general problems of the 2004 Toyota Avalon

The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Avalon. While driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and the speed erroneously increased to 105 mph. During the incident, the brakes also malfunctioned and the driver was unable to apply pressure to the brake pedal. The contact switched the shifter to the neutral position to slow the vehicle down and stop. The contact indicated that the failure occurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,000.

I was driving in my lane at 40 mph until an austex towing truck went into my lane without a signal and I was right beside him. I honked to no avail and he was still proceeding into my lane. I hit the brakes as hard as I could to avoid him hitting me and I had to swerve a little to my left (to my left was the curb as it was a 2 lane road) to avoid him hitting my right side of the car. After I avoided him, he was driving half into both lanes for about 5 seconds then he returned to his lane.

My daughter was in a car accident in Dec 2013 involving our 2004 Toyota Avalon. We suspect the cruise control did not release as it should have. She had been using the cruise control and tapped the brake to release it as she exited a highway she then stepped on the brake to slow down as she exited the eastbound highway to maneuvere the exit curve to merge onto a southbound interstate highway. On the curve she noticed the car wasn't slowing down as it should, and when she braked harder, the brakes locked up sending her into a swerve. The car traced a path similar to an upside down question mark. She crossed two lanes, and the rear of the car hit a wall landing her facing traffic right next to the roadway. When the car came to a stop, both the gas pedal and the brake were completely depressed to the floor, and the engine had shut off. Her foot had not been on the gas pedal for some time since she was using the cruise control. The insurance company totaled out the car. Thankfully, there were no other cars involved, but my daughter was pretty shaken up and had to be treated for headaches/neck soreness due to whiplash. When she restarted the car (she had to turn the key off first, then on), the pedals returned to normal and she was able to move the car across to a safer location on the shoulder of the road to await help. Toyota's gas pedal recall started with the 2005 Toyota Avalon, so we had no recourse for action and the car is now gone, so there is no evidence to inspect. We are convinced the gas pedal sticking / cruise control refusing to release was the cause of the accident and want to pass on the information so that others can be protected from injury.

2004 Toyota Avalon. Consumer writes in regards to safety recall notice concerning engine crankshaft pulley the consumer believed unnecessary repairs were made to the vehicle, prior to receiving the recall notice. The consumer experienced difficulty in turning the steering wheel, the steering was sluggish and there was a vibration. The power steering pump was replaced. The brakes, tires, and rack and pinion were also replaced.

While backing slowly, the right foot was moved from accelerator to foot brake pedal. As pressure was applied to the foot brake, the car accelerated in reverse, continued turning, smashed along side of another vehicle and turned a half circle. Driver's left foot pressed the emergency brake causing car to stop. Total elapsed time no more than two seconds.