2002 Toyota Camry complaints

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

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 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

1. THE VEHICLE IN THE FRONT MADE A SUDDEN STOP AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. 2. BRAKES FAILED TO STOP AT A SAFE DISTANCE FROM THE CAR IN THE FRONT AS THEY WERE TOO SOFT. 3. BRAKES AND ASSEMBLY WAS CHECKED AND NOTHING WAS CHANGED AS THEY ARE AS PER THE STANDARDS. *JB

2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE IN TEMPERATURES 40 DEGREES OR LESS. I HAVE SPOKE WITH THE DEALER WHO SAYS THAT THEY HAVE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I OFFERED TO SEND ARTICLES FROM CONSUMER MAGAZINES AND THEY STATE THAT THEY ALREADY HAVE BEEN SENT INFO. FROM AT LEAST 10 TIMES DIFFERENT CUSTOMERS. *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

I WAS COMING HOME ONE DAY AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE O2 SENSOR GOING BAD. I WANTED A SECOND OPINION SO I TOOK MY CAR TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO TOLD ME IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I WAS VERY CONCERN BY THESE TWO DIFFERENT ANSWERS, SO I WENT TO A THIRD DEALER WHO TOLD ME IT WAS INDEED THE O2 SENSOR. AFTER HAVING THAT REPLACED, WITHIN 2 MONTHS THE LIGHT WAS BACK ON AGAIN. *NM

LTR FM (CA) RE THE 2002-2005 TOYOTA CAMRY, SOLORA, AND LEXUS AUTOMOBILES, REQUEST NHTSA DO A FULL INVESTIGATION ON THESE VEHICLE RE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *TS WHILE DRIVNG THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *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.

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

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

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.

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

I NOTICED GASOLINE DRIPPING FROM THE REAR OF MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY LE AT THE RATE OF ABOUT A DROP PER SECOND WHILE IT WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN RUN FOR A DAY AND A HALF AND HAD ABOUT 3/4 OF A TANK OF GAS IN IT. THE GASOLINE WAS DRIPPING NEAR THE MIDDLE OF THE REAR AXLE, ABOUT 2 INCHES FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. I WAS AFRAID TO START THE CAR AND AFTER CLEARANCE BY THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT, HAD IT TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE TOYOTA DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE VACUUM VALVE ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED AND THAT THE CHARCOAL CANISTER ASSEMBLY WAS FILLED WITH FUEL. THEY REPLACED BOTH THE VACUUM VALVE ASSEMBLY AND THE CHARCOAL CANISTER ASSEMBLY. I DO NOT HAVE THE OLD PARTS. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE FULL COST OF THE REPAIRS AS TOYOTA SAID THAT MY CAR WAS BEYOND THE WARRANTY PERIOD. *NM

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

THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK WOULD NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK WITH THE REMOTE OR THE KEY. IT HAD TO BE MANUALLY UNLOCKED FROM THE INSIDE. IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT TOYOTA AGREED TO PAY FOR THE PART AND I PAID THE LABOR. NOW THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LOCK HAS FAILED IN THE SAME MANNER, ALTHOUGH I AM ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR WITH THE KEY. AT TIMES THE DOOR WAS UNABLE TO BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. THE HANDLE WOULD NOT MOVE TO OPEN THE DOOR AND I WAS CONCERNED THAT THE HANDLE WOULD BREAK. IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND TOYOTA WILL NOT REPAIR. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT SINCE SOMEONE COULD GET STUCK IN THEIR CAR IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY AND THAT TOYOTA SHOULD REPAIR THIS DEFECT AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. *JB

THE DOOR LATCH HANDLES (PLASTIC) ON THE INSIDE OF BOTH FRONT DOORS HAVE BROKEN OFF DURING NORMAL USE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD; IF I'M IN AN ACCIDENT THAT DISABLES THE POWER WINDOWS (BATTERY FAILURE) I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE THE EXTERIOR HANDLES, AS I DO NOW, AND I WILL BE TRAPPED IN THE CAR. BECAUSE THE CAR WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED THE DEALER SAID THE FAILURE IS NOT COVERED AND OFFERED TO REPLACE THEM FOR $33 EACH, PLUS INSTALLATION CHARGES. THE CORPORATE "CUSTOMER SERVICE" 800 NUMBER ALSO DENIED COVERAGE UNDER THE WARRANTY AND OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. I SEE NO PURPOSE IN REPLACING THEM WITH DUPLICATES THAT WILL ALSO BREAK. *JB

IN HEAVY HUMID, HARD RAINING WEATHER, THE DEHUMIDIFIER, AIR-CONDITIONING UNIT CEASES TO OPERATE AND A GREEN LIGHT FLASHES. I COMPLETELY FOG UP WHILE DRIVING. *NM

THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE USED TO EXIT THE CAR BROKE OFF,AS I WAS ROUTINELY USING IT. AT FIRST I WAS ANXIOUS AS I THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE TO TRY TO CRAWL OVER THE TRANSMISSION TO GET TO THE PASSENGER SIDE IN ORDER TO GET OUT. I THEN REALIZED I COULD USE THE POWER WINDOWS TO LOWER THE WINDOW , AND REACH WAY AROUND TO OPEN THE DOOR WITH OUTSIDE HANDLE. I THINK THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN AN ACCIDENT OR IF THERE WERE OTHER PROBLEMS THAT NECESSITATED A QUICK EXIT. *NM

EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE WERE NORMAL USE OF CAR DOORS. INSIDE DOOR HANDLES OF FRONT PASSENGER AND BACK PASSENGER DOORS CRACKED AND ONE COMPLETELY FELL OFF. DOOR HANDLES BROKE ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT WITHIN A 1.5 YEAR TIME SPAN AS PASSENGERS WERE TRYING TO GET OUT OF CAR (CAR WAS UNLOCKED). AS A RESULT RIDERS CANNOT LET THEMSELVES OUT OF THE CAR. ONLY THE DRIVER DOOR IS STILL IN WORKING CONDITION. DRIVER MUST "VALET STYLE" LET PASSENGERS OUT OF THE CAR. INSIDE DOOR HANDLES NEED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED AND SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED INTO A HOUSE. UPDATED 10/06/06. *JB

FRONT PASSENGER INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE SNAPPED AT SPINDLE. THIS CAR HAS 29,000 MILES AND PASSENGERS ARE RARELY CARRIED. BREAKAGE RENDERED DOOR INOPERABLE FROM INSIDE,CAUSING MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD IN EVENT OF EMERGENCY. CALLED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS IS A COSMETIC PROBLEM, THEREFORE WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER REPAIRS. UPON CALLING TOYOTA'S EXTRA CARE PROTECTION PLAN, I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. DEALER WILL REPLACE AT MY EXPENSE. *JB

I WROTE ON MAY 9, 2005 ABOUT MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. IN JUNE 2004 THE DRIVER'S INSIDE DOOR HANDLE CRACKED AND THE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. IN MAY 2006 THE PASSENGER INSIDE DOOR HANDLE CRACKED. TOYOTA REFUSED ANY SUPPORT. IN JULY 2006 THE BACK SEAT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE CRACKED. ALL THREE TIMES IT CRACKED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. EXITING THE VEHICLE BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAVE AGAIN CONTACTED MY DEALERS CUSTOMER CARE AND PARTS DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS THE GENERAL MANAGER. THEY WOULD NOT LET ME TALK TO THE OWNER. THE PART MANAGER SAYS THERE HAVE NOT BEEN A LOT SOLD AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE IS NOTHING IN THE BULLETINS. BUT THIS IS A RECURRING SAFETY ISSUE. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR HANDLES ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE KEEPS BREAKING IN THE MIDDLE. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED ON TWO DOORS PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE WARRENTY. THE THIRD DOOR HANDLED FRACTURED RECENTLY AND WILL NEED TO BE REPAIRED AT COST. TO OPEN THE DOORS ONCE THE HANDLE BREAKS THE OCCUPANT HAS TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE.

I WROTE TO YOU ON MAY 9, 2006 ABOUT MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. IN JUNE 2004, THE DRIVER'S INSIDE DOOR HANDLE CRACKED AND THE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. IN MAY 2006 THE PASSENGER INSIDE DOOR HANDLE CRACKED. TOYOTA DID NOT HANDLE THIS EPISODE AND REFUSED TO DEAL WITH ME. IN JULY 2006 THE BACK SEAT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE CRACKED. ALL THREE TIMES IT CRACKED WHEN TRYING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. EXITING THE VEHICLE BECAME IMPOSSIBLE. IN MAY I CONTACTED MY TOYOTA DEALER AND TOYOTA INTERNATIONAL. BUT DID NOT GET ANY SATISFACTION. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE FIRST TWO EPISODES HAPPENED WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR. THIS LAST ONE OCCURRED WHEN AN 81 YEAR OLD MAN TRIED TO OPEN OUR DOOR. I CRINGE TO THINK IF IT WERE AN EMERGENCY. WE'VE OWNED A LOT OF CARS AND NEVER HAD DOOR HANDLES CRACK. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PRODUCT. *JB

TOYOTA CAMRY LE 2002, PASSENGER INSIDE DOOR PLASTIC HANDLES FRONT AND REAR (RIGHT SIDE) BROKE WITHIN ONE DAY APART, THEREFORE EXITING THE VEHICLE WAS IMPOSSIBLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY, SINCE DOORS AND WINDOWS ARE ELECTRIC. IN 2004, DRIVER SEAT INSIDE DOOR HANDLE ALSO BROKE IN THE SAME MANNER, (CRACKED IN THE HANDLE). *JB

THE INSIDE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE IN MY 2002 CAMRY BROKE OFF. VERY SELDOM DO I HAVE PASSENGERS RIDE WITH ME, SO IT WASN'T EXCESSIVE WEAR AND TEAR. I HAVE A 1995 TOYOTA COROLLA AND HAVE REPLACED BOTH INSIDE FRONT SEAT HANDLES AND A 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY AND HAVE REPLACED BOTH INSIDE FRONT HANDLES AND THE PASSENGER SIDE OUTSIDE HANDLE. I DON'T THINK THIS IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON A 2002 TOYOTA. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP YET. *JB

TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY SLIPS OUT OF GEAR WHEN DRIVING. CAUSES THE CAR TO HESITATE ABRUPTLY UPON ACCELERATION. THE PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. NO REMEDY HAS RESOLVED THE ISSUE YET AND IT SEEMS TO BE WORSENING. *NM

THE CAR WOULD NOT START. JUMP STARTED IT. DROVE AROUND BUT JUST STALLED AFTER 2 MILES. AGAIN TRIED TO START BUT COULD NOT. BATTERY OK. CALLED TOW COMPANY AND PUT THE CAR BACK IN MY GARAGE. AGAIN JUMP STARTED IT TO PULL BACK INTO GARAGE. LET THE CAR REMAIN STARTED IN PARKING POSITION. ENGINE AGAIN DIED AFTER 5 MINUTES. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 10 TO 15 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 30 MPH. THE ISSUE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS NOT UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE.

I HAVE A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY - EVERY YEAR I REPLACE THE ROTORS AND BREAK PADS. NOW I HAVE A BIGGER PROBLEM, MY CALIBERS FROZE, CAUSING THE(FRONT) BREAKS TO LOCK, AND NOW MY MASTER CYLINDER IS GONE - WE ARE TALKING A $700.00 REPAIR JOB, ON A CAR THAT IS 4 YEARS OLD, WITH LESS THAN 60K MILES. WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS I JUST READ, HOW COME TOYOTA HASN'T DONE A RECALL?????????????????? WHY DO "WE" NEED TO REPLACE THE ROTORS, AND PADS EVERY YEAR? *NM

MY CAR'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND MY SON WOULD CHECK THE CODE (PO420) THEN SEND ME TO THE DEALER. I TOOK THIS CAR TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS DURING THIS TIME. THE FIRST TIME THE LIGHT CAME ON I WAS OUT OF TOWN AND TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO CHANGED A SENSOR CONNECTED TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE NEXT TIME TO LIGHT CAME ON I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER IN MY AREA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A BAD SENSOR (SAME ONE THAT HAD JUST BEEN CHANGED) AFTER I TOLD THEM THAT SENSOR HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED THEY CAME BACK AND TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A DIFFERENT SENSOR. I LEFT THIS DEALER AND SHORTLY AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AGAIN AND I WENT BACK TO THE SECOND DEALER WHO SAID THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON GOING FOR ABOUT FOUR YEARS, DURING WHICH TIME MY CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THE FIRST SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM WAS ISSUED ON MAY 24, 2004 AND THE SECOND ON JULY 27, 2004. NOW THAT THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY I HAVE FOUND OUT ABOUT THESE SERVICE BULLETINS. I INTEND TO TAKE THIS ISSUE UP WITH TOYOTA AS THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED BACK IN 2004. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONER CONTROL PANEL ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM HOWEVER, DETERMINED THE PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WITHIN TWO DAYS, THE SAME PROBLEM AROSE WITH THE NEW PANEL. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE THIRD CONTROL PANEL. ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN NO PROBLEMS WITH THE THIRD CONTROL PANEL, THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THE SAME PROBLEMS WILL REOCCUR WITH THE NEW PANEL.*AK

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. IN JUNE OF 2004, THE INSIDE DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE CRACKED WHEN I TRIED TO EXIT THE CAR. THE HANDLE IS MADE OF PLASTIC. TOYOTA REPLACED THE HANDLE BECAUSE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. ON MAY 5, 2006, THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE PASSENGER INSIDE, PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE DOOR WON'T OPEN AND YOU HAVE TO CLIMB OVER THE CONSOLE TO EXIT OR HAVE SOMEONE OPEN THE DOOR FOR YOU. I'M GRATEFUL I WASN'T EXITING FOR AN EMERGENCY. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA. THE FIRST TIME YOU THINK IT IS A FLUKE BUT THE SECOND TIME MAKES YOU REALIZE THAT THEY HAVE A DEFECTIVE PART WHICH CREATES A SAFETY ISSUE. I DON'T WANT MY DOOR HANDLE BREAKING WHEN TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS IN MY LIFE TIME AND HAVE NEVER BROKEN A DOOR HANDLE. TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO FIX IT CLAIMING THAT IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THEY ASKED ME SUCH QUESTIONS AS WHETHER I HAD MY CAR SERVICED AT THE DEALER AND IF I EVER OWNED ANY OTHER TOYOTAS. THESE QUESTIONS ARE NOT RELEVANT TO THE PROBLEM. *NM

RESPONSE TO LETTER RECEIVED FROM CLAIMS ADMINISTRATOR, FOR TOYOTA, ALLEGING THAT ALL SYSTEMS WERE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY FOR 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. *TS THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMED THAT ALL SYSTEMS WERE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY WHEN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND ENDED UP INSIDE A TRAVEL AGENCY. *NM SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE BATTERY WENT COMPLETELY DEAD. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE BATTERY WOULD NOT HOLD A CHARGE AND A NEW BATTERY WAS NEEDED. UPDATED 02/23/10

I OWN A 2002 CAMRY, THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM THE DEALER. IN JULY 2005, THE INSIDE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE AT THE POINT OF CONNECTION TO THE DOOR. I HAD HANDLE REPLACED BY THE DEALER. NOVEMBER 24, 2004, WE WERE DRIVING CAMRY, AND REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE IN THE SAME MANNER AS THE PREVIOUS FRONT DOOR HANDLE. I QUESTIONED THE DEALER'S SERVICE COORDINATOR AS WHY, ANSWER "THEY GOT A BAD BATCH OF HANDLES, THEY ARE MADE IN USA AND THE JUST FALL OFF" TOYOTA HAS NOT RECALLED NOR CAN I FIND ANY INFORMATION ON FAILED HANDLES, BUT SEVERAL CUSTOMERS OF SAME DEALER AND CAR HAVE TOLD ME THEY ALSO HAVE HAD TO REPLACE FAULTY DOOR HANDLES, EACH HANDLE COSTS ABOUT $85 TO REPLACE. *NM

ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE LEFT FRONT PARKING LIGHT BULB. SOCKET WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO REMOVE AND NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO INSTALL. LOCATION ADJACENT TO VERY SHARP SHEET METAL CAUSED SEVERAL CUTS. MY WIFE'S HANDS ARE SMALLER, SO SHE WAS ABLE TO REINSTALL THE SOCKET, BUT NOT WITHOUT ALSO BEING CUT. *NM

3 INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN ACCELERATIONS, THE LAST ONE CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE DEALER SAID NOTHING WRONG WITH CAR. I FOUND MANY OTHER PEOPLE ON-LINE THAT HAD SAME PROBLEM. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED IN A CROSSWALK OR PARKING LOT. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT OR SELL IT TO ANOTHER WITH THIS PROBLEM. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAS LURCHED FORWARD SIX TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. THIS HAPPENS WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED AND WITH THE VEHICLE AT A STOP OR WHILE TRAVELING. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.

ON 12/31/05, DURING A RAINSTORM, THE HAZARD LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE STARTED FLASHING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT OUR HOME AND NOT RUNNING. THE ONLY WAY TO TURN OFF THE HAZARD LIGHTS WAS BY REMOVING THE FUSE. THE NEXT DAY, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, WE FOUND THAT WE HAD NO TURN SIGNALS AS THE FUSE REMOVED ALSO CONTROLLED THEM, AND WE DISCOVERED THERE WAS ABOUT AN INCH OF WATER ON THE FLOOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WE REPLACED THE FUSE, AND ALTHOUGH THE HAZARD LIGHTS WERE NO LONGER CONSTANTLY FLASHING, WHEN A TURN SIGNAL IS ACTIVATED BOTH LIGHTS GO ON CAUSING A DRIVING HAZARD. AT OUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE (ON 1/17/06), I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE CLOSEST TOYOTA SERVICE AND DEALER (MODESTO TOYOTA, AND HOUR AND A HALF DRIVE FROM OUR HOME). AFTER CHECKING THE VEHICLE I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FIREWALL NEAR THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND THAT WATER DAMAGE HAD CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL DAMAGE. FURTHERMORE, THEY (MODESTO TOYOTA) COULD NOT REPAIR THE DAMAGE; WE WOULD NEED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. WE NEXT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED, MERCED TOYOTA, ON 1/25/06. THE RESULTS WERE THE SAME, AND WE WERE ALSO INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THIS PROBLEM (ALTHOUGH NO ONE EVER OFFERED TO GIVE US A COPY, OR EVEN ALLOW US TO READ IT). WE WERE ALSO TOLD THAT TOYOTA WOULD NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH THEY KNOW ABOUT IT, BECAUSE WE WERE PAST THE 3 YEAR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY. THE POSSIBILITY OF A WATER LEAK

THE 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY, PURCHASED USED FROM RAY BRANDT TOYOTA IN AUGUST OF LAST YEAR, COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE MY MOTHER WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THIS PAST MONDAY. SHE BARELY MISSED A HEAD-ON COLLISION, BECAUSE SHE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR WITHOUT POWER STEERING. I ADVISED HER TO BRING THE CAMRY IMMEDIATELY TO RAY BRANDT TOYOTA?? S SERVICE DEPARTMENT. SHE TURNED IT OVER TO THEM THAT SAME AFTERNOON. THE NEXT DAY A SERVICE TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM IN THE SHOP. EVEN WITH THE PROBLEM OCCURRING AT THE SHOP, THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE CAUSE THAT DAY. YESTERDAY, SHEILA, A RAY BRANDT TOYOTA SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, ASSURED ME THAT THEY HAD SOLVED THIS TYPE OF INTERMITTENT PROBLEM BEFORE. I ASKED IF THE DIAGNOSTIC COST WOULD RUN INTO THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. SHE SAID $300 WOULD MOST LIKELY BE ENOUGH TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TIME TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. SHE ADDED THAT SHE WOULD BE CALLING ME WITH THE RESOLUTION TODAY. TODAY, AT APPROXIMATELY 12:45 PM I WENT IN PERSON TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I SPOKE TO ANOTHER RAY BRANDT TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE NAMED MIKE. I ASKED HIM HAD RAY BRANDT TOYOTA SOLVED THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM BEFORE. MIKE STATED THAT YES THEY HAD ALTHOUGH IT TOOK 2 WEEKS AND COST $850. MIKE TOLD ME TO BE PATIENT; GIVE RAY BRANDT TOYOTA TIME TO FIX IT. LATER THIS AFTERNOON SHEILA TOLD MY MOTHER THAT THERE WAS NOTHING RAY BRANDT TOYOTA??S SERVICE COULD DO TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS WAS, OF COURSE A D

CAR ACCELERATED WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS . THE LAST EVENT RESULTED IN SMASHING THROUGH A PLATE GLASS WINDOW OF A TRAVEL AGENCY, INJURING ONE EMPLOYEE. THE CAR ENDED UP TOTALLY IN THE AGENCY, HALTED BY AN INTERIOR WALL. THE POLICE REPORTED SKID MARKS ON THE SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF THE AGENCY, AS WELL AS WITHIN THE AGENCY AS I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE THE CAR. THERE IS ALSO EVIDENCE THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS ROTATING VERY RAPIDLY, SO MUCH SO THAT WHEN THE CAR STOPPED THE TIRE BURNED A HOLE IN THE CARPET. CARPET THREADS ARE EMBEDDED IN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL TIRE. ON THE ONE HAND, THE MARKS ON THE CARPET AND SIDEWALK INDICATE THAT SKID MARKS WERE MADE BY ALL THREE WHEELS, WHILE THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL OBVIOUSLY WAS BURNING RUBBER. *JB UPDATED 03/01/06

WITH NO WARNING OR PREVIOUS PROBLEMS, WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE 4 CYLINDER ENGINE IN MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. I AM A 78 YEAR OLD WOMAN AND I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR WITH NO POWER. I JUST BARELY AVOIDED A HEAD-ON COLLISION. THIS HAPPENED 5 MORE TIMES IN QUICK SUCCESSION BEFORE I COULD DRIVE IMMEDIATELY BACK TO MY HOME. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO RAY BRANDT TOYOTA OF METAIRIE 504-464-4500. TOLD THEM OF THE PROBLEM AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, DUE TO THE CAR SHUTTING DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS HAD THE CAR FOR A DAY, DUPLICATED THE PROBLEM, BUT CLAIM THEY CAN FIND NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. I DO NOT WANT TO DIE IN A FATAL ACCIDENT CAUSED BY THE ENGINE SHUTTING DOWN AND IF THEY CANNOT LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, I WILL GET RID OF THE CAR AND NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER TOYOTA. PLEASE HELP. *JB

DURING A 60,000 MILE CHECK-UP AT MY SERVICE STATION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT I NEEDED A NEW "FLEX PIPE ASSEMBLY" (MANIFOLD EXHAUST PIPE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER COMBINED). THE MECHANIC SAID THAT HE HAS SEEN THE SAME PROBLEM ON MANY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY LE'S. THE PART ALONE COST ME $900 AND $100 IN LABOR TO INSTALL. TOYOTA TOLD ME THAT THIS PART IS NOT ON RECALL LIST. I APPROVED THE REPLACEMENT BY MY MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD FILE A COMPLAINT. *NM

I HAD NEW CAR BATTERY INSTALLED BY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP LATE ON 12/2/05. THE CAR SEEMED TO SHIFT AND SOUND MARKEDLY DIFFERENTLY AFTER DRIVING THE CAR OFF THE LOT WITH THE NEW BATTERY. THREE DAYS LATER MY 4 CYLINDER, AUTOMATIC 2002 4D-S TOYOTA CAMRY WAS LEFT IN "D" WITH THE OVERDRIVE BUTTON REMAINED ENGAGED. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I DID NOT DRIFT. I'D BEEN STOPPED FOR A WHILE AT A "T" INTERSECTION FOR A WHILE AND NOT MOVING; NOR WERE ANY OTHER VEHICLES MOVING. THIS PARTICULAR INTERSECTION IS CONTROLLED BY A LONG SIGNAL LIGHT. I WAS AIMED STRAIGHT AHEAD, BUT WAS THE THIRD CAR BACK FROM THE STOP LINE, SIGNALING TO TURN LEFT. ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE AN AIRPLANE ENGINE ROARING, GETTING EVER LOUDER. MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE. THE ENGINE RACED, SURGED ABRUPTLY CAUSED MY CAR TO ACCELERATE FORCEFULLY INTO THE STOPPED CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAS PUSHED INTO AN SUV IN FRONT OF IT. THE FORCE OF IMPACT CAUSED MY ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN. THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME APPEARED TO HAVE A WHIPLASH INJURY. ALL TOLD, THERE WAS ABOUT $1500.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND IT WAS ESTIMATED THE SMALLER AND OLDER CAR IN FRONT OF ME SUSTAINED ABOUT $2500.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER INFORMED ME THEY "FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR." THE CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO A SHOP FOR BODY REPAIRS. UPON THE RETURN OF MY CAMRY, IT STILL HAD A BIT OF A VIBRATORY AND AUDITORY DISTORTION THAT WAS ATYPICAL FOR THE 3 PREVIOU

THIS CAR IS BARELY 3 YEARS OLD AND HAS ABOUT 50,000 MILES ON IT: BOTH FRONT INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES BROKE WITHIN ONE WEEK OF EACH OTHER. THIS MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO EXIT THE FRONT SEAT WITHOUT ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOW TO USE THE EXTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOORS. AS THEY ARE POWER WINDOWS, HAD THE POWER BEEN OUT- THE ONLY WAY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE BEEN FROM THE BACK SEAT (WHICH HAD CHILD LOCKS ENGAGED SO IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE AT THAT TIME...). *NM

WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN, MY 2002 CAMRY XLE HYDROPLANED ON THE INTERSTATE AND FIRST SMASHED HEAD-FIRST INTO A GUARDRAIL BEFORE BEING JOLTED BACK ON TO THE HIGHWAY WHERE IT WAS THEN HIT BROADSIDE BY AN ONCOMING CAR. SERIOUS DAMAGE WAS DONE TO BOTH THE FRONT END, SIDE AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE (FROM IMPACT). THE CAR IS SUPPOSEDLY EQUIPPED WITH SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS AS WELL AS FRONT AIRBAGS. NONE OF THEM DEPLOYED. THE CAR THAT HIT MY CAR, A 1995 SUBURU, HAD DEPLOYED BOTH OF ITS FRONT SEAT AIR BAGS. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE AND WHY DID IT HAPPEN? *NM

MY 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY IS THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER DRIVEN IN SNOWY CONDITIONS. IT HAS NO TRACTION, FISHTAILS, CAN BARELY MAKE IT UP HILLS, ETC. A MECHANIC (NOT AT TOYOTA) ALSO POINTED OUT THE TIRES WERE WEARING UNEVENLY AND VERY QUICKLY (I HAVE PUT FEWER THAN 20,000 TOTAL MILES ON THIS CAR). LAST WEEK I WAS COMING AROUND A CORNER IN THE SNOW (AT ABOUT 10 MPH) HIT A SLIPPERY PATCH AND THE CAR SEIZED UP COMPLETELY. I SLID ACROSS THE ROAD AND INTO ANOTHER CAR. NOW LOOKING AT THE NHTSA SITE, I SEE THAT I AM NOT ALONE, AND THAT THE TIRES THAT COME WITH THE CAR FROM THE FACTORY ARE NOT MEANT FOR ALL WEATHER DRIVING. I AM OUTRAGED. LIKE OTHERS I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE OF ITS REPUTATION AS A "SAFE" FAMILY CAR. I CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MY DEALER WHO BASICALLY SAID "TOO BAD. TOYOTA IS NOT DOING ANYTHING WITH TIRES AT THIS TIME." HE DID ADMIT, HOWEVER, THAT THE TIRES ON THE CAR ARE CONSIDERED 'HIGH PERFORMANCE' AND ARE NOT MEANT TO BE USED IN THE SNOW. GREAT. I TOO HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO BUY $500 WORTH OF NEW TIRES TOMORROW. I FEEL TOYOTA SHOULD PAY FOR SOME IF NOT ALL OF THIS. NOT LIKELY. IT IS ALSO NOT LIKELY THAT I WILL EVER BUY ANOTHER TOYOTA. PEOPLE NEED TO BE INFORMED OF THIS VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT COULD EASILY BE LIFE-THREATENING.

PROBLEMS WITH 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY. AUGUST 2003 - DRIVING ALONG. HUSBAND BEGAN TO STOP SLOWLY TO PULL UP TO A LIGHT AND IT FELT LIKE IT WAS NOT BREAKING BUT CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE SO HUSBAND LET OFF BRAKE AND REAPPLIED THE BRAKE AND IT FINALLY STOPPED THE SURGING. 2. WHILE GETTING GAS WE WERE DRIVING AROUND IT TO FIND AN PUMP, WE WERE PRESSING THE BRAKE AND CAR WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE AGAINST THE BRAKE AS IT WAS APPLIED. LET OFF BRAKE AND REAPPLIED QUICKLY AND CAR STOPPED NORMALLY. JANUARY 2004 HUSBAND BEGAN TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPACE AND AS HE STARTED TO BRAKE AGAIN THE CAR WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND SO HE LET OFF THE BRAKE, REAPPLIED IT (ALL VERY QUICKLY) AND WAS ABLE TO PARK BARELY MISSING HITTING VEHICLE BESIDE HIM. MARCH 27, 2004, WE TOOK OUR VEHICLE ONCE AGAIN TO DEALERSHIP STATING THE VEHICLE WAS SURGING WHILE DRIVING. OCTOBER 2004 ON A TRIP TO GATLINBURG, TENNESSEE- HUSBAND APPLIED THE BRAKES, CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE-REAPPLIED THE BRAKES- SURGING/ACCELERATION STOPPED. OCTOBER 3, 2005 TRIP TO NORTH CAROLINA ON 7 SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE CAR ENGINE STARTED RACING AND THE CAR HAD TO BE PUT IN NEUTRAL AND THE BRAKE HELD TIGHTLY. ON ONE OCCASION AS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP BEHIND A SCHOOL BUS FULL OF CHILDREN, ALMOST HIT THE BUS FROM BEHIND BECAUSE ACCELERATOR WENT TO FULL ACCELERATION AS WE APPLIED THE BRAKES. FORTUNATELY, MY HUSBAND PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND IT WAS REVVING AT FULL THROTTLE. HE HIT ACCELERATOR PEDAL AS WE WAS IN NEUTRAL, AND ACCELERATION WENT BA

DT: THE CONTACT STATED DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALTHEY WERE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CEMENT BIRD BATH. THE POLICE WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS INCIDENT. *AK UPDATED 01/05/06. *JB