Toyota RAV4 sudden acceleration problems

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · Acceleration, Brakes · CA · crash

On August 28, 2026 at about 8:00 AM, while maneuvering into a parking space at under 5 mph, my vehicle suddenly accelerated and I was unable to stop it before it struck a tree. Adaptive cruise control was off; lane keeping assistance was on, as it normally is. I attempted to brake, but the vehicle did not stop, and automatic emergency braking did not engage before impact. I do not recall any warning lamps or symptoms beforehand. A neighbor witnessed the incident. The vehicle is available for inspection. Toyota inspected the vehicle on September 5, 2026. Its letter states that the EDR readout showed accelerator pedal pressure and no brake pedal application before impact, and that it found no defect. These findings do not match my recollection, and I have asked Toyota in writing to verify them. Toyota’s letter also lists the wrong incident date (August 5, 2026), so I have requested the complete EDR report and confirmation of which stored event was read. I will update this report when I receive it. My spouse experienced a similar sudden acceleration symptom in the same vehicle on May 19, 2026, with no collision. It was not reported at the time.

Filed Oct 23, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · PA · crash · 1 injury

was parking car in parking space when applying brakes the car revved up and lunged forward hitting a curb and with foot more firmly pressing brake pedal the car revved up more lunged forward with enough force to jump the curb and ran into a dirt embankment stopping the car. There were no warning lights, messages or other symptoms of a problem. The vehicle has not been inspected but am working on getting it inspected by a investigator. The investigation has only begun so have no information on what or why this happened.

Filed Sep 29, 2026 · Acceleration · 21,000 miles · TX · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving approximately 2-3 MPH in a parking garage, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and crashed into a cement pillar. The vehicle had lunged forward previously. There was smoke or steam coming from the vehicle after the crash. The vehicle was driven in hybrid mode out of the parking garage and was eventually towed to the local dealer. The contact was sore, and medical attention was provided by a doctor. The Toyota manufacturer brand engagement center was contacted by phone and opened a case. The insurance company was contacted, and the adjuster was scheduled to inspect the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.

Filed Sep 1, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · MA

Driving my one owner 2025 Rav 4 Hybrid- pulling into a parking spot while gently pressing on the brake to slow car. Car was slowing then suddenly accelerated while brake pedal still being pressed, lunged forward and hit a wall in front of the parking space. No warning lamps/alarms went off and drivers seat belt did not engage. Called dealership to report incident.

Filed Jul 20, 2026 · Driver assistance, Engine · 52,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the economy feature disengaged while driving. While the lane assist was activated, the vehicle drifted over into another lane. The engine was revving and backfired. The vehicle lost motive power while driving at undisclosed speeds. The driver's side windshield had a glaze or wax on the outside. While idling, the vehicle surged forward. The driver hovered a foot over the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to several dealers, AutoNation Toyota Winter Park Service Center (225 N Semoran Blvd, Winter Park, FL 32792); Claremont Toyota (601 Auto Center Dr, Claremont, CA 91711); and Miracle Toyota (37048 US-27, Haines City, FL 33844); but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.

Filed Jul 14, 2026 · Acceleration, Brakes · 25,000 miles · GA · crash · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2020 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while pulling into a vertical spot and making a right turn, the vehicle suddenly accelerated, jumped the curb, the sidewalk, and continued driving down the sidewalk and crashed into a building. The brake pedal was depressed but was stuck. The vehicle failed to turn off, and the parking brake failed to engage. There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bags deployed as needed. A Police report was filed. The EMS workers were unable to depress the brake pedal. The undercarriage of the dashboard ripped the skin off both shins. The contact was transported to the trauma hospital, where medical attention was provided for four weeks to close the wounds. A skin graft was performed on both legs. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The black box data was retrieved, which showed the acceleration, but no information if the brake pedal was depressed. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.

Filed Jul 2, 2026 · Acceleration · CA

Sudden self-acceleration by new RAV4 hybrid with less than 1000 miles on it. I made a hard left at low speed onto an uphill residential street. Saw a car backing down the street 1/2 block ahead so I took my foot off accelerator to slow down. Instead, car self-accelerated while my foot was not pressing any pedal, and shot uphill and over a speed bump, throwing the car off course toward parked cars. I stepped hard on brake, and assisted braking probably also kicked in. Car slammed to a stop. No damage or injuries. I took the car to Toyota dealer service immediately to report and address self-acceleration. Was told Vehicle Control History confirmed an event but not its nature or cause; didn’t find problem. Dealer claimed they reported incident to Toyota national center as UA (Unintended Acceleration), as we requested. Returned the car to me without repair or further diagnostic steps. There was never any follow up by Toyota, local or national. One year later, a similar self-acceleration by this car after a hard left turn at low speed caused life-threatening event and damage. I was told then that Toyota corporate had no record of first UA incident. The 2nd incident is reported separately on this site. I have now realized it’s important to report each incident.

Filed Jun 6, 2026 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · CA

2 incidents of Sudden Unintended Acceleration. No warning lights etc in either. Car damaged but available for inspection. Now encountering difficulties initating Toyota investigation. 1st incident (4/18/25; mileage 967) occurred after a hard left turn. After turn onto uphill street, I took my foot from accelerator to slow and maintain distance from a car backing down hill ahead. Instead, car self-accelerated and shot uphill, over speed bump with increasing speed. Did not respond to braking until it was close to hitting a parked car. Stopped with a slam; probably brake assistance engaged. No damage or injury, but I was shaken. Took car immediately to Toyota dealer to inspect. Was told RoB confirmed an event but not its nature or cause; identified nothing wrong. They hypothesized cruise control might have been triggered accidentally (no evidence, not plausible). Claimed they submitted report to Toyota national center. After 2nd incident, Toyota national said they had no record of 1st event. Their standard safety inspection protocols were not followed. Returned car to me without repair or follow up. 2nd incident ensued. 2nd self-acceleration event (2026) also occurred after hard left turn to make U turn at low speed, braking while completing turn. When I took my foot off brake, before I could press it on accelerator, car shot diagonally across street. Jumped curb and traveled at considerable speed 100' up landscaped slope. Destroyed 6 large shrubs and 3 trees 9' tall. Did not stop despite constant driver braking. Forward collision prevention system did not engage to prevent uprooting trees. Car stopped only after I turned steering wheel sharply to left to avoid hitting a full-size tree trunk. Then car responded to braking, acceleration ended, car stopped next to tree without impact. Terrifying life-threatening event but only damaged landscape and car. Police came, assessed incident, determined not a police matter, did not file police report.

Filed May 12, 2026 · Acceleration · PR · crash

COMPONENT: Electronic Throttle Control System (ETCS) / accelerator pedal. Vehicle is available for inspection at Autocentro Toyota, San Juan, PR, where it has been retained since 2/28/2026. INCIDENT: On 2/28/2026 at 7:45 AM, while entering a private driveway at under 5 MPH to park, my 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid SE (VIN [XXX] , 3,164 miles) suddenly and involuntarily accelerated without driver input. I categorically affirm I did NOT press the accelerator. The vehicle struck a metal gate, causing frontal damage. Airbags did not deploy. OEM floor mat was properly secured; no aftermarket parts installed. SAFETY RISK: Sudden unintended acceleration at low-speed parking maneuver. Had a pedestrian, child, or another vehicle been in the path, this would have caused serious injury or death. The defect is unpredictable and the driver cannot anticipate or override it. INSPECTION: Vehicle inspected 3/20/2026 by Engineering Analysis Associates (EAA), a firm contracted and paid by Toyota — NOT independent. EAA downloaded electronic data and concluded the accelerator was pressed 1 second before impact. I dispute this finding: I did not press the pedal. No independent inspection has been allowed. Full EAA report was never provided to me. On 4/23/2026, Toyota Motor North America (Ms. Delve L., Legal Claims Administrator) declined assistance based solely on EAA's data. WARNING SIGNS: UNKNOWN. No warning lamps, messages, or prior symptoms appeared before the incident. The vehicle had functioned normally since purchase on 4/25/2025. ADDITIONAL: Vehicle retained by dealer 73+ days without repair or substitute vehicle. Consumer complaint filed with Puerto Rico DACO (Case XXX). Similar unintended acceleration incidents reported in 2024 RAV4 Hybrid and Prime models in the federal safety agency database. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 10, 2026 · Driver assistance, Transmission · VA · crash

2025 Toyota RAV4 XLE 4 door utility 2.5L 4 Cyl Gas A AWD unexpected sudden acceleration My safety as well as other vehicles and occupants as could have been at risk. National Transportation Safety Boaed has confirmed 57 cpmplaints of same issue. Vehicle determined total loss by insurance inspector, Va State Police. No warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms proir to the problem.