2002 Lexus RX300: sudden unintended acceleration

Filed May 14, 2014 · Acceleration · 128,591 miles · MD · crash · 1 injury

Subject: sudden acceleration lexus 2002--near fatal crash comments: on 3.16.2012 at 8 :30 am I pulled into a parking spot in a parking garage in baltimore, maryland. The car was stopping in a parking space. Suddenly, the engine starting revving up and the car suddenly accelerated at such a high speed that the car jumped over the parking barricade and cables, went airborn and crash landed at the opposite end of the garage on the level below. If it had landed 12 inches further, it would have gone over the 6th story of the parking garage. The brakes did not work and prior to this, the car was almost stopped. I have owned this car for 8 years with one previous owner. I always do the recommended routine maintenance. The car was beyond repair and was totaled.

Filed Dec 28, 2011 · Acceleration, Airbags · 135,000 miles · VA · crash · 1 injury

Tl- the contact owns a 2002 lexus rx300. The contact stated that while parking vehicle, there was an abnormal increase in engine rpms as the vehicle accelerated independently. The vehicle jumped the curb and crashed into a fence before coming to a complete stop. The air bags did not deploy and the contact suffered injuries to the right shoulder. The vehicle was not destroyed. The contact called the manufacturer and the manufacturer sent a technician to examine the vehicle failure. The technician stated that because there were two flat tires on the vehicle due to the sudden acceleration, the vehicle could not be properly examined. The failure mileage was 135,000. Kmj updated 01/13/12*lj updated 02/01/12 ....updated 02/10/12 *bf also, the air bag did not deploy. Updated 05/03/12

Filed Apr 11, 2011 · Acceleration · 159,000 miles · TX · crash

In attempting to park my vehicle at a store parking lot, at very low speed (<1 MPH) with my foot on or hovering over the brake pedal, my car lunged forward, jumped the 'stopper' and ran into a handicap parking pole. The car engine continued to race/accerlerate until I removed the key from the ignition. The store surveillance system caught the accident on tape. Had it not been for the upright concrete pole, my vehicle very well would have caused injury to others. Fortunately, neither my passenger nor I were injured. My insurance company found no damage to my brakes; and resulting damage to the front end has been repaired. However, since the accident, I have had my front brakes replaced. I am considerably more cognizant of slight accelleration of the vehicle without my assistance!!

Filed Aug 19, 2010 · Acceleration · 110,000 miles · AZ

I experienced sudden unintended acceleration in my 2002 lexus, rx300 on 4 aug, 2010. I was in a parking lot making a left turn into the parking area when the vehicle revved full throttle and surged forward. I applied the brakes fully and when the vehicle did not fully stop I put the vehicle in neutral while still applying the brakes and stopped the vehicle. It was still idling full throttle. I shut it off and let it sit a few minutes and started it again. It went to full throttle and would not throttle down. I then went under the hood and tried to jiggle the accelerator linkage but to no avail. I called the local toyota service department and they told me to get the vehicle there. I had it towed to the service center. They would not do any work on it or even look at it because it was a lexus and they had been instructed not to do anything with unintended acceleration problems on any type of vehicle that was not a toyota even though lexus is manufactured by toyota. I had to get it to a lexus dealer in tucson, az (~80 miles away) for diagnosis. The lexus dealer service center diagnosed the problem as a bent throttle cable. Some how a cover had come loose and the cable was exposed from its sheath and bent. I am sure the lexus of tucson service manager, mr. Paul minor could explain it exactly but that is my interpretation of what he explained to me. I asked him how this could have happened and he said he did not know. The repair was accomplished for ~$365.00 parts and labor. I will have the car back on friday 20 aug, 2010. I will have the old/bad parts on hand. I feel this is a problem in design that lexus should take responsibility to reimburse me and to issue a safety release and recall. There should be a fail safe if the throttle cable should bend. In my case the bent cable caused a full throttle condition and sudden unintended acceleration. I was fortunate that I was aware of what to do in that situation and that a pedestrian or another vehicle.

Filed Feb 25, 2010 · Acceleration · 174,000 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 lexus rx300. Whenever the contact attempted to come to a complete stop, he noticed that the RPM's suddenly increased causing the vehicle to lunge forward even when the brakes were applied. The contact previously noticed that all of the dashboard warning lights illuminated for several days and then shut off without being serviced. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealership. The current and failure mileages were 174000. Updated 3/24/10 *cn the consumer stated he experienced sudden acceleration several times. Updated 06/17/10

Filed Dec 3, 2009 · Acceleration, Locks · 43,433 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 rx300 lexus. While driving 55 MPH on a hill, the vehicle accelerated on its own and the pedal was stuck to the floor. She was only able to stop the vehicle after shifting into neutral gear. The contact shut the engine off and attempted to exit the vehicle; however, the doors failed to open until she restarted the vehicle. There was a loud noise present in the engine after restarting the vehicle; however, the vehicle began moving in reverse. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the vehicle was purchased. The diagnostic computer test indicated that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. The dealer stated that the floor mats could have caused the failure; although, the hooks were securely fastened onto the floor mats. The failure occurred on one occasion. The failure mileage was 43,433 and the current mileage was 73,000. Updated 01/05/10 *bf updated 01/07/10.

Filed Aug 18, 2004 · Acceleration · IL

While driving came to a complete stop. Then, vehicle surged forward. Took the vehicle to the dealer.