Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - SOFTWARE | ||||||
| RQ10003 | TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION | 02/16/2010 | 03/01/2011 | Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration | 11V112000 | |
| On february 16, 2010, nhtsa's office of defects investigation (odi) opened rq10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, toyota recalls 07e-082, 09v-388, 10v-017, and 10v-023.nhtsa also requested information regarding potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in toyota and lexus vehicles.i. pedal interference from floor mats, carpet covers and plastic pads in carpets.during the rq10-003 investigation, odi reviewed a large volume of documents to assess whether additional vehicles should be recalled.following the agency's analysis, nhtsa requested that toyota recall additional vehicles.toyota complied with the agency's request.the details of these recalls are set forth more fully in toyota's reports to nhtsa pursuant to 49 cfr part 573.these recalls are as follows:recall 11v-112: (1) model year (my) 2004-2006 toyota highlander and highlander hybrid; and, (2) my 2004-2007 lexus rx330,rx350, and rx400h (hybrid model). the total estimated population under this recall is 769,379 vehicles.this recall remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment caused by a loose floor carpet cover (trim panel). recall 11v-113: (1) my 2003-2009 through 2009 toyota 4runner; (2) my 2006-2010 toyota rav4; and, (3) my 2008-2011 lexus lx570.the total estimated population under this recall is 1,381,000 vehicles.this recall supplements recall 09v-388 and remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment by an unsecured floor mat.recall 11v-115: (1) my 2006-2007 lexus gs300 (all wheel drive vehicles); and, (2) my 2006-2007 lexus gs350 (all wheel drive vehicles). the total estimated population under this recall is 19,647 vehicles.this recall remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment caused by inadequate clearance between the pedal linkage and a plastic pad embedded in the vehicle's carpet.ii. potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration.after nhtsa opened rq10-003, nhtsa launched a ten-month study of potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in toyota vehicles.nhtsa launched the study in the spring of 2010 in light of concerns aired in congressional hearings.nhtsa enlisted engineers at the national aeronautics and space administration (nasa) with expertise in areas such as computer controlled electronic systems, electromagnetic interference and software integrity to assess whether electronic systems or electromagnetic interference played a role in incidents of unintended acceleration in toyota vehicles.that study has concluded.two reports are associated with the study and are available on nhtsa's website.nasa's report is entitled technical support to the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) on the reported toyota motor corporation (tmc) unintended acceleration (ua) investigation, nesc assessment no. ti-10-00618 (jan. 18, 2011).nhtsa's report is entitled technical assessment of toyota electronic throttle control (etc) systems (feb. 2011).both reports should be read in conjunction with each other. as stated in its report, nasa did not find an electronic cause of large throttle openings that can result in unintended acceleration incidents. nhtsa did not find a vehicle-based cause of unintended acceleration incidents other than the physical pedal interference causes that are being addressed by toyota's recalls. this rq is closed. | ||||||
| RQ10003 | TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION | 02/16/2010 | 03/01/2011 | Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration | 11V113000 | |
| On february 16, 2010, nhtsa's office of defects investigation (odi) opened rq10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, toyota recalls 07e-082, 09v-388, 10v-017, and 10v-023.nhtsa also requested information regarding potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in toyota and lexus vehicles.i. pedal interference from floor mats, carpet covers and plastic pads in carpets.during the rq10-003 investigation, odi reviewed a large volume of documents to assess whether additional vehicles should be recalled.following the agency's analysis, nhtsa requested that toyota recall additional vehicles.toyota complied with the agency's request.the details of these recalls are set forth more fully in toyota's reports to nhtsa pursuant to 49 cfr part 573.these recalls are as follows:recall 11v-112: (1) model year (my) 2004-2006 toyota highlander and highlander hybrid; and, (2) my 2004-2007 lexus rx330,rx350, and rx400h (hybrid model). the total estimated population under this recall is 769,379 vehicles.this recall remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment caused by a loose floor carpet cover (trim panel). recall 11v-113: (1) my 2003-2009 through 2009 toyota 4runner; (2) my 2006-2010 toyota rav4; and, (3) my 2008-2011 lexus lx570.the total estimated population under this recall is 1,381,000 vehicles.this recall supplements recall 09v-388 and remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment by an unsecured floor mat.recall 11v-115: (1) my 2006-2007 lexus gs300 (all wheel drive vehicles); and, (2) my 2006-2007 lexus gs350 (all wheel drive vehicles). the total estimated population under this recall is 19,647 vehicles.this recall remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment caused by inadequate clearance between the pedal linkage and a plastic pad embedded in the vehicle's carpet.ii. potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration.after nhtsa opened rq10-003, nhtsa launched a ten-month study of potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in toyota vehicles.nhtsa launched the study in the spring of 2010 in light of concerns aired in congressional hearings.nhtsa enlisted engineers at the national aeronautics and space administration (nasa) with expertise in areas such as computer controlled electronic systems, electromagnetic interference and software integrity to assess whether electronic systems or electromagnetic interference played a role in incidents of unintended acceleration in toyota vehicles.that study has concluded.two reports are associated with the study and are available on nhtsa's website.nasa's report is entitled technical support to the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) on the reported toyota motor corporation (tmc) unintended acceleration (ua) investigation, nesc assessment no. ti-10-00618 (jan. 18, 2011).nhtsa's report is entitled technical assessment of toyota electronic throttle control (etc) systems (feb. 2011).both reports should be read in conjunction with each other. as stated in its report, nasa did not find an electronic cause of large throttle openings that can result in unintended acceleration incidents. nhtsa did not find a vehicle-based cause of unintended acceleration incidents other than the physical pedal interference causes that are being addressed by toyota's recalls. this rq is closed. | ||||||
| RQ10003 | TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION | 02/16/2010 | 03/01/2011 | Unintended and Uncontrolled Acceleration | 11V115000 | |
| On february 16, 2010, nhtsa's office of defects investigation (odi) opened rq10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, toyota recalls 07e-082, 09v-388, 10v-017, and 10v-023.nhtsa also requested information regarding potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in toyota and lexus vehicles.i. pedal interference from floor mats, carpet covers and plastic pads in carpets.during the rq10-003 investigation, odi reviewed a large volume of documents to assess whether additional vehicles should be recalled.following the agency's analysis, nhtsa requested that toyota recall additional vehicles.toyota complied with the agency's request.the details of these recalls are set forth more fully in toyota's reports to nhtsa pursuant to 49 cfr part 573.these recalls are as follows:recall 11v-112: (1) model year (my) 2004-2006 toyota highlander and highlander hybrid; and, (2) my 2004-2007 lexus rx330,rx350, and rx400h (hybrid model). the total estimated population under this recall is 769,379 vehicles.this recall remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment caused by a loose floor carpet cover (trim panel). recall 11v-113: (1) my 2003-2009 through 2009 toyota 4runner; (2) my 2006-2010 toyota rav4; and, (3) my 2008-2011 lexus lx570.the total estimated population under this recall is 1,381,000 vehicles.this recall supplements recall 09v-388 and remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment by an unsecured floor mat.recall 11v-115: (1) my 2006-2007 lexus gs300 (all wheel drive vehicles); and, (2) my 2006-2007 lexus gs350 (all wheel drive vehicles). the total estimated population under this recall is 19,647 vehicles.this recall remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment caused by inadequate clearance between the pedal linkage and a plastic pad embedded in the vehicle's carpet.ii. potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration.after nhtsa opened rq10-003, nhtsa launched a ten-month study of potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in toyota vehicles.nhtsa launched the study in the spring of 2010 in light of concerns aired in congressional hearings.nhtsa enlisted engineers at the national aeronautics and space administration (nasa) with expertise in areas such as computer controlled electronic systems, electromagnetic interference and software integrity to assess whether electronic systems or electromagnetic interference played a role in incidents of unintended acceleration in toyota vehicles.that study has concluded.two reports are associated with the study and are available on nhtsa's website.nasa's report is entitled technical support to the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) on the reported toyota motor corporation (tmc) unintended acceleration (ua) investigation, nesc assessment no. ti-10-00618 (jan. 18, 2011).nhtsa's report is entitled technical assessment of toyota electronic throttle control (etc) systems (feb. 2011).both reports should be read in conjunction with each other. as stated in its report, nasa did not find an electronic cause of large throttle openings that can result in unintended acceleration incidents. nhtsa did not find a vehicle-based cause of unintended acceleration incidents other than the physical pedal interference causes that are being addressed by toyota's recalls. this rq is closed. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||
| 02/28/2012 | 50000 | 1 | |
| On approximately february 28, 2012, the abs/trac control/vsc lights came on and remained lit on my 2003 toyota 4runner. i called the dealership and they said to bring it in right away. they diagnosed the car and came up with no sensor reading?. it cost me $150 for the diagnostic test. i picked up the car and a few weeks later i brought it back for the same problem. the computer then indicated that there was a faulty o2 sensor which they replaced my cost was over $650. the next week the lights came on again. the dealership kept the car for a few days but later reported that they could not duplicate the problem. they told me that i should wait until it got worse and bring it back. i suffered with this problem for months. i say suffered because when i was in park and these lights came on, i could not shift out of park. the lights would eventually go away and allow me to drive. on 8/24 the problem became worse. i could not shift my car out of park for more than 15 minutes on over 10 different occasions. the warning lights remained lit almost constantly over 3 days. when i called to return the car to the dealership on 8/27, the service person said that she thought there was a recall associated with that issue, but then told me that there was not. later that day, they called and said that they again could not replicate the problem. after a quick internet search, it seems that many people have had the same experience that i have had on various toyota vehicles. i feel an investigation is appropriate in this instance. *tr | |||
| 02/28/2012 | 50000 | ||
| On approximately february 28, 2012, the abs/trac crontrol/vsc lights came on and remained lit on my 2003 toyota 4runner. i called the dealership and they said to bring it in right away. they diagnosed the car and came up with no sensor reading | |||
| 06/01/2011 | 115000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. the contact stated that the dashboard was cracked from the driver to the passenger side air bag areas. the contact was concerned that the air bags would not deploy in the event of a crash. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 115,000 and the current mileage was 118,364. kmj | |||
| 06/01/2011 | 115000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. the contact stated the vehicle dashboard failed due to defective material. the dashboard cracked and the crack expanded to the driver and passenger air bag area, and could cause the air bags to deploy. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 115,000 and the current mileage was 118,364. li | |||
| 03/13/2009 | 20000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2003 toyota 4runner. the contact stated that when he drives over the 25 mph limit the check engine light would illuminate on the instrument panel of the vehicle. a complaint was drafted with the manufacturer and the dealer diagnosed no failure to the vehicle; the failure was not repaired. the failure mileage was 20,000 and the current mileage was 30,000. nw | |||
| 12/01/2004 | 12000 | ||
| The vehicle would rev itself up to a high rpm, from a stopped position when i stepped on the gas the vehicle would go in reverse. the dealership eventually replaced the transmission only after the manager borrowed it overnight and experienced it himself, but i have noticed the problem beginning again. another problem is the radiator leaking and needed to be replaced (i was told it had the wrong kind of antifreeze; it was green and it needs a red kind???). when replacing this i was notified that my front brakes were paper thin and needed to be replaced this repair cost me almost $2000. another problem is the rear window trim has shrunk. i also had the sunroof replaced after owning the vehicle less than two years. the brake light on the rear hatch does not work as well as the rear wipers (also when i hooked a trailer to it the electrical system seems to be messed up because the trailer lights will not work; went to autozone and tested the trailer and it is fine). the vehicle is starting to act funny again, the engine revs itself to high rpms (this is not the automatic trani because it happens when it idles as well). the last incident was when i pulled out from a street parking spot and as soon as i put it in drive the vehicle stalled and we lost all power, when i pressed the gas pedal it was as if it was in neutral yet i triple checked and it was in drive. all of the sudden it acted normal and drove about 10 feet then it happened all over again. i also have the rotten egg smell (sulfur?) which is sporadic. of course the dealer always says they can find nothing wrong, nothing is coming up on the computer. luckily no injuries have occurred as of yet but i feel it is only a matter of time before i am on the highway and it decides to play these games. very disappointed in quality of this vehicle, especially since i purchased it because of the reputation. | |||
| 01/16/2005 | 15000 | 1 | |
| I purchased a brand new 2003 toyota 4runner in may 2003. in one cold morning of jan. 2005, i was driving it in highway that was still covered with some snow. all of sudden, an engine check light on the dashboard was automatically turned on, followed by vsc lights, indicating that a vehicle skid control function was automatically turned off. at that point, i could not drive the car beyond 50 mph, no matter how hard or frequently i pushed the accelerator pedal. i pulled over, restarted, and re-entered the highway but had the same results. i managed to drive the car to a dealer for inspection the same day. the dealer could not find a cause and simply reset the computer controller. this seemed to have resolved the problem at that time. however, the engine check and vsc light issues resurfaced about two years later. the difference this time was that there was no acceleration issue. no inspection was made. the dashboard lights were automatically turned off after driving for about a month. in jan. 2010, those lights reappeared and have remained turned on. no impact on acceleration has been observed. *tr | |||
| 10/03/2009 | 93555 | 1 | |
| After replacing an oxygen sensor several times, the dealership finally discovered the root of the problem that is making the oxygen sensor and traction control circuit short out. the air divertor flap inside the hvac box under the dash had grease applied to the flap hinges in the factory. directly below the flap is a wiring harness which drops down from the hvac box and plug into the ecu. over time the grease has traveled down through the wiring harness to the electrical connection plug into the ecu causing various circuits to short. no damage at present, however various safety circuits such as traction control are being affected. furthermore, as oil is combustible, an interior fire could result from the oil penetrating the 12 volt electrical connection point on the ecu. this issue/ problem should be considered hazardous and should be a recall to replace the wiring harness and ecu as well as clean the grease out of the hvac box. *tr | |||