2009 Toyota RAV4: jerking or lurching

Filed Mar 3, 2020 · Electrical, Steering · 78,000 miles · CA

The power steering light came on then the steering wheel locked I jerked it to the right to get it to pull off the road. I was driving on a city street going up hill when the car finally disabled, the mechanic told me he found nothing wrong when he put it on the diagnostic I don't feel safe driving the car with my child I've paid 140.00 for and inspection now I'm taking it to the sf toyota mechanic.

Filed Feb 11, 2018 · Acceleration, Engine · 108,000 miles · MI

Just over 100,000 miles on the 2009 rav 4. Without issue. Not original owner. This weekend it tried 3 times to accelerate us into the vehicles or people in front of is. After looking online I verified that our floormats are both secured and do not extend to the area of the pedal. Incident 1. While sitting at a complete stop at red light, heard and felt engine start to rev. Car lurched forward, and I applied left foot in addition to the right which was already on the brake in attempt to stop it. Had to hit shifter into neutral to regain control only a foot or 2 from the car in front. Mistakenly thought it was an isolated incident. Incident 2 today-- while slowing to a red light by application of brakes with right foot, engine revved up to approx. 3000 RPM and tried accelerating us into vehicles in front of us. Again- only shifting into neutral brought vehicle under control.. Incident 3 - approx 20 min after incident 2 on way home ( sunday afternoon)while braking to a stop at red light. No vehicles in front by people entering the crosswalk. Heard and felt engine start to accelerate. Immediate addition of right foot to the brake pedal was able to stop the car and the acceleration stopped without shifting to neutral this time. Vehicle is parked awaiting reply from toyota. Checked toyota website and it says there are no open recalls or service campaigns for this VIN.

Filed Apr 22, 2010 · Acceleration · 15,000 miles · NY

I have a 2009 toyota rav4, and took it in to the dealer for accelerator shim placement as per the recent recall. Since the shim has been placed, I have been experiencing periodic episodes of "jackrabbit" starts from a stopped position. The accelerator is very touchy, it either creates a prolonged moment of hesitation, then jerks forward. There was one episode when the vehicle rapidly accelerated, thankfully there were no vehicles in front of me. I returned to the dealer, but since they could not replicate the concern, they dismissed my issue. I am annoyed that toyota acted as though they have never heard of such a thing.

Filed Apr 13, 2010 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 15,023 miles · MI

I was driving my 2009 toyota rav4 on monday april 5, 2010 and was stopped at a red light with my foot on the brake when I felt gas seemed to rev up. I felt like the car would have lurched forward had not my foot been on the brake. Also today after moving forward my car maintain a 20 miles an hour speed without my pressing on the gas pedal, april 13th, 2010.

Filed Apr 5, 2010 · Acceleration · 5,000 miles · MN

Drove up to use the atm at bank. Placed car in park and used atm. When I finished, I put my foot on the brake and shifted into drive. Car engine accelerated and car lurched forward. A large cloud of smoke came out of the exhaust pipe. I was able to put the car in neutral and turn off the engine. Putting the car in neutral did not stop the engine from racing. I pushed the car away from the atm and called the toyota dealer, who came and drove the car to their garage. The dealer found no record of the event on the cars computer and has twice tried to return the vehicle to me. Only after I threatened to go on a local radio talk show, did the agree to continue to investigate. I was able to obtain video of the incident from the bank's security cameras and have shared them with the toyota dealer and would be happy to share them with the federal safety agency. *tr updated 07/26/10*jb updated ivoq 08/04/10

Filed Mar 25, 2010 · Acceleration · 13,285 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2009 toyota rav 4. The contact was driving approximately 5 MPH turning a corner and the vehicle began a jerking motion. A sudden loss of power steering occurred without warning. The vehicle surged forward and continued acceleration. The vehicle slowed down after pressure was applied to the brake pedal. The failure occurred periodically. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician was unable to duplicate the problem. The acceleration failure was updated in the database. The vehicle had prior recall repair performed and the remedy repair failed to correct the problem. The contact states there are two people in the family that drive the vehicle and two people have experienced acceleration failure of the vehicle. The failure mileage was 13,285. The current mileage was 14,000.

Filed Mar 23, 2010 · Acceleration · 18,500 miles · NC

My wife told me that her toyota rav 4 seemed to surge forward when she was trying to stop. A few days later I was driving her car and was approaching a stop light that had just turned red. I started to slow down and apply the brake and the toyota suddenly accelerated and lurched forward. Fortunately, there was no car in front of me or I would have rear-ended it. I immediately put it in neutral and put both feet on the brake and the engine accelerated to approximately 5000 RPM. I turned the ignition off and pulled over. After the engine shut off completely, I restarted the car and managed to get home safely. I called the dealer, leith toyota, and they said to bring the car in right away. They kept the car several days and ran some tests, drove the car but because they were unable to replicate the same mechanical or electronic problem, they could not or would not do anything to fix the problem. So I feel that I am left with a vehicle that is not safe to drive. After learning that so many people have had the same problem, it is now obvious that toyota and leith toyota sold us this vehicle knowing the problem existed. The government needs to hold toyota and the dealerships responsible and liable for any accidents that occur from this problem and reimburse consumers that purchased and own vehicles that are unsafe due to this mechanical/electronic problem.

Filed Mar 18, 2010 · Acceleration · 16,000 miles · TX

Sudden acceleration in 2009 toyota rav 4 after recall repair. Happened for the 1st time since ownership of car 4 days after repair. Had car for approximately 1 year. Never had any problems. 4 days after repair, we were west bound on fm 1709 in southlake, tx approaching light just to the east of high school. We were approaching at approx 30 MPH with speed decreasing due to red light and other cars already stopped at light. Car RPM's increased to the 3,000 range. Had to apply steady to hard pressure to brakes. Car was fighting to accelerate, but was able to continue speed descent. Got car to around 15 MPH. Car lurched into 1st gear, RPM's decreased to around 1,000 range and we all were thrown forward in our seats when the car lurched.

Filed Mar 8, 2010 · Acceleration · 50 miles · IN

Although my car was fixed in the toyota recall, I believe the problem still exists. It is better, but not best. When I press on the accelerator sometimes the car jerks forward much faster than you would expect. It used to do this more often and to a greater degree, but still does do it on occasion. I noticed this when I first bought the car, but put it off to pressing down on the accelerator too hard. Then I began to think that if that was the case it would happen all the time. I purposely try to go forward gently, but am not able to sometimes.

Filed Mar 3, 2010 · Acceleration · 11,200 miles · NJ

Currently, I own a 2009 rav4 that was not apart of the recall due to the fact the car was manufactured in japan. However, I am experiencing sudden acceleration in my vehicle and toyota is doing nothing to resolve this issue. On a daily basis when I drive the car and I am pressing on the accelerator pedal the car suddenly jerks and the RPM's jump and jerks me forward. I find that it happens more frequently on a rainy or wet days but does occur everyday. This car is a safety hazard and I have been told by toyota that it is the way I am driving however, my husband drives my car and experiences the same thing when stepping on the accelerator pedal. Toyota needs to fix my problem.

Filed Feb 23, 2010 · Transmission · 2,000 miles · IN

The transmission in my 2009 toyota rav4 seems to slip. When I press on the accelerator from a complete stop, the vehicle violently jerks 2 or 3 times before it takes off. It doesn't happen every time, but it happens at least 3 times a day.

Filed Feb 9, 2010 · Driver assistance, Steering · 9,000 miles · WI

I was traveling on I-94 from madison, wi to minneapolis, mn in late december. The interstate was in good driving condition -- no ice, snow, or rain. It was a nice day with little wind and temperature in the mid-20's. I was in the left lane, passing a slower car in the right lane. I was traveling at 75 MPH with cruise control on. Just as I pulled ahead of the other car, my 2009 toyota rav4 pulled violently to the left. I thought we might roll, but then the car stabilized and I was able to maintain control. There was no obvious external cause for the lurch to the left. It felt like a blowout, but we stopped to check the tires and they were fine. It couldn't have been wind sheer because there was very little wind. There were no potholes in the road. At the time I thought the car to my right might have hit a rock or something and sent it sliding into my path. I suppose that's a possibility, but I didn't see anything behind me in the rear view mirror, so I think it's unlikely. I'm wondering if a malfunction of the electronic stability control occurred there has been no recurrence.