2001 Infiniti I30: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Mar 20, 2009 · Acceleration · 131,000 miles · NY

I was driving on the highway in my 2001 infiniti i30. Car has never been hit or otherwise damaged. It's a fully stock vehicle. As I was driving down the highway the accelerator pedal depressed all by itself half way and the rpms and speed rose. I tried to brake but the acceleration overcame the braking and would not slow the vehicle. I put the vehicle into neutral and the rpms were at max. I was on the highway with no shoulder so I had to put the vehicle back into gear to get to the next exit. Once I put it into gear the vehicle sped up uncontrollably again. So I had no choice but to turn the vehicle off and I lost power steering and braking ability. Luckily I was able to coast to a stop. I opened the hood and noticed the cruise control cable on the throttle was keeping the throttle floored. It would not let up. I unhooked the cruise control from the throttle and the vehicle was drivable again. There is a serious defect with the cruise control system in this vehicle. It is very dangerous. This is all original. No alterations/modifications. It occurred without warning and had I not been on the highway at 10pm but rather on the streets of manhattan, someone would have been seriously injured or killed. If this had happened 10 mins before it did someone would have been killed. I am irate but relieved at the same time.

Filed Jun 19, 2003 · Acceleration · 35,000 miles · MA

When I am in stop-and-go traffic after 30-45 minutes of time the engine idles very fast. I have to keep my foot on the brake very hard to keep vehicle stopped. When I take my foot off the brake the engine RPM reads 1100 (if the problem is not occurring it is usually 750 RPM in idle or when stopped) without putting my foot on the accelerator the cars drives at 30 MPH (almost as if it in cruise control mode even though the cruise control is not engaged) when this is occurring and I come to a stop and put the car into neutral or park the engine races to 3000 RPM and seems stuck at that level. I recently serviced the vehicle including throttle box cleaning but the problem persists on an intermittent basis. The dealer tells me that the "computer" does not show a trouble code. They recommend that I bring it in when it is occurring. The problem is not completely predictable and when it does occur it is usually in the 5:00-7:00 pm drive time, the dealer is closed. I have asked then to also look at the throttle sensor which they say they will. I feel that the situation could be very dangerous as there is a sense that I am not in control of the vehicle's speed when this occurs. Thank you.

Filed May 13, 2002 · Acceleration · IA

Consumer states with the cruise control set, the vehicle surges and the speedometer and tachometer performs erraticly regardless of speed. Dealer could not duplicate the problem.

Filed Oct 10, 2001 · Acceleration, Suspension · LA

The bottom of the car is rubbing the pavement while driving with more the 400lb in the back seat, also have to press the brake pedal excessively to dis engage cruise control

Filed Sep 10, 2001 · Acceleration, Suspension · LA

Cruise control is difficult to release when brake pedal is being depressed. Also when two or more passengers are riding in rear of the vehicle rear suspension bottoms out. Dealer has yet to be contacted. Please provide further details.

Filed Jul 6, 2001 · Acceleration · MN

As I was merging into highway traffic the accelarator pedal locked up and the car started to speed up. Checked the cruise control and it was off. Turned the cruise control on/off hoping it would disconnect the accelarator. Nothing happenned. The break would not work either. Then I put the car in neutral the tires seem to lock up and the car came to a stop.

Filed Jun 7, 2001 · Acceleration, Brakes · MI · crash · 2 injuries

While driving about 65 MPH and cruise control set, consumer tapped brake to slow down. Instead, vehicle maintained speed. Consumer then applied brake hard, and cruise control would not cut off. Consumer steered vehicle toward median, and hit a guardrail. Vehicle was totalled, consumer not injured.