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

- West Chester, OH, USA

2009 Toyota Rav4 safety issues the consumer stated the steering wheel developed a vibration. The vehicle was examined. However the mechanic stated nothing was wrong. The tires were balanced, but the problem still continued.

- Ottumwa, IA, USA

Electronic power steering (eps) and fuel gauge problems: I bought my brand new 2009 Toyota Rav4 sport V6 4X2 on May 09, 2009 in houston Texas. It was on Dec. 13, 2009 that I was traveling on interstate highway I-10 from houston to New York city. I was in the middle lane of I-10 between exit 775A and 776A. I was traveling at 65 mph. Suddenly, I heard a "click" from the dash board and the eps warning light came on and then I lost the electronic power steering, I felt my steering wheel so hard and could not turn it. I realized that I was in the very dangerous driving situation. I tried to calm down and put my foot firmly on the brake pedal and started slowing down my car. It took me almost ten minutes to move my car to the road shoulder and stopped. I called Mr. Zhu - a manager of sales department at my Toyota dealership in houston Texas immediately and reported this incident. He found me a phone number of the service department at fred haas Toyota nearby and asked me to call them and get my car towed and checked. I called the number a couple of times however, nobody was there then. I tried to restart car engine for five times or more, I finally solved the eps problems. I called Mr. Zhou again, and told him that nobody was there answering my phone call. I asked him for the address of the fred haas Toyota. I drove my sick car for 30 minutes very carefully to fred haas Toyota; unfortunately, the service department was closed on Sunday. I called Mr. Zhu again and told him about it. Then I drove my car back to houston on interstate I-45, after 15 minutes driving, the same problems happened again......after that my fuel gauge was not read correctly, it showed only 1/2 fuel of my fuel tank after I filled it up. Moving straight forward and making turns should not be an issue. I believe eps problems are more serious than the gas pedal problem, because this effects immediately and directly. I have been worrying about my safety driving my car since I experienced the dangers!

- Stafford, TX, USA

I was traveling on I-94 from madison, wi to minneapolis, mn in late December. The interstate was in good driving condition -- no ice, snow, or rain. It was a nice day with little wind and temperature in the mid-20's. I was in the left lane, passing a slower car in the right lane. I was traveling at 75 mph with cruise control on. Just as I pulled ahead of the other car, my 2009 Toyota Rav4 pulled violently to the left. I thought we might roll, but then the car stabilized and I was able to maintain control. There was no obvious external cause for the lurch to the left. It felt like a blowout, but we stopped to check the tires and they were fine. It couldn't have been wind sheer because there was very little wind. There were no potholes in the road. At the time I thought the car to my right might have hit a rock or something and sent it sliding into my path. I suppose that's a possibility, but I didn't see anything behind me in the rear view mirror, so I think it's unlikely. I'm wondering if a malfunction of the electronic stability control occurred there has been no recurrence.

- Black Earth, WI, USA