2011 Toyota RAV4: sudden unintended acceleration

Filed Sep 24, 2023 · Brakes, Fuel system · PA · crash

To begin with, the 2011 Toyota Rav4 in question was a loaner provided to me by Fiore VW AUDI (1000 S. Logan Blvd in Hollidaysburg, PA 16648) at @ 10:45 AM on 9/16/23. My 2018 Toyota Sienna was being serviced at this location on 9/18/23 and they provided me the 2011 Rav4 in the meantime. The brakes failing, the steering wheel locking up, and the sudden acceleration of this 2011 Rav4 occurred later that afternoon @ 4 PM in a Sheetz parking lot at 3261 W. College Ave. State College, PA 16801. As I was turning left into an open parking space at the rear entrance of this Sheetz, I began to turn the steering wheel to the right, straighten out, and park properly in the parking space; I also began to press down on brake to stop the car. As I pressed down on the brake pedal, the brakes quickly locked up and became unresponsive. Simultaneously, the steering wheel locked up becoming unresponsive with the front wheels still slightly turned to the left. I was still coming out of my turn when this vehicle failure began. I quickly took my foot off the brake, then the car suddenly burst forward with an intense acceleration. I immediately put my foot back down on the brake, but the car still proceeded forward towards the building; moving slightly to the left due to the steering wheel still locked in place and unresponsive. I slowly rolled into a metal obstruction at the end of the parking space, hitting it at an angle. I had my seat belt on and no air bags were deployed. No injuries to me, but some cosmetic damage to the front of the Rav4. There were no warning lights or audible warnings prior to this vehicle failure. I didn't notice any warning lights or alarms during the failure. Prior to this incident everything seemed fine. After the incident, I drove the car home, drove it to my insurance agent on 9/18/23, and I drove it back to the dealer on 9/20/23. That was it. I would believe Sheetz has this complete incident recorded w/security cameras at that back entrance way.

Filed Sep 1, 2023 · Acceleration, Brakes · IN · crash · 1 injury

Sudden acceleration when braking caused crash of 2011 Toyota RAV4 and driver injury. Making a right turn into a parking space that faces a concrete wall, I had my foot on the brake to slow the car down to park, going about five miles an hour. Still riding the brake, never having moved my foot off it, when I was about two feet from the wall I pressed on the brake to ease into a stop. Instead, the car suddenly accelerated with a loud rev and crashed into the wall. The car was going so fast the airbag deployed and thrust me against my seatbelt. Airbag caused fracture of 5th metacarpal in my right hand. Was unable to drive for 12 weeks. When I got the car back from the Toyota Body Shop ($9000+ in repairs), I took it over to the dealer and began filing a case with the Toyota Customer Experience Center to have Toyota inspect the car. I am especially concerned about the brake sensor system. Case is pending

Filed May 13, 2023 · Acceleration, Brakes · CA

When applying the brakes to stop at a stoplight, I noticed the brake pedal was very hard and was not stopping the vehicle as it normally did. The stop at the light was not a sudden stop. At the time this incident occurred, the brakes were being gradually applied as the vehicle was coasting to a slow stop. As the vehicle came to rest, the engine started to race with tachometer showing 4500 rpm. I placed the transmission into neutral fearing the car would accelerate through the stoplight. As I placed the car into neutral, the engine raced up to 6500 rpm. When the light turned green, I made a right turn into a parking lot, and the engine stopped racing and the brakes and engine began performing properly. Today was the first time this happened. The stop was being made on level ground at time of incident. The car's speed before the incident had been 35 mph and was at less than 5 mph when issue began happening. Prior to traveling in the 35 mph zone, the car had recently been on the highway traveling between 55-70 mph for 20 minutes. Mileage on vehicle is currently 141,295. The vehicle is available for inspection. Slow response braking and unintended acceleration place vehicle occupants as well as other vehicles at risk for collision and possible injury. Problem has not been reproduced nor inspected by a dealer or independent service station yet. No parties have inspected the vehicle yet. No warning lights or messages were generated at the time of the incident. There have been no prior symptoms or similar problems which would have indicated this brake/acceleration issue may occur.

Filed Feb 23, 2023 · Acceleration, Airbags · 85,000 miles · VT · crash

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking space the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and accelerated forward crashing into a parked van. During the incident, the airbags did not deploy. No injuries were reported and no police report was taken. the vehicle was later towed to a collision center and repaired. The cause of the failure was not determined. The contact indicated that the same failure had occurred after the husband stopped at a red light. During the incident, the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward and crashed into the rear of a second vehicle. No injuries were reported and no police report was taken. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failures. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 85,000.

Filed Mar 15, 2019 · Brakes, Engine · 73,000 miles · MO · crash

The complaint specified does not seem to happen frequently or consistently, has happened randomly 2 times in a 6 week period. Specifically, car was engaged in the drive gear on auto transmission and was stopped at the moment, once at the parking spot at local walmart, brought to complete halt with foot on the brake, and ready to shift lever to park, before I could do that, brake went soft and car moved/surged forward, hitting the safety pole in the parking spot. The safety pole saved from head on hitting the car already parked in the opposite parking spot. The picture of the front of the car against the safety post is attached. Another time, was stopped with foot on the brake, waiting to merge into traffic, at the local hyvee store, suddenly braking was gone, engine surged withpower and the car jumped into the middle of intersection. Fortunately I was able to avoid the collision with other cars on the road. Both times the car was at standstill, in drive gear, foot on the brake. In forty or more years of driving I have never have this happened before I did file a claim with stae farm, because there was damage to the front bumper. A picture is attached. I have not yet driven this car, after it was repaired by the body shop, due to profound fear that this incidence can happen again. Toyota company says they have found nothing wrong, just like they have denied for similar issues with their other cars in the past. Please help

Filed Jun 30, 2018 · 80,000 miles · RI · crash · 1 injury

Up until last sunday, my mother had driven a 2011 rav 4. On sunday, as she was driving, the car rapidly accelerated on its own. She was unable to stop the car using the brake, or by trying to put the car in neutral. She was on a 2 lane road, with traffic in both directions. In order not to injure anyone else, she drove off the road and subsequently struck a tree. She suffered severe injuries ry, and the car was totaled.

Filed Nov 28, 2017 · Acceleration, Transmission · 54,000 miles · KY · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 toyota rav4. While driving 2-3 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated without warning. The contact was able to stop the vehicle. The contact accelerated independently again. The contact stated that the engine revved excessively. The contact also noticed smoke coming from the front of the vehicle, excessive leaking underneath the vehicle, and an abnormal noise coming from the engine. The contact was able to place the vehicle in drive and turned the vehicle off. The vehicle was towed to toyota of nicholasville (2100 lexington rd, nicholasville, ky 40356, (859) 887-4200) where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.

Filed Aug 14, 2017 · Acceleration · 83,000 miles · MA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 toyota rav4. While parking the vehicle and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle surged forward independently. The vehicle crashed into the front of another vehicle. The failure was persistent. A police report was not filed and no injuries were sustained. The local dealer (benardi toyota 1626 worcester road, framingham, ma, 01702) was contacted and a diagnostic appointment was scheduled. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000. Updated 10/18/17*lj

Filed Mar 3, 2017 · Acceleration · 28,559 miles · ID

Car sitting in parking lot. Started engine in park, engine suddenly accelerated had to turn ignition key off to stop engine from running at high speed. When restarted engine ran at normal idle speed. Checked floor mat and hoses on engine, all ok. Scheduled appointment with toyota dealer for 3/6/2017. Car has 28,563 miles on odometer and I am the original owner. Car is garaged, no accidents and is regularly serviced by toyota dealer. Outside temperature outside was 41 degrees. I checked the foot pedal (throttle) for free travel it was ok.

Filed Feb 7, 2017 · Acceleration · 76,000 miles · IL · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 toyota rav4. While in a parking area applying the brakes, the vehicle independently surged at a high rate of speed. The rpms raced and the contact's vehicle crashed into two other vehicles. A police report was filed. The driver sustained whiplash due to the failure, which required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a repair center to repair the damages and further inspect the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was waiting for a response to determine if they may be able to investigate the unintended acceleration failure. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.

Filed Apr 26, 2016 · Acceleration, Engine · 45,000 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 toyota rav4. When the contact depressed the brake pedal, the engine roared and the vehicle accelerated without warning. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who was unable to replicate the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall; therefore, they declined to help unless the dealer replicated the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

Filed Apr 5, 2016 · Acceleration · 51,000 miles · CA

Car suddenly accelerated when slowing for a traffic light. Foot securely on the brake. Speed under 5 MPH. No floor mats or interference with the throttle of any kind.