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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Toyota Camry cruise control problems
critical 532 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
532
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
114crashes
5fires
57injuries
2fatalities
When does it fail?
Of the 532 cruise control complaints filed for the 2007 Toyota Camry, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 18 model years of Toyota Camry we track for cruise control problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 532.
Owners have filed 532 cruise control complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TOYOTA: ACCELERATOR PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY INFORMATION REGARDING THE INSPECTION, REMOVAL, AND INSTALLATION, IF LUBRICATION OR OIL, IS APPLIED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 532 complaints in this cluster split roughly into three categories: unintended acceleration, cruise-control misbehavior, and braking-system failures (primarily in hybrids).
On acceleration, owners describe the gas pedal sticking or vehicle surging unexpectedly—sometimes after the 2007 software upgrade (ECM calibration), sometimes after floor-mat removal, and sometimes without obvious trigger. Reported incidents include drivers unable to stop even with both feet on the brake, collisions at low speed, and crashes at highway speed. Dealerships initially blamed aftermarket floor mats; Toyota later released recall parts (pedal shim, accelerator cut, brake override).
Cruise control complaints center on erratic speed management on inclines: the car downshifts aggressively, RPM climbs to 5000, and speed overshoots the set point by 5–10 mph. One owner reported this 50 times in one hour. Dealers told owners "the computer can't see hills coming" and to manually override cruise on grades—a non-fix that owners found unacceptable. One owner described control-loop instability worthy of redesign.
Brake issues, predominantly in 2007–2009 hybrids, cluster around the ABS/VSC actuator failing (error code C1391). Owners report sudden loss of power assist, stiff pedal feel, delayed brake response, and warning-light cascades. Repair costs range $2,500–$4,000. Toyota redesigned the actuator after these model years but initially refused recalls on 2007s, offering financial assistance case-by-case only after owner complaints. Several owners noted they'd reported warning signs (chirping, cycling) months before total failure.
Same Toyota Camry cruise control reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration / sticking accelerator
Engine revs or vehicle accelerates without driver pressing pedal, or pedal becomes mechanically stuck. Occurs sporadically, sometimes after acceleration/deceleration cycles during merging, sometimes at stop lights, sometimes while using cruise control. Dealerships often blamed floor mats initially; software and hardware recalls followed.
When: Intermittent; often reported shortly after purchase or use (first year to 50K miles commonly cited). Some incidents tied to post-software-update period (August 2007 ECM upgrade mentioned in narrative #2).
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs unexpectedly; driver cannot decelerate by releasing pedal; Pedal feels stuck or sticks to floor; repeated pumping required to free it; Vehicle accelerates to high speed (60–85+ mph reported) despite brakes applied; brakes fail to respond adequately; Car surges forward at stop lights or in parking lots even with foot on brake; Burning-tire smell and/or engine racing audible
Codes mentioned: ECM calibration issues (software-related)
Repairs/costs cited: Recall SSC-90K addressed via pedal shim (metal insert); some owners reported pedal modification (cutting) made foot slipping worse. TSB EG036-07 (ECM calibration update for shift enhancement) applied to some vehicles. No hardware fix resolved all cases; brake override system (separate recall) helps but not a root cause fix.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall notices issued for accelerator pedal (metal shim, pedal shape modification). Brake override system retrofit offered. Dealerships initially blamed floor mats. TSB EG036-07 for ECM calibration. Post-recall, some owners still reported unintended acceleration.
Cruise control instability on grades
Cruise control fails to maintain set speed on inclines and declines. Car downshifts hard (2 gears), engine revs to 5000 RPM, speed increases 5–10 mph over set point, then underreacts on uphill, requiring driver to manually accelerate. Cycle repeats, creating uncomfortable surging and potential safety hazard. Dealership response: told owners behavior is normal and design limitation (computer cannot detect hills), and to override manually.
When: First long trips, particularly on rolling-hill routes. One owner reported problem from 'day of purchase.' Intermittent but persistent across trips.
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive downshifting (2 gears) when approaching incline; Engine RPM climbs to ~5000 RPM; Speed surges 5–10 mph above set cruise speed; Car underperforms on uphill; insufficient acceleration requiring driver to press pedal; Jerky, unstable control loop behavior—overshoots set speed, then undershoots
Codes mentioned: ECM shift-enhancement calibration (TSB EG036-07)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported 50 acceleration/deceleration cycles in one hour on a single trip. Dealers offered no repair; owners forced to disable cruise on grades. One owner with control-systems expertise noted algorithm has long internal-loop delays and appears close to instability.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB EG036-07 (ECM shift-enhancement calibration) was applied; no improvement reported by owners. Dealerships told owners problem is by design and to override manually on hills.
Hesitation and jerking on acceleration from stop
Vehicle hesitates 1–3 seconds when accelerating from stop, traffic light, or after coasting. Hesitation sometimes followed by hard jerk/surge forward when transmission engages. Problem described as intermittent but frequent (multiple times per week in some cases). Related to transmission-control calibration issues.
When: From purchase or shortly thereafter; persistent through vehicle life in some cases. Hesitation more pronounced in cold weather (below 30°F).
Symptoms owners cite: 1–3 second delay before engine responds to throttle input; Hard jerk when transmission finally engages (often accompanied by clunking sound); Front wheels spin or lose traction during acceleration in turns or on snow/ice; Requires driver to compensate by adjusting throttle input; Tachometer drops sharply (1800 to 1000 RPM) after releasing throttle, then jumps (1000 to 2000 RPM) without pedal input
Codes mentioned: ECM calibration (TSB EG036-07, U660E ECM update)
Repairs/costs cited: TSB EG036-07 (shift-enhancement calibration) applied August 2007 in some vehicles. ECU memory reset/reprogramming sometimes provided temporary relief (2-week improvement mentioned in narrative #6) but problem recurred. Dealers offered throttle-body/fuel-injection service ($99.95) which did not resolve issue. New computer chip installation mentioned but did not permanently fix.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB EG036-07 ECM calibration update and U660E computer-chip replacement offered. One owner noted chip replaced but 'made direct opposite situation—jerking the car when gas released to full speed ahead.' Dealers acknowledged multiple complaints without solution.
ABS/VSC actuator failure (primarily hybrid models)
Brake actuator or ABS/VSC control module fails intermittently or completely, causing loss of power-assisted braking, stiff brake pedal, and cascade of warning lights (CHECK VSC, ABS, BRAKE, Master Warning). Failure more common in 2007–2008 hybrids. Error code C1391 (internal abnormal leak in brake actuator). Toyota redesigned part for later model years but initially refused recall on 2007s.
When: Often manifests after 50K–100K miles; some owners report warning signs (cycling motor, chirping) months before total failure. One owner reported incident at 78K miles on vehicle out of extended warranty.
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power-assisted braking; pedal becomes very stiff or requires standing on brakes; Brakes feel like manual (non-power) braking; Brake pedal response delayed 1–2 seconds; Multiple warning lights illuminate: CHECK VSC SYSTEM, ABS, BRAKE, Master Warning; vehicle may also display MAINTENANCE REQUIRED; Brakes may fail to respond while driving, forcing driver to pull over or coast to stop; Recurring on/off cycling of brake actuator motor (audible humming or buzzing), sometimes for 90 seconds after shutdown; Chirping or barking sound from under hood when braking or at idle; Brakes may reengage abruptly with loud BANG/THUNK
Codes mentioned: C1391 (internal abnormal leak, brake actuator assembly), C012 (rear speed sensor RH circuit), C0215 (rear speed sensor LH circuit), C1331 (open circuit in left-front circuit), U0073 (control module bus off)
Repairs/costs cited: Repair cost $2,500–$4,000+ (ABS actuator assembly replacement, labor, fluid bleed, reprogramming). Replacement part is original design (Toyota later redesigned for 2009+ models). Some owners discovered Toyota redesigned actuator with different part number (15772-31030 vs. original 04009-33131 or similar); owners requested new design but dealers installed original defective design to save labor costs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Initial position: no recall on 2007 non-hybrid models despite hundreds of complaints (534 total in this cluster). For hybrid models, Toyota eventually issued separate recall (noted by one owner as #E0U for brake-reservoir clogging). Out-of-warranty assistance offered case-by-case after owner complaints and corporate escalation. One owner reported Toyota covered repair 'as a one-time only deal' after calling corporate.
Deceleration lag / slow speed drop when releasing accelerator
Vehicle fails to slow down promptly when driver releases throttle. After releasing pedal, car continues at high speed for several seconds before RPM and speed finally drop. Forces driver to apply brakes much harder and earlier than normal, leading to premature brake wear.
When: Reported throughout vehicle life; one owner noted problem from purchase.
Symptoms owners cite: Car coasts or maintains speed for 1–3 seconds after accelerator released; Requires aggressive braking to compensate; Premature brake-pad wear (complete replacement needed well before typical interval); Hazardous on highways with tree branches or debris—cannot slow enough to avoid
Codes mentioned: ECM/transmission control calibration
Repairs/costs cited: No repair found effective. Owners told by dealers 'some hesitation is normal' and advised to wait for better solution. Problem continues.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships acknowledged no solution available. One owner noted dealers said 'they wouldn't be able to fix it' even if a problem existed. Owners advised to wait for future fixes that never materialized.
Synthesized from 532 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Toyota camry. While accelerating from a red light, the rpms rapidly increased, and then the vehicle lurched forward. She had to shift the vehicle into park to stop acceleration. The vehicle engine continued to rev while in park, but did not move. There were no floor mats in the vehicle at the time of the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and she was awaiting a…
Tl*the contact owns a 2007 Toyota camry purchased new in 2007. He struck an object in the middle of the road and the vehicle begin to accelerate rapidly. The accelerator pedal became entrapped under the floor-mat. He was able to remove the floor-mat, but was unable to avoid a crash. The vehicle was moderately damaged. On another occasion, while driving the floor mats became stuck under the…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2007 Toyota Camry?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2007 Toyota Camry?
It's a serious issue. 532 complaints have been filed, including 114 reports involving a crash and 2 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 396 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 26,415 and 91,890 miles, with the median around 56,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 26,415; a quarter make it past 91,890. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Toyota/Camry.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.