2013 Toyota Highlander: jerking or lurching

Filed Aug 26, 2017 · Acceleration · 35,000 miles · CA · crash

On multiple occasions since purchasing my 2014 toyota highlander limited the car lurches forward while my foot is firmly pressed on the brake. On two occasions I could not stop the lurching of the vehicle without standing up with both feet on the brake pedal having hit the car in front of me while my car continued to push them again while applying both feet on the brake pedal. I was not in control of the vehicle as if something was pressing the gas pedal while I was stopped. In both of these accidents situations I had progressed forward stopping and starting. Once in a drive thru and the second time in line leaving a shopping center. It is as if the car wants to keep going forward after multiple stops and starts.

Filed Mar 2, 2016 · Acceleration · CA · crash

Letter from constituent regarding the issue of unintended acceleration in toyota and lexus vehicles. *smd 2013 toyota highlander. The consumer stated as she was about to put the vehicle in reverse to reposition the vehicle, it suddenly lurched forward with the engine racing . It was if the accelerator was floored. Within a couple of seconds the vehicle jumped over the cement parking block and into a pole. The vehicle had significant damage between $13,000 and $15,000. The consumer was informed the carpet floor mat was found to be unattached.

Filed Aug 10, 2015 · Engine · 2,000 miles · CO

While attempting to turn from a side road onto a main road, I needed to accelerate to blend into the faster moving traffic. While attempting to accelerate the engine acted like the gas pedal had not been pressed but maintained the previous slow engine speed despite the gas pedal being finally pressed to the floor. While maintaining the full gas pedal position the engine finally revved up and the SUV lurched forward. I have not been placed yet into a hazardous situation, but that is becoming a reality. This hesitation has recurred more than twenty times since then. No, I have not taken this to toyota since they appear to have no concern for the many fine folks reporting similar engine stalling.

Filed Apr 9, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 12,500 miles · OK

On thursday, april 3, 2013. I stopped at an intersection and when I tried to accelerate there was no response. I thought the engine had died. There were no lights on instrument panel. I pressed accelerator again and it jerked and took off. I have experienced hesitations several times (10-12). I bought the highlander 2013 in july 2013.

Filed Dec 6, 2013 · Electrical · 5,300 miles · WA

I bought my 2013 brand new 9/27/12. Shortly after I received it I noticed songs would skip or start over on the ipod as well as the cd. A few months later the radio station would changed channels for no reason. These things happened if I was backing out of a parking space, going over a slight bump or just driving normally on a regular road or a freeway. I've gone to two toyota dealership who can't find any problem and because the problems are intermittent they say they can't diagnose it. I've had two caseworkers at toyota of america and they say there is nothing they can do. In the past month when I pulled in the garage the headlight "sometimes" turn off when I turn off the ignition. Other times they stay on the normal 30 seconds. I've also had a couple of issues that other highlander owners mentioned on your website mainly when I'm at a stop and the light turns green a couple of times when I step on the gas the car engine revs a few seconds then lurches forward. Also recently the dashboard lights dim or brighten for no reason at all. My concern is that it seems problems are increasing and I just don't know exactly what steps to take next.

Filed Oct 2, 2013 · Acceleration, Airbags · 24,000 miles · IN · crash

Pulling into parking space - brakes applied - car lurched forward (unintended acceleration) - brakes did not engage - car jumped the curb, crossed the sidewalk and hit a tree - airbag did not deploy.

Filed Sep 18, 2013 · Engine · 1,146 miles · AL

When turning left out of my neighborhood I slowed down and then tried to return to speed but the vehicle hesitated then suddenly jerked up to the desired speed. One other time on an interstate I had to slow down behind a truck and then when I tried to accelerate back to speed in the passing lane the car hesitated for several seconds and again accelerated rapidly (cars in the passing lane had to brake quickly. I could describe other times but the same thing (the hesitation and then the extremely rapid acceleration) I have taken it do the dealer but they said that they could not find anything.