Toyota Highlander Hybrid sudden acceleration problems

Filed Aug 29, 2024 · Acceleration · 20,000 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle surged forward and accelerated before coming to a stop. The failure occurred intermittently; however, the failure seemed most pronounced while decelerating from highway speeds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was informed of the failure; however, the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.

Filed Aug 28, 2024 · Airbags, Brakes · 6,000 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, there was a hesitation, and the vehicle surged forward before coming to a stop. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact became aware of TSB 0059/23, the federal safety agency ID Number: 10244133 (Electrical System, Air Bags, Service Brakes) for the 2021 - 2022 Toyota Highlander. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with brake failure. The contact was informed that the brake actuator needed to be replaced; however, the dealer confirmed that the year, make, and model were not included in the TSB. The dealer attempted to update the brake actuator module according to the TSB; however, the update failed due to the year the vehicle was manufactured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 6,000.

Filed Feb 11, 2019 · Acceleration · 60,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 toyota highlander hybrid. While driving at low speeds, the vehicle accelerated without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed Aug 26, 2016 · Acceleration, Body · 96,000 miles · MD · crash

I arrive at a parking lot on flower avenue strip driving slowly into a parking space in front of a clinic, at a very low speed, when the car suddenly accelerated--by the time I hit the brakes attempting to stop, it was in the office of of maternal and child care, unstoppable--fortunately, it was on a sunday afternoon and there were no employees or patients in the reception area of the office...sudden acceleration was the cause of this accident. This car must be recalled---I took it to koons toyota in vienna, virginia-- where I bought it last october--a 2009 toyota highlander...

Filed Nov 21, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 86,074 miles · WI · crash

While entering into a driveway at a very slow speed, I stepped on the brake to slow down further. But instead of braking, the car lunged forward. I felt I was not in control of the vehicle. I continued to hit the brakes, but the vehicle continued to go forward. It slammed into the car that was parked in the driveway and caused major damage. It also shoved the car into their garage, split the frame in half and ripped off brick from their home. The surface was slippery with wet leaves and there was a slight incline going up the driveway, but I just had brand new top of the line winter tires put on and I was probably only going 5 MPH. It did not make any sense. From reading the forums on line, I believe this is a major defect with the hybrid and toyota is not doing anything about it. They need to do a recall. Lives are at stake. Thank god no one was hurt, but it could have been fatal.

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 May 21, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 70,000 miles · IL

After purchasing the car (our first hybrid) we noticed that the brakes were acting different when slowing; while slowing down to stop at a stop light or sign or to slow in traffic, if the car is under 30 MPH and hits a bump the brakes will release (while your foot is on the brakes) and the car will lunge forward even though your foot is pressing down and has not been released. This has happened over the past year and no one can seem to figure out the problem. The brakes are new and several forums have been read in regards to trying to figure out the issue. It seems that several hybrids experience the same issues. Braking under 30, the car will hit a bump, brakes will release causing the car to lunge forward and possibly causing an accident. It has happened enough that our family is considering trading in the car. We have almost been in 10 plus accidents because we are almost stopped at the stop sign and the car hits a bump and accelerates into traffic coming from the left/right. With children in the back seat, this is a huge concern. We have sent toyota an email asking for inspection, however they said they would just like to have our dealer look at it, however they have not been noted of this issue in the past, when clearly there are hundreds of others that are having the same issues and they have been in accidents. I find it very difficult to believe that acceleration/break release when hitting a bump causing the car to lunge forward into moving traffic is a safety concern when the brakes are perfectly good. We will be trading in the vehicle if something is not done about it shortly, not only are we worried about our family but we are also worried about others who could be involved. This issue has nothing to do with the brakes, they are good, and the issue is still re-occurring.

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 Mar 28, 2012 · Acceleration · 88,000 miles · OR

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander hybrid. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle hesitated while engaging the brakes. As a result, the vehicle suddenly accelerated abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 88,000 and the current mileage was 89,000.

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.