The subject of this complaint is my 2003 Toyota Avalon LX which had a total mileage of approximately 17,100 miles. This vehicle was last serviced at 9,000 miles plus. On April 29, 2014 the subject vehicle was parked in the back parking lot of a small MINImall at 3601 E. foothill blvd.,pasadena, California. After we finished shopping at the MINImall, we returned to the our vehicle and strapped ourselves in the car with our seatbelts. When I turned on the ignition of the subject vehicle I had my left foot on the parking brake and my right foot on the driving brake. After the vehicle started, I released my left foot from the parking brake and shifted the gear to the drive position when my car unintentionally accelerated forward. I tried to slow or stop my car by pressing on driving brake but to no avail. I estimate my car traveled approximately 200 feet before the left front of my car hit the right rear of a Honda fit and concrete planter. The collision with the Honda fit pushed it into a Honda CRV that was parked in front of the Honda fit. There were no injuries to anyone however. My airbags did not deploy.

- Pasadena, CA, USA

I believe that Toyota is covering up the real cause of the acceleration of the engine while driving. It happened to me while I was driving and was very frightening. The engine begin to speed up automatically and I could not stop it with my brakes. I put the car in neutral and then stopped. The engine continued to race. I took the car to the local Toyota dealer the next day and it did the same thing. It reached speeds of 70+mph without me touching the pedal. The Toyota dealership replaced the idle air control valve pn. 22270-0A060. I have not had a problem since. Toyota has tried to blame this problem in the media on the floor mats and now the accelerator pedal. I pray that no one else will suffer injuries or death. This problem can easily be fixed but it is costly (over $450). Toyota seems to be looking for the cheap, easy fix.

- New Bern, NC, USA