75 of the
799 complaints about the 2004 Toyota Camry are about the
braking system — 9% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
33,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while the vehicle was idling there was an abnormal fuel odor detected. The contact stated that there was also a grinding sound while applying the brakes. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed with a fuel leak and ABS sensor failure. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the tank was rusted and was also replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.
NHTSA complaint #11463944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 325,000 milesDacula, GACrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DRIVING LOCALLY AT A NON-SPEEDING LEVEL,DRY WEATHER, WHEEL LOCKED UP PREVENTING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, LEADDING TO VEHICLE HITTING A CURB THEN AIRBORNE AND TURNOVER RESULTING TO SALVAGE DAMAGES.
NHTSA complaint #11344032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 156,421 milesWilmington, NCCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
GAS PEDAL ACCELERATED WITHOUT APPLYING PRESSURE.
NHTSA complaint #11162889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,150 milesChicago, ILCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT IT BOUNCED BACK. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO OAK LAWN TOYOTA (4320 85TH STREET, OAK LAWN, ILLINOIS 60453), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,150.
NHTSA complaint #11114096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,000 milesGreensboro, NC
SERVICE BRAKES
I HAVE BUNION PAIN THAT REQUIRED ME TO GET LARGER SHOES. WHEN I STARTING WEARING THESE SHOES I NOTICED THAT THE TOE OF THE SHOE WOULD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE BRACKET THAT ATTACHES THE BRAKE PEDAL, INTERFERING WITH ME APPLYING IMMEDIATE PRESSURE TO THE BREAK PEDAL. THE BRACKET IS DESIGNED WITH A BEND THAT OVERHANGS THE TOP OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I SIZE SHOE GREATER THAN A MEN'S SIZE 10 INTERFERES WITH BREAKING. IT ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. I WAS IN MOTION AND THE TOE OF MY SHOE WOULD BEND BACK ON THIS BRACKET BEFORE MY FOREFOOT WOULD COME PUSH FAR ENOUGH DOWN ON THE PEDAL TO BRAKE. I EXAMINED SEVERAL OTHER CAR MODELS AND NONE OF THEM HAS A BRACKET WITH THIS BEND OVER HANGING THE BRAKE PEDAL. VERY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #11022950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,000 milesGreensboro, NC
SERVICE BRAKES
THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKE PEDAL BRACKET IS DANGEROUS. IT OVERHANGS THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN WEARING A SHOE SIZE GREATER THAN A MEN'S SIZE 10 OR ABOVE, THE TOE OF THE SHOE HITS THE BRACKET ABOVE THE PEDAL INHIBITING THE ABILITY TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. VERY SCARY. I NOTICED WHEN I CHANGE TO A LARGER SHOE SIZE BECAUSE OF BUNION PAIN AND EXPERIENCED THE FEAR OF APPLYING THE BRAKES BUT NOT MAKING IMMEDIATE CONTACT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH ON 4 LANE ROAD IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. HAD TO CHANGE BACK INTO 9.5 MEN'S SIZE SHOE TO DRIVE THE CAR SAFELY. CHECKED OTHER MODEL CARS AND THEY DO NOT HAVE THIS BEND IN THE BRACKET. ALL ARE BENT BEHIND THE PEDAL NOT OVER THE PEDAL.
NHTSA complaint #11022951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 148,000 milesCharlottesville, VACrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS SLOWLY PULLING INTO A PARKING LANE, STARTED TO TURN LEFT TOWARDS A PARKING SPOT WHEN MY 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND PRESSING ON THE BRAKE DID LITTLE TO STOP THE CAR. THIS HAPPENED IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT. AS A RESULT, TWO OTHER CARS WERE DAMAGED AND THE MY CAMRY WAS TOTALED. THE CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 148000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR HAD BEEN ROUTINELY MAINTAINED. THE CAR HAD PREVIOUS ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING USING THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT THE PROBLEM HAD NEVER BEEN TRACED DOWN AS TO WHAT CAUSED THIS ISSUE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE RPM NEEDLE JUMPED FROM LOW RPM TO HIGH RPM. IN ADDITION, WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH HAD COME ON UN-EXPECTEDLY. THESE ISSUES WERE NEVER REPRODUCED WHEN TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC AND THE PROBLEMS NEVER RESOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #10937777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 137,000 milesLexington, KY
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGH SPEED. THERE WAS A RED LIGHT SO I TRIED TO HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL. BUT BY DOING THAT I THE CAR HAD A SUDDEN ACCELERATE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKE POWER IS SUPER WEAK. I WAS LUCKY THAT THE CAR STOPPED RIGHT BEHIND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SO NO ACCIDENT HAPPENED. I DRIVE MY CAR TO A LOCAL BRAKE SHOP, THEY INSPECTED THE WHOLE SYSTEM AND TELL ME THAT THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG THERE. IT WAS REALLY SCARY TO FEEL THAT YOUR CAR IS NOT CONTROLLED BY YOURSELF.
NHTSA complaint #10747441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,489 milesNorth Augusta, SCCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
I WENT TO A LOCAL STORE TO SHOP. I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN THE STORE LOT, SAW A SPACE CLOSE TO THE FRONT OF THE STORE. I SLOWED DOWN TO START TURNING (MAYBE 5-10 MPH) INTO THE PARKING SPACE AND WHEN I TRIED TO BRAKE, MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR STARTED SPEEDING UP. IT KEPT GOING LIKE SOMEONE ELSE HAD CONTROL OF THE CAR! I COULDN'T STOP IT AND IT RAN INTO A CAR THAT WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE SPACE. IT PUSHED THE OTHER CAR COMPLETELY OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT AND RAMMED HER CAR IN THE FRONT AREA. WE BOTH SUFFERED VEHICLE DAMAGE AND I WAS CHARGED. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER MY CAR AND AS I WAS ATTEMPTING TO STOP MY RUNAWAY CAR, MY FOOT SLIPPED ONTO THE ACCELERATOR. I THOUGHT MAYBE MY BRAKES HAD GIVEN OUT BUT THE OFFICER SAID THE BRAKES WERE NOT BAD. THERE WERE SKID MARKS SHOWING I TRIED TO STOP AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME, VERY SLOWLY. I WAS SO SCARED!! I REMEMBER SEEING A SEGMENT ON TV ABOUT TOYOTA HAVING PROBLEMS REGARDING SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN SOME OF THEIR CARS.
NHTSA complaint #10692681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sherveport, LA
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH DURING RAINY WEATHER, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND AVOID A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10667668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,000 milesSpring Hill, TN
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS IN A FAST FOOD DRIVE THRU. AS THE LINE MOVED, I TAPPED MY GAS LIGHTLY TO MOVE A BIT FORWARD AND THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR CONTINUED TO LUNGE FORWARD EVEN THOUGH I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE! I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF TOTALLY. I MADE MY REPORT TO ALLSTATE. I ALSO CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WAS NOT ONE OF THE CARS RECALLED WITH THAT TYPE OF PROBLEM, AND HUNG UP ON ME. A FEW MONTHS LATER, A NEWS REPORT SHOWED JUST THE OPPOSITE. THEY STILL HAVE NOT INSPECTED MY CAR. ALSO, THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON ALTHOUGH WE HAVE HAD THE CAR CHECKED AND THE MECHANIC CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH THE LIGHT STAYING ON.
NHTSA complaint #10651756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,000 milesWinter Haven, FLCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BRUISED RIB ON THE RIGHT SIDE, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
NHTSA complaint #10619570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesAnaheim, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
AFTER DRIVING 1 YEAR ( ABOUT 10000MILES) THE BRAKE FLUID KEPT LOOSING FROM MAX TO MIN LEVEL WITHIN 100 TO 200 MILES DRIVING.TOYOTA HAD RECALLED 2004 TO 2006 AVALON, HIGHLANDER, LEXUS GS 300, & LEXUS IS 250 NO CAMRY.I REPORTED TO NHTSA & TOYOTA AND NO ANSWER. FOR SAFETY CONCERN PLEASE DO YOUR BEST TO HELP CONSUMERS TO AVOID THE ACCIDENTS MAY OCCUR. THANKS
NHTSA complaint #10583481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesHouston, TXCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
IN PARKING GARAGE I WANTED TO BACK UP FROM POST. I PUT CAR IN REVERSE AND HAD FOOT ON BRAKE. WHEN I RELEASED BRAKE SLIGHTLY, THE ENGINE ROARED AND THE CAR LUNGED BACK AND EVEN WITH MY FOOT MASHING ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR JUMPED A CURB IN THE GARAGE AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL IT HIT AN SUV AND KNOCKED IT INTO A BRICK WALL. MY PASSENGER SUFFERED A SUBDURAL HEMATOMA AND WAS HOSPITALIZED IN PORTLAND, OR DURING CHRISTMAS VACATION. SHE HAD TO REMAIN IN PORTAND 30 DAYS UNTIL SHE HAD A CLEAR CTSCAN. JANUARY 21, 2013 I WAS STOPPED FOR STOP SIGN WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE, WHEN SAME VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AT ABOUT 30 MPH. I HAD A REPEAT WHEN I WAS BRAKING TO SLOW DOWN FOR A TURN, AND VEHICLE JUST LUNGED FORWARD AND IT TOOK ME HALF A BLOCK TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. ON JANUARY 26, 2013 I HAD A REPEAT OF THE STOP SIGN INCIDENT. I HAD FOOT ON BRAKE AND WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, WHEN CAR LUNGED FORWARD. FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO CARS COMING AND I SAFELY MADE A LEFT TURN AS IT WAS A DEAD END STREET. AGAIN IT TOOK ME ABOUT HALF A BLOCK TO GET THE CAR TO COME TO A STOP AGAIN. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE THIS CAR AND HAVE LEFT IT WITH A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND HAD BRAKES REPAIRED. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SERVICE MANAGER, RICK, AND AT HQ, [XXX], ABOUT MY ISSUES. TOYOTA HAS POLITELY BRUSHED ME OFF LIKE A PIECE OF LINT BOTH FOR THE ACCIDENT IN 2007 AND MY CURRENT ISSUES. I HAVE JOINED THE CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST TOYOTA AND AM REQUESTING THE BRAKE OVERRIDE AS A STOP-GAS MEASURE. I CURRENTLY HAVE 82,700 MILES ON VEHICLE AND HAD PLANNED TO DRIVE IT FOR SEVERAL MORE YEARS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10496702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 144,000 milesGreat Neck, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I TURNED ON THE MOTOR OF MY CAR WHICH WAS PARKED AT A HOME DEPOT. WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE (AND NOT ON THE GAS), THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND DID NOT STOP UNTIL IT HAD TRAVELED ABOUT 15 YARDS.
NHTSA complaint #10455569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesWayne, NJCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I WAS SLOWLY PULLING MY 2004 CAMRY INTO A PERPENDICULAR PARKING SPACE IN A PUBLIC PARKING LOT, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. AS I APPROACHED THE CURB TO COME TO A STOP, THE CAR SUDDENLY LEAPED FORWARD AT WHAT SEEMED LIKE FULL THROTTLE, JUMPED THE CURB, LUNGED UP A FLIGHT OF THREE CONCRETE STEPS, AND CRASHED THROUGH THE GLASS DOORS OF THE ENTRY OF THE BUILDING. MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, AT THE HOUR OF THE DAY WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED (3:30 PM), THERE ARE SMALL GROUPS OF YOUNG PEOPLE WAITING FOR RIDES OR CHATTING IN FRONT OF THIS FACILITY. BY SOME MIRACLE THERE WERE NO PEOPLE PRESENT ON THE SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF THE CAR OR COMING OUT OF OR GOING INTO THE BUILDING WHEN THIS HAPPENED. TRULY A MIRACLE THAT NO ONE WAS HURT OR WORSE. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES. THE POLICE HAD THE CAR REMOVED BY FLATBED TO A BODY SHOP YARD. I LATER LEARNED THAT THE POLICE HAD DRIVEN THE CAR IN THE BODY SHOP YARD AND COMMENTED THAT THE CAR DROVE WITHOUT ISSUES. I SUBSEQUENTLY RECEIVED A CARELESS DRIVING CITATION IN THE MAIL. A LOCAL MEDIA REPORT OF THE INCIDENT, CRIBBED FROM THE POLICE BLOTTER, STATED THAT THE POLICE BELIEVED THE CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT WAS DRIVER ERROR. THERE IS NOT THE LEAST DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT MY FOOT WAS FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHICH WENT TO THE FLOOR AND DID NOT STOP THE CAR! THE CAR ACTED ON ITS OWN AS IF POSSESSED! I WILL NEVER DRIVE THIS CAR AGAIN! I BOUGHT A NEW CAR AND TOOK A HUGE LOSS ON THE VALUE OF THE TOYOTA BY SELLING IT FOR PARTS TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A TENTH OF ITS RETAIL VALUE SO IT WOULD NEVER FIND ITS WAY BACK ONTO THE ROAD TO THREATEN OTHER PEOPLE WITH INJURY OR DEATH!
NHTSA complaint #10450696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Medford Lakes, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. CONSUMER STATES THAT BRAKES HAVE BEEN SQUEALING FOR YEARS. HE STATES THAT THE DEALER HAS WORKED ON THE VEHICLE AND NOTHING HAS HELPED. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE SQUEALING IS EXTREMELY LOUD AND CONSTANT.
NHTSA complaint #10375605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sylmar, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
2004 TOYOTA CAMRY LE I HV FRONT END SHAKING WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES. I HAVE CHAVEZ FRONT ROTORS, PAD(BOTH ORGANIC N SEMI METALLIC) REBUILT CALIPERS, NEW SET OF 4 TIRES AND I STILL HAVE VIBRATION IT'S 100 PERCENT COMING FROM FRONT. END SOME ONE PLZ HELP [XXX] THANKS. ONE MORE THING BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS ON THE BULLETIN BOARD NOT RECALL I HAVE HAD THAT DONE ALSO.I HATE TOYOTA I ONLY GOT 40,000 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT N LOOKS LIKE BRAND NEW BUT DRIVE LIKES TOYOTA (LIKE CRAP). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10365845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesAnaheim, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
2004 CAMRY BRAKE FLUID LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #10362849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,600 milesManheim, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY HAS STARTED TO "HOLD BACK" WHEN I DRIVE IT. THEN THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED FLASHING AND WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES, THE FLASHING LIGHT WENT OFF. I CALLED THE LANCASTER PA TOYOTA DEALER AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT AS LONG AS IT IS INTERMITTENT AND NOT CONSTANT, IT IS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. BUT I WONDER HOW MANY OTHER TOYOTA CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10331975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100 milesShreveport, LA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON WET ROAD CONDITIONS AND ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING TO THE LEFT THEN TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT TURNED THE HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND MAINTAINED A SIGNIFICANT DISTANCE BETWEEN THE OTHER VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE ROAD WAS WET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BUT RECEIVED NO ASSISTANCE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY FILED COMPLAINTS FOR SIMILAR MODELS SHE OWNED UNDER THE SAME MANUFACTURER REGARDING BRAKE FAILURES; SHE COULD NOT RECALL THE YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF THE VEHICLES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.
NHTSA complaint #10324525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesNEW York, NYCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I OWN A 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY VIN#[XXX] ON JANUARY 6, 2010 I WAS DRIVING UP FIRST AVE IN MANHATTAN GOING TO RANDALLS ISLAND. AT 1ST AVE AND ABOUT 10 ST I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 20 MILES PER HOUR, PRESSED THE BRAKE APPROACHING A RED LIGHT. INSTEAD THE ENGINE REVVED (VROOM) AND CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD. I FLOORED THE BRAKE AND PULLED UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND STILL I TAPPED THE COMMERCIAL VEHICLE IN FRONT BEFORE BEING ABLE TO STOP BY PUTTING CAR INTO PARK. 2 HOURS LATER I WAS RETURNING HOME AND DRIVING DOWN 9TH STREET BETWEEN BROADWAY AND UNIVERSITY AND AGAIN APPROACHING A RED LIGHT BRAKED TO SLOW DOWN THE CAR (I WAS ALREADY GOING 20MPH) AGAIN, INSTEAD THE VEHICLE REVVED AND ACCELERATED FORWARD AND THIS TIME NO MATTER HOW HARD I PUSHED THE BRAKE THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP. I SLAMMED THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK , PULLED UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THAT STOPPED THE CAR. I CALLED AAA AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO TOYOTA OF MANHATTAN WHERE THEY SAID MY BRAKE PINS WERE FROZEN AND THERE WAS A THROTTLE PROBLEM AND CHARGED $1300 FOR REPAIR. (MY PERSONAL MECHANIC IN NJ LATER TOLD ME BRAKE PINS AND UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION WERE NOT RELATED. ON MONDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2010 WHILE DRIVING TO MY SUMMER APARTMENT IN VENTNOR NJ THE SAME THING HAPPENED. WE WERE AGAIN ABLE TO STOP THE CAR BY PULLING INTO PARK MODE AND EMERGENCY BRAKE. WE RESTARTED THE CAR AND DROVE 10 MILES PER HOUR TO OUR PARKING LOT WHERE THE CAR STILL SITS. CALLS TO TOYOTA OF MANHATTAN SIMPLY STATED THAT THIS MODEL WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND THE CAR WAS TOO FAR FOR THEM TO SEND A TOW. ATTEMPTS TO BRING THE CAR TO A LOCAL TOYOTA (SHORE TOYOTA) CALLS WERE NOT ANSWERED AND I WAS TOLD I COULD NOT BRING THE CAR IN WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT. AND I SHOULD BRING THE CAR BACK TO WHERE THE REPAIR WAS DONE. SO THERE IT SITS IN A PARKING LOT. I HAD TO RENT A CAR TO GET HOME. THE REPAIR WAS CLEARLY BOGUS AND THIS PROBLEM IS ACCELERATION UPON HITTING THE BRAKE PEDAL. *TR UPDATED IVOQ 09/01/10
NHTSA complaint #10315057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,000 milesWoodbury, MN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CAR:2004 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE MODEL WHEN I DRIVE ON A CITY ROAD WITH POT HOLES/ROUGH SURFACE INTERSECTION MY BRAKES DOES NOT SEEMS TO EFFECTIVE. YOU ALMOST SEEMS TO FEELS ITS NOT GOING TO STOP, BUT WHEN YOU PUSH HARD AND KEEP IT EVENTUALLY STOP. OTHER WISE BRAKES PERFORM AS EXPECTED IN HIGHWAYS.
NHTSA complaint #10314439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Needham, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ALTHOUGH MY TOYOTA XLE V6 IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES SINCE 2004, THE YEAR OF MY CAMRY. WHEN I'M DRIVING SLOWLY, (APPROXIMATELY 15MPH) GOING OVER A BUMP AND I NEED TO BRAKE, MY BRAKES DO NOT RESPOND. I HAVE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES WITH GREAT FORCE AND THE ANTI-LOCKS KICK IN. . I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF MY DEALER IN 2004. I WAS TOLD THEY COULD DO SOMETHING MINOR (OF WHICH I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND) BUT IT WOULD CONTINUE TO OCCUR. I HAVE BEEN UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE BRAKING ON THIS CAR FOR YEARS. THIS IS A CONTINUAL PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH THIS HAPPENS CONSTANTLY, IN ORDER TO PROCEED, I NEED TO INPUT A DATE.
NHTSA complaint #10313941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesHouston, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
-A 2000 CAMRY WITH BRAKE PROBLEMS -TRIED TO FIX PROBLEMS BUT MECHANICS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY PROBLEMS. -A 2004 CAMRY WITH BRAKE AND ACCELERATION PROBLMES. REPORTED TO TOYOTA BUT IGNORED ME. REPORTED AGAIN BUT STILL IGNORED. -NEED HELP AS I SPENT SO MUCH UNTIL PROBLEMS KILLED MY TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #10312590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesStuart, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THIS COMPLAINT DEALS WITH ALL TOYOTA CARS WITH REAR WHEEL DRUM BRAKES. ON MY CAR AND MANY OTHERS POSSIBLY THE PEDAL IS SOFT HAS TO GO DOWN QUITE A WAYS TO ACTIVATE BRAKES. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS ALTHOUGH I DRIVE CONSERVATIVELY I FEEL MY BRAKING WAS COMPROMISED WHEN I NEED QUICK BRAKING RESPONSE. I BELIEVE THE REASON IS THE AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM ON MY REAR BRAKES WAS AND IS NOT WORKING. THIS MECHANISM ON ALL MODERN CARS WITH REAR DRUM BRAKES ADJUSTS FOR WEAR BY BRINGING THE BRAKE SHOES CLOSER TO THE DRUM WHEN BACKING AND BRAKING. AN AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT. WHEN THE MECHANISM ISN'T WORKING THE REAR BRAKE SHOES GET FARTHER AND FARTHER FROM THE DRUM DUE TO WEAR AND ONE MUST PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL FARTHER AND FARTHER DOWN ON BRAKING TO GET THE SHOES TO CONTACT THE DRUMS BEFORE BRAKING CAN BEGIN. THIS DELAYS THE BRAKING TIME OF THE DRIVER CONSIDERABLY. RECENTLY GETTING NEW TIRES THE MECHANIC NOTED MY SOFT BRAKE PEDAL AND REMOVED THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS AND MANUALLY ADJUSTED THE SHOES TO BRING THEM IN LIGHT CONTACT WITH THE DRUM. MY BRAKE PEDAL GOT HARD AGAIN AND ACTIVATED AT THE TOP. TOYOTA SHOULD BRING THE CARS IN TO CHECK THIS LACK OF ADJUSTMENT PROBLEM AS I WOULDN'T DOUBT THERE HAVE BEEN ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF IT. WITH THE NEW CARS WITH DISK BRAKES THE PADS ARE ALWAYS AGAINST THE DISK AND THE IS NO SOFT PEDAL PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10308383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesStuart, FL
PARKING BRAKE
THIS COMPLAINT DEALS WITH ALL TOYOTA CARS WITH REAR WHEEL DRUM BRAKES. ON MY CAR AND MANY OTHERS POSSIBLY THE PEDAL IS SOFT HAS TO GO DOWN QUITE A WAYS TO ACTIVATE BRAKES. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS ALTHOUGH I DRIVE CONSERVATIVELY I FEEL MY BRAKING WAS COMPROMISED WHEN I NEED QUICK BRAKING RESPONSE. I BELIEVE THE REASON IS THE AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM ON MY REAR BRAKES WAS AND IS NOT WORKING. THIS MECHANISM ON ALL MODERN CARS WITH REAR DRUM BRAKES ADJUSTS FOR WEAR BY BRINGING THE BRAKE SHOES CLOSER TO THE DRUM WHEN BACKING AND BRAKING. AN AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT. WHEN THE MECHANISM ISN'T WORKING THE REAR BRAKE SHOES GET FARTHER AND FARTHER FROM THE DRUM DUE TO WEAR AND ONE MUST PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL FARTHER AND FARTHER DOWN ON BRAKING TO GET THE SHOES TO CONTACT THE DRUMS BEFORE BRAKING CAN BEGIN. THIS DELAYS THE BRAKING TIME OF THE DRIVER CONSIDERABLY. RECENTLY GETTING NEW TIRES THE MECHANIC NOTED MY SOFT BRAKE PEDAL AND REMOVED THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS AND MANUALLY ADJUSTED THE SHOES TO BRING THEM IN LIGHT CONTACT WITH THE DRUM. MY BRAKE PEDAL GOT HARD AGAIN AND ACTIVATED AT THE TOP. TOYOTA SHOULD BRING THE CARS IN TO CHECK THIS LACK OF ADJUSTMENT PROBLEM AS I WOULDN'T DOUBT THERE HAVE BEEN ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF IT. WITH THE NEW CARS WITH DISK BRAKES THE PADS ARE ALWAYS AGAINST THE DISK AND THE IS NO SOFT PEDAL PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10308383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,500 milesStaten Island, NYCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
I PURCHASED A NEW TOYOTA CAMRY IN 2004. ON THE MORNING OF 4/2/2005, I TOOK MY DAUGHTER TO HER ORTHODONTIST APPOINTMENT. ON MY WAY BACK, I FIRST MADE A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT BEFORE MAKING A LEFT TURN TO GET ON A PARKWAY. I DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING UNUSUAL. A FEW MINUTES LATER, WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN IN ANTICIPATION OF THE END OF THE PARKWAY AND THE TRAFFIC LIGHT AT THE INTERSECTION, I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE WAS NOT WORKING. I TRIED SQUEEZING (TO THE FLOOR) AND TAPPING. I HAD NO EFFECT. THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION (KEPT THE SAME SPEED). BY THE TIME I REACHED THE INTERSECTION, THE LIGHT WAS RED AND ALL THREE LANES HAD VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. I STEERED MY CAR BETWEEN TWO LANES TO GET THROUGH THE TRAFFIC (WITH ONLY THE MIRRORS SCRAPED OFF). ONCE THE TRAFFIC WAS BEHIND ME, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT TO GRIND AGAINST THE CURB WHICH BROUGHT IT TO A HALT. THE VEHICLE WAS PRONOUNCED TOTAL. THREE OTHER VEHICLES WERE AFFECTED WITH VARYING DEGREES OF DAMAGE (DUE TO DIRECT IMPACT ON THE SIDE OR REACTION TO THE SUDDEN TRAFFIC MOVEMENT). I INFORMED TOYOTA AND REQUESTED THEIR INSPECTION. TOYOTA LATER RESPONDED STATING THAT THEY FOUND NO "DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT". I AM NOT SURE IF THEY TOOK MY REPORT SERIOUSLY. THEY MAY HAVE LOST THE OPPORTUNITY TO INVESTIGATE A POTENTIAL PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10305146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,000 milesSouth SAN Francisco, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
ON CHRISTMAS DAY, DECEMBER 25, 2009, I WAS DRIVING OUR 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY ON THE 880-N FREEWAY IN OAKLAND, EXITED THE FREEWAY, AND WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP AT THE FIRST INTERSECTION AFTER EXITING, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD. I WAS UNNERVED AS MY FOOT HIT THE BRAKES AND THE CAR REACTED BY JUMPING FORWARD. FORTUNATELY, MY WIFE AND INFANT CHILD WERE STRAPPED SAFELY WITH SEAT BELTS IN THE CAR AND NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THIS WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN. THE INCIDENT WAS ALSO NOT THE RESULT OF DRIVER ERROR ' MY RIGHT FOOT HIT THE BRAKES. THE WEATHER AND ROAD CONDITIONS WERE GOOD. THE WEATHER WAS DRY AND PARTLY CLOUDY. THE ROADS WERE DRY. AFTER THE INCIDENT, I CONTACTED THE SAN BRUNO, CA BASED MELODY TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND A LOCAL INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. BOTH TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM UNDER SIMILAR DRIVING CONDITIONS BEFORE THEY COULD DO ANYTHING. WHILE THE INCIDENT HAS NOT REPEATED ITSELF, I AM CONCERNED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD POP UP AT ANY TIME. I BELIEVE TOYOTA SHOULD, AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE, INSPECT AND REPAIR MY VEHICLE SO THE BRAKES FUNCTION AS INTENDED. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY 2004 CAMRY VEHICLE AND BELIEVE OTHER 2004 TOYOTA CAMRY OWNERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCE. AS OF TODAY, I BELIEVE TOYOTA HAS ONLY PARTIALLY ADDRESSED THE SUDDEN, UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ISSUE AND I AM CALLING ON THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER MORE THOROUGHLY. I WOULD LIKE TOYOTA TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER AND BELIEVE THAT GOVERNMENT LEGISLATORS AND REGULATORS OUGHT TO PROD TOYOTA TO DO MORE. TOYOTA HAS STATED THAT IT DOES NOT BELIEVE ITS CURRENT RECALL SHOULD REACH BACK TO THE 2004 MODEL YEAR. I DISAGREE. I WOULD LIKE TOYOTA TO FIX THE DEFECT TO ENSURE THAT MY BRAKE SYSTEM FUNCTIONS PROPERLY. BEYOND SAFETY CONCERNS, I AM ALSO DISAPPOINTED THAT TOYOTA'S CAMRY TROUBLES HAVE CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT DECLINE IN THE VALUE OF MY CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10305740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,000 milesScarborough, ME
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, BUT SAW A CAR COMING, SO I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR ACCELERATED AT A VERY FAST PACE OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE, INTO THE ROAD, JUST MISSING THE CAR, BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT. ON DECEMBER 14, 2009, I HAD BACKED UP MY DRIVEWAY (TO A LEVEL SPOT) . I DECIDED TO STRAIGHTEN OUT THE CAR, SO I DROVE THE CAR FORWARD, PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO PUT IT IN REVERSE AND THE CAR WENT SPEEDING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK, UNTIL I GOT OUT INTO THE ROAD, THEN THE CAR STOPPED. PRAYER KEPT ME SAFE!
NHTSA complaint #10302963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.