10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 116 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 50 / 3
- Average Mileage:
- 45,481 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The speedometer needle stopped moving one day and another day it moved erratically. A few days later, the shifting became really hard, would take a lot of pressing of the pedal to increase speed. Finally, it wouldn't even go above 20-30mph on highway no matter what. Later it was found that the vehicle speed sensor has gone bad. Replacing that fixed the problem but still the car hesitates before shifting, especially in low gears (<550mph).
- Knoxville, TN, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry. While operating the vehicle, the contact depressed the brake pedal and shifted to a lower gear; however, the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated without warning. As a result, the contact crashed into a curb. The air bags did not deploy. No injuries were sustained. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,906.
- Van Nuys, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry. While driving out of a parking lot, the vehicle accelerated unexpectedly over a curb and crashed into a tree. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. There were no injuries and a police report was filed (17014133). The vehicle was not diagnosed by the dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 136,700.
- Boca Raton, FL, USA
The contact owned a 2004 Toyota Camry. After the contact placed the vehicle in reverse, the vehicle accelerated independently without warning. The vehicle crashed into a fence and a building. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact injured her back and upper neck, which required medical attention. The contact's neck injury was diagnosed as an upper sprain. The vehicle was towed to an unknown local dealer where it was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Dumas, AR, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry. While driving into a parking lot at 2 mph, the vehicle's speed rapidly accelerated without warning. The contact shifted the gear into neutral and stopped the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the accelerator sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact had to pay $800 for the repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000. Updated 06/21/17
- Lewiston, ID, USA
Car was stalling, engine code revealed throttle stuck in closed position. Throttle body was gummed up with carbon, throttle body was cleaned with foaming throttle body cleaning agent designed for cleaning intake parts. Computer cannot understand new throttle position after cleaning, engine surges from about 800 RPM to about 3000 RPM in idle. When placed in gear, car accelerates on its own to well over 40 mph in idle. Creating a dangerous situation. Must ride brakes to control speed. Car is undrivable in its current state.
- Benson, NC, USA
The contact owned a 2004 Toyota Camry. After parking the vehicle, it suddenly accelerated without warning and crashed into a garage. The air bags failed to deploy. The passenger sustained chest contusions, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 54,608. Updated 01/05/17
- Evanston, IL, USA
I was slowly pulling into a parking space when all of a sudden the car surged without warning. It accelerated so fast that I went through the bushes across the adjacent sidewalk and slammed into a light pole totaling my 2004 Camry.
- Cypress, CA, USA
Slowly making a right turn to park in a wide open parking space in a parking garage. Car lunged forward hitting a wall in front of the parking space and damaging the front end of the car. No brake problems or previous acceleration problems
- Lake Mary, FL, USA
Unintended (unexplained) acceleration: Slowly approached red light at intersection. As I eased on brake to stop behind line of traffic, engine surged. I pushed brake to floor and pushed on emergency brake with other foot while shifting into park. My next step would have been to shift into neutral, but car stopped a few inches behind the car ahead. This was all in the space of perhaps 5 seconds. Fortunately, I was not going fast or on a wet/icy road. Light changed to green and I shifted into drive. Car functioned normally. Dealer had car a full day, went through Toyota hq interview and tests, they were unable to repeat the ua, stated "vehicle is operating as designed" but would not tell me the car was safe or unsafe. I bought this car new in 2004, loved the way it handled for 75K miles, but now I do not trust it. I wonder if Toyota's tests ever allow them to recreate the ua, but they could/would not tell me that when I talked with the case manager at hq. My car was never on the ua recall list. Because I did not crash, the computer would not have recorded the accelerator or brake use to prove the ua happened! seems like a catch 22. I am afraid to drive my car and will give full disclosure if I trade it in or sell it. I asked and was told by Toyota hq case manager that this incident will be available if the car is checked on carfax. While the dealer was always sending me requests to trade in my car as it would sell well, I'm sure the value has dropped considerably now. I am not pleased with the outcome at all, only grateful that no one was hurt or killed in this incident.
- Lansdale, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle independently accelerated. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 25,000. The VIN was not available.
- Chesapeake, VA, USA
On 9/20/15 while reversing out of a parking space at the South windsor public library, I depressed the accelerator lightly and the car surged backwards into very tight circles. I took my foot off the accelerator and pressed on the brakes and tried to put the car in park. After almost 2 rotations the car hit one curb and then another and after that I was finally able to put the car in park, all the while with my foot on the brake. My vehicle was towed to a local Toyota dealer and I contacted my insurance company. The insurance company reviewed my claim and has issued me a check to have the vehicle front end and undercarriage damages repaired. I have asked the Toyota dealership if the vehicle is safe to drive and they referred me to Toyota national. Toyota sent out an independent evaluator who evaluated the vehicle and then sent me a flash drive with the event data recorder results. However no summary report or narrative was provided, so I do not know if the vehicle is safe to drive. I called Toyota back and they informed me that it is up to me to find someone to interpret the results.
- South Windsor, CT, USA
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.
- Lexington, KY, USA
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.
- North Augusta, SC, USA
2004 Toyota Camry. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle sudden acceleration. The consumer stated as she pulled into her driveway, though a security gate, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and hit a stone post in front of her house. The impact severely damaged the left front of the vehicle and also chipped out several pieces of the stone from the post.
- Rosemead, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while attempting to park at 5 mph, the vehicle independently accelerated. As a result, the contact crashed into a parking barrier and through a concrete wall. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but it was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,000.
- Phoenix , AZ, USA
On 6/2/2014 I was on my way to work. As I pulled out my dirt road onto the main highway, my check engine light came on and my car automatically shut off. Mind you my car was still rolling, but I manage to pull on the side of the road and shut the car off. I try to step on gas peddle but car would not accelerate. So I waited a few mintues on side of road before attempting to re-start my car. Once I got it cranked, I drove 10 to 15 miles to get my car back in my yard. At this point in time, I cant drive it until it gets fix.
- Santee, SC, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Camry. The contact was driving 60 mph when the accelerator was depressed and the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection. The contact was advised that the throttle body motor was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the incident. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000....updated 11-18-13
- Henderson , KY, USA
On I-5, in the fast lane outside portland, Oregon without warning the car lost all power. I was able to drift to the side of the road but was still in traffic. When I reached a repair shop they diagnosed the problem as a chip failure in the gas pedal. This could have happened anywhere, without gas the car just stops, and the result could be far more serious.
- Walnut Creek, CA, USA
- Boca Raton, FL, USA