2013 Toyota RAV4: sudden unintended acceleration

Filed Apr 12, 2024 · Brakes, Fuel system · CT

In at least 5 or more instances the vehicle has had unintended acceleration and thrust the car forward while I was braking and trying to come to a stop. Once it happened at a 4-way intersection and propelled my car into the middle of the intersection and I had to swerve to avoid a head-on collision with another car. I , or the other driver, could have been killed. In all cases the braking failed to stop the car and in fact sped it up even though the brakes were applied.

Filed Jan 12, 2018 · Transmission · 35,000 miles · VA · crash · 1 injury

This complaint involves sudden acceleration. It occurred twice, once when shifting from drive to reverse and again when you get shifting from reverse to drive. The car was at a standstill both times. The first time was april 2017. I was driving along a neighborhood street at 20 MPH. When I stopped and put the car in reverse, it shot off like a rocket. I applied the brakes; the car started spinning around. I pulled the emergency brake and the car stopped. The second event occurred on january 4, 2018. I was backing out of a parking space; I stopped so I could renter the space. When I shifted from reverse to drive, the car roared off and became airborne. It flew over the median and hit the car parked in the space opposite. The time between when it accelerated and when it hit the other car was so fast I did not have time to apply the brakes. It felt like we were flying and the car was in total control. I feel there is some flaw in the electronic system controlling the gears. No police report was filed because it occurred on private property. My passenger was slightly injured - a bruised clavicle, probably from the seatbelts.

Filed Nov 16, 2017 · Acceleration, Brakes · 379 miles · NY · crash

Tl* the contact owned a 2013 toyota rav4. While attempting to reverse, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. The contact attempted to stop the vehicle, but the brakes ceased. As a result, the vehicle jumped the curb and crashed into three trucks and a tree. The failure occurred without warning. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard where it was deemed destroyed. The manufacturer and dealer were not contacted. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 379.*tt consumer stated she started reversing and suddenly the car started acceleration, she pressed the brake it did not stop as a result the car went out of control and hit 3 parked trucks. Updated 8/15/18

Filed Feb 22, 2016 · Engine · 17,000 miles · TX

Our toyota 2013 rav4 had a sudden acceleration. While driving on the highway, the gas peddle suddenly dropped to the floor, and the RPM's went from 3-8 instantly. Upon braking, the accelerator went back to normal, but as soon as the brake was released, the problem immediately happened again. At this point, the brakes were applied again, and the car was pulled over. The car was shut off, then restarted. At this point the car drove normal from then on.

Filed Oct 31, 2014 · Brakes · 200 miles · MI

The rav4 was purchased new from a dealer. While driving home, the brake pedal travel felt excessive, as if there was too much air in the system. With a moderate brake application, it felt as though the pedal was almost to the end of its stroke. I measured the pedal travel statically in my garage = with 25 pounds effort, the travel was 2.5 inches. But with 100 pounds effort, the pedal was about 1/2" from the floor, meaning that in the advent of a failed brake circuit, there would not be enough pedal travel to safely stop the vehicle. Also, the pedal effort v. Travel felt linear, and not asymptotic as one would expect from a brake pedal. I took the rav4 to the dealer service dept. They reported that they found no issues and no service was done. After the visit to the dealership, the brake pedal feel was completely different. The pedal travel at 25 pounds effort was now 1.5", which felt normal. Also, the pedal feel was now asymptotic and plenty of travel was left available to allow for a safe stop with a failed circuit. Since I have no idea what changed on the vehicle during its visit to the dealership, it leaves open the question of whether the unsafe condition of the rav4 braking system in the brand new state is a systemic issue. On a separate issue, while measuring the brake pedal travel in my garage I noticed that the brake booster would deplete in the middle of a brake application if the brake pedal is modulated slightly (for example, pulsed up and down slightly without fully retracting it). I consider this unsafe as well because if an unusual event occurred, such as an unintended acceleration, then the brake booster would quickly deplete leaving the driver without brake assist and unable to stop the vehicle, unless he/she had the presence of mind to fully retract the brake pedal and reapply it firmly.

Filed Dec 5, 2013 · Acceleration · 7,400 miles · CA

Approaching stop sign with foot on brake, sudden acceleration , towards oncoming intersection , with cross traffic, vehicle still lunged and vibrated further, able to stop vehicle by turning the ignition off!

Filed Sep 29, 2013 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 1,825 miles · SC

Unintended acceleration. I was pulling into park at work with my foot on the brake (fortunately) and the rav4 suddenly accelerated.

Filed Apr 10, 2013 · Acceleration, Electrical · 120 miles · PA

2 separate episodes of unintended acceleration in a brand new car dealer unable to verify defect.