Acceleration complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Toyota Camry Solara. The contact stated that while slowly entering a parking space, the vehicle accelerated independently. As a result, the contact crashed into multiple bushes, side swept a tree and then landed on a side road. There were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing 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 25,000. Updated 09/05/14 the vehicle was repaired. The event data recorder was removed by Toyota and the results was supposed to be made available within 30 days. Updated 12/3/2014
December 21, 2013. I was pulling into a parking place from a large parking lot, foot on the brake almost stopped; engine roared and I catapulted over the parking curb into and through some bushes and out the other side of the bushes angling right and into the street. I was able to bring the car to a stop and park at the curb approximately 20-30 feet down the street. No injury to myself or any other person. Over $5,000 damage to car exterior extensive scratches, back bumper came off; some undercarriage damage, details unknown to me. Still in body shop as of the afternoon of January 8, 2014.
Twice: once in August and most importantly 09/07/2024 was slowing down to stop at a dry cleaners when the car reved up and accelerated forward. I continued to apply brakes all the way to the floor and couldn't get it to stop, so ran into the businesses's van. USAA paidfor repairs to both, but due to fears for my safety and life and those of others, I have not driven it since. I have had it towed for repairs and to be checked by an engineer sent by Toyota.and have had to rent or borrow or pay for rides up until now. The USAA sebt engineer came to check the car but decide the car was fine and Toyota would not offer help with replacement
On sept. 1, 2008, I was driving north through pa. On I-79. I was using the cruise control on my 2007 Toyota Camry Solara for the first time. I pulled into a rest area. As I was about to pull into a parking space, I stopped for some pedestrians to pass by. When I took my foot off the brake to pull into the parking space, my car suddenly accelerated at a very high speed as if I had put my foot on the gas pedal all the way to the floor. I assure you, I barely touched the gas pedal. As a consequence, the car went over a high curb, went through a picnic area and down a hill into some weeds before I could bring it to a stop. I really had to push on the brake with all my strength. I had no control over the car or its speed. As a result, I hit a person walking in the picnic area and she sustained very serious injuries. …
The "VSC" continues to come on which in turn causes the ck engine light to come on. There needs to be a recall on this issue. I have been researching it, and finding it a problem for so so many customers.
I went to back up my car out of a parking space at church. Put the car in reverse, and touched the gas pedal, and suddenly the car took off backwards at an extremely high speed and became uncontrollable. Would appear that the accelerator was stuck. The accident resulted in property, damage to another car, financial loss and mental anguish. Car was on church property at the time of the accident car was totalled by safeco, not repaired. I could not find an open recall on this car, but do not believe that should rule out the defect.
I own a 2005 Solara sle v6 automatic: pulling into a restaurant parking space, making a right turn, the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward: jumping the curb, forward onto a muddy open space, an approx. 25* incline, and into a low barrier wall between the two neighboring restaurants' parking lots (with cars on the other-side of the barrier). Fortunately, no vehicles or persons were stuck!; just, the damage to my vehicle! When it accelerated, my foot was off the accelerator petal, about to brake; stood on my ABS brake; and, the barrier, I believe, stopped most of the forward motion; hit hard; air bags did not deploy !!! Nothing like this has ever happened to me before; not in any of my past vehicles !!! It's my understanding that Toyota is denying problems with the Solara models, when they're the sporty model the Camry !!! Dealership said to contact corporate, but, this is not ... …
February 1, 2017, turning into a parking lot at 700 e. Main st., grass valley, ca, turned right into a parking space and as the brake was applied, the car surged forward, jumping a cement curb, the fender grazing a tree on the left, coming to an abrupt stop when it hit the cement base of a light pole. Fluids were leaking from beneath the car, the front bumper was hanging off, the driver side door caught as it was opened. The car was towed to a body shop. This was the second incident, with the same event occurring 2 years prior but with less surge and no car body damage. Both incidents reported to Toyota immediately. Toyota investigated and both times found no cause for the unintended acceleration. Since the car hit a stationary object I am found "at fault" by my insurance, which is annoying. I did not have the car repaired since it is clearly unsafe. …
NHTSA investigations
Throttle control system
The Lexus models were the subject of defect petition (dp) 04-003.twelve odi complaints are duplicative to Toyota reports, including the two minor crashes.the v6 equipped solara models have been excluded because they do not contain the subject throttle control system.Toyota introduced electronic throttle control (etc) on the subject vehicles beginning in model year (my) 2002.odi opened the investigation to determine…
Engine surging
The petitioner owns a my 2006 Toyota camry with a 4-cylinder engine that was purchased new in January 2006. The petitioner also previously owned a my 2005 camry. He alleges that both vehicles exhibited vehicle engine surging, which he described as a short duration (1 to 2 second) increase in engine speed occurring while the accelerator pedal is not depressed.
Vehicle speed control
In a letter dated July 8, 2005, and after experiencing two incidents (and one crash) where he alleges his model year (my) 2002 camry accelerated without driver input, mr. Jordan ziprin petitioned the national highway traffic safety administration?s (NHTSA) office of defects investigation (odi) to commence a proceeding to determine the existence of a defect within the etc system in my 2002 to 2005 Toyota and Lexus…
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Camry Solara years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (27), 2005 (20), 2006 (19), 2002 (14) and 2007 (13) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 17% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for Toyota Camry Solara acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for any Toyota Camry Solara model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Toyota Camry Solara acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles; 51% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (11 mentions), followed by the cables (2).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.