2004 Toyota 4RUNNER: jerking or lurching

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 Oct 13, 2012 · Brakes · 140,000 miles · CT

While driving at approximately 50 MPH and pressing the brakes for a sudden stop, the 4-runner lurches to the left, and then, when the brake is released, back to the right. I was on a trip and was lucky enough to get in to a toyota dealer on saturday. The service department told me I had two frozen pistons in the brake calipers, and the rear slides were not working properly. I had to replace the calipers, pads and rotors on all four wheels 2 years ago for frozen calipers. The warranty for that repair was 1 year, so I have to pay another $1200 to make the car safe to drive once again, after having spent $2000 2 years ago for the same problem. The history of this problem is widely known and toyota should either extend the warranty on these parts, or fix the problem permanently and issue a recall. This is a safety issue, as the car lurches from side to side, and especially in the rain or when towing a trailer, is quite dangerous.

Filed Apr 2, 2010 · FL

Driving into a parking garage in my toyota 4runner I was pressing on the the brake as I was pulling into a space when all of a sudden my car lurched forward and slammed into the wall. I thought I had been hit from behind, but that was not the case. Within the week I was pulling into my sister's driveway, pressing on the brakes, and I felt a little jump from my car.

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.

Filed Jun 23, 2004 · Acceleration, Seats · NV

Problems with the bottom of the seats moving around as if not in the locked position. The vehicle accelerated up to 5 MPH although the consumer's foot was not on the accelerator. At times while shifting form drive to neutral and then reverse, the engine could be heard revving up then the vehicle would jerk backwards. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who test drove the vehicle. The technician concluded that the vehicle was performing as designed and refused to provide further assistance.