Adaptive Equipment problems of the 2001 Toyota Highlander

I bought a 2001 Toyota Highlander in Aug 2001. The 1st time I had a problem with the gas pedal was about a month later when I went to pull in at work. I parked up by the building and put on my brakes and the car revved up and I put on the brakes and it did want to stop. I finally got it stopped and sat there and wondered what had just happen. I let it go as I did not have an explanation. Everything was find up to the year 2009. I was taking my mom and brother to the grocery and mom is 86 yrs and I parked in a handicap spot that had a pole in front where the handicap sign was. My brother was in the front seat with me and to my amazement when I put on the brakes the car revved up and I had to push on the brake real hard. I did hit the pole and jarred all of us. I feel like this car model should be looked into.