When applying the brake slowly all of a sudden the car went full acceleration and crashed 500ft away at high speed. The car is crashed but available for inspection for a short period of time until the insurance company takes full posession. There are not open recalls. The only lights on the dash were for TPMS sensor.
2010 Toyota Highlander acceleration problems
22 complaints (10% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 5,100. 6 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 22
- of this car's complaints
- 10%
- typical mileage
- 5,100
- crashes
- 6
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Accelerator pedal4
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Toyota Highlander acceleration problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2010 Toyota Highlander acceleration
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
- What is wrong
- Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 highlander, model year 2009-2010 corolla, venza and matrix passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat. This recall is an expansion of a campaign of 3.8 million other toyota vehicles announced in 2009 for the same issue (see 09v‑388).
- Risk
- A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Toyota will modify or replace the accelerator pedals on the subject vehicles. Floor surface modifications are also being considered and will be included for any model for which it is deemed appropriate. Initially, dealers will be instructed on how to reshape the accelerator pedal for the repair. As replacement parts with the same shape as the modified pedal become available, they will be made available to the dealers for the repair. Customers who have had the pedal reshape remedy completed will have the opportunity to receive a new pedal if they desire, after replacement pedals become available. In addition, toyota will replace any toyota all-weather floor mat in a subject vehicle with a newly designed mat, free of charge. For those customers who have the previous design all-weather floor mat but do not need or want the newly designed all-weather floor mat, toyota will recover the previous design all-weather floor mat and reimburse its price. The safety recall began march 30, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.
Recall number 10V023000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
- What is wrong
- Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 avalon, model year 2007-2010 camry, model year 2009-2010 corolla, corolla matrix, rav4, model year 2010 highlander, model year 2008-2010 sequoia, and model year 2007-2010 tundra vehicles. Due to the manner in which the friction lever interacts with the sliding surface of the accelerator pedal inside the pedal sensor assembly, the sliding surface of the lever may become smooth during vehicle operation. In this condition, if condensation occurs on the surface, as may occur from heater operation (without A/C) when the pedal assembly is cold, the friction when the accelerator pedal is operated may increase, which may result in the accelerator pedal becoming harder to depress, slower to return, or, in the worst case, mechanically stuck in a partially depressed position.
- Risk
- The accelerator pedal may become hard to depress, slow to return to idle, or, in the worst case, mechanically stuck in a partially depressed position, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a reinforcement bar in the accelerator pedal which will allow the pedal to operate smoothly. Gm will notify owners for the pontiac vibe please see 10v‑018. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on february 5, 2010 and will be completed on march 15, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1‑800‑331‑4331.
Recall number 10V017000 · Recall details
What 2010 Toyota Highlander owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
As I slowly pulled into a parking space, the highlander suddenly accelerated quickly, jumped the concrete parking stop and slammed into a retaining wall. It happened very quickly and unexpected. I am original owner. The vehicle has 56000 miles and has been serviced only by the dealer. The vehicle was drivable and was taken immediately to the dealer for 2 days to inspect the systems. Because of the amount of damage, the repair shop got the vehicle in immediately and estimate repairs at $10,000. I am very frightened of this vehicle right now as another incident like this could produce much worse results.
I was backing out of a parking space at a taco bell when I noticed a car coming so I decided to stop and pull back into my parking space to let it pass. When I stepped on the brake my car suddenly accelerated in reverse and I stepped on the brake again, but my car continued to accelerate. I turned my car to avoid hitting the car and any other cars that may have been behind me. My car continued to accelerate and jumped a curb, crossed over a sidewalk and onto a lawn area behind taco bell. I stepped on the brake again trying to get my car to stop. I turned my wheels to keep from going into the drive up lane and finally got my car to stop.
Vehicle accelerated of its own accord. On several succeeding occasions this toyota highlander has accelerated of its own accord. Vehicle has never crashed and after pulling over and placing vehicle in park, vehicle did not continue to accelerate. This toyota has been serviced 3-4 times for this problem, including a specialist from another state who traveled to baton rouge to make a thorough inspection involving 2-3 hours. Verdict was no visible or other problem detected. Two months ago there was another recall on this vehicle and toyota made the repair in the computer. Last week on may 20, 2014 I received another recall regarding this vehicle. This vehicle involves a steering column assembly containing a spiral cable with electrical connections involving the air bag. Should the driver air bag become deactivated, it could cause it not to deploy in the event of a crash which could increase the risk of injury to the driver in certain types of crashes. The remedy is currently unavailable and toyota will send a second owner notification letter when the remedy is available. Despite numerous letters and repeated telephone calls to toyota, I have not received any assistance to purchase a new toyota highlander that does not encompass these types of safety recalls. I chose not to join a group lawsuit because I knew this would be futile. Nonetheless, I am considering looking into hiring an attorney to pursue the replacement of this vehicle. Thank you for your attention.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 toyota highlander. The contact stated that while in reverse the vehicle suddendly accelerated and the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. The contact mentioned that in order to stop the vehicle, the engine had to be turned off. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 73,000.
I'd stopped on the residential street to let a car pass. After the car passed, I attempted to pull up along the curb to park, but the car accelerated and crashed into a tree. The brakes did not respond and the steering did not seem to respond. The space between acceleration and impact was 10-15 feet. It's like the car had a mind of its own, and I had no control. No warning lights came on and the airbags did not deploy. The passenger side headlight was smashed, the hood was smashed, front bumper and passenger side fender were also smashed. The only thing that stopped the car was the tree. Once it stopped, I simply turned the ignition off. I immediately called my insurance company and they told me to tow it to san francisco toyota for mechanical inspection. I called san francisco toyota and said that I was towing my car down and was told they'd be waiting for it. Later that day I received a call from don's autobody telling me they had my car. I confirmed with sf toyota and they said they sent the car there and the auto body work had to be done prior to a mechanical inspection. On 4/15/13, I was informed the car had been repaired and was sent to sf toyota. I repeatedly called sf toyota to see if they had found any mechanical defects. On 4/16/13, I was contacted by don's autobody and told that toyota refused to inspect the car. Since we don't know if the car is safe to drive, the person from the autobody shop suggested we call toyota USA. Toyota USA opened a case and has enlisted bill from engineering analytics to inspect the car. Bill plans to inspect the car on 4/30/13. He will collect data and send it to toyota. Toyota said they'll review the data and will mail us the results within 30 business days. When we expressed concern that toyota waited 6 weeks to look at our car (which the autobody said they've driven), toyota had no comment.
Driver backed out of an end parking space (nose in, curb in front and on right). Driver felt wheel (right side) go over curb (turned too quickly). Driver stopped, shifted to drive (forward) to get off the curb. When driver touched accelerator, the vehicle shot forward (seemed like 50 MPH). Left front of the highlander creased the two side doors of the minivan parked adjacent on the left. The left front of the highlander sustained grille damage, left fender, headlight and running light, driver door and left mirror. Fender pushed back prevented driver door from being opened. Air bags did not deploy. The highlander was purchased 1/4/2010. The accelerator recall was performed by the dealer in march 2010.
2010 toyota highlander. S10 appropriate handling- letter from regarding toyota problems *tgw the consumer stated the vehicle was delivered to him and his wife during the sales suspension period of toyota vehicles without the accelerator recall work being completed. Also, after owning the vehicle for five days, the vehicle would not start. The dealer stated the battery was defective and needed to be replaced.
On july 8 2010, my 2010 toyota highlander had sudden acceleration problem when I stopped and braked for the traffic light. This highlander has only about 6,600 miles on it and it never had the sudden acceleration problem before. The dealer had installed the recall fixes. Updated 07/19/10*bf updated ivoq 07/21/10.*jb
Tl*the contact owns a 2010 toyota highlander. While driving 15- 20 MPH, the contact applied the brakes and the vehicle accelerated without warning. He removed his foot from the brake and checked to make sure he wasn't applying the accelerator, and he wasn't, so he pressed the brake pedal again and the vehicle accelerated again. In order to stop the vehicle, the contact had to apply the emergency brake. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that the failure could not be determined. There were no prior warnings. The vehicle was not repaired.. The current and failure mileages were 8,200. The consumer stated once he stopped, he put the vehicle in reverse and then used the brake to stop. The brake pedal then worked effectively. Updated 09/13/10
Questions about the 2010 Toyota Highlander acceleration
Does the 2010 Toyota Highlander have acceleration problems?
Owners have filed 22 complaints about the acceleration of the 2010 Toyota Highlander, 10% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2010 Toyota Highlander acceleration problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 5,100 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2010 Toyota Highlander acceleration?
Yes, 2 recalls: 10V023000, 10V017000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Toyota Highlander have the most acceleration problems?
The Toyota Highlander model years with the most acceleration complaints are 2008 (45 complaints), 2006 (43 complaints) and 2004 (40 complaints).
Other 2010 Toyota Highlander problems
Electrical 53Visibility 42Brakes 30Steering 21Airbags 14Body 14Engine 14Lights 12Driver assistance 8Transmission 6Fuel system 4Wheels 4Seats 2Suspension 2Tires 2Seat belts 1
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