2002 Toyota Sienna: sudden unintended acceleration

Filed Jul 31, 2012 · Acceleration, Brakes · 131,200 miles · OH

I was pulling forward from a red light, slowly accelerating. Someone cut me off, I swerved, and then accelerated into traffic. The car started accelerating on its own, from about 35 MPH (where I pulled my foot off the accelerator pad to "hold" the speed but not continue accelerating) up to 55 MPH--this happened very quickly, in a smattering of seconds. I remembered reading that you should just slam on the brake and hold it down hard, which I did. This did stop further acceleration, but it did not immediately slow the car. I was able to slow the car in about 10 seconds, though deceleration was very slow. When I finally returned to 35 MPH, I did not attempt to accelerate again for about two miles. I stopped at another traffic light, and when I started forward from the light, I did not depress the accelerator pad with my typical force, accelerating at about half the speed I normally would, as I did not want to be taken by surprise by the unexpected sudden acceleration again. The problem did not further repeat itself this evening, but it was quite scary when it happened. I know it was not the floor mat under the pedal, as the floor mat has been cut away from the pedal area and was pulled very far back into the driver's seat area.

Filed Dec 15, 2011 · Body, Locks · VA

When the sudden acceleration problem erupted I remember seeing an internal document which related to the rear door latch for siennas. I own a sienna and have had to replace the rear latch twice so far. It just brakes apart and it becomes a real huzzle since the rear door cannot be opened. Toyota must replace this latches with a good well manufactured material.

Filed Nov 4, 2011 · Brakes · 83,000 miles · KS · crash

We have owned this 2002 toyota sienna since 2002. The brakes have always squealed when stopping gradually, and the dealer said that sienna brakes all squeal. There have been only a few instances over the previous 9 years when the ABS has activated and I had always felt that the ABS on this was much superior to the mazda protege that we owned. However in the past month or two, the ABS activated about 3 or 4 times, on slightly rapid stops, under dry driving conditions. Yesterday evening, under dry driving conditions, when pulling out of a stop light, I noticed the SUV ahead slowing down and began braking, then switched to the accelerator for a fraction of a second when it seemed that they might start accelerating, then when they brake hard, I too slammed on my brakes. The ABS kicked in, but the car seemed to keep moving and the crash happened in slow motion - it was just as I felt in the mazda protege, when the ABS kicked in while trying to stop on an icy road - the car kept moving without seeming to slow down. I am not sure, but also have a vague sense that the engine continued to work hard to pull the car forward, possibly like the unintended acceleration reported by others in a recent spate of accidents. I was standing on the brake when my car plowed under the rear fender of the chevy tahoe ahead, causing the radiator, battery, etc. To get smashed. This was when it was clear that the engine was still racing and trying to pull the car forward - I finally cut the ignition to kill the engine. My insurance company called edy's toyota, with me on the line, to see if they could read the car computer to check the cause of the accident. The service rep showed a lot of reluctance, seeming to indicate that not much would be gained, and finally declined saying "you're putting me in a spot"...

Filed Dec 9, 2009 · Acceleration · 124,000 miles · NJ

Toyota sienna van appeared to have sudden acceleration problem when stopped at stop sign. Engine revved up as accelerator was about to be applied, so I had to apply brakes as car was making sudden movements. Quickly put car into neutral position.

Filed Mar 9, 2004 · Transmission · FL

While stopped in "drive" with foot on the brakes, the vehicle occationally attempts to surge forward.