2008 Toyota Highlander: sudden unintended acceleration

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 Mar 1, 2021 · Brakes · 177,000 miles · NJ

The car keeps lunging forward as the brake is being pressed at times. This is particularly dangerous in snowy and slippery conditions. I was forced onto oncoming traffic as the car lunged forward when I attempted to stop at a stop. The car brake stopped working briefly and the car instead jerk forward. I called toyota on 3/1/2021 who claimed it is part a customer support program to repair as of december 31, 2021 and not classified as a recall and will they will not make the necessary repairs. This is a definite recall and should be addressed asap. I was driving on a local road, snowy conditions, and attempted to stop going downhill when the car jerked forward as the brake was being applied.

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).

Filed Sep 19, 2012 · Acceleration · 63,000 miles · IL · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly increased acceleration. When the brake pedal was depressed there was no immediate response which resulted to the vehicle crashing into a cement wall. The front passenger sustained bruises to the body and injured the left leg. A police report was filed of the incident. The vehicle was completely destroyed and towed to a collision center. The manufacturer was notified and planned to launch an investigation regarding the unintended acceleration. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.

Filed Jul 5, 2012 · Driver assistance, Engine · 56,000 miles · IN

As I approached a stop sign, my check engine and vehicle stability control lights came on. I was less than a mile from my destination and was able to safely park my vehicle with no issues. As soon as possible, I contacted my local toyota dealership to alert them to the problem. The dealership representative asked if the vsc light was flashing and I told him no; to which he replied it would be okay to drive. Later on that evening, I decided to take the vehicle to the dealership and upon taking off at the light, the vehicle seemed sluggish at first and then suddenly accelerated and surged forward. When I pulled into the dealership, I explained what happened and am now awaiting to see what the problem is.

Filed Jun 28, 2010 · Acceleration · 30,000 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander. The contact stated while driving at approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle rapidly accelerated without driver intent. The contact shifted into neutral and depressed the brakes until he was able to stop the vehicle. There was no warning prior to the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and advised an investigator would further assess the failure. The manufacturer stated also that the vehicle would be towed to the nearest dealer for diagnostic repairs. The vehicle was not yet repaired or diagnosed. The failure and current mileages were approximately 30,000.

Filed Jun 1, 2010 · Acceleration · 5,000 miles · CA

On may 22, 2010 my toyota highlander sudden accelerated. I was at a full stop (red light) on 14th street at the intersection of castro heading west uphill. My foot was on the brake when my truck suddenly accelerated. The truck jerked forward even though my foot was on the brake. I reported it to san francisco toyota service representative when I brought in my truck for the recall service on may 29, 2010. They completed the recall as required, but he dismissed my comment about the above incident. I believe the real issue is the electronic or software programming of vehicle controls and wish to have this documented if a more serious problem occurs.

Filed Apr 20, 2010 · Acceleration · 33,830 miles · CA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander. While driving at speeds of 35-40 MPH, the vehicle accelerated without warrant. The contact applied the brakes but the vehicle continued to accelerate and the brakes would not engage. The vehicle proceeded to crash into a curb several times before coming to a stop. The contact stated also she had previously received notification of the federal safety agency recall campaign id number 10v023000 (vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal) but had not taken the vehicle for recall repairs. The approximate failure and current mileages were 33830.

Filed Mar 17, 2010 · Acceleration · 5,000 miles · CA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 toyota highlander. While depressing the brake pedal from speeds of 5 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The contact attempted to stop the vehicle by depressing the brakes however, the brake pedal fell onto the floor board and did not engage. The vehicle proceeded to crash into a concrete statue. The vehicle did not come to a stop and proceeded to crash into a vehicle. The contact did not report any injuries. The police arrived to the scene but a police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic. No repairs were made to the vehicle. The VIN was not available when the complaint was filed. The approximate current and failure mileages were 5,000.

Filed Mar 16, 2010 · Acceleration, Brakes · 10,245 miles · CA

Noted recently on mycarstats.com six complaints registered with the federal safety agency regarding 2008 highlander brake problems and five complaints registered with the federal safety agency regarding 2008 highland electric problems that involve brakes and electronic controls. I am submitting the following experiences with my 2008 highlander because they mirror many of the complaints. The brakes on my highlander have been an issue from the first weeks of ownership. I have taken the car to a local toyota dealership and complained about the brakes. The dealership did adjust the emergency brake which they indicated was out of adjustment but have stated that the brakes are working normally. My specific complaint is brake response. There is roughly an inch of pedal travel before the brakes begin to respond. If one must make a hard emergency stop the vsc control will engage. On one occasion, while driving in town a car ran through a traffic light in front of me. I hit the brakes hard - the vsc light came on - and the car slowly stopped. There was no accident but it was extremely close. I have found that if I routinely press on the brake pedal until the vsc light comes on that the pedal travel is reduced. I took the highlander to aaa auto diagnostics and they confirmed the pedal/vsc. Aaa was unable to read the highlander computer because they did not have the proprietary toyota computer interface. The local toyota dealer has stated that the depressed pedal and vsc light response is normal. I also noted complaints of sudden acceleration when putting the car into gear. I have never experienced a surge to the degree mentioned in the complaints referenced above, however, while putting the car into drive with my foot on the brake I have had the car surge forward. I now always have the emergency brake on while putting the vehicle into drive. The date listed below is that of my first complaint to the local toyota dealer.