Car Accelerates On Its Own problems of the 2013 Toyota Highlander

Letter from constituent regarding the issue of unintended acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles. 2013 Toyota Highlander. The consumer stated as she was about to put the vehicle in reverse to reposition the vehicle, it suddenly lurched forward with the engine racing . It was if the accelerator was floored. Within a couple of seconds the vehicle jumped over the cement parking block and into a pole. The vehicle had significant damage between $13,000 and $15,000. The consumer was informed the carpet floor mat was found to be unattached.

Tl- the contact owns a 2013 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration while starting the vehicle. The vehicle happened without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure occurred approximately. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure occurred approximately 3 times. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000. The VIN was not provided. Khkh.

On September 12 2014 my wife was pulling into a parking space at her doctor's office. The space include a stop curb and it faced a four lane street. As she pulled into the space, she braked to avoid contacting the curb and was about to shift into park when the car suddenly accelerated. The car jumped the parking curb and then another curb and entered a grassy area (approximately 10 ft wide. The car continued to accelerate and jumped another curb and landed in a 4 lane street. She continued to apply the brakes while the car continued to accelerate across the street. She was headed toward another curb and grassy area and a downhill slope followed by a meineke repair business. Not wanting to go down the hill and into the building, she turned the car to the right but not in time to avoid entering the second grassy area. She was now traveling parallel to the meineke building and side swiped two small trees, and was headed toward a very busy rush hour street. To avoid accelerating into this street, she decided to try shifting the car into neutral. She looked down to find the neutral gear, and just as she looked up, she crashed head-on into another tree. The air bags did not deploy but the seat belts saved her. The car was significantly damaged to the drivers side front where she hit the tree and to the side of the car where she side swiped the two trees. The meineke employees called 911 and a detective took her to her doctor's office for treatment. She injured her ribs and back and continues to receive treatment. I'm convinced this is a software problem and I am attempting to resolve this with Toyota but hold out little hope. It needs to be fixed before there are additional injuries or loss of life. My wife could have died if the car had made it to the very busy street.

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the vehicle erroneously accelerated while the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 5,600. The VIN was unavailable.

Vehicle failed to accelerate from a stop. It just rolled along, accelerator depressed till about halfway, then it accelerated rapidly spinning the tires, this has occured 3 times. It has also hesitated badly while accelerating with no response to pedal position then sudden and unexpected rapid acceleration, this has occured 5 times. This condition has become dramatically worse since it was serviced for unexpected acceleration problems where the dealer claimed they could not reproduce the problem. Headlights are also aimed way too high illuminating the trees instead of the road and blinding oncoming drivers. The dealer claims they cannot duplicate this either and that there is no problem. The vehicle was serviced for these hazards at 6006 miles. We have stopped using the car since we feel it is unsafe.

Tl the contact owns a 2013 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving 55 mph the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The contact was able to engage the brake pedal and the vehicle resumed normal function. The contact also stated that the door hatch motor emitted a loud clicking sound when it was opened and closed. The dealer replaced the motor; however, the failure was not corrected. The failure mileage was 88. The current mileage was 2,500. Rk.

Pulling into parking space - brakes applied - car lurched forward (unintended acceleration) - brakes did not engage - car jumped the curb, crossed the sidewalk and hit a tree - airbag did not deploy.

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that on several occasions, the vehicle exhibited unintended acceleration. Additionally, the vehicle would vibrate excessively when stationary with the engine on. The vibrations would cause ear pain to the contact. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 11,000.