On february, 18, 2011 at appproximately 1:30 p.m. I got into my 2004 toyota highlander, which was parked in a private parking lot at 1 meetinghouse rd. In chelmsford, ma. I turned the key on, started the car, and put the gear in reverse to back out of the parking space. As I touched the accelerator pedal with my right foot, the car accelerated uncontrollably at a speed that did not correspond with the pressure I had put on the pedal. I immediately put my foot on the brakes, but there was no response from the brake system. The steering wheel was turned to back out in a counterclockwise direction, and within no more than 4 seconds, the car crashed into a building approximately 20 feet from where the car was initially parked. The car was totally unresponsive to my efforts to brake subsequent to this sudden and inexplicable acceleration. I'm lucky I wasn't killed, because my vehicle was totaled.
2004 Toyota Highlander acceleration complaints
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Date of incident: saturday, july 17, 2010 at approximately 12:45 p.m. Incident description: coming from a complete stop, turned the steering wheel to park a 2004 toyota highlander into a parking spot. The driver gently/minimally touched the accelerator pedal to pull into the parking spot. The vehicle suddenly accelerated without any additional force placed on the accelerator pedal. The driver immediately applied the brakes in an attempt to stop the vehicle. Prior to the vehicle coming to a complete stop, the front of the vehicle struck the metal part of a sign. This is the first occurrence of sudden acceleration since purchasing the vehicle used from a dealership. The vehicle has not been scheduled for repair at this time. Updated 10/20/10 *bf updated 10/22/10
I own a 2004 toyota highlander. I have had an occasional problem with the vehicle hesitating and then lurching upon acceleration since I purchased the vehicle. The problem is becoming more frequent as the vehicle ages. I have mentioned it on several occasions when the vehicle was take in for service but the mechanic was not able to duplicate the problem. I have been using an independent mechanic for the last couple of years for my regular service on the car (the car has been a very good car other than the acceleration issue and has not needed anything other than regular service). I mentioned the problem to him on different occasions and at first, he was not able to duplicate the problem either. My husband mentioned it again when we took it in for the last service. This time when the mechanic drove the car he was able to feel the hesitation and subsequent lurching. He then put it on an analyzer which showed voltage spikes in the throttle body. He said to call toyota. We called toyota and were told that the vehicle needed to be taken to a toyota dealer. We took it to a dealer this morning and were told that they could not duplicate the problem again. I called toyota and filed a complaint (10070906470 and 1007090670 were the numbers I was given). They told me there was nothing they can do until a toyota dealer can duplicate the problem. I have since found hundreds of complaints online about the same issue by other 2004 highlander owners. I don't know where else to turn for help.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota highlander. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking space, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact was able to stop the vehicle by applying extreme force to the brakes. The failure recurred on a separate occasion and the dealer was contacted which advised the vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer but did not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired of diagnosed. The failure and current mileages were 36,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 toyota highlander. The contact was pulling out of a parking space at speeds of 5 MPH when the vehicle abnormally accelerated without driver intent. The vehicle accelerated to approximate speeds of 35 MPH. The vehicle then struck a tree. The contact was taken to the emergency room but was not injured, yet, he is very sore. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was 59,000. Updated 06/04/10. *lj the consumer believed the accelerator became stuck. Updated 10/05/10
2004 toyota highlander acceleration incident, crossed median, was hit broadside and two occupants killed; my son and his wife. Written letter of witness of accident is available. Updated 04/22/10 *bf updated ivoq 05/13/120 *tr updated 9/28/11
Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). Please note that the VIN info is not correct. I inserted random numbers because I don't have that info in my possession right now as I am at my work desk. Also keep in mind that my car is a 2004 vibe. It did not have that option. In 2/28/08, I had an acceleratation problem. If you get in touch with barstow in potsdam ny, they can verify this. They have it on record. This problem was unpredictable when it happened and the last time it happened, I thought I was going to die. I could not get the car to stop after it accelerated by itself. I brought it to barstow, explained the situation and they said they had had no other complaints such as mine. The mechanic there undid the cruise control, and the problem went away. Five months later I had him put it back on in july. It cost me $25 ea. Time. Please contact ken murray at barstow motors potsdam ny to verify all of this. I would like to be reimbursed for the money I had to pay as I strongly feel that the problem is related to the one that toyota is having now with acceleration difficulties. Also, although I have not had any other problems, I want to know what will toyota do if it happens again. My vibe is a 2004. [xxx]
Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6) I was in the process of parking my 2004 toyota highlander in a parking place at my work site. I was moving very slowly moving into the parking spot when all of a sudden the highlander began accelerating very rapidly. I could not stop the car by stepping on the brake. Upon reaching the front of the parking spot the vehicle jumped the curb and ran into a tree. The vehicle continued to spin the wheels while pushing on the tree until I turned the ignition off. The damage to the highlander was $5,272.46 which was covered by mercury insurance [xxx] .
Ever since I purchased my highlander, new, I infrequently experience an unexpected surge in acceleration while beginning to accelerate from a stop, or after slowing to turn a corner. This has happened several times while turning a corner. I have brought this up to two different toyota dealerships, in the past, and was told that their electronic transmission was their biggest complaint, but there was nothing they could do about it. While describing the problem to a service rep at a dealership, a gentleman, also waiting for service, indicated that he had the same problem with his newer model rav 4. This may have happened fewer than two dozen times since I purchased the highlander. Has this problem been brought to your attention, or do you know if toyota has ever developed a "fix" for this?
We have a 2004 toyota highlander, and we have had surges on the gas since we bought it in 2004. It usually is something that we can control, as you will be driving along, and it will surge forward a bit, but we have always been able to apply brake and control it. There has only been one instance where it surged strongly, and I had to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting the car in front of me. We tried to sell the car a couple of years ago, but the buyer test drove it, and noticed the surging, asked about it, and then decided not to buy it - so we kept it after that. We were thinking it is a software problem, or something.... We have never taken it into a shop to have it diagnosed, but thought maybe it was important to mention it, in case other highlanders have had the same issue. I didn't think it was the gas pedal sticking, but just the gas surging somehow, but maybe it is related.
2004 toyota highlander, awd and a v6. The vehicle hesitates when accelarating after braking. Can be up to 3 seconds before power is restored. I brought the vehicle back to the dealer and was told that is normal.
On august 18th 2007 I sent a letter to toyota motor sales writing concerning a problem with my toyota highlander which had surged in a parallel parking situation hitting the car behind and damaging it and my vehicle. . Her headlight and bumper were damaged. . The repair on the other car came to $1800.00. And more. I reported it to the toyota dealer in spirit lake, ia. And also to the toyota motor sales in toledo , ohio 43699-0024. The spirit lake dealer told me it must have been caused by bad gas.
I just thought you should know, last year my gas pedal got stuck. I have a 2004 toyota highlander. When I investigated it, I found that the plastic panel to the right of the pedal had broken loose causing the panel to lift up so that the pedal could get stuck under it. The plastic screw had completely sheared off. I went to toyota here in boulder and they replace the screw. Why manufacturers use plastic screws is beyond me. I was a little disappointed that toyota would have used plastic screws for what is apparently a stressed area. I'm just glad I did not have an accident. It was pretty scary!
Unloading items from the trunk of the 2004 toyota highlander at the back (basement) of a new residence. Drove from the back of the house to the front with intentions of backing up to the garage to unload the remainder of the boxes. I ended up crossing the road directly in front of the driveway hitting a telephone pole head on; smashing my head against and breaking the windshield. I have incurred thousands of dollars in medical bills, approximately $7,000 in damage to my car and a week off of work.
Vsc system activated and started applying brakes when the auto was on dry roads. System has no disconnect switch in order to disable system. Drove auto home at about 10 miles an hour because system would not dis-engage. The auto only has 25,000 miles. Happened once before at 4,000 miles.
1 month after purchasing the toyota the hessitation on acceleration began. I had the computer program flashed numerous times. The dealership claimed they have done all they could. Entering highways or turning corners the car stalle d untill the throttle grabbed, and then took off. It jolted the body and made driving the toyota highlander very difficult.
Dt*: the contact stated at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated when the accelerator pedal was depressed. Also, the vehicle shifted erratically. The dealership had reprogrammed the computer multiple times, but the problem persisted.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds, the carpet on the vehicle floor was loose around the accelerator pedal. There was a the federal safety agency recall, #06v253000 regarding the accelerator pedal. The parts needed to repair the vehicle were not available at the local dealership. The manufacturer was not alerted.
2004 toyota highlander engine dies, would not accelerate past 20 MPH, engine light and vsc and trac off lights were on, would slow down to 10 MPH without warning. *kb the throttle body control unit was repaired several times. Jb
Let me start by saying I am a die-hard toyota owner, my current vehicle being the 3rd toyota we own. I own a 2004 toyota highlander, v6, 5 speed automatic with awd. This vehicle has a very serious hesitation problem which is dangerous. Upon acceleration from a stop or at speed, there is a very serious lag in throttle response. Many times leaving a stop or accelerating from a slow speed I.e. Parking lot driving, the vehicle will lag with no response, then lurch & accelerate suddenly. Merging into traffic, safe passing, starts at lights and safe driving in parking lots and around pedestrians can be hazardous. Thousands of owners across the nation are affected by this defect. From my recent research it apparently is not restricted to the highlander, but affects many toyota vehicles with "drive by wire" as opposed to mechanical transmission & throttle linkage. I took the vehicle back to the dealer right after my purchase in november of 2004 and was told they could find nothing wrong, now recent research tells me they were well aware of the problem at that time. I love toyota but there methods of dealing with problems like this is deceptive at best and just short of criminal at worst. Please "google" toyota highlander hesitation problem and also visit tundrasolutions.com for more evidence of what I am talking about. Toyota has not devoted enough resources to this problem or a permanent fix would have already been developed. Please contact toyota and urge them to take care of this matter with all the thousands of owners across the u.s. That are having to deal with this matter. I will be following this matter with keen interest to see if anything is being done and am advising aaa of the issues as well as my state and federal representatives. Toyota commands a premium price for what are otherwise exceptional vehicles and their customers and the nations drivers deserve a better more responsible response from toyota.
2004 toyota highlander vsc light comes on at unexplainable time and car loses power. Dealer has had three times and still hasn't fixed.
Dt: the contact stated there was a problem with sudden acceleration. While shifting into reverse the vehicle suddenly accelerated on july 8, 2005. The problem did not reappear until november 22, 2005. The vehicle accelerated under the same conditions. He was able to stop the vehicle after it had gone through two fences and crashed into the corner of the neighbor's garage. The vehicle is currently at the dealership for diagnostics.*ak updated 12/27/05.
Dt: the contact stated while pulling into a parking slot heard a grinding noise followed by the vehicle lurching into another parked vehicle. He took the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer could not duplicate the sudden acceleration. The dealer replaced the mass air flow sensor, oxygen sensor, and reprogrammed the ecu. The dealer could not determine what caused this problem.
Dt: 2004 toyota highlander with hesitation problem. For example, when entering interstate and need to accelerate, it hesitates then quickly jolts. Taken to dealer who said there is nothing they can do. Explained vehicle has an electric throttle control and is not controlled by a throttle cable as part of federal emissions regulation, this makes changing gears a little longer to do since the throttle does not open all the way out .
My 2004 toyota highlander makes a terrible humming / moaning sound on acceleration that resonates within the vehicles and disturbs the driver. The problem typically occurs during speeding up from 0 MPH. It is terribly frustrating that a brand new car makes such a annoying sound. It is also hesitates a lot during 20-40 MPH speed range. The vehicle does not respond as it supposed to on acceleration and that too specially while driving within the city. On cantacting the dealer and toyota's national customer service thay said it is designed to be like that and the hesitation is a by-product of computer controlled automatic transmission. Currently there is no fix for this. Am terribly frustrated now and promise to never buy any vehicle from toyota in future. I would also make sure that my friends and relatives does not go near a toyota dealer. I am desperate in getting rid of this vehicle.
My 2004 toyota highlander exhibits a significant hesitation at the start of rapid acceleration that I believe is a potential safety hazard. When the vehicle is moving at a slow speed and the accelerator is depressed to begin a rapid acceleration (passing a slower vehicle or merging into traffic), a significant hesitation is present before the vehicle begins to accelerate. This delayed response to the accelerator input can place the vehicle in dangerous situations where the vehicle cannot get out of the way of other traffic. I believe this behavior could result in a traffic accident and potential injury to people.
I purchased a new 2004 toyota highlander on 3/26/2004 and after about 2 months started noticing a problem with hesitation when accelerating from a stop or when passing. The car feels like it dies for 1 to 2 seconds and then lurches forward. This is very dangerous when making a left hand turn at a light with oncoming cars from the opposite direction. This also causes problems when trying to merge with highway traffic or when passing. This occures every day and when it was reported to toyota service they stated it was a known issue with no fix or technical bulletin.
Hesitation on acceleration.
Car has an unacceptable lag when accelerating.
Unintended acceleration problem, in a brand new toyota highlander causing an accident. (it had the same problem twice before)
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