2008 Toyota Highlander acceleration problems

Filed Mar 31, 2023 · Acceleration, Electrical · TX

My 2008 toyota highlander gas pedal must be lose.because I barley push the gas and it takes on fast.i was driving home on the highway and the truck just died .the battery dies I couldn't turn my wheel I could not press the break

Filed Aug 5, 2022 · Acceleration · NE · crash

Slowing down, but the car surged forward colliding into a building. The dealership only ran a .5 hour diagnosis and couldn't find anything. Did not proceed w/further diagnosis as did not want to pay out of pocket.

Filed Nov 12, 2020 · Acceleration, Brakes · MO

The brakes feel like the pulsate wgen you start to press on them. Then while engaging the brakes it will feel likes its grabbing then it releaes and the pedal feels like it has no pressure in it. The cruise control stopped working, all the lights are on for the brake system, and now it has a long high pitch beep when turning the car on or applying pressure to the break pedal.

Filed Feb 13, 2020 · Acceleration · 240,000 miles · GA

When accellerating into traffic after stopping for a stop sign or light the car moves into the traffic but does not accellerate but coasts dispite flooring the gas pedal. After 2 to 5 seconds the car will accelerate. The tech at the toyota dealership said that this was caused by the computer throttle control that sets according to driving habits. This stall when accelleration is needed has almost caused many collisions from traffic coming up behind the vehicle. This stall happens also when trying to pass a vehicle on roads, pull out from behind vehicle being passed, depress the gas pedal and no acceleration for 2 to 5 seconds then the accelleration happens. This computer flaw is such a safety problem that if I let anyone else drive my vehicle, I have to warn them about the acceleration delay and to make sure there is beyond normal clear space before pulling out into traffic. I try to drive smoothly and avoid flooring the gas pedal. In order avoid a safety issue this computer throttle problem requires the gas pedal to be constantly floored to make sure that when acceleration is really needed that it will happen. I am sure I am not the only owner doing a driving work around of this issue. This has happend consistantly since I purchased the vehicle in 2009.

Filed Feb 13, 2020 · Acceleration · 240,000 miles · GA

When accellerating into traffic after stopping for a stop sign or light the car moves into the traffic but does not accellerate but coasts dispite flooring the gas pedal. After 2 to 5 seconds the car will accelerate. The tech at the toyota dealership said that this was caused by the computer throttle control that sets according to driving habits. This stall when accelleration is needed has almost caused many collisions from traffic coming up behind the vehicle. This stall happens also when trying to pass a vehicle on roads, pull out from behind vehicle being passed, depress the gas pedal and no acceleration for 2 to 5 seconds then the accelleration happens. This computer flaw is such a safety problem that if I let anyone else drive my vehicle, I have to warn them about the acceleration delay and to make sure there is beyond normal clear space before pulling out into traffic. I try to drive smoothly and avoid flooring the gas pedal. In order avoid a safety issue this computer throttle problem requires the gas pedal to be constantly floored to make sure that when acceleration is really needed that it will happen. I am sure I am not the only owner doing a driving work around of this issue. This has happend consistantly since I purchased the vehicle in 2009.

Filed Oct 15, 2016 · Acceleration · 125,000 miles · MA

Re: the federal safety agency recall 14v168000, aka sc-e0m141007, (10/07/14) 'a number of vehicles including the toyota highlander 2008-2010, where the steering column assembly contains electrical connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable assembly, which includes a flexible flat cable (ffc). Due to the shape and location of the ffc's retainer, the ffc could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned. Consequence: if the ffc is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated. 2 yrs ago our '08 highlander sport the cruise control started acting erratically, not engaging/not turn/off using the column mounted stalk. Our warranty had expired, & time passed, & the cc became unreliable, on a few occasions was unsafe when it did not 'cancel' pulling back on the stalk. I'm handy so I pulled off the steering wheel and took apart the clock spring, discovered that the spiral cable was coated in a waxy dirty looking buildup & there were abrasions on the flat wire tape, exposing the copper beneath, which cracked. This to me is the same thing that happened to the wire tape for the vehicles in the airbag recall mentioned above, only the damage on mine happened to the cc wiring portion and not the airbag portion (or the HVAC controls or horn wiring). I feel our vehicle should have been included in this campaign and that our clock spring should be replaced as well. Please refer to the 2 photos I attached. The one showing the wear spot, if you download it and zoom in, shows the exposed copper and crack in it. The other photo shows the loop in the flat electrical tape where the wear spot happened as well as the dirty waxy buildup on the tape. This same wear could creep down to the airbag module wires in this flat tape and make the airbag system shut down, causing more unsafe conditions for my wife and I. My VIN should be added

Filed Apr 29, 2016 · Acceleration · 140,000 miles · MA

For about 6 months or longer, the cruise control on this car has been operating erratically, when it wants to it seems. The problem always seemed to be that I couldn't turn the system on. Now, however, when I am sometimes able to turn it on, and set the speed, the problem becomes that the stalk on the lower right side of the steering wheel will lose it's connection and the movements of the stalk become inactive. This is very surprising if you're planning to slow down, speed up or more importantly hit the cancel button. The only thing to do is hit the brakes. This is very distracting and potentially dangerous.

Filed Feb 10, 2016 · Acceleration · 86,000 miles · FL

On several occasions the vehicle has surged forward while traveling at low speed and applying the brake. Tonight, and on at least two other occasions, it has occurred while exiting the local wendy's restaurant. The exit slopes downward for ten feet or so before reaching the multi-lane one way road. Tonight, as I was coming down the exit with my foot on the brake, the vehicle once again surged forward and out into the road. I almost ran into the sides of several cars that were passing by, but I was able to get the vehicle stopped right before it got far enough out in the road to hit them. I don't know how close my front end was to hitting them, but it was very close. That's why I'm filing this complaint. I've checked the mat and it's not the mat. I believe it is something in the electronic speed control, but as you know, tests have been conducted on toyota vehicles before for this issue, and nothing was found that I'm aware of. But I'm telling you now, and I have a degree in astronomy (I'm technically minded), there is something more than mats and driver error going on with unintended vehicle acceleration and toyota vehicles. I did a search tonight online, and I found a number of reports from other owners of 2008 toyota highlanders, not to mention a myriad of other reports from owners of other toyota vehicles. My vehicle has also surged forward while turning into parking spaces at grocery stores, once again with my foot on the brake. So far, I have been able to stop the vehicle before it ran over the parking block or hit another car, but something needs to be done, and as you know toyota is no help with this issue. My vehicle is paid for, and I can't afford another one right now or I would trade it in. But even then, I would feel uneasy not knowing what happened to the next owner. Please do something now before more people are hurt or killed.

Filed Jul 27, 2015 · Acceleration, Airbags · 98,000 miles · FL · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander. While driving at 5 MPH and parking the vehicle in the garage at home, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without the accelerator pedal being depressed. The vehicle crashed through the interior wall of the garage, only coming to a stop after damaging the outer brick facade of the building. The air bags did not deploy. There was no police report filed and no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000. Updated 10/07/15*lj updated 12/11/2017

Filed Dec 15, 2014 · Acceleration · 49,000 miles · PA · crash · 4 injuries

On december 10th, 2014, around 8:15am, our 2008 highlander sport awd suddenly accelerated at full throttle when approaching a stop sign, entered the cross section and crashed with incoming SUV on the passenger side. The car kept going at high speed after running a curb and flattened all 4 tires on straight lines and eventually stopped in a neighbor's yard, made deep trench into the lawn. The other parties were taken to hospital for medical exam and their SUV was badly damaged to the engine compartment. We have photos from various angles showing that this car was not stoppable by a human at the moment. We were told our car will be a total loss by the insurance company. Our evidence indicated the car's defects was the primary cause of full throttle acceleration which has been the case for many other toyota car owners for the last few years. We need to hold toyota responsible and accountable for this and other accidents and to be investigated thoroughly by the federal safety agency. Our loss should be properly compensated by toyota. Thank you for your attention. Case:toyota highlander uncontrolled acceleration accident on 12/10/2014 case number:[xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).