On Thursday, April 3, 2013. I stopped at an intersection and when I tried to accelerate there was no response. I thought the engine had died. There were no lights on instrument panel. I pressed accelerator again and it jerked and took off. I have experienced hesitations several times (10-12). I bought the Highlander 2013 in July 2013.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

I bought a 2013 Toyota Highlander in October 2012 and never noticed any problem until early in 2014. When I try to accelerate on a small incline, the accelerator would not respond. It acted as if I am not pressing the gas pedal. I am not talking about going to the mountains but just a small incline when I drive home from work everyday. I took it into the dealer in March 2014 and they responded same as other people on this website, no errors on the diagnostic machine and no posting from Toyota. They advised me to put in premium fuel and I did but that did not make a difference. Very disappointing from a Toyota with a V6 engine. The dealer also tries to say it is due to cvt transmission. However, I have a Subaru with cvt as well and that car can accelerate uphill when needed. I have had a Toyota Celica, tercel, and a Toyota truck in my life and none had this type of problems.

- Parker, CO, USA

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.

- Clinton, MD, USA

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.

- Orlando, FL, USA

Vehicle accelerated slightly when brake was applied, cruise on, speed 60mph, 1 time. Hesitated on acceleration after deceleration, speed 60 mph, cruise off, 1 time; speed 40 mph, cruise off, 2 times; speed 35 mph, cruise off, 3 times. Hesitated on acceleration after coasting, speed 40 mph, cruise off, 4 times; speed 43 mph, cruise off, 1 time, speed 45 mph, cruise off, 2 times; speed 35, cruise off, 3 times. Accelerated by itself including downshift one gear, RPM 1725 changed to 2225 and accelerated from 60 to 65 then returned to 60 mph after a few seconds, flat level roadway, cruise on, 1 time. I have been a mechanic over 45 years and a fleet owner, once I experienced the initial speed up I have been keeping a log of all abnormal behavior related to this issue. First issue at about 3500 miles, present mileage about 6000.

- Orlando, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Highlander. The contact was driving 5 mph and attempted to engage the brakes when the vehicle violently lunged forward and crashed into a support beam, then down an embankment before finally crashing into a tree. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 14,000.

- Santa Barbara, CA, USA

When driving the vehicle at 35mph when you step on the gas pedal there's a delay on acceleration especially when the vehicle is going uphill. It started when the vehicle mileage was at 1250 miles its on and off.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

At totally random times, after a few miles of driving or from a slow speed, vehicle hesitates when accelerating. Most annoying and dangerous is the way it doesn't respond to the accelerator for a few seconds after stopping at a stop sign or stop light or when going slowly as in entering the freeway. Took vehicle to Toyota dealership and of course vehicle ran fine for the time they drove it. Tech checked for any trouble codes and none were found. This problem seems like an accident waiting to happen. Have gotten nothing but the run-around and denial from the national Toyota "case manager". (at first I thought this hesitation occurred because the vehicle was new, but after 5,000 miles, I am still experiencing the same issue at random times.)

- Renton,, WA, USA

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.

- Carmel, IN, USA

At totally random times, after a few miles of driving or 100 miles, vehicle hesitates when accelerating. Most annoying and dangerous is the way it doesn't respond to the accelerator for a few seconds after stopping at a stop sign or stop light. Took vehicle to Toyota dealership and of course vehicle ran fine for the 4 miles they drove it. Tech checked for any trouble codes and none were found. This seems like a rear-end accident waiting to happen. For ten days we have gotten nothing but the run-around from the national Toyota "case manager". (at first we thought this hesitation occurred because the vehicle was new, but after 8,000 miles, we are still experiencing the same issue.)

- Stillwater, OK, USA

Vehicle hesitates when accelerating. Does not happen all the time, when trying to get vehicle up to highway speed will depress gas pedal and nothing will happen for 3-4 seconds, then all of a sudden vehicle will speed up. This only started to happen after 1300 miles. Took vehicle to Toyota dealership and of course vehicle ran fine, tech. Checked for any trouble codes and none were found. Also since this started to happen my gas mileage has dropped from 18 miles a gallon to 15 miles a gallon.

- South Amboy, NJ, USA