Investigations
Brake Actuator malfunction
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE14001 — closed, opened 2014-01-23 and involving the TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID.
NHTSA investigation PE14001 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2014-01-23 and currently closed. The subject of record is TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for TOYOTA. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2014-08-22 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Preliminary Evaluation like PE14001 is the entry point of the federal defect-investigation process. NHTSA engineers scan complaint databases, field reports, and manufacturer data to decide whether an Engineering Analysis is warranted, whether a voluntary recall is already sufficient, or whether the pattern does not rise to a defect finding.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "On June 25, 2014, Toyota initiated a Warranty Enhancement Program (ZE1) to extend warranty coverage for the brake actuator assembly and skid control ECU/brake pedal stroke sensor in certain MY 2007 to 2011 Toyota Camry h..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related TOYOTA files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
On June 25, 2014, Toyota initiated a Warranty Enhancement Program (ZE1) to extend warranty coverage for the brake actuator assembly and skid control ECU/brake pedal stroke sensor in certain MY 2007 to 2011 Toyota Camry hybrid vehicles. Toyota's program covers repairs related to two conditions: internal malfunctions of the Brake Actuator assembly; and overly sensitive monitoring logic for the Brake Pedal Stroke Sensor. Primary coverage provides warranty enhancement until November 30, 2015, with no mileage limitation. After the primary coverage period ends, secondary coverage is provided for 10 years or 150,000 miles from the date of first use, whichever occurs first. In addition, on July 10, 2014, Toyota initiated Limited Service Campaign E0U to replace the Brake Reservoir Tank in MY 2007 through 2011 Toyota Camry hybrid vehicles. The LSC will be available until June 30, 2017, and will only be available at an authorized Toyota dealer. ODI's analysis of failure data determined that the majority of records were related to the Brake Actuator condition, which appeared to be the causal component in 734 complaints/field reports and 864 warranty claims. The Brake Pedal Stroke Sensor (80 reports/189 claims) and Brake Reservoir Tank (91 reports/44 claims) conditions were identified in far fewer records. Analysis of the failure data indicate that each condition provides warning prior to any reduction in power assisted braking, with less than 10 percent of all reports and claims involving diagnostic codes or complaint narratives indicating increased braking effort or reduced brake effectiveness. In addition, most of the incidents in which reduced braking assist appears to have occurred involved operation in a reduced assist mode and not a sudden, complete loss of power assisted braking. ODI assessed reduced assist mode in a subjective driving evaluation which indicated that the brake system provided normal and hard deceleration capability with reasonable increases in pedal effo
About This Investigation Type
A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first phase of NHTSA's investigation process. It is opened when the agency identifies a potential safety defect pattern, usually triggered by consumer complaints, manufacturer reports, or field monitoring. During a PE, NHTSA gathers information to determine whether a formal engineering analysis is warranted.
Other TOYOTA Investigations
Brake Actuator Valve Wear
Electrical problems / No-start
Joyson Passenger Side Air Bag Cushion
Battery Hold Down Bracket Thermal Events
Brake Actuator Valve Wear
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.