2010 Toyota Highlander: sudden unintended acceleration

Filed Feb 1, 2017 · Acceleration · 56,090 miles · MO · crash

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.

Filed Jan 21, 2015 · Acceleration, Brakes · 59,100 miles · CO · crash

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.

Filed Sep 29, 2014 · Brakes, Engine · 31,000 miles · TX

Twice in september 2014, as I was approaching a stop light, I pressed the brakes and slowed to nearly a stop. The engine suddenly accelerated very high, and if I had not already had a foot on the brakes, I would have gone into an intersection. The engine was running so high that it was difficult to keep it from moving. I shifted into neutral, came to a complete stop, and while the transmission was in neutral, took my foot off the brake pedal. The engine immediately returned to normal idle. This same sequence happened both times. This has happened twice this month, but these are the first occurrences since I purchased the vehicle new. I called the toyota dealer, and the service person said that if the vehicle isn't demonstrating that behavior when I bring it in, they would not be able to find what caused it. They indicated that the vehicle data recorder would not record such an event. They said they would add a note about this to the record they have on this vehicle (they have done all the service since I purchased it from them). I have already decided that should it happen again, I will trade the vehicle. I don't like having to keep my hand on the gearshift, ready to shift into neutral. I saw a report in usatoday that sudden acceleration in toyotas is being investigated again. I wanted to add my experience to the mix.

Filed Dec 13, 2010 · Acceleration · 14,800 miles · MD · crash

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.

Filed Jul 10, 2010 · Acceleration · 6,600 miles · NJ

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

Filed Jul 8, 2010 · Acceleration · 8,200 miles · WA

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

Filed May 24, 2010 · Acceleration · NY

Follow-up ltr to the federal safety agency re 4/8/10 correspondence on behalf of re incident of sudden unintended acceleration after recall fix by dealer on her 2010 toyota highlander. *kb the consumer became concerned about the recent accelerator pedal issue and contacted the dealer to see if she could get out of the lease. The dealer informed her there was a fix to the problem, so the consumer made an appointment on february 15, 2010. On march 2, 2010 the accelerator pedal became stuck multiple times. Twice, the accelerator pedal stuck when taking off; it was extremely hard to push, to the point where it actually went down, and the vehicle jerked. Then on the way home, the consumer pushed the brake pedal down to slow down and noticed the vehicle seemed to be going much faster. She pushed harder and harder on the brake and when she looked down the RPM's were going straight up and she was not slowing down. She continued to hold the brake pedal down and after a few minutes the brakes started working. The consumer contacted the dealer the next day, but was informed there was nothing they could do since the fix had already been completed.

Filed May 13, 2010 · Acceleration · 1,700 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2010 toyota highlander. While driving at 5 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. To stop the vehicle, the contact shifted into neutral and turned off the ignition. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 1,700.

Filed Apr 20, 2010 · Acceleration · 3,000 miles · CT · crash

Tl*the contact owns a 2010 toyota highlander. The contact stated while sitting idle in a parking space, the vehicle abnormally accelerated without driver intent. The vehicle proceeded to jump a nearby curb, crashed with another vehicle and then a tree. The contact was able to bring the vehicle to a stop by shifting into neutral. The contact did not report any injuries. The manufacturer was contacted but would not provide any assistance. The contacts insurance company was handling the investigation. The current and failure mileages were 3,000.