2024 Toyota Grand Highlander: engine stalls while driving

Filed Aug 25, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · TN

Sometimes, when trying to accelerate in certain situations, the vehicle accelerator pedal will not respond or the engine stutters and won't immediately respond to input and the vehicle seems to stall. This has been scary several times in traffic. The vehicle originally would throw an engine code on the dash about system failure and was taken into the dealer after several of these incidents and a software updates was performed, but it still happens randomly although now with no code.

Filed Aug 25, 2026 · Fuel system · UT

The car stalled on entering secondary roads from my own neighborhood. When it happens, I have pressed the throttle and the car stops moving forward. It takes 5-10 seconds before the engine picks up and the car moves. The first owner found the same thing and now as the second owner, it has done the same thing.

Filed Jun 21, 2025 · CA

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? UNKNOWN How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Vehicle stalling and not accelerating after coming to a complete stop. Vehicle decelerating and hesitating when entering the freeway. Starting 40 mph driving up to 65mph. Vehicle hesitates and decelerates to 30mph and we have to pull over to avoid a collision Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No Unable to reproduce problem No code is showing on the dealers side. Shop foreman believes it’s a fuel pump issue. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? First appeared approximately 8,500 miles. And is consistently doing it when at a stop and when entering freeway.

Filed Sep 5, 2024 · Acceleration · TX

Car will not accelerate immediately from a stop; seems to happen more often when on a slight incline. This poses a safety issue when pulling out onto any road. I have asked multiple times at the dealer about and been told they cannot do anything about it unless the car gives a code. They also say it will not reproduce for them, although every time I pull out of their service location (with a slight incline) it stalls out and will not engage immediately for me.

Filed Aug 14, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · CA

Several times per week, when I go to accelerate after being at a complete stop, my vehicle hesitates and does not pick up power. It very slowly accelerates and feels as if it’s going to stall, then suddenly revs up and accelerates, but revs up higher than it should before finally getting to the appropriate speed/rpm. This is very unsafe as I cannot pull out into traffic, even if I should have time, because I don’t know if it is going to accelerate or not. One of these days I am going to get T-boned! I took it to the dealership and they did a software update that was supposed to fix the issue, but it did not. The issue still happens several times per week. There are no warning lights on the dash. The dealership did not run a diagnostic because they told me I would have to pay for it if no codes came up. I’m not willing to do that, as I feel since the vehicle is under warranty and having issues, the diagnostic should not be my responsibility to pay for. I cannot say a specific date when it occurred (below) because it occurs often.

Filed Aug 6, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · MD

On high-temperature days, when the A/C is running at full capacity, the vehicle occasionally fails to accelerate from a stop. This issue persists even after applying the recommended ECM update. The lack of reliable acceleration poses a significant safety risk, particularly when turning across oncoming traffic or entering a busy street. This situation can leave the vehicle stalled in the path of approaching vehicles, increasing the likelihood of an accident.

Filed Jul 19, 2024 · Transmission · CA

The car stalls or fails to accelerate from a complete stop despite adequately stepping on the gas pedal. This has left me in dangerous situations with oncoming cars as my car fails to move as expected. This issue occurs sporadically.

Filed Jul 18, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · PA

Starting off from a stop or at low speeds the vehicle loses all power. Engine stumbles and does not respond, when it happens it almost feels like the engine may stall. Pressing the accelerator and the vehicle will not move, then suddenly will start to go seconds later. This has almost resulted in a crash since the vehicle loses all propulsion unexpectedly. No warning lights. Took to the dealer twice and everything is “normal” no codes stored.

Filed Jul 18, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · CO

**Vehicle:** Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max **Issue:** On high-temperature days, when the A/C is running at full capacity, the vehicle occasionally fails to accelerate from a stop. This issue persists even after applying the recommended ECM update. **Safety Concern:** The lack of reliable acceleration poses a significant safety risk, particularly when turning across oncoming traffic or entering a busy street. This situation can leave the vehicle stalled in the path of approaching vehicles, increasing the likelihood of an accident. **Action Taken:** Applied the ECM update that is supposed to resolve the issue, but the problem persists.