2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: sudden unintended acceleration

Filed May 27, 2014 · Brakes · 88,000 miles · PA

When applying brakes to slow down for a stop sign or red light, the vehicle will lunge forward or accelerate until the brake is applied harder/pedal pushed down further. This has been described in other complaints as unintended acceleration when the brake is applied. It also feels as if the brakes are applied and the vehicle begins to slow down, however, once it slows to about 10-15 miles per hour, the car accelerates forwards or the brakes some release themselves even though the brake pedal is continuously held down.

Filed Jan 18, 2014 · Acceleration · 86,340 miles · AL · crash

I was turning right at an intersection when a woman walking her dog began crossing the street. I slammed on the brakes to avoid her and the car suddenly accelerated soundlessly forward (car is hybrid but pressing accidentally on the gas pedal with force would have caused revving noise) and I could not control it.. I ran over the woman's foot and also her dogs feet. I drove the car up over a curb which resulting in a flat tire to get the car to stop. There was no injury to the car or myself. The woman was taken to the hospital but had no broken bones. The dog had bruising and discomfort but no serious injuries either. Took the car to a toyota dealership and they could find no alerts, warnings, or anything wrong with it that could have caused it to accelerate unintentionally.

Filed Jan 20, 2012 · Brakes · 24,000 miles · MD

When I brake and have my foot firmly and gradually depressing the brake pedal, the car slows but there are these one second instances when the car continues to coast/lunge forward as if it is not going to stop. These problems occur between 25 MPH and 30 MPH and also sometimes at 5 MPH. This creates an unsafe feeling that I am not in control of the car.

Filed Sep 21, 2011 · Acceleration · 83,000 miles · CA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota highlander hybrid. The contact was driving approximately 2 MPH and attempting to park in a residential garage. With the brakes applied, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into the garage wall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostics where the technicians performed the repair under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 06v253000 (vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal). The manufacturer sent an engineer to inspect the vehicle for the unintended acceleration failure. The inspector determined there was no abnormal failure and that the vehicle was functioning properly. The vehicle was not further repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.

Filed Aug 7, 2011 · Acceleration · 58,000 miles · TX · crash

I was driving our 2006 toyota highlander hybrid up the driveway and around to the back of our home where we have a rear entry garage. As I turned in the driveway I started to slow/stop the car so I could backup to pull into the garage the car accelerated suddenly striking a small tree in the yard doing a lot of damage to the left front, left front wheel and left quarter panel. It's possibly totalled. It was as if a something siezed the car and suddenly pulled it forward at a high rate of speed. If the tree had not stopped the car I would have struck the house. No airbags deployed. I am bruised and sore but otherwise ok. I had been running on battery through our neighborhood and up the driveway but after it happened I noticed the engine was now running so I don't know if the surge was the result of the gas engine kicking in or some other sudden acceleration problem.

Filed Jun 13, 2011 · Brakes · 68,400 miles · WA

When braking moderate to hard, usually going downhill at anywhere from 20 to 40 MPH, brakes will occasionally "release", causing vehicle to surge forward, and requiring reapplication of brake pedal, which usually then functions normally. Failure occurs several times a week, but not daily. Has happened ever since purchasing the vehicle used in 2009. Have not reported it to dealer, but keep expecting a recall for this malfunction.

Filed May 11, 2011 · Acceleration · 27,000 miles · CA · crash · 3 injuries

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota highlander hybrid. The contact was driving approximately 30 MPH when the vehicle suddenly accelerated without warning. The contact applied the brakes to stop the unintended acceleration but the vehicle would not respond. The contact then crashed into a tree. The driver received injuries to her ankle and the front passenger sustained a broken finger. The rear passenger who was pregnant was killed and another passenger sustained major internal bleeding. The police were called and a report was filed. The three surviving passengers were transported to the hospital via ambulance. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where they are awaiting an investigation. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 27,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Sep 20, 2010 · Acceleration · 50,000 miles · OR

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 toyota highlander hybrid. The contact stated that when he puts the vehicle in reverse it would not respond. The contact would have to wait several moments before the vehicle would finally respond and move in reverse. On occasion, the vehicle would abnormally accelerate when in reverse with the brakes depressed. The contact would have to shut off the engine to stop the unintended acceleration. The dealer advised that he would not repair the vehicle. The contact was awaiting a response from the manufacturer to determine if the vehicle would be repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 50,000.

Filed Sep 16, 2010 · Acceleration, Brakes · 40,384 miles · CA · crash

My wife was parked in front of our apartment building, idling with her foot on the brake, when our 2006 toyota highlander hybrid suddenly accelerated and crashed into a gate. Before the car crashed, she repeatedly applied the brake and even put the car in park. The car did not stop. After the impact, the engine continued to rev and accelerate before finally stopping. This had never happened before. The body has been repaired, but per toyota, nothing mechanical or electronic has been touched. Last week toyota sent a specialist out to inspect the car and download data. We were present at the time, and 5 dtc codes displayed. The descriptions displayed on the investigator's lap top mentioned vehicle speed sensors on right wheel and left wheel, the emps, body ecu switch circuit and "low or high power supply voltage". The car was test driven, and no errors or codes were reported. The car is now waiting to be taken to a dealer to be reviewed and fixed.

Filed Mar 29, 2010 · 86,800 miles · MA · crash

1. I was parking alongside the road, behind an acquaintance's vehicle. While rolling into position behind them, I experienced a sudden acceleration of my vehicle. 2. This is the first time this has occured. I smashed into the rear of the car parked in front of me at 10mph or so. Minimla damage to my SUV, other car will likely need a new rear bumper. 3. Reported to toyota and awaiting callback

Filed Mar 15, 2010 · Acceleration · NY · crash

2006 toyota highlander hybrid. Consumer states unintended acceleration caused a crash. *tgw the consumer stated she was waiting in line with her foot on the brake, when suddenly her vehicle accelerated and crashed into the vehicle in front of her. The other parties in the other vehicle claimed to injured.

Filed Feb 25, 2010 · Brakes · 35 miles · VT

Failure of 2006 highlander hybrid brakes to maintain consistent resistance to forward motion. This failure occurs repeatedly and causes much anxiety and heart palpitation upon occurrence. This failure was brought to the attention of our local dealer and they claimed to not have any indications of the problem. I also brought them copies of numerous reports which read the same and indicated extremely similar conditions. 11/22/2006 reported to local dealer brake concerns. Their notes were:inter. Cond. More pronounced during 1st few applications in the morning. C/s pedal seems to "fade" & engine has a slight surge when braking. Customer has left vehicle for the day & overnight if necessary to duplicate concern. Results: road tested 3 times. Concern could not be duplicated. Brake calipers & hardware functioning properly at this time. No repairs made at this time. What I actually told them was that the vehicle surged forward when the brakes seemed to fail . 10/02/07 brake concerns- per previous advise, replace front pads, resurface rotors removed and replaced front pads and resurfaced rotors. Charge 235.04. Talked to service manager about brake concerns. Talked to my salesman about brake concerns, talked to dealer manager about brake concerns. Reported on most service surveys and in person to survey callers. Ironically, dealer suggests front brake pads should be replaced now again. Toyota has never contacted me back after any of my reports to them. Only the local service manager ever called me back about this problem and he afforded no remedy.