2008 Toyota RAV4 acceleration problems

Filed May 22, 2023 · Acceleration, Engine · KY

Starting in June 2018, I have had seven episodes of unintended acceleration. (I have owned the car, purchased in private sale, since June of 2013.) There were common elements to each incident:1. gradually slowing; 2. foot on brake; 3. engine accelerates sharply, a moment before complete stop in first six, a moment after in seventh and last. In each incident able to maintain control as foot already was on brake; yet in three of the incidents, including the last two, the car bucked forward a few inches despite the pressure on the brake. Situation resolved when I turned off the ignition, a reflex developed after the first incident. This last incident was particularly upsetting as I was in a long line of slow moving cars on a relatively narrow road with pedestrians on each side of my car. Each incident has been reported to the local dealer with which I have been trading for many years. They did a thorough inspection when I reported the incidents to them in January of 2020 and again just today after the last incident that occurred on May 19, 2023. They could find nothing wrong and include on their report "TAS STATES SUSPECTED DRIVER ERROR, PEDAL MISS [sic] APPLICATION." I do NOT accept this conclusion. I note in the last incident I had come to complete stop momentarily before the engine accelerated and despite my heavy pressure on the brake bucked forward, with control established only when I shut the engine down. During the entire period of these incidents I also have been driving two other vehicles, a 2008 Camry and a 2023 Camry. I have had no such incidents while driving these two cars. I do NOT drive with two feet, always the first question asked when such an incident is reported. Finally, I believe my car dates from a period when Toyota was vehemently denying such a problem in their cars when they knew full well that such was the case, a deception for which they were found criminally liable. Such history does not instill confidence in corporate Toyota.

Filed Aug 4, 2018 · Acceleration · 94,000 miles · TX

I'm experiencing unintended acceleration without engaging the pedal from a stationary position.

Filed Oct 24, 2017 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · TX

Vehicle in motion on street sudden acceleration.was going slow step on brake put in park. Heard engine reup felt like wanting to go by itself. Happened once to my wife and once to me while driving on city street. Call toyota dealer service dept. Asked about recall. Was told yes for recall. Too vehicle in was giving printout of recalls.showing floor interference problem to accelerator. Was not offered a recheck on ongoing same accelerator problem.

Filed May 15, 2016 · Acceleration · 65,000 miles · NM

The problem is repeatable. Going uphill on a highway at around fifty MPH with speed control on. Vehicle speed has dropped about 2 MPH below the set point. I tap the speed control lever once to reduce the set point by about 1 MPH. The speed control instantly opens the throttle wide and the transmission shifts to a lower gear. The result is an abrupt increase in speed rather than than the intended decrease. If, under the same circumstances, I pull the speed control lever to turn off the control the same thing happens but is quickly terminated when the control disconnects, without much increase in speed.

Filed Mar 16, 2016 · Acceleration · 105,000 miles · MN

Sudden acceleration. Car was stopped in park and shifted to drive. Transmission made a large clunk sound as it went into drive and then accelerated to what sound like full throttle. My foot was on the brake and the car didn't move much but was bucking against the brake. I shifted into neutral and turned off the car. I then put it into park. I got out of the vehicle, looked under the dash and the accelerator pedal looked like it was in a normal position and the floor mats were several inches from the accelerator pedal. This took place at the bemidji high school parking lot. I then re-started the car and drove it home with no incident. There was no damage to the car and no injuries.

Filed Jul 30, 2015 · Acceleration · 121,200 miles · WV

The rav4 has exhibited sudden unintended acceleration three times: latest occurred on 7/17/2015 at 7:30 pm while stopped at an intersection; the 2nd on 7/06/15 while in park in my driveway just after stating the car; the 1st on about 6/30/15 around noon while stopped at a traffic light. Fortunately, I had my foot on the break or was in park so that the car did not move. After turning the car off and restarting the problem went away. The vehicle was tested at local dealer on 7/20 with diagnostic data sent to toyota central, but they could find no problem in the data - no error codes. The technical case number is [xxx]. After contacting toyota customer service (case # [xxx]) I was told they could do nothing further that the car "performed as designed" per sabina charfauros, case manager, 188‑331‑4331 ext. 73846 updated 9/28/15 *ln updated 3/23/2016

Filed Apr 12, 2015 · Acceleration · 70,733 miles · VA

While stopped at a light waiting to turn left the rav4 engine began to rev and lurched forward with driver's foot still on the brake. Driver put car into neutral while holding down the brake pedal to prevent the car hurtling into the intersection. Driver then turned off the car and put gear shift to park. After 30 seconds restarted the car with foot on brake and the engine began to rev again with car in park. The engine noise was very loud. Car was again turned off. Car was restarted after about 2-3 minutes and engine behaved normally. Owners took car to toyota dealer within an hour of the incident. Toyota dealership ran diagnostic and manager said driver had foot on the accelerator when it happened which is certainly not true. Dealer would not release a copy of the diagnostic report. Owners have had all recall work done on the vehicle and have done regular maintenance as required in the owner manual.

Filed Mar 6, 2015 · Acceleration, Brakes · 94,000 miles · KY

Abs light, vsc light, brake light and traction control light illuminated causing all systems to be inoperative. After taking car to local dealer problem was found to be bad left wheel speed sensor, harness for sensor and wheel hub that had corrosion on it possibly from living in an area that deices roads with salt. In my research it has been brought to my attention through several toyota blogs this is a recurring problem around the country. Several people have had the same complaint and the associated cost to fix this problem is expensive. If an owner fails to fix the problem the outcome could become catastrophic in inclimate weather.

Filed Oct 6, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 83,552 miles · CA

The vehicle slows down and the engine shuts off while driving around 65 MPH or higher the throttle control is not responding very dangerous .

Filed Aug 12, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 77,000 miles · CA

Check engine light, vsc light, and 4wd lights stayed on after we purchased vehicle. We were advised to disconnect battery to reset, it worked until car was shut off. Then the lights care on again, and 4wd would not work. Our driveway requires 4wd! Took it to toyota service near our home, he called warranty company, they would not pay because evap cannister and hoses had previous water damage, and were rusted. Manly honda in santa rosa has put us off for two and a half weeks. This is where we purchased the car for our daughter. They will not return calls. We were informed toyota only covered this problem up to 70,000 miles. To take it to dealer!! They will no longer respond.