SERVICE BRAKES · FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Vehicle Safety Complaint – 2018 Toyota Camry On October 26, 2026, the driver was operating a 2018 Toyota Camry on a public roadway at approximately 45 mph when the vehicle unexpectedly activated its automatic emergency braking system. The dashboard displayed a “BRAKE!” warning, immediately followed by extremely forceful braking, comparable to someone suddenly slamming their foot on the brake pedal. The vehicle rapidly decelerated from approximately 45 mph to a complete stop, despite there being no vehicles, pedestrians, or visible obstacles in front of or near the vehicle. The sudden braking caused the driver’s body to lurch forward. According to the driver, the seat belt did not noticeably tighten during the incident. After the vehicle came to a complete stop, the brakes released, and the car slowly began rolling forward without the driver pressing the accelerator. The driver did not intentionally initiate the emergency braking. This unexpected activation created a serious safety hazard and could have resulted in a rear-end collision, loss of vehicle control, or serious injury. The incident raises concerns about a possible malfunction of the vehicle’s Pre-Collision System (PCS), including its radar sensor, forward-facing camera, calibration, or associated software. A VIN search through the NHTSA database indicated zero outstanding safety recalls for this vehicle. I am requesting that NHTSA document and investigate this incident as a potential safety defect involving unintended automatic emergency braking in the 2018 Toyota Camry.