2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid

2015 Toyota Camry HV 4 DR FWD

Overall

★★★★★

Front Crash

★★★★☆

Side Crash

★★★★★

Rollover

★★★★☆

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2015 Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid, and 2014-2015 Rav4 vehicles. A component of the electric power steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. Over time, this damage may result in failure of the electric power steering system.

Campaign: 15V144000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

The contact owned a 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving forward towards the end of a driveway, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle experienced a sudden and unintended acceleration as if the accelerator pedal was depressed down to the floorboard. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact noticed that there was smoke coming out of the steering wheel, and the contact blacked out for a couple of seconds. The contact stated that upon regaining consciousness, the contact noticed that the vehicle had turned around with the front end facing the driveway. The contact noticed that all the air bags had deployed, which required the contact to slide underneath the driver's side curtain air bags to exit the vehicle. The contact stated that the front of the vehicle, the hood, and the front driver's side of the vehicle were damaged; however, the damage did not extend to the driver's side door. The contact stated that the cause of the damage was unknown because there was no collision. A bystander advised the contact to call 911. The ambulance arrived, and the contact was sited down in hope that the severity of her headaches would reduce. The contact's friend transported the contact to the residence, and the contact was then transported to the Emergency Room, where the contact underwent a CT scan. The contact sustained severe headaches. bruised left hand with swollen index finger, soreness of the shoulders and a rib, nausea, difficulty breathing, fever, body ache while standing up and sitting down and while turning to the side. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and totaled by the insurance company. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.

TIRES

P20565R16 all four tires. These tires from Bridgestone have a UTQG rating of 640 A A with a "warranty" by the manufacture of 75,000 miles. The current set of tires on my car have approximately 18,000 miles and are very worn. The tire wear gauge reads 5/32 reaming tread. I doubt that the next 3/32 (5/32 - 2/32) will give me the remaining 57,000 miles. I buy my tires based on the UTQG rating. It's a good indicator of tire wear and has been fairly reliable up to this point. I Googled the tire to see if others have similar experience. The answer was YES. It appears that Bridgestone has a problem with tire wear on these tires. Reviews all pointed to terrible tire wear. Sadly, My wife's car had Firestone tires that we just replaced. Those had only 22,000 miles, but had a 600 UTQG rating. It appears that Firestone /Bridgestone do not know how tear wear works. First time in my life I was this disappointed in a tire company, but Firestone certainly had it's share of problems in the past. Someone needs to do an evaluation of Firestone tire rating practice. For me, it's too late. Thanks.

STEERING

The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring the steering wheel be manually returned to center upon completing a turn. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the steering sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V144000 (Steering), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 174,000.

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I am writing to report a serious incident involving my 2015 Toyota Camry LE (VIN: [XXX] ), which I believe is connected to a potential defect or recall issue. On [XXX], I was involved in a car crash that resulted in my vehicle being totaled. The circumstances of the crash strongly suggest that it was caused or exacerbated by issue sudden loss of power steering assistance The details of the crash are as follows: Date/Time: [XXX] Location: [XXX] Fall River While driving at low speeds, I experienced a sudden loss of power steering, making it difficult to control the vehicle and avoid a collision. I am deeply concerned about the potential safety implications of this issue and believe it may be related to [NHTSA campaign ID 15V144000 or defect steering electric power assis INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,LANE DEPARTURE

The sunroofs have a drain which sometimes can plug up. This car was maintained several times a year since purchase by Toyota dealer. When the drain plugged up this fall, water backed up and came down inside of the passenger compartment on top of the electrical fuses, body computer. The leak IS NOT DETECTABLE by owner or occupant. But when it manifests itself, it does so with the Blind Spot Monitor failing randomly, the seat belt warning lights might or might not work, the airbag safety system fails, sometimes the whole instrument dash acts erractic including random on/off blinking, the tire pressure monitoring system fails. All these problems can occur before owner is ever aware of the problem. Since one of the items that is getting corrosion is a fuse block - potential fire while parked in a garage or while being drive is a possibility. In an accident failure of air bags can result in a fatality. I'm an engineer, so when things started blinking on dash - I took pictures or had another occupant take pictures. I showed them to the dealer service - they didn't make the connection with corrosion on the body computer that monitors and manages all the systems including the anti-lock and rollover system. It's in for repair at dealer now, now idea on the cost - but they've said damage is extensive AND we caught it before most people encounter it. I checked and could find no Toyota Service Bulletin that warned to look for the problem, repair techs had vehicle for week trying to find problem - and it took me insisting on looking for corrosion before they found it. This should result in: 1)Toyota special service bulletin to inspect every year and verify sunroof drain not blocked. 2) read diagnostics codes of the body network computer for issues, 3)Toyota special service recall to repair damage free to customers.

SERVICE BRAKES

The ABS system failure with out warning and it was hard to control on the HWY

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving 20-30 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle started shuddering and there was a 20-30 seconds lag in acceleration, which required the contact to release and to depress the accelerator pedal until the vehicle responded as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the torque converter had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

AIR BAGS

The contact owned a 2015 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving at 70 MPH during nighttime, an animal jumped on the roadway and veered to the side attempting to avoid the animal. The steering wheel failed to turn in the desired direction and crashed into a guard rail. During the crash, the contact's head was hurt by the steering wheel, and no air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed by the insurance company and deemed a total loss. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and attempting to activate the headlights, the vehicle lost motive power with the ABS and stabili-trak warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,256.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH and attempting to slow the vehicle, the contact became aware that the brake pedal required increased effort to depress to slow the vehicle. The ABS, stability control, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the brake booster and brake booster pump assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21TE03. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 124,000.