NHTSA complaint #11761489

Owner complaint summary

My 2019 Toyota Camry is experiencing repeated door lock actuator failures that I believe create a serious safety hazard. The affected component is the door lock actuator, which controls the electronic locking and unlocking of the door, and the failed components are available for inspection upon request. The problem began with intermittent failures where a door would not lock or unlock from the inside, outside, or remote key fob. The most serious incident involved my driver-side door. After the vehicle went into motion, the doors automatically locked, and I was unable to unlock or open the driver-side door from inside. When I reached my destination, I still could not open the driver’s door and had to crawl across the vehicle and exit through the passenger door. This creates a significant risk in a crash, fire, vehicle submersion, medical emergency, or other situation requiring immediate evacuation because an occupant could be trapped or unable to use the driver’s door as an emergency exit. The problem has now occurred on multiple doors, increasing the potential for fewer usable exits during an emergency. The issue has not been formally confirmed by a dealer because repair facilities wanted to charge hundreds of dollars per door to replace the actuator. I personally replaced the actuator on one affected door, and the door immediately returned to normal operation, confirming the actuator was the cause. Two additional doors have since developed the same symptoms. There were no warning lights or messages; the warning signs were intermittent failure to lock or unlock. The vehicle has not been inspected by Toyota, police, or insurance representatives. I am aware that similar door actuator failures have been reported by other Toyota owners and that a proposed federal class action has alleged premature door lock actuator failures involving Toyota Camry models, including 2012–2024.