Automatic Transmission problems of the 2001 Toyota Highlander

I was backing out of the garage when the car accelerated. I kept hitting the brake and it finally stopped. I put the car back into drive and it accelerated again. I tried hitting the brake and it wouldn't stop until it hit the garage door. I don't know how fast it was going, but it seemed like it was going at an excessive speed.

When shifted to reverse gear from parked condition car accelerated and caused crash to the rear of the car to wall.

2001 Toyota Highlander, v6 engine, auto transmission. There is a definite hesitation/lag/delay in shifting and acceleration. This condition happens almost all of the time and creates a real safety concern. Moderate acceleration will produce this condition. Toyota is aware of this condition but is doing nothing to correct it.

The design of the automatic shifter places it almost directly over the cup holders of the center console. Using the cupholders makes accidential contact with the shift lever very likely, and when this happens the shifter can be easily knocked out of drive and into neutral. There is no detent or other restriction to keep a slight brush with the shifter from allowing the lever to move from drive to neutral. This has happend to me three times, even though I am trying to avoid this accidental contact.

Defective transmission from date of purchase. It took Toyota 2 months to finally fix it. I am not satisfied with the service from Toyota.

Hard gear change, drag when coasting (like gear down), poor acceleration. Toyota ignores the problem; they say it is acceptable.