Problems linked to Camrys probed

Suzanne Struglinski

Wednesday, March 10, 2004 | 10:54 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Problems related to Toyota Camrys and two other car models experiencing "unwanted acceleration" are being investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

A Las Vegas couple were in a Camry in January when it went off the fourth floor of the Golden Nugget parking lot.

Witnesses say the 2002 Toyota Camry of George Yago, 83, and his wife, Maureen, 79, pulled into a parking space and stopped but then for unknown reasons accelerated forward and off the garage, according to Metro Police.

A March 3 notice from the federal agency said it will examine the throttle control systems of the 2002 and 2003 Toyota Camry, Camry Solara and the Lexus ES3000, also made by Toyota. The notice said there have been complaints and injuries resulting from the car suddenly accelerating. The throttle system could fail to properly control engine speed, it said.

Toyota spokesman John Hanson confirmed today that the agency has requested a preliminary statement from the company on surging in its the three models.

Hanson said he did not know if this incident would be part of the investigation and that Toyota is just beginning its internal audit.