general problems of the 1999 Lexus LS400

The contact owns a 1999 Lexus Ls400. The contact stated that while driving 15 mph, he applied the brake due to traffic. However, the vehicle accelerated independently and crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The crash caused damage to both vehicles as well as an injured knee of the driver of the vehicle that was struck. The failure had recurred numerous times. The dealer was notified and he was informed the throttle body would probably need to be replaced. Also, he was informed that due to the type of failure he would have to contact the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that the legal department would have to be notified but offered no other assistance. The failure mileage was 130,000 and current mileage was 145,000.

I am reporting this because it might provide a clue to the Toyota racing engine problem. On each of two days before I took my 1999 Lexus 400 to the dealer for repairs, the engine would race at an estimated 4,000+ rpms and emitted a grinding sound as the car was started. After turning off the engine with the key, the car would restart without a problem. Strangely, the dealer did not record this particular complaint, but stated that diagnosis revealed that starter was failing. I was charged $990 for replacement and repairs. I could not get a satisfactory answer as to why a faulty starter would cause the engine to race. I have driven the car over 10,000 miles since then without a problem.

It was raining and I was entering highway, I had my left turn signal on and started to accelerate. The car started to fish tail and when into a 360 degree spin, maybe twice, at least 1 1/2 times. When I came out of spin I crashed into the cement median. At no time did the vsc (vehicle skid control) activate. It is something that you can't miss. A lound warning sound comes on and the dashboard lights up with a skid warning. It had happened once before in the snow.

I'm writing this in the hopes that it may be of some help in toyotas brake problem. My 1999 Lexus Ls400 would loose throttle control, the engine speed would drop to idle regardless of what was done to the throttle itself. After 3 trips to the dealer, they found that the throttle position sensor would not work if it had become wet. They replaced the tps and that cured the problem.

When skid control light is on throttle disables, causing vehicle not to accelerate at any speed, and vehicle still idles. Driver has to turn off the engine. Dealer cannot determine the cause of the problem. Please provide further information.

Engine revs to extremely high rpm ( ~5000 ) with no throttle input from driver. This problem has occurred twice on this vehicle recently . The second time this occurred was after engaging reverse gear. Fortunately the breaks were able to restrain the vehicle. In neither incident was my foot on the accelerator.