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS EXCELLENT CARE. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT TOYOTA HAD RECALL OF THIS PART FOR THEIR COROLLAS FOR THAT YEAR, BUT NOT THE SOLARA. THIS COST ME $800 AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER. TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR ALL THE VACUUM ASSIST DRUMS FOR THAT YEAR SINCE THE PART IS THE SAME FOR ANY MODEL.
NHTSA complaint #10150917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesFolsom, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE BRAKES HAD TO BE PRESSED TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO GO THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. *AK ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP, BUT ENDED UP REAR ENDING ANOTHER MOTORIST AND CONSEQUENTLY THERE WAS 2,500 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE CONSUMES VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10063352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesKennesaw, GA
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
2001 SOLARA-WHEN ENGAGE EMERGENCY HAND BRAKE AND THEN SUBSEQUENTLY RELEASE IT TO DRIVE,THE FRONT WHEELS VIBRATE AND IT FEELS THAT YOU ARE DRIVING ON A WASHBOARD TYPE ROAD WITH ALL SPEED BUMPS, AND THE CAR CANNOT GET UP TO SPEED AS YOU PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, AND IT ALSO FEELS LIKE ONE OF THE FRONT TIRES ARE FLAT. WHEN YOU COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND RESTART AND DRIVE THERE IS NO PROBLEM AND EVERYTHING IS NORMAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED THE FOUR TIMES WE HAVE ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. OBVIOUSLY WE NO LONGER ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY HAND BRAKE. THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER SAYS HE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS RECEIVED NO NOTICES FROM THE TOYOTA CO. I THINK FOR SOME STRANGE REASON WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS ENGAGED AND THEN DISENGAGED THE BRAKE CALIPERS DO NOT FULLY RELEASE AND RUB THE ROTORS. THE MYSTERY IS HOW THE ROTORS WOULD OPEN FULLY JUST BY STOPPING THE AUTO AND TURNING OFF THE IGNITION WITH NO FURTHER TOUCHING OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LEVER. ARE THE CALIPERS EFFECTED BY THE ENGINE BEING SHUT DOWN? WHY DOES EVERYTHING RETURN TO NORMAL AFTER STOPPING AND TURNING OFF THE ENGINE?
NHTSA complaint #10058697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
University Place, WACrash
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
CONSUMER HAD PARKED VEHICLE ON AN UP HILL WITH EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE APPLIED. *AK THE EMERGENCY HAND BRAKE WAS FULLY EXTENDED AND WAS IN LOCK POSITION. AFTER THE DRIVER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, THE CAR STARTED TO ROLL DOWN THE HILL HITTING A MAILBOX. VEHICLE DOOR DAMAGED. DEALERSHIP ADJUSTED CABLE TO CORRECT CONCERN, BUT CONSUMER IS LOOKING FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR DAMAGE TO DRIVER'S DOOR.
NHTSA complaint #8006085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.