2003 Toyota Camry: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Nov 30, 2014 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 190,000 miles · MO · crash

Driving with the cruise control set to approximately 45 MPH. Cars ahead were stopping, so the cruise control cancel button was pressed. Instead of the car decelerating, it quickly accelerated as if the gas pedal had been pressed to the floor. The brakes were quickly pressed, but before the car came to a stop, it hit the rear end of the car ahead. The person in the other car had a precautionary medical exam a few days later, but no injury was reported. The driver and passenger of the camry were not injured and air bags were not deployed. The camry was declared totaled by the insurance company. The other car was repaired.

Filed Nov 14, 2014 · Steering · 107,000 miles · CT

Please add me to other camry owners complaining about steering noise, either at rest or driving at any speed, steering to the left or right: clicking sound happens as the steering wheel is turned. The noise is getting louder. Now I have lost the horn, cruise control and the air bag light is on. So, it seems that this problem is affecting some kind of switch in the middle of the steering column! I have checked the fuses which are all fine! Reading all the complaints and realizing that toyota is not owning to the problem with the owners having to pay for the repair, I am truly disappointed. It definitely is a design problem!

Filed Dec 4, 2013 · Acceleration, Airbags · NY · crash · 1 injury

2003 toyota camry. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle sudden acceleration and air bags malfunction. *smd the consumer was driving with the cruise control activated, and as he was preparing to exit the parkway, the vehicle suddenly accelerated, despite the application of the brake. He lost control of the vehicle, and consequently he hit a guard rail and the vehicle rolled over. The consumer sustained a deep laceration to his knee.

Filed Jul 19, 2010 · Acceleration · 2,000 miles · MI · crash

In 2003, I purchased anew 2003 toyota camry se and within the first month or so had a "sudden acceleration" and a minor accident-- no injuries. I reported details to the federal safety agency at that time, and to toyota who denied any liability. A long story. Eventually, the dealer replaced the master brake cylinder @ my request, which is the location of the cruise control cut-off, I believe. I have had no recurrence since then. However, the cruise control is still an issue, for if one just taps the brake to come off control, it does that. But to re-nter the cruise system, the pedal must be lifted manually, or depressed and released quickly, or the control re-engaged at the steering wheel switch. Details of this experience are in my earlier submission. I believe this demonstrates an electronic problem with this system and I felt toyota was derelict in their handling of my concern and perhaps since then with the whole sudden acceleration problem. I thought you should be reminded and should, perhaps, review my earlier submission..

Filed Mar 23, 2010 · Acceleration, Brakes · 82,000 miles · NM · crash

I was driving my 2003 toyota camry on highway with cruise control on interstate I-40. I was driving 55 MPH along a construction zone when it suddenly speed up, became uncontrollable and crash into the wall. I was unable to stop the vehicle by pumping on the brake and it was finally stopped when the vehicle was deep in the sand on the side of the highway. The vehicle was a total loss due to its severe damages.

Filed Feb 15, 2010 · Acceleration · 60,000 miles · TN

In 2005, I was driving east on u.s. Hwy 74 between I-26 and shelby, nc in my 2003 camry. The cruise control was set for 65 MPH, the speed limit. A few minutes later, the car began increasing speed to 75 MPH. I stepped on the brake and turned off the cruise control to slow down the vehicle. This was the only time this happened. I reported this to a service representative at my toyota dealership when I returned to chattanooga. He said to let him know if it ever happened again. This year, I sent my dealership and toyota e-mails reminding them of the problem encountered in 2005. Neither responded. Then, I went to the dealership and talked with a service representative. The gentleman said that toyota had been having this particular problem with its cruise control for many years (he mentioned a specific piece that was causing the malfunction), but it was not regarded as a safety issue since tapping on the brake disconnected the cruise control.

Filed Feb 5, 2010 · Brakes · 100,000 miles · SC

2003 toyota camry discussion thread --------------------------------------------------------------- response (kwil) - 01/26/2010 04:26 pm we apologize for your concern with the performance of your 2003 camry, and we appreciate you taking the time to let us know. Unintended acceleration involving toyota and lexus vehicles has been thoroughly investigated on several occasions over the last few years. None of these studies has found that an electronic throttle control system malfunction is the cause of unintended acceleration. Electronic throttle control, adopted in some form by nearly all automakers, has several fail-safe features and enhances safety by making possible functions such as traction control, stability control and adaptive laser cruise control. Toyota values the safety of our owners and the public. It is our utmost concern and toyota has and will continue to take appropriate measures to address any defect trends that are identified. We have documented your email at our national headquarters under file. If we can be of further assistance, please click on the following link, http://www.toyota.com/help/contactus.html,to contact us. Customer - 01/22/2010 06:21 am I have been concerned about my vehicle - since an experience I had in may of 2009 in nichols, sc. I was departing my sister's farm - had my car in reverse - when it acceralated at a high rate of speed in reverse. The engine had a very loud whine and in a matter of seconds went from 0 to 60 MPH (my guess)it went in reverse ' almost causing a collision with horses and barn. I applied brakes and shifted gears ' all in vain. Only when I turned the key off ' did the car stop. My car received superficial damage. My car was examined by harrelson toyota, rock hill, sc. ' nothing was found wrong. An incident report was filed.

Filed Nov 20, 2009 · Acceleration · 50,000 miles · VA · crash

Sudden acceleration without warning: 2003 toyota camry xle: four incidents to date: while driving car it began to accelerate rapidly without warning. Taking foot off accelerator and putting onto brake did not get the car slowed down. Had to cut off ignition at the key switch. The only thing in common was that each time this occurred it had been either damp, misty, raining or raining hard. This is not an accelerator pedal/floor mat problem. It is a throttle problem! Our floor mat was locked down and did not get near the accelerator pedal but we removed the floor mat anyway. Incidents as follows: 24 july 2008 - traveling to roanoke va south on I-81. Female owner driving. Cruise control on. Daytime. Raining gently. Car made a roaring sound (like revving the motor while in neutral) and suddenly increased speed rapidly. We got the car stopped without an accident. 28 aug 2008- traveling to roanoke va south on I-81. Female owner driving. Cruise control on. Night. Raining very hard. Car suddenly made the roaring sound and the car accelerated rapidly. We got the car stopped without an accident. 17 oct 2008 - on a city street in lynchburg va. Male owner driving. Cruise control off. Daytime. Had been raining hard all day. Driving slowly in heavy traffic. Car made roaring sound and accelerated rapidly. Car hit vehicle in front of it. No serious damage. 14 oct 2009- traveling on city street in henrico va. Male owner driving. Cruise control off. Slowing down to make a left turn. Morning and just starting a misty rain. Car made roaring sound and car accelerated rapidly. No accident. Mcgeorge toyota, broad st., henrico(richmond)va has made every effort they know to try to find out what caused these incidents, without results. They kept the car and drove it in good and rainy weather and did not duplicate the problem. They called the engineers in california who don't have answers.

Filed Aug 5, 2009 · Engine · 65,000 miles · OH

2003 toyota camry le, 4 cyl., automatic, approx 60,000 miles. Problem: uncommanded full acceleration. Driving conditions: clear weather, daytime, dry surface highway, cruise control - off, transmission gear selected - drive. Consequence: major loss of vehicle control. Corrective action: throttle / sensor checked for failure at shop - no defect noted - could not duplicate failure. Replacement throttle $1100 with labor.

Filed Mar 27, 2007 · Acceleration, Brakes · 69,790 miles · SC

Cruise control did not disengage upon pressing brake pedal. Hydraulic brakes would not stop vehicle. Method used to stop vehicle included putting vehicle in neutral and applying emergency/parking brake. Narrowly avoided collision with other vehicles which had stopped by squeezing between them and the concrete medium. My vehicle was scraped on drivers side but no other vehicle was damaged (thank god!). Could not duplicate.

Filed Feb 8, 2006 · Acceleration · 17,600 miles · NY · crash

My car is a 2003 toyota camry le with 4 cylinder engine, automatic transmission, cruise control and ABS. The accident occurred on january 21, 2006 in new york city in broad daylight and in clear weather. The accident occurred as I entered gas station to pump gas. I lost control with sudden acceleration. I hit another car parked to pump gas..

Filed Jan 6, 2006 · Acceleration · 35,400 miles · WA

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle surges forward while the accelerator pedal is barely being touched. This is an intermittent problem and occurs when the vehicle is accelerating from a stopped position. The dealership is unable to duplicate the problem. *ak the consumer stated when on a level highway, with the cruise control engaged,it will activate and deactivate on its own. Updated 02/07/06.