NHTSA Complaint #10448651 — 2009 TOYOTA CAMRY

THIS 2009 CAMRY WHICH IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY IS EQUIPPED WITH TRACTION CONTROL WITH NO SWITCH TO DISABLE IT DURING ICY CONDITIONS. THE CAR IS OPERATED IN COLORADO WHERE SNOW PACKED AND ICY ROADS ARE COMMON. WHEN THESE CONDITIONS EXIST AND THE CAR IS STOPPED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE OR AT A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT ON AN INCLINE, THE POWER TO THE FRONT WHEELS IS AUTOMATICALLY SHUT DOWN BECAUSE THE WHEELS ARE SPINNING ON THE ICE AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SHUTS THE POWER DOWN TO THEM TO THE POINT THEY WILL NOT TURN. AT THIS POINT, THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE UNLESS YOU BACK IT UP AND TAKE A RUN AT THE HILL. THIS IS DANGEROUS FOR 2 REASONS: 1. IF THERE IS A CAR BEHIND YOU, YOU CANNOT BACK UP WHICH CREATES A TRAFFIC JAM AND REQUIRES CARS GO AROUND YOU WHICH CAN BE A HAZARD. 2. WHEN YOU GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A RUN AT THE HILL, YOU CANNOT STOP OTHERWISE THE CAR WILL STALL WHICH MEANS YOU MUST ENTER INTO A STREET WITHOUT STOPPING WHICH IS DANGEROUS AND IN MANY CASES ILLEGAL. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO INSTALL A SWITCH, AND THAT I SHOULD EXPRESS MY CONCERNS TO THE TOYOTA EXPERIENCE LINE. THIS SITUATION IS A CATASTROPHE WAITING TO HAPPEN AND NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. ALSO, THE 2012 CAMRY HAS A SWITCH TO DISABLE THE TRACTION CONTROL IN ICY CONDITIONS. IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY THE SWITCH MUST BE RETROFITTED TO OLDER MODELS. *TR