I bought a 2002 Toyota Highlander limited in May 2008. The car had just under 60,000 miles on the odometer. This car is my second car, mainly to be used to tow my horse trailer. Within a month of owning the car it showed the sudden unexpected acceleration. This was not unfamiliar to me because I also own a 2002 Toyota Camry. I have owned the Highlander now for 1 and 3/4 year and the car has showed the described behavior off and on. It happens mostly on the freeway and mostly when I am not towing. It does not have anything to do with floormats or sticky gaspedals. Since the same behavior happens in both Toyota's I own, it is time that Toyota starts looking at something else than the silly explanations of floormats and sticky gaspedals. It is the engine which runs away, leaving the driver no control over the speed. I had not expect this from Toyota. I bought Toyota because of their reliability and because I trusted the company (as opposed to Ford, which I also owned and experienced a problem which turned out the company knew a long time about and did not do anything about). I guess Toyota is not different. Also, it is time that the recall goes further back then the 3-4 years. I even have a copy of a professional car review of the Camry who experienced the problem in 2002.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

Toyota Highlander 2005. Peterboro, nh. 11 am. Driver was reported to pass vehicle on right in break down lane, then tried to pass another car by going into left lane and hit oncoming vehicle. Four people killed. Driver was very experienced --excellent safety record. I had been in his car with him hundreds of times. Very safe driver --no cowboy. Believe car had uncontrolled acceleration. Updated 05/10/10 updated 10/04/10 updated 9/27/11 the investigating police officer inspected the interior of the Toyota and noted the driver's carpeted floor mat was out of position forward under the accelerator and brake pedals.

- Chestnut Hill, MA, USA

Accelerator does not respond when pushed, the failure occurs regularly when passing vehicle wont accelerate, the dealer acknowledge this is a problem with these vehicles than can be repaired for $1200.

- San Juan, PR, USA

: the contact stated while pulling into a parking space at 10 mph, upon applying brake pressure, the vehicle lurched forward without warning, and crashed into a parked vehicle. The contact was wearing a seat belt, and no injuries were sustained. There was moderate damage to the front of the vehicle. The police were alerted, but a report was not taken. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop for inspection of the body damage. The manufacturer was alerted. Updated 12/12/06.

- San Marcos, CA, USA

While pulling into a parking area, and when consumer depressed the brakes vehicle surged forward. While trying to control the vehicle and avoid pedestrians vehicle collided with a cement pole in the parking lot. Consumer suffered severe head and knee injuries. The police issued a report on the collision.

- Nashua, NH, USA

Driver made a left turn with foot on brake pedal and rolled into a parking spot within a parking lot, estimated speed to be 2 mph. The engine surged and the car ran over 3 small trees, went up an incline approximately 3 ft. Higher than the parking lot, then proceeded approximately 8 feet into the adjacent property then struck the brick chimney of a house and bounced back into the parking lot. The brakes were depressed during this occurrence but did not stop the car.

- Greenville, SC, USA

Engaged from park to drive and suddenly acceleration happened, damaging many other cars. Dealer notified.

- Harlan, KY, USA

Vehicle accelerated on its on causing vehicle to start up steep hill where the front end slid to the right where vehicle proceeded to go up a drive/carport striking a porch and rock wall

- Harlan, KY, USA

Consumer states that while driving the throttle will stick. Dealer notified.

- La Habra, CA, USA