2012 Toyota Highlander: sudden unintended acceleration

Filed May 5, 2022 · Acceleration · VA · crash

On December 29, 2021, while backing up my 2012 Toyota Highlander accelerated at speed that I was unable to control. One car that was packed in the driveway was damaged beyond repair. An office building where I was working was damaged and has been accessed with a loss of over $100,000. I contacted Toyota after knowing that there was a recall regarding unintended acceleration in some Toyota cars. Toyota sent an inspection team to Geico Insurance company which had taken over possession of the car. The inspection team and the Toyota representative assured me a final report would be sent to me within a month after the inspection had been completed but even up to this moment Toyota has not responded to my email requesting for the report. You can reach out to Toyota and reference File # 220105001224. For the six years I owned the car, i have never been informed of any recall. My car was regularly serviced by Toyota Ourisman Chantilly and Ourisman Toyota Fairfax.

Filed Jan 6, 2015 · Acceleration, Airbags · 14,000 miles · MA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 toyota highlander. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into a wall. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver did not sustain any injuries and a police report was not filed. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 14,000.

Filed Jul 5, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 18,800 miles · TX

I was stopped at an intersection (red light) and was needing to make a left turn. The light turned green but this intersection does not have a green arrow so you have to yield to the oncoming traffic. As I proceeded forwarded a little bit into the middle of the intersection so I could make my left turn, I slowed down to almost a stop because there were too many cars and I couldn't turn at that moment. Then there was a window of opportunity for me to turn shortly after I slowed down almost to a stop and I stepped on the gas to go, then nothing happened. The vehicle just paused for about 2 or 3 seconds and then suddenly jumped forward. My wife was in the car and she thought it was me mashing on the accelerator pedal but I didn't, it's just that the vehicle didn't do anything and then suddenly jumped forward! Luckily when this delay happened, I wasn't in the oncoming traffics lane, nor were there any oncoming traffic close at that moment. At the time this happened, I even thought maybe it was me not giving the vehicle enough gas, but it happened again about a month later. This is when I did a google search for delayed acceleration and I came upon other's who have mentioned the exact same thing happening with their toyota vehicles as well. Please look into this as this is very dangerous. This vehicle is less than two years old and I've read that others have had this problem with their older toyota vehicles. I've even read that toyota knows of the issue already but they have no fix?????

Filed Feb 4, 2013 · Acceleration, Engine · 5,700 miles · NY

When stopping the auto on 3 occasions the engine began racing very strongly....updated 02/07/13 *bf *tr however, while the highlander was being checked, the consumer and her husband experienced sudden acceleration while driving a toyota camry loaner, causing a crash and personal injury. Updatd 02/11/13

Filed Jan 29, 2013 · Acceleration · 8,900 miles · CA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 toyota highlander. The contact stated that while entering the driveway, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into the house. The vehicle functioned normally while reversing but upon shifting back into drive, the vehicle again accelerated and crashed into the house. The vehicle was then placed into reverse and then came to a stop when it crashed into a curb, causing the axle to fracture. The driver did not suffer any injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was inspected by the manufacturer who stated that there was no evidence of a defect. The failure and current mileage was 8,900. Updated 2/21/13

Filed Aug 16, 2012 · Acceleration · 11,500 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 toyota highlander. The contact stated that while attempting to park with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and went over the curb. The contact applied the brake with both feet and shifted into park in order to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who sent an engineer to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 11,500.

Filed May 1, 2012 · Acceleration, Brakes · 1,104 miles · UT · crash

While pulling into a parking stall in a private parking lot, my highlander suddenly accelerated and I had no brakes at all! My highlander went up over the curb which caused the vehicle to slow. I had brakes again and was able to apply the brake, coming to a safe stop. Not before slashing my left front tire and bending my tire rim. Thankfully no one was injured.

Filed Apr 30, 2012 · Acceleration · 4,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 toyota highlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, there was an excessive vibration. The contact then engaged the brake pedal which was unresponsive. The engine rmps increased up to 3,000. The brake pedal was applied repeatedly and the gear was shifted into neutral and then back into drive. The vehicle began to unintendedly accelerate. The vehicle eventually came to a stop. The contact was able to resume driving to the destination at a reduced speed. The manufacturer was not notified of the unintended acceleration. The approximate failure mileage was 4,000.