Vehicle Speed Control Problems of Toyota Sienna - part 1

When break to slow down the car it accelerate instead.

See all problems of the 2022 Toyota Sienna 🔎.

On may 18, 2025, 4:00pm, my wife was applying brakes to stop for a stop sign at a t-intersection. Suddenly, the car lurched forward and accelerated uncontrollably. Despite her attempts to stop, her vehicle crossed four traffic lanes, vaulted over curb, nosedived into turf, and then crashed through brick wall into a fire station. My wife was unable to brake and stop the forward progression of the vehicle. My wife steered to avoid hitting trees but could not avoid the brick of the fire station wall. The airbags did not deploy. My wife sustained back injuries and bruising of the front torso. Her right foot is bruised from pressuring the brake pedal. The vehicle sustained heavy damage as did the fire station.

Multiple times this has been an issue. I stepped on the break and the car essentially leaps forward typically when going up down or straight. In November 2024 it happened while going up a hill slowly and I bumped into the vehicle ahead of me. My vehicle had no damage, but the car in front of me had to get a new skid plate and my insurance doubled because of it. Since the incident in November 2024, my car has unintentionally accelerated intermittently. Finally, April 2025 this happened my car started shaking jolted forward, engine revving, and then my check engine light came on then immediately contacted my local dealership and scheduled an appointment to get my car in. They have had my vehicle since then and have said it is not safe to give it back to me so I am currently driving a loaner vehicle.

See all problems of the 2023 Toyota Sienna 🔎.

There are no messages/warnings. The vehicle will surge at very low speeds such as when I am coming to a stop, trying to avoid a person in a parking lot etc. It was so scary this evening as I accelerated into a very very busy intersection. . . I pressed on my brakes harder and it was instant - but about 1 second (which is a lot in this scenario) later it then slowed instead of accelerated. I have owned the vehicle almost a year. I will be bringing in for inspection this week and let the dealer know. I have put on about 11k in miles and would say this has happened a dozen times thus far with this evening being the scariest one yet. I figured it was just something normal for a hybrid but as I researched online - many people have this issue. Too scary for me and dont want to hurt anyone or myself.

See all problems of the 2024 Toyota Sienna 🔎.

Vehicle often applies brakes on its own . At first it was only in turns . However now it does it when driving straight on the the freeway or just down the street at 45mph. I have fixed my alignment ,new tires, all of the front suspension and nothing prevents the car from trying to brake for me. It is a safety feature that is not safe at all. A car slamming on your brakes at any speed is dangerous in addition to that it seems to cut off your fuel , leaving you unable to accelerate until its done beeping which can take a long time. The vsc , chenk engine and trac off flash there is no crash to report I have been lucky so far.

See all problems of the 2004 Toyota Sienna 🔎.

Van purchased new October 2024. On two separate occasions, one in late 2024 and next today, [xxx], when pulling into street from a stop, there is no throttle response. You push the accelerator at varying pressure and no response for 2-3 seconds. This is a severe safety issue as it could cause an accident with oncoming traffic. No error lights illuminated on dash. Have seen other complaints on NHTSA website and social media as well. Will take to dealer but reporting a major safety issue. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

I have had the traction control go on while driving on the highway even when I turn it off. Sometimes the vsc and trac off lights go on while driving. The roads are dry. Whenever I take it in to the mechanic, all the lights are off. They pulled a zero calibration code and recalibrated. It still kept happening. Then I was driving around a curve on highway speeds when the traction control light went on and the van suddenly braked on its own and I almost lost control. The tires are new and the roads were dry.

See all problems of the 2008 Toyota Sienna 🔎.

Was driving on highway at 60-65 mph. The car continued to accelerate. Pressed on brake and wasn't slowing the vehicle. The driver was weaving in and out of cars as the van started to creek up to 92 mph. The driver and passengers thought they were going to crash and possible die. The driver tried the brake multiple times and nothing. The driver said the accelerator pedal wasn't pressed all the way down to the floor. It was half way and driver had to go down and pull up on the pedal while driving. The van then started to slow and driver was able to pull over to have the van evaluated . The throttle body was reached and cleaned of carbon because it said that this may have been part of the issue. Never has this van taken off like this. The throttle body cable wasnt loose or disconnected either. So far we havent been able to recreate but 3 people could have been killed.

When crossing a one-way road with oncoming traffic from the left, a vehicle that has recently passed might be triggering the forward collision avoidance system which cuts off throttle control to the Sienna, even when the passed vehicle is well out of the way. It is unknown if the collision avoidance feature is being triggered as there are no warning lights or messages in the display. This results in the Sienna having no accelerator response and sitting “dead in traffic” sideways in front of oncoming cars. This this is the second time this issue has occurred and today I was nearly t-boned by on-coming vehicles as there was no throttle response to move the car forward. This issue has been reported in 4th generation Sienna (‘21-‘24) forums on facebook. This issue puts at risk vehicle occupants as well as other vehicles on the road.

When pulling out of a parking lot, the accelerator disables leaving the car unable to move in the middle of the rode for a few seconds. The happens intermittently and usually when there is traffic going both ways in the area. This has happened several times but has not been replicated with a dealership employee during test drive. After the accelerator disables, it will enable after a few seconds. It has left me sitting in the road with cars honking at me. Van is currently in the shop. Brake pedal was not deployed at the same time of acceleration.

See attached document for complaint.

See all problems of the 2021 Toyota Sienna 🔎.

I was pulling my 2011 Toyota siena into a parking space. My foot was on the brake and the car was going about 5 mph. The car made a slight sound, along with a perceptible yet small physical shift, and (while my foot was on the brake) independently accelerated with tremendous force. It was like it was ignited. The car hit a concrete pole and was totaled. The acceleration over-rode the brake. No one was hurt. The concrete pole averted what could have been a catastrophic accident, had we hit pedestrians, or had we rear ended a car or truck on the freeway. The brakes failed as the car jumped into independent acceleration. My safety and the safety of my passenger were both at risk. As I said, in a different situation, we might have hit pedestrians, or gone through the wall of the grocery store and hit customers. The concrete pole saved us and others. The mechanic at the service center where the car was towed said it was impossible to discern if there had been a failure in the system of the car - though clearly both my passenger and myself experienced that failure in the car's ability to override an independent, forceful acceleration not caused by the driver. There was no warning of any kind. On the edmunds site, there are many, many testimonials by other drivers of the Toyota siena of similar, frightening experiences of independent acceleration. It is terribly dangerous and should be investigated. If there is not a recall on this vehicle, there should be. This is a potentially catastrophic defect.

See all problems of the 2011 Toyota Sienna 🔎.

I have noticed that when I am breaking, occasionally as I’m breaking there’s a sudden jolt, or lurch, forward like the car is accelerating. This is very disconcerting especially when there are other cars in front of me or people.

Sometimes when each of us 2 are slowing to a stop while applying the brake, the Sienna will lunge forward. This unexpected event may cause a rear-end collision if too close. Also, it is enough to cause us to hit our head on the head rest. Can’t understand why this happening. We are sure we only have our foot on the brake and not the accelerator.

When my car is going down a steep hill and I have the brake applied, suddenly the car will speed up and lurch forward instead of continuing to slow down. This is not how cars normally behave in the 30 years I have been driving. I could have slammed into the car in front of me. This has happened over 100 times. My vehicle has approximately 27,000 miles and I have mentioned it at the Toyota service center and it has been checked out and there are no issues that they see. No warning, lamps or messages appear at all.

This incident had happened twice in the last 30 days. I have been stopped, then starting to accelerate after a stop sign, I push on the accelerator and the vehicle slows down, as if it’s losing power for about 5 seconds. I do not release the accelerator and after the 5 seconds of what feels like no power, the van begins to accelerate like normal. This poses a severe safety risk while crossing intersections when you believe your vehicle should respond when pushing on the accelerator. I did not have any notifications pop up on my van, I was in an open intersection on both instances, with no one in front of me. Speed limit was about 5mph, coming off a complete stop. This is extremely dangerous, especially when your vehicle feels like it stalls without any reason. The gas pedal is completely non-responsive for 5 seconds.

In the 2-1/2 years than I have owned and driven this vehicle, I've had no problems. On Saturday, March 16,2024, driving home from a 80 mile trip, as I deaccelerated to make a left turn onto my street (speed was 7mph) I tapped the break pedal and the vehicle went bonkers! the Sienna veered right at a high rate of speed that the front end cleared the curb; the back end smashed into the curb flattening both rear tires and damaging the metal hubcaps; the vehicle speed tore off the bumper and both rear panels. I was able to steer the vehicle: missing a large 2-foot high tree stump; two other large trees; a 10-foot high solid fence at the yard back. I then drove down the sidewalk to the next intersection and was finally able to slow down. This entire time, my foot was on the break, but the vehicle would not stop. The Sienna is now at faulkners collision center in mechanicsburg with virtually no front end damage but colossal rear damage. The vehicle had 5-full maintenance checks since purchase. I was not told of any suspected problems and never received a vehicle recall. I could have been killed or may have killed others as there is a playground on the corner of this block. .

Vehicle was driving on a slow traffic local street at roughly 10mph. Spacing between car in front of me was around 30 ft. I was gliding towards front and ready to brake. Suddenly the vehicle start to accelerate hard by itself without driver’s operation. I tried to engage brake / gas pedal and was not helping. Front collision system did not activate like it suppose to. I ended up turn sharp right towards road curb and hit pole at average speed of 30mph or less. No air bag deployed. I then switch to park. No warning lights pop up. All safety features on vehicles were turned on before the incident. Whats weird is the car is functioning normal now after incident. I contacted Toyota USA and waiting for feedback.

My vehicle steering/control has frozen a few times in the past 18-24 mos. This happens for me in wet conditions at slow speeds while trying to turn, usually to the right. The car also seems to slow on its own and pull to the side at these times. This has also happened while reversing out of a parking spot. I do not recall seeing any lights engage but I am more focused on steering the car safely and exterior factors at these times so I haven't noticed the dashboard. It feels like the power steering fails, and I have no control. Thankfully, I have not been moving at high rates of speed, nor been in a position to go into the lane of on-coming traffic or had someone in a lane near me, and have been able to hold in position or manually turn as much as needed. Steering seems to return once the turn is complete. I have been fearful of hitting someone or being hit from behind each time. My mechanic has been unable to recreate the experience and was unable to suggest a direct answer. I see others have had similar experiences and the same lack of answers from even Toyota. Having come across this website and seeing responses here to this exact problem I have had, I am hoping for more information or a recall soon!.

See all problems of the 2006 Toyota Sienna 🔎.

Since we have owned the vehicle (April 2021), we've had three separate incidences where, when pulling out into traffic from a stop, and the accelerator (gas pedal) is pushed, the vehicle begins to move, but then power is immediately lost, leaving you stuck for a moment. Each time has been temporary, and when the pedal is released and depressed again, the vehicle begins moving. However, this sudden loss of acceleration and few second delay in movement of the vehicle now in the path of oncoming traffic can lead to an accident. The most recent occasion happened on July 24, 2023. We've reported the problem to the dealer two times, the most recent today, July 28, 2023, with no resolution.

The trac control is activated while the car is driving variable speed and brake the car and and the driver loose control of acceleration.

This vehicle accelerate suddenly while it is slowing down even if I have foot on break paddle. I have complained to Toyota dealers but they said that hybrid vehicle operates like that. This is very dangerous and nobody is taking seriously. I do not believe that this works like that. I have seen so many people complain online about this problem in 2022 hybrid Sienna. Please help.

I was driving on a dry road, going 70mph when my car began flashing the abs indicator and it began breaking and controlling my steering taking me into another lane. The car slowed my vehicle suddenly down to 60 mph and then went off like it never happened. I then had control. There was no reason for the car to do this. There was nothing in the road and luckily no one was to close to me or there would have been an accident. I almost over corrected due to the pulling of the steering and the breaking of the vehicle.

See all problems of the 2005 Toyota Sienna 🔎.

Today 4/7/23 my 2017 Toyota Sienna accelerated on its own. I was driving my 4 children to school and we were at a stop light. When I took my foot of the brake to start making a turn the car gunned it around the corner. It scared everyone in the car half to death. Thankfully no one was hurt but it looks like others on here haven't been so lucky with this issue. I hope Toyota does the right thing a d fixes this issue before more people die.

See all problems of the 2017 Toyota Sienna 🔎.

The vehicle stability control system randomly engages and activates the brakes without cause. This can happen on a gentle curve going under the speed limit. It is very scary and I am afraid it is going to cause an accident. Internet research shows many owners with this issue and no information on the cause or a fix.

When the vsc light or the traction light comes on the alarm sounds and the the van brakes for me! it can be up hill or down hills, between 30mph-70mph, left or right curves. Thas happend on dry pavement, it is dangerous because the van braking suddenly for me and dont let me accelerate.

See all problems of the 2007 Toyota Sienna 🔎.

When breaking at a stop sign or light, the vehicle occasionally feels like it surges forward and I'm accelerating instead of breaking. This causes me to push harder on the brakes, which then seem to mechanically engage and then stop the van. I've had the van for a year now and it happens a few times a month, especially if I breaking on an uphill incline.

When braking the car lunges forward on its own. This has happened multiple times and others speak of it too.

The vehicle gets a jolt of power or speed while braking slowly or coming to a stop. This could result into an accident. This was addressed to multiple Toyota dealers and the problem was unidentified or undetectable to the technician multiple times. The problem is reported by several Sienna forum users but it is not being fixed by Toyota dealers.

- traction control engaged at high speed(70 mph on interstate) causing the vehicle to brake abruptly and pull the vehicle to the right. Had I been traveling in the left hand lane, I could have been forced into the right hand lane causing a collusion with another vehicle. Also occurred at lower speed(30 mph on a windy road) causing the same issue as described above, almost causing the vehicle to leave the paved surface. - mechanic was able to duplicate the issue - mechanic diagnosed intermittent traction control activation, scanned computer for codes. Yaw rate/steering angle correlation causing false activation abs/traction. Replaced hub bearing and spindle. Four wheel alignment, including check castor, camber and adjust toe. Performed zero point calibration and reset abs memory. - traction control lights up briefly.

About a year ago the vehicle stability control warning light along with an audible alarm started coming on intermittently while turning on highways going uphill or downhill in dry weather and with no risk of any tire slipping. At first this only happened at higher speeds 65+mph. Over time, it has occurred more and more frequently and can occur at speeds down to 25 mph. At times, the anti-lock braking system is also activated resulting in jerky braking and loss of throttle. When people have been following me too closely, this has almost caused accidents. When these symptoms occur, it is always on a curve (of any degree, even slight curves) and while driving at least 25 mph, and even happens on flat turns now. The weather has always been dry with no risk of tire slippage.

Slid warning light, vsc comes on randomly. Has been happening beginning at 110k miles. Taken to dealership and reported durning normal service. I worked at a Toyota dealer. Front end suspension has been rebuilt. Cv shafts replaced. Rock solid. Dangerous as the vsc system engages and the slid light comes on, tire speed control engages, happens in a normal 70mph easy turn on the expressway. No codes stored. Only warning lights and vsc actions engaging for no reason.

I was at a stop light when I slowly started to lift my foot from the brake pedal. The engine started revving up and accelerate. I pressed the brake pedal normal , then harder when it would not stop revving. I looked down to see if I was hitting the gas pedal by accident. I was not, about after 5 seconds it stop revving. I went about a foot and nobody was in front of me. I going to have it checked out by my dealer. This happened before and I thought it was driver error . When I thought I was hitting the gas pedal and brake pedal. I searched for incidents like mine, but could not find something exactly just similar. I did not look at the dashboard so I do not know if there was a message . So I'm reporting this incident to get answers and alert others of this issue.

See all problems of the 2015 Toyota Sienna 🔎.

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated while driving on the highway at 35 mph, she depressed the brake pedal however, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated showing that the accelerator and brake pedals were being depressed simultaneously. The contact was able to drive home safely. The vehicle was not yet taken to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,600.

While driving vehicle on dry, non slippery roads with slight to moderate curves, vehicle illuminates traction loss light, sounds alarm buzzer, and at times applies brakes and dethrottles engine, even when no loss of traction has occurred. This happens while driving on straight roads with slight unevenness. Had to disconnect wheel speed sensor harness to disable abs/vsc system. When this happens, the vehicle automatically applies brakes to certain wheels and dethrottles the engine, this can pull the vehicle to one side sharply and can cause an accident.