| Issue ID | 551779 |
| Internal NHTSA # | 10129448 |
| Manufacurer | TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION |
| Brand | TOYOTA |
| Model | CAMRY SOLARA |
| Model Year | 2005 |
| File date | 02/07/05 |
| Component | SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY |
| Product type code | VEHICLE |
| Description of the problem | This complaint is in regard to the design, rather than a manufacturing defect. The 2006 toyota solara convertible has a smallish rear window built into the convertible top (as most convertibles do). However, toyota takes this to the extreme by having two large headrests on the rear seat that blocks over half of the visibility to the rear window. These headrests are fixed, and so the driver has no choice but to live with a very narrow view out the rear window. It is my understanding that these headrests contain rollbars to protect passengers, but the design could easily have been more open so as to allow visibility. There were reports in the press that the 2006 model was going to switch to a 'hoop-style' headrest, but my vehicle is evidence that they did not. I do not know that there are government regulations with regard to rear visibility. It surprises me that a manufacturer is allowed to produce a car with such poor visibility. But i do know that it is virtually inevitable that there will be numerous vehicle collisions or worse - personal injuries caused by a driver backing up the toyota solara without an adequate view of what lies behind him. I believe this issues should be addressed. |
| Vehicle Mileage at Failure | |
| Number of Occurences | |
| Source of the issue | NHTSA WEB SITE |
| City and State | FLOWER MOUND, TX |
| VIN pattern | XXXXXX |
| Was vehicle invloved in a crash? | N |
| Was vehicle involved in a fire? | N |
| Was incedent reported to police? | N |
| Was medical attention required? | |
| Was part original equipment? | |
| No. of injured persons | |
| No. of fatalities | |
| Date of purchase | 07/08/26 |
| Was original owner? | N |
| Anti-lock brakes | N |
| Cruise control | N |
| Number of cylinders | |
| Drive train type | |
| Transmission type | |
| Vehicle speed | |
| DoT tire identifier | |
| Tire size | |
| Location of tire code | |
| Type of tire failure code | |
| Was defective tire repaired? | |
| Date of manufacture | |
| Type of child seat code | |
| Type of restraint | |
| Dealer's name | SPORT CITY TOYOTA |
| Dealer's telephone number | |
| Dealer's city | |
| Dealer's state code | |
| Dealer's ZIP code |