FaultScore report
Owners have filed 567 complaints about the 1996 Toyota Camry with NHTSA between 1996 and 2020. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 24 of 32 worst.
FaultScore 55/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Toyota Camry.
How this is worked out567
Complaints
69
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
55
Injuries reported
4 complaints report a death.
87,000 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
12%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 193,000 mi
Median failure at 111,660 miles
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
ENGINE SEIZURE
SUSPENSION COIL SPRING
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
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.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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."
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
Risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
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.
Risk: AS THE BULB HOLDER DEFORMS, THE BULB CAN LOSE ELECTRICAL CONTACT, RESULTING IN AN INOPERATIVE LAMP, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THESE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEMS FAIL TO HOLD THE SPEED SET BY THE DRIVER AND CAN ACCELERATE ABOVE THE INTENDED SET SPEED.
Risk: UNINTENDED ACCELERATION CAN INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Suspension
NOTE: CAMRY PLUS MODELS EQUIPPED WITH EXTRA VALUE PACKAGE INSTALLED AT PORT OF ENTRY. THE WHEEL LUG NUT SEATING SURFACES MAY BE IMPROPERLY MACHINED. AS A RESULT, THE WHEEL NUT TORQUE MAY NOT REMAIN CONSISTENT OVER TIME. CORRECTION: WHEEL LUG NUTS AND WHEELS WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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
NHTSA complaint #10927399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10748866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10615029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10594282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10587674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10587674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
STEERING
THE STEERING SUCKS IVE TRIED EVERYTHING BUT NOTHING IT STILL DRIVES MY SUCKS
NHTSA complaint #11385727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
THE STEERING SUCKS IVE TRIED EVERYTHING BUT NOTHING IT STILL DRIVES MY SUCKS
NHTSA complaint #11385727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
THE STEERING SUCKS IVE TRIED EVERYTHING BUT NOTHING IT STILL DRIVES MY SUCKS
NHTSA complaint #11385727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
MY 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY IS LISTED UNDER THE "AIRBAGS" UNREPORTED RECALL FOR REPAIR/REPLACEMENT. PLEASE ADVISE.
NHTSA complaint #11245820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10945355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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
NHTSA complaint #10927399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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
NHTSA complaint #10891622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10845948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10845948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10787876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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?
NHTSA complaint #10759865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10748866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10735620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10638045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10615029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10594282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10587674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10587674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10587674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.)
NHTSA complaint #10546497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10532352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10520705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10475032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10440854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10433457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.