TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Toyota Camry cruise control problems
severe Owners of the 2011 Toyota Camry have filed 50 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control, typically surfacing around 17,200 miles at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
50
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 Camry | 532 |
| 2008 Camry | 136 |
| 2009 Camry | 243 |
| 2010 Camry | 137 |
| 2011 Camry (this page) | 50 |
| 2012 Camry | 48 |
| 2013 Camry | 22 |
| 2015 Camry | 8 |
26crashes
15injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 50 cruise control complaints filed for the 2011 Toyota Camry, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
Owners have filed 50 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.
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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
Owners of this 2011 Camry describe sudden, uncontrolled acceleration during low-speed parking maneuvers and at highway speeds—sometimes when foot is planted on the brake. The car surges forward, engine RPMs jump from 1,500 to 6,000 rpm or higher, and braking becomes ineffective or highly resistant. In wet conditions, rear wheels lock up and the car drifts uncontrollably across lanes. Cruise control fails to disengage when brakes are applied, maintaining or exceeding the set speed. One owner's accelerator pedal was replaced under warranty after a P2128 code (open circuit), but many others report dealers unable to duplicate the failure. Toyota engineers inspected event data recorders in several crashes but concluded no manufacturing defect and blamed driver error—despite black-box data in one case showing zero pressure on the accelerator pedal. Owners have crashed into trees, walls, fences, and other vehicles, suffering rib fractures, neck injuries, and chest trauma. Repairs ranged from thousands in damage to total loss. Dealers repeatedly stated they could not reproduce the problem, and Toyota offered no recalls, TSBs, or compensation in most cases, though one owner's warranty claim for the accelerator pedal was covered. The manufacturer's standard response: vehicle performs as designed.
Same Toyota Camry cruise control reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended Acceleration—Low-Speed Maneuvers
Vehicle accelerates suddenly during low-speed parking, backing, or turning maneuvers (5–20 mph) even with brake pedal fully depressed. Owners report foot on brake but car surges forward despite their input.
When: Primarily during parking and low-speed maneuvering; failures documented at 800–90,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden forward surge while foot on brake; Loss of steering control; Engine roaring or high RPM jump (1500–6000+ RPM); Brake pedal resistance or lack of response; Inability to stop vehicle despite braking
Codes mentioned: P2128 (Accelerator Pedal Open Circuit—reported in one case where pedal was replaced)
Repairs/costs cited: Repairs ranged from bumper/radiator/steering cable replacement ($2,410–$8,362 damage noted) to frame damage that reduced resale value by ~$4,000. Many owners report dealers unable to diagnose; manufacturer engineers inspected black-box data in several cases but claimed no defect.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota sent engineers/investigators to inspect event data recorders in multiple cases. In narrative #5, engineer claimed brake was not applied; in #13, pre-crash data showed no pressure on accelerator. Dealers repeatedly stated unable to duplicate failure. Some owners mentioned dealer advised them problem was known (narrative #9 serviceman showed them corrective procedure). Warranty coverage applied in narrative #23 (accelerator pedal replaced under warranty, P2128 code). No recalls or TSBs mentioned by name in narratives.
Unintended Acceleration—Highway and Higher Speeds
Vehicle accelerates suddenly while cruising or attempting normal deceleration at 25–75 mph. Engine revs excessively; brakes do not arrest speed quickly or fail to respond proportionally.
When: While cruising, downhill driving, or during quick acceleration from stop; failures range 4,500–175,800 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden speed increase (sometimes 25–50 mph gained in 1–2 seconds); RPM spike (5000–6000 RPM range); Brake pedal resistance; brakes screeching but ineffective; Loss of steering control; swerving lane-to-lane; Engine continues to rev even after foot off accelerator
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle damage ranged from moderate (bumper/radiator) to total loss (vehicle destroyed, airbags deployed). One owner spent $12,000 extra to trade in damaged vehicle. Repairs at body shops; manufacturer engineers sent inspectors but claimed no defect found.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer unable to duplicate failure in multiple cases (narratives #7, #29, #30). Manufacturer stated no defect; offered no assistance in several instances. One case (narrative #10) dealer filed report with Toyota; father was advised to accept car as-is, later spent $12,000 to trade it in without manufacturer concession.
Brake Lockup and Loss of Traction Control
Rear wheels or brakes lock up suddenly, often in wet conditions, causing rear-end slide and loss of directional control even with light brake pressure applied. ABS/ESP system failure alleged in conjunction.
When: Wet road conditions after rain; early in vehicle ownership (around 8,000–9,900 miles reported in one case)
Symptoms owners cite: Rear wheels lose traction; car drifts lane-to-lane; ABS/ESP system malfunction (alleged in narrative #1); RPM spike (1500–6000 RPM) during loss of control; Brake pedal does not prevent skidding; Vehicle pulls to left or right uncontrollably
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles crashed into trees, ditches, or driven off road. One narrative mentions front-end replacement (bumper, steering cable, radiator) but specifics are limited.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: In narrative #5, manufacturer engineer inspected black box and claimed driver error, stating brake was not applied. Owner disputed this, citing circumstance evidence and trooper response suggesting mechanical failure.
Cruise Control Failure to Disengage
Cruise control fails to disengage when brakes applied or hands turn wheel. Vehicle maintains set speed or continues to accelerate despite driver attempting normal deceleration inputs.
When: While cruise control is actively set; mileage range 4,000–124,785 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control light does not shut off when brakes pressed; Vehicle maintains cruising speed even with brake pedal fully depressed; Cruise control override fails during turns; Vehicle accelerates above set speed (e.g., set for 70 mph, surges to 75–80 mph); Failure occurs specifically in cold weather (10 degrees or below mentioned in narrative #20)
Repairs/costs cited: One narrative (#8, Hybrid model, 124,785 miles) involved dealer who had 'recently completed repairs on cruise control system'; vehicle not returned for follow-up. Event data recorder needed inspection per manufacturer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Narrative #8: Manufacturer stated event data recorder inspection needed; contact was informed of recent dealer cruise control repairs but did not pursue follow-up. Narrative #20: Manufacturer notified but no solution offered. Narrative #40: Dealer informed customer vehicle 'performed as designed.' Narrative #43: Cruise control surged 5 mph above set speed twice; no repair noted.
Accelerator Pedal Sticking or High Throttle Response on Initial Acceleration
Accelerator pedal sticks in depressed position or causes excessive speed surge immediately after driver's initial input from a stop. Owners describe disproportionate response to light pedal touch.
When: During initial acceleration from complete stop or parking; mileage 800–84,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Pedal physically sticks; requires extreme force to depress brake to regain control; Excessive speed spike (20 mph in 1–2 seconds from standstill); Shifting to Neutral required to slow vehicle; Accelerator does not return smoothly; In cold weather, symptom worsens or occurs only in 10-degree temps or below
Codes mentioned: P2128 (Accelerator Pedal Open Circuit—accelerator pedal replaced under warranty per narrative #23)
Repairs/costs cited: Narrative #23: Accelerator pedal replaced under warranty (code 552011, open circuit); cost covered by manufacturer. Other owners reported pedal stuck under floor mat (dealer suggestion in narrative #34), but owners disputed this explanation. Narrative #10: Pedal stuck; owner pumped brakes and stopped; later attempted dealer repair, dealer found nothing wrong.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Narrative #23: Warranty coverage approved; pedal assembly replaced. Narrative #34: Dealer suggested floor mat entanglement (owners skeptical). Narrative #10: Dealer filed report with Toyota; manufacturer took no responsibility, did not offer trade-in concession.
Transmission Jerking and Sluggish Acceleration Between 20–40 mph
Vehicle hesitates or 'drags' during gear changes in the 20–40 mph range, as if something is holding car back. Transmission eventually jerks into next gear with noticeable lurch.
When: Ongoing issue throughout ownership; mileage not specified but implied early in vehicle life based on complaint tone
Symptoms owners cite: Gear change feels jerky and abrupt; Sensation of car being 'pulled back' during acceleration in 20–40 mph band; Hard shift into next gear after drag period; Repeats on every acceleration in that speed range
Repairs/costs cited: Narrative #16: Owner complained to Toyota multiple times; dealer unable to recreate. Owner eventually traded vehicle in and purchased different brand; now prefers older 1999 Camry.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer unable to recreate failure. No TSBs, recalls, or warranty repairs offered. Narrative #16 owner stated Toyota 'know this is a problem' and accused manufacturer of false advertising regarding smooth ride.
High Pedal Feel—Brakes Require Excessive Force
Brake pedal exhibits high resistance; driver must apply abnormal force to achieve deceleration. Often occurs during rapid acceleration or in stop-and-go traffic when quick braking is needed.
When: During stop-and-go traffic and hard braking scenarios; triggered by rapid prior acceleration
Symptoms owners cite: Tremendous resistance in brake pedal; Vehicle barely slows despite hard pedal pressure; Brakes screeching but ineffective; Pedal feels unresponsive relative to pressure applied; Problem intermittent but repeats in similar scenarios
Repairs/costs cited: Narrative #4 owner did not report seeking repairs; stated dealer had not been consulted. Owners managed with adaptive braking technique.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not documented in narratives. Narrative #4 owner states dealer experience suggests 'problem with other 2011 Toyota's' and serviceman showed him emergency procedure, implying dealer awareness of issue.
Synthesized from 50 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Tl*the contact owns a 2011 Toyota camry. The contact stated that the vehicle was in the idle position when the accelerator pedal suddenly extended to the floorboard and the vehicle accelerated. The vehicle accelerated up to 20 MPH and the contact used all of her weight to depress the brake pedal and turned the vehicle off. The dealer stated that the accelerator pedal must have gotten stuck under…
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Toyota camry. After starting the engine, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to 25 MPH. Also, the brakes failed and caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into a tree. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to woburn Toyota (394 washington st, woburn, ma) to be diagnosed, but the cause of…
The rear wheels/brakes on my 2011 Toyota camry locked up and caused me to loose control of the car. I crashed into a tree. The following a detailed description of the event. I exited my community, by making a left turn on a county road. The weather was cloudy, and the road was damp dur to recent rain. I was accelerating to 40 MPH, which is the speed limit on a county road (a total of 2…
ABS/esp system failure & random engine revving before wreck the rear wheels/brakes on my 2011 Toyota camry locked up and caused me to lose control of the car and crash into a tree. I was accelerating to 40 MPH, until I noticed that I was about to exceed 40 MPH (by roughly 1 MPH). I removed my foot from the gas pedal and then, back of the car started to lose traction. I started to apply…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2011 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 2011 Toyota Camry?
It's a meaningful issue. 50 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 40 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 7,500 and 50,000 miles, with the median around 17,200. A quarter of owners report trouble before 7,500; a quarter make it past 50,000. 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/2011/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.