This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Rav4. The contact started the ignition and shifted from park into drive when suddenly, the vehicle began to accelerate with a rapid increase in engine rpms. In order to stop the vehicle the gear was shifted into neutral and the brake pedal was engaged. The engine was turned off and restarted five times however, the failure persisted. On the sixth attempt, the vehicle operated normally. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The vehicle had not been repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 32,000. Updated 10/11/12
On June 6 2012 driving into a parking lot I had an un-intended acceleration on my 2009 Toyota Rav4 and the car only stopped because I hit my doctor's office wall. Even though I pressed the brake pedal, the car wouldn't stop. It was a very scary moment. I filed a claim with Toyota manufacturer, they inspected the car on June 19,2012. I got a letter July 30 2012 from Toyota motor sales usa Inc. That says they didn't find anything wrong with my car and that it is "operating as designed, within factory specifications" "however the inspection of your vehicle revealed no evidence of any sort of a manufacturing or design defect and we are unable to offer additional assistance". I thought my car was safe but now (thank god nobody was hurt) I don't trust this car and I lost confidence on Toyota cars. I'm afraid to drive this car. This car is defective and they know it. It was a horrible experienced! I didn't make this up, this really happened to me. On Aug 1st 2012 on press release tyt recalled Rav4 subs and Lexus to fix the suspension of Rav4S from 2006 to 2011 models. Other law firms have told me that the un-intended acceleration has to happen several times to be considered as complaint/recall per lemon law and that if tyt says there's nothing wrong with it, there's nothing they or I can do. I'm outraged to say the least! can you help? thanks for your time.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle accelerated abnormally. The contact applied pressure to the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to an authorized dealer where it was inspected but the dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was inspected three times with no solution to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 16,500 and the current mileage was 20,000...updated 04/11/12 updated 06/15/2012
I have ha the car back to the dealer for this brake problem and they said this is normal, what the problem is the brake pedal is soft and when braking you foot can hit the gas pedal this also the pedal will go down when you are holding at a stop, also its not leaking brake fluid as the car was service at the dealer.
On Sunday, August 28, 2011 at approximately 12 in the afternoon, I was driving my family's 2009 Toyota Rav4 with my wife and infant son, eastbound on highway 44 between winner, sd and platte, sd. With the vehicle's cruise control set at the speed limit of 65 mph, I changed lanes and began to pass the truck ahead of our vehicle on this two-lane country road. Increasing the vehicle's speed to 70 mph to complete the pass of the other vehicle and return to the eastbound lane, the Toyota Rav4 unintentionally accelerated to speeds in excess of 85 mph. At the time of the sudden unintended acceleration, the pedal area was checked and confirmed to be clear of any obstructions, including the vehicle's driver-side floor mat. With the cruise control off and the brakes cautiously applied, the Toyota Rav4 would not slow down from its state of sudden unintended acceleration. It was determined that the only way to take back control of the vehicle was by completely pressing the brakes to the floor; however, the decrease in speed was gradual at best, and the engine continued to rev out of control. The vehicle's brakes were fully engaged in this way until the vehicle stalled out, partially onto the shoulder of the road at a speed just under 10 mph. Again at this time, the pedal area was checked and confirmed to be clear of any obstructions, including the vehicle's driver-side floor mat. Over the last two years, the vehicle has had three accelerator pedal recall repairs and one floor mat recall repair completed and is not reprogrammable for the brake override system that is being installed in the newest Toyota models. With no crash resulting from the Aug. 28 incident, the vehicle was rejected for an inspection or any further services. As this was a very scary and traumatic situation for my family, the Toyota Rav4 has not been operated under the same driving conditions since the incident.
- Sioux Falls, SD, USA
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On 8-14-2011 my husband was driving our Rav4. We had just left a residential house and had been driving through the neighborhood at approximately 30 mph (maximum). As we approached the red stoplight at the neighborhood exit, he took his foot off the accelerator to gradually come to a stop. The vehicle was then moving at less than 5 miles per hour. When he pushed his foot more firmly on the brake to come to a complete stop, the engine starting racing wildly. He then put the vehicle in neutral and turned off the engine. When he restarted the car everything worked fine. A visual inspection verified that the floor mat was nowhere near the gas pedal and the gas pedal moved perfectly (not stuck). Considering the circumstances, I cannot believe that either the floor mat or a stuck gas pedal caused this acceleration. Fortunately (at least this time), the warnings from Toyota and discussions on the internet had mentally prepared us to safely respond in the event that this type of situation occurred, but if an uninformed driver had been driving the car, it is very likely that they would have slammed into the car in front of them.
2009 Toyota Rav4 leaked fluid. I lost control of car, steering, brakes & car accelerated at a rapid pace on its own. I was turning left at about 20mph hit another car accelerated fast with no control was headed for a building when right tire went over a concrete parking block left side was on grass when the left front wheel snapped off & the car stopped. The car was repaired & paid for by my insurance co. As well as the other car involved. The car had extensive damage to the suspension. I was not cited by police because it was obvious the fluid followed my car until it stopped. I don't agree with the NHTSA findings on Toyota's acceleration problems. The people "testing" the problem should drive one of these Toyota when it accelerates & feel the fear I had during this accident. Thank the lord I was not on the expressway. I want to enter a class action suit against Toyota because I am a senior citizen & living on a fixed income. I live in Ohio. I have driven 52 yrs. & have received 1 ticket 15 yrs. Ago for failing to stop at a stop sign. I am disappointed our government is ignoring this complaint against Toyota acceleration. I hurt my shoulder trying to get the jammed door open but it is getting better with therapy. Toyota took their "event data recorder" out of my car gave me a flash drive with the codes on it but Toyota is the only one who can decipher their codes. You must take their word for the coding decipher. My car had 22,922 miles on it still under 3 yrs warranty & they denied my claim. I received a letter stating this but the letter had wrong information in it. They had the wrong Toyota dealer I used on the recalls the wrong date I took my car for the recall. The dealer isn't even in my area. This was a form letter that someone used for someone else & failed to change the fields in the letter. I need anyone's help whether it be class action or a lawyer to do contingency work. Please post if anyone has had this acceleration problem. Lets not let toy. Get by.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota rav 4. the contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The contact removed the floor mat which disengaged the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated while trying to avoid what she thought was an animal in the road, but it turned out to be paper. The contact was unable to stop the vehicle and the steering wheel locked as the brake pedal depressed to the floor. The vehicle continued to accelerate forward until crashing into a parked vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where it was awaiting repairs. The manufacturer examined the vehicle, and stated that there was no failure. The failure and current mileages were 22,900. Updated 08/22/11 the consumer suffered a shoulder injury trying to exit the vehicle. Updated 06/22/12
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota rav-4. the contact stated while driving, the vehicle accelerated on its own. The contact applied the brake pedal and the vehicle surged up to 5000 rpms. The contact shifted the vehicle in neutral; it stopped moving, but the engine began making a loud noise until the contact turned the vehicle completely off. The manufacturer recommended that the contact tow the vehicle to the dealership for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 19,000.
A 2009 Toyota rav 4 V6 limited. While driving at low speeds approximately 5 to 10 mph, vehicle suddenly accelerated upon braking without warning. This is very scarry since braking distance can not be determined and has caused near accidents. This has happend about 6 to 8 times and was reported to the dealer on 3 occasions near 5,000 and 25,000 and 27,000 miles. Applying pressure to the brakes in order to keep the vehicle from accelerating increased the acceleration. The Toyota service dealer reviewed and test drove the rav 4 twice. On the last occasion, the vehicle was kept over night for a Toyota regional manager to investigate at 27,000 miles. The regional manager, after our discussion, indicated he would file a report with Toyota. Neither the dealer service manager nor the Toyota regional manager were able to duplicate the acceleration when the brakes were applied. No repairs were performed, however the last acceleration upon applying brakes did occur after the pedal recall. The regional manager reviewed the pedal recall installation and assured me it was performed correctly. Both the dealer service manager and the Toyota regional manager informed me the acceleration could be user error since the brake is close to the accelerator. The brake and accelerator could be both depressed at the same time. They were both able to do this, hit the brake and the accelerator with one foot when braking. The dealer service manager the showed me how other models have the brake and accelerator further apart. When asked about a brake over ride, the regional manager stated the computer update on a 2009 Rav4 V6 could not be adapted to over ride acceleration when braking. The dealer service manager and Toyota regional manager offered no further assistance.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota rav 4. while driving approximately 6 mph, the contact stated that the vehicle suddenly accelerated to 20 mph without warning. The contact had to use both feet to apply pressure to the brakes in order to keep the vehicle from accelerating. The dealer informed the contact that it was impossible and the incident did not occur. The dealer offered no further assistance. The contact did not inform the manufacturer and since the dealer was unable to duplicate a failure, no repairs were performed. The current mileage was 21,000 and the failure mileage was 20,735.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Rav4. While driving approximately 5 mph, the vehicle accelerated suddenly to approximately 25 mph. The contact applied pressure to the brake pedal and was able to control the vehicle and come to a stop. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technicians were unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and stated the contact could file for arbitration but they could not provide further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 20,735.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Rav4. The contact was driving at an unknown low speed when the vehicle abnormally accelerated, resulting in the contact crashing into a building. The contact was reported injured. A police report was available. The vehicle was towed by the contacts insurance company where the contact was awaiting repairs. The failure and current mileage was 16,000.
I am writing to complain about two acceleration problems recently experienced with my 2009 Toyota Rav4 vehicle. One involved rapid acceleration experiences and the other a sticking accelerator. (12,500 miles) (I previously complained about a sticking accelerator after only 1000 miles and involved in the accelerator recall.) on September 21st, I had a rapid acceleration with my 2009 Rav4 while my foot was firmly on the brake pedal. My wife was also present and was very frightened by the experience since it occurred when turning a corner near a person holding a pizza sign. I was thankfully able to control the vehicle with firm braking. The sudden burst of acceleration stopped after about a 2 second period of time. Due to this experience, my wife now refuses to drive the vehicle. On September 22nd, I again had a rapid acceleration on two different occasions.in both occasions I was beginning to go straight so I was able to continue after the 2 second burst of speed. On September 23rd, I experienced a sticking accelerator pedal even after the accelerator was repaired through a recall on the vehicle. I was traveling around 45 mph when approaching a stop sign and was able to control the vehicle with steady, firm braking. On September 24th, the vehicle was examined by the dealer. I was met with considerable resistance and defensive comments. The service manager sharply stated to me that there has been no evidence of any acceleration problems with Toyota vehicles and all the problems were due to driver's faults. He continued that all the lawsuits will be thrown out of court soon. A worker performed a brief drive of the vehicle and computer examination of the systems. They found nothing to indicate any system was defective. Due to the attitude of the service manager and the fact that the vehicle was not repaired, we have traded the vehicle to a different dealer and purchased another vehicle after a considerable financial loss on this vehicle.
On July 17, 2010 husband and I were driving our "leased" 2009 Toyota Rav4 on busy highway leading to and from the beach. We were in weekend traffic, moving a car length every 10 minutes. This should take us 5 minutes to drive on this road but this day it took us over 30 minutes! sitting in traffic, my husband's foot on brake, car makes grinding noise (like we had car in neutral revving the engine). Car lunged forward hitting car in front of us, bounced back, lunged forward a 2nd time hitting car. Realizing damage we turned car off. 911 called. Took car immediately to dealership, informed them of mishap, showed them our slight damage to the car, got loaner car till 9/8/10 when investigating company took out black box. Investigator ruled it "driver error". we were made to remove car from their lot. Husband nor I will drive car - it is a death trap (even though we took it to dealership when recalled in the spring). Will not let anyone drive as passenger in this dangerous car. We continue to pay our $280 monthly payment. Wrote to Toyota president and Toyota investigator. We would take a replacement (this is a leased car). We are "deathly" afraid of this car. We were not even moving and this car accelerated. Now we are charged for this accident. I would not be able to go on if my husband should one day decide to drive this car and it accelerated while he was driving. He may be killed and take other peoples' lives with him! this was definitely "sticky gas pedal" problem with a Toyota vehicle!!! updated IVOQ 10/15/10
2009 Rav4 Toyota was traveling about 30-35 mph when the vehicle rapidly accelerated. The engine rpms increased significantly and a loud sound was heard from the engine revving. The brake pedal was immediately depressed firmly and the vehicle was able to slow down. The vehicle was stopped and the engine shut down. After turning the car back on there were no further incidences. The vehicle was taken to the dealership of purchase. An inspection was done by Toyota representatives and the inspection came back with no unusual report. The vehicle that I purchased in new condition is unsafe and I am stuck with a car that I do not feel comfortable driving. It has been parked since January and is no longer being used.
Sudden acceleration 2009 Toyota Rav4. Pulling out of a hotel parking lot towards stop sign, very low speed, took foot off gas pedal and placed on brake pedal. RPM's increased dramatically. Slammed gear to neutral, kept foot hard on brake pedal, shut off engine. Situation repeated once following day in similar scenario. Both events during first long road trip in car (over 500 miles driving before incident). Second incident - foot released gas pedal but resting on gas pedal - could sense gas pedal pulled down like when vehicle accelerating after resume when using cruise control. I never use cruise control.
When I lift my foot off the gas pedal of my Rav4 Toyota, there is a noise and grinding that occurs. It has progressively gotten worse, after 3 levels of service dept. Looking at it, the determination was that this is a characteristic of the Rav4. No explanation as to what it is, but that the car if safe and to continue driving it. Why then, if it is characteristic of a Rav4, do they not have an actual explanation as to what is happening when the noise occurs, why did it take 3 months and a special technician to determine this, you would think that with all the Rav4S they have sold, that they would be seeing numerous cars doing this. My car was purchased brand new and this little characteristic had never been discussed, where has it been for the 9 months prior" what happens to make it appear, and why can't they fix it, whether they think its dangerous or not? they have informed me that my only recourse at this time, as if I should be my problem at all, is to take it to another dealer, and have them drive it, another dealer who more than likely, since they travel from one Toyota dealer to the next, will give me the same result. I am outraged that they are not taking responsibility and dealing with this. It is not okay to sell someone a brand new car, have something go wrong within a year, and have a legal document, which they keep throwing in my face, saying because their very own technician determined that it is a characteristic, I should just have to live with this noise and vibration. My 7 year old is afraid to get in the car. How dare they treat their customers like that" it make noise, it vibrates, we can't give you an actual explanation, we can't fix it, so just go back, get into your brand new car, and deal with it.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Rav4. The contact stated that while driving 3 mph, he depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle suddenly accelerated. He crashed into a vehicle in front when the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that they would investigate the failure. The vehicle in the dealers possession when the complaint was filed. The current and failure mileages were approximately 7,600.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Brookfield, IL, USA