2003 Toyota Camry: sudden unintended acceleration

Filed Nov 8, 2026 · Acceleration · PA · crash

On XXX in [XXX], my well-maintained 2003 Toyota Camry LE (69,019 miles) experienced Sudden Unintended Acceleration (SUA). After stopping with my foot on the brake, I shifted into reverse without touching the accelerator. The engine surged to full throttle, launching backward into a parked car (totaled) and then surging forward uncontrollably around my cul-de-sac while I slammed on the hard, ineffective brake pedal. No Check Engine light was on before or after, and two local mechanics found no stored Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). I filed Toyota Claim #XXX. On XXX, Toyota’s contractor, Engineering Analysis Associates (EAA), inspected the car and read the EDR at Peruzzi Toyota. On XXX, Toyota denied my claim, finding no mechanical defect and noting an aftermarket floor mat over the OEM mat. Toyota's denial ignores key facts: (1) The aftermarket mat has a heavy nibbed rubber backing, cannot slide, sits well clear of the pedals, and never trapped the accelerator. (2) As proven in Bookout v. Toyota, transient ETCS-i software freezes ("task death") hold the throttle open without setting fault codes and self-clear when turned off, while an open throttle depletes engine vacuum and starves the power brakes. (3) Toyota excluded 2002–2004 Camrys from its Brake Override System software updates. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 16, 2026 · Airbags, Brakes · PA · crash

Sudden Unintended Acceleration: I had been out doing errands in the morning. I returned home, pulling up in front of my townhouse which is on a cul de sac. After gently coming to a stop, I planned to back up just a bit to park my car along the curb. (I did not have my foot on the accelerator, as the car normally goes gently backwards when you put it in reverse.) When I put it in R, the car accelerated backwards and crashed into a car that was parked along the curb about 15-20 ft behind me. I instinctively put the car in D to stop going uncontrollably backwards. The car shot forward; the brakes did not work. The car was out of control, making very loud revving sounds and loud screeching sounds from slamming on the brakes. Somehow, it did finally come to a stop by itself ¾ of the way around the cul de sac. Wanting to get out of the middle of the street, I instinctively turned the car back on and drove it slowly to my driveway. The car functioned normally. I could have badly injured or killed someone; in my cul de sac, there is often a lot of activity involving people of all ages, including children and babies. A police report exists. The car I hit was totaled. I had the car towed to my mechanic. He said the car didn’t throw any codes. He inspected it, but did not find anything wrong with it. The local Toyota dealership refuses to touch it because it’s been in an accident. I called Toyota (Plano TX) on 10/5: filed a claim with them on 10/7. A 3rd third-party inspector from Engineering Analysis Associates inspected the car and did a Bosch download from the black box on 10/14. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. I don’t absolutely know which component or system failed or malfunctioned. I am wondering if it’s a "ghost" software glitch (see Bookout vs Toyota litigation). Something similar happened to my husband in April 2025 when he was parking in a parking lot. The car is available for inspection upon request.

Filed May 6, 2026 · Acceleration · 75,000 miles · MA · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2003 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that the vehicle would suddenly accelerate or lunge forward and had done so several times, both while idle, pressing the brakes, and while driving at various speeds. Suddenly accelerated downhill, and when approaching the inner section, the contact immediately turned the vehicle to avoid hitting another vehicle and ended up crashing into a nearby residence's garage, causing the vehicle to stop. The air bags did not deploy. The garage door was damaged, and the contact's vehicle's front-end was damaged. A police report was filed. The contact had stated they had experienced sleep issues and a fear of driving the vehicle since the incident. The vehicle was able to be driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle had not been driven since. The contact spoke with a certified mechanic who informed them it was a known issue and of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 09V388000 (Vehicle Speed Control), which related to their experienced failure. The mechanic did not repair the vehicle. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 09V388000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and they too confirmed that the VIN was not included. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

Filed Aug 13, 2020 · 130,787 miles · AK · crash

On august 7, 2020 I was parked in front of a subway restaurant. I went in and picked up my order to go. When leaving I put my car in reverse to back out of my parking spot. There was a large pole about 15 feet behind me that I slightly backed into. Putting my car from reverse to drive(automatic transmission) my car suddenly accelerated into the subway restaurant , jumping a curb and sidewalk crashing into the building. I had no control of the acceleration, brakes did not allow me to brake. Thankfully no one in the building or myself was injured. The police officer that made out the accident report told me he could not give me legal advice but that this sudden acceleration has happened before and that I may want to goggle it. I did goggle this problem and found many other instances where this has occurred. I called a toyota dealer and gave her my VIN number and she said there were no recalls for this and she had not heard of anything like this before. I consider this a major problem and that someone could be seriously injured or killed. The car is in the repair shop but I do not want it back until this problem is fixed. Next time this sudden acceleration happens the outcome could be drastically different. Please notify me with any information you have. Thank you. Pictures available if needed.

Filed Dec 11, 2017 · Acceleration, Brakes · 103,000 miles · FL

On december 7,2017, I was in a parking lot in florida. As I started going into a parking space, the car began to surge. I had a loss of steering and braking.I almost hit the car next to me. Luckily that did not happen. I kept pressing down on the brake, but it took time for the steeering wheel to respond to me. I shut off the car because it seemed like the car had a mind of its own. I had 2 witnesses in the car.who saw that my car was in drive, and that my foot was on the brake pedal. The passenger checked the floor mat, and it was lying completely flat. I do not know why I had this loss of control. This also happened to me in 2010, when I had unintended acceleration,and my car hit a tree. I am now afraid to drive my car, and willl not do so because I feel it is unsafe.

Filed May 7, 2015 · Acceleration, Body · 110,000 miles · MA · crash

I was in the process of parking the car in a parking lot when the vehicle accelerated on its own. When I attempted to apply the brakes there was no effect. In order to avoid traffic I had to steer the vehicle into a stone wall.

Filed Apr 20, 2015 · Acceleration, Engine · 25,000 miles · OK

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota camry. While making a left turn at an unknown speed, the engine revved and the vehicle independently lunged forward. The contact depressed the brake pedal to avoid a collision. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 25,000.

Filed Mar 19, 2015 · Acceleration · 95,000 miles · LA · crash

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 toyota camry. The contact stated that while at a red light, the vehicle suddenly accelerated independently without warning. As a result, the contact crashed into the vehicle in front. A police report was filed. The contact did not specified if any injuries were sustained. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was unable to be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000. Updated 4/20/15*cn updated 9/28/2017

Filed Mar 18, 2015 · Acceleration · 160,000 miles · TX · crash

I was pulling into a parking spot at a local dry cleaners. As I was pulling into a parking spot, the vehicle suddenly surged rapidly forward going over a concrete barrier and hit a concrete wall. Unintended sudden acceleration.

Filed Oct 25, 2014 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 129,600 miles · CA

I experienced unintended acceleration of my vehicle while driving slowly in a parking lot. The vehicle accelerated to a high speed and revved to very high RPM's. I managed to slam on the brakes and finally shift the controls to neutral. The car immediately returned to normal RPM's and I turned off the key. Toyota first claimed "driver error", then entrapment of the gas petal by a floor mat, then "driver error" again, alleging I had "braked incorrectly and must have hit the gas by mistake"!! I was simply low-speed driving with my foot on the gas, when their car raced suddenly on its own accord. I had not hit the brakes until I had to emergency-stop a runaway car! Dealer says they "checked the computer" and there are "no issues" to resolve! This is a blatant, lethal defect in their product!

Filed May 9, 2014 · Brakes, Engine · 49,500 miles · CA · crash

I pulled into a parking space, stopped, and was in the process of pulling up the emergency brake, when the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The car bolted going over the parking curb and continuing on into a building, all with no momentum as the car was stopped. One witness said it was a very loud revving sound. Two others said it sounded like a truck. The person who was behind me said my brake lights were on.

Filed Apr 3, 2014 · Acceleration · 53,000 miles · CA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 toyota camry. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the vehicle exhibited abnormal and unintended acceleration, crashing into the rear of a second vehicle. No police report was taken. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 53,000.