Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Toyota Camry owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Problem: Unintended Acceleration, air conditioner operating. Incident Scenario: Approaching driveway, stopped to allow pedestrian to pass. Resumed low speed turn into driveway, Abrupt acceleration of vehicle, launching vehicle over granite curb and into nearby tree. Damage: Passenger R.Front Fender, Passenger Headlamp Assy;Lower Control Arm Assy, Front Bumper cover, Passenger wheel rim bent, tire deflated. Unintended vehicle acceleration is a serious safety defect and can occur when the Idle Air Control Valve is defective or is provided incorrect engine rpm signal from Engine Control Computer causing sudden vehicle acceleration.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while leaving a parking space with the brake pedal depressed, the transmission was shifted out of park and the vehicle jumped and sped forward at approximately 50 MPH. The brake pedal was depressed and sank to the floorboard. The vehicle was shifted into neutral and crashed into a snow bank. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure was 160,000.
On November 4, 2008 as I was attempting to park my car at the williamsburg, va post office and was about 2/3 of the way into the parking spot with my foot on the brake, the engine roared, the car accelerated, jumped the curb and hit the side of the brick building. Fortunately there were no pedestrians in my path. We had the car towed to casey Toyota in williamsburg where they inspected the brakes and found that they were working properly. We then requested that Toyota send a representative to inspect the car to determine what might have caused this accident. The inspector's report states that he found nothing wrong with the car. (this of course all took place prior to the recent recalls). We incurred expenses totaling over $600. Because of this accident. …
This vehicle was involved in a fatal crash in which a passenger was killed. Based upon a crash reconstruction analysis, the vehicle was traveling in excess of 100 MPH when the driver lost directional control and struck the back of another vehicle. Although no current recalls exist for this particular vehicle in regards to vehicle speed control issues, we are interested in having it investigated in light of the recent Toyota recalls with other model years. The unusually high speed of this vehicle does not appear consistent with the circumstances surrounding the crash. The vehicle is available for examination if needed. Updated 9/29/11
Tl contact owns a 2001 Toyota Camry. While driving into a parking space at approximately 5 MPH the contact applied pressure to the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated and crashed into another vehicle. The crash caused damage to the front drivers side of the vehicle and damage to the other vehicle involved. Both vehicles were repaired and covered by the contacts insurance company. There were no injuries. The failure occurred twice. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic. The mechanic could not diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Toyota Camry. While driving into a shopping center, the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably. The contact applied extreme pressure to the brake pedal; however, the vehicle failed to slow down. The contact was able to avoid crashing into the front of a building; however, he crashed into a dumpster and the back of the building. The vehicle was destroyed. The air bags deployed. The contact sustained broken ribs, numerous bruises and contusions. The contact has not confirmed if the floor mats caused the vehicle to accelerate. The current and failure mileages were 91,000.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Toyota Camry ce/le/xle. While driving at speeds of less than 50 MPH, there was a loud roar in the engine and the vehicle abnormally accelerated without warning. The vehicle accelerated to speeds of 70 MPH. The contact attempted to depress the brakes but they would not engage which caused the vehicle to crash into a house. The police were called and a report was filed. There were no injuries. Repairs were made at the owner's expense. There were no additional failures, to date. The current and failure mileages were under 101,301. The VIN was not accepted.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Toyota Camry. The contact attempted to shift the gear lever from drive to park but when the brake was depressed, the vehicle abnormally accelerated. The contact was unable to decelerate and crashed into an unoccupied parked vehicle. A police report was filed. There was no personal injury. The vehicle had not been repaired and sustained damage to the front end bumper. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Toyota Camry. While in a drive-thru establishment he applied pressure to the brake pedal and then the vehicle accelerated without intention. As a consequence he crashed into a brick wall. He was moderately injured. The fire department and police were called to the scene. The vehicle was completely destroyed. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. The failure and current mileages were 68,000.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while trying to park at 5 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into a tree. The vehicle sustained major body damage but no injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership but the dealer could not duplicate the problem. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000. The current mileage was approximately 60,000.
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with cruise control and v6 engines, and built at one of two lines at the kentucky plant. The accelerator cable housing could be deformed at the cruise control actuator-to-throttle body connection. The accelerator inner-cable could wear away and eventually break.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the accelerator cable. Owner notification began February 23, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
Acceleration complaints in other Camry years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2001 Toyota Camry?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2001 Toyota Camry, 17% of the model year's 272 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Toyota Camry acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 01V-012 (vehicle speed control, Jan 16, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Toyota Camry acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 25 crashes, 0 fires and 10 injuries and 1 death to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.