The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a preliminary investigation to assess the cause, scope and frequency of reported intermittent loss of assisted braking in model year (MY) 2007-2008 Toyota Camry hybrid electric vehicles.

According to NHTSA, it received 59 complaints, each alleging multiple incidents of either delayed braking actuation or increased brake pedal effort. Approximately 40% of the incidents (24) occurred at speeds of 40 mph (64 km/h) or more. Two crashes were reported.

The NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) identified seven field reports submitted as part of Early Warning Reporting data that relate to the alleged defect. The complaints show an apparent increasing trend, with more than 55% received within the past eight months.

The vehicle population potentially affected by this is around 30,000 units.