2004 Toyota 4RUNNER: sudden unintended acceleration

Filed Jan 21, 2014 · Acceleration · 164,000 miles · CA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota 4runner. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to 25 MPH and caused the contact to crash into a pole. The contact was not injured and a police report was not filed. The contact did not call the manufacturer regarding the incident. The contact later received notification of the federal safety agency campaign I.d. Number 11v113000 (vehicle speed control) however, the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 164,000.

Filed Mar 27, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · 50,850 miles · VT · crash

I experienced a terrifying "acceleration problem" this past week as I was parking my car at a local store. I'd already slowed down to almost a halt, but as I put my foot on the brake to come to a complete stop, it suddenly lurched forward with shocking speed. I instinctively threw the gear into park; it stopped as it crashed into the steps leading to the store entrance. The cause had nothing to do with a floor mat (I don't have any) nor "sticking" gas pedal (the car had already come almost to a halt before it suddenly accelerated). The brakes were useless and felt like they were disengaged; acceleration may have occurred after depressing the brake pedal (this is still cloudy in my mind). I bought the car new, in 2004. This is the first time I've had any problem. I wondered what I might have done to cause the problem after so many years without any. I realized I'd never used the cruise control feature, until recently, only in the past few months. I was not using the cruise control feature when the incident occurred, but the sudden forward surge felt exactly like what happens when the car is on cruise control and drops beneath the speed at which it's set; it surges forward, on "its own." I believe there's a causal relationship. My concern is two-fold: fixing a potentially deadly problem in my own toyota, and helping identify the cause of the problem so it can be fixed by toyota before another tragedy.

Filed May 23, 2011 · Acceleration · 87,643 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota 4-runner. The contact was driving 2 MPH uphill when the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into a tree. There were no warnings prior to the failure. The contact was injured but there was no police report filed. The vehicle was inspected but no technician was able to explain what caused the crash. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The current mileage was approximately 110,000 and the failure mileage was 87,643.

Filed May 17, 2010 · Acceleration · 78,500 miles · CO

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 toyota 4runner. While driving at approximately 50 MPH, the contact applied the brakes but the vehicle surged forward. The contact depressed the brake pedal again but the vehicle would not stop. He was able to pull over and turn the vehicle off. Upon restart, the engine revved so the contact shut the vehicle off again. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealership where the contact was informed that the brakes were slightly warped but could not find the cause for the acceleration. The current and failure mileages were approximately 78,500.

Filed Feb 14, 2010 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 20,000 miles · NY

Sudden acceleration , where the brakes have to be applied to stop vehicle. This has happened numerous times since vehicle was purchased new in 2004.

Filed Feb 13, 2010 · Transmission · 83,000 miles · MA

Four months ago I purchased a 2004 toyota 4runner limited with approx. 82,000 miles. A month or so later, I approached a stop sign and as I braked, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. I stepped as hard as I could on the brake and fortunately, the vehicle stopped. At the time, I was scared but thought that maybe by mistake, my foot was spanning both pedals (I didn't think so but couldn't be 100% positive). Yesterday, I approached another intersection with my foot clearly on the brake pedal as I was coming to a controlled stop when, suddenly, the vehicle accelerated aggressively. Again, I was able to slow the vehicle down by almost standing on the brake pedal, though not enough to stop me from going through the intersection without stopping. This time there was no doubt - the vehicle accelerated on its own. The pedal did not stick as my foot was on the brake as I was coasting to a stop. This vehicle definitely has a defect and it was very scary. My wife will not drive this car and I only will now if I absolutely have to.

Filed Feb 2, 2010 · Acceleration · 40,400 miles · CA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota 4runner. While driving approximately 5 MPH into a parking space with her foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated on its own without warning. She applied extreme pressure to the brake pedal; however, the vehicle failed to stop and crashed into another vehicle. The front end of the vehicle was damaged and repaired. The mechanic test drove the vehicle, experienced the failure and advised the contact that they would not release the vehicle since it was too dangerous to drive. The dealer was notified and advised the contact that an inspector within their legal department would diagnose the failure since it was involved in a crash. The failure and current mileages were 40,400. Updated 03/04/10

Filed Jun 13, 2007 · Electrical · PA

There is a delay and then a sudden and abrupt acceleration in the vehicle a 2004 toyota SUV, virtually every time during slow downs in traffic and when making turns. This causes the vehicle to jerk and has caused a hot beverage to spill on the driver, nearly contributed to an accident when the vehicle failed to accelerate while changing lanes, and with passengers in the vehicle at the time caused the vehicle to spin out while making a turn on a wet road surface - had there been another vehicle at the intersection at the time a certain collision would have occurred. The result is that I must constantly negotiate the degree of pressure on the accelerator in stop and go traffic and when making turns. Despite altering my driving habits I am not always able to prevent the vehicle from jerking and the sudden acceleration. This problem is extremely frustrating and has been a deterrent from letting others drive the vehicle and because of safety concerns will be a prohibitive factor in permitting my daughter to drive this vehicle when she reaches driving age. Ultimately the vehicle was checked by the dealer where it was purchased and there documented response is as follows: condition is not abnormal for this model vehicle. Believe delay and harshness upon acceleration attributable to drive line lash and engine lag due to electronic throttle control. Comments as a result of further phone conversations with customer service at the dealer were about design flaw, warranty not applicable in this situation, no repair .currently available, could not correct the problem - even if I were to pay, aware of the problem and concerns by other drivers, would not provide any further documentation or assistance.