After pressing the accelerator pedal, I released the pressure on the pedal because of traffic and the accelerator continued to accelerate. had to hold the brake pedal down and then shifted to Park and shutoff engine. When restarted the car operate normally. This has happened in the past and is very scary and unsafe. My internet research on problem shows that there have been two problems associated with this occurrence. One, accelerator trapped by floor mats and the second was because the accelerator pedal could "stick". The floor mats are secured by manufacture securing systems so it must be the in the sticking pedal. I am contacting Toyota but not optimistic...is there anything the NHTA can do for Toyota at least checking my car for a sticking accelerator pedal sticking. Finally, has there been any other reports of this happening?

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

To begin with, the 2011 Toyota Rav4 in question was a loaner provided to me by Fiore VW AUDI (1000 S. Logan Blvd in Hollidaysburg, PA 16648) at @ 10:45 AM on 9/16/23. My 2018 Toyota Sienna was being serviced at this location on 9/18/23 and they provided me the 2011 Rav4 in the meantime. The brakes failing, the steering wheel locking up, and the sudden acceleration of this 2011 Rav4 occurred later that afternoon @ 4 PM in a Sheetz parking lot at 3261 W. College Ave. State College, PA 16801. As I was turning left into an open parking space at the rear entrance of this Sheetz, I began to turn the steering wheel to the right, straighten out, and park properly in the parking space; I also began to press down on brake to stop the car. As I pressed down on the brake pedal, the brakes quickly locked up and became unresponsive. Simultaneously, the steering wheel locked up becoming unresponsive with the front wheels still slightly turned to the left. I was still coming out of my turn when this vehicle failure began. I quickly took my foot off the brake, then the car suddenly burst forward with an intense acceleration. I immediately put my foot back down on the brake, but the car still proceeded forward towards the building; moving slightly to the left due to the steering wheel still locked in place and unresponsive. I slowly rolled into a metal obstruction at the end of the parking space, hitting it at an angle. I had my seat belt on and no air bags were deployed. No injuries to me, but some cosmetic damage to the front of the Rav4. There were no warning lights or audible warnings prior to this vehicle failure. I didn't notice any warning lights or alarms during the failure. Prior to this incident everything seemed fine. After the incident, I drove the car home, drove it to my insurance agent on 9/18/23, and I drove it back to the dealer on 9/20/23. That was it. I would believe Sheetz has this complete incident recorded w/security cameras at that back entrance way.

- State College, PA, USA

During the past six weeks my 2011 Rav4 has accelerated after lifting my food off of the brake. I did not engage the accelerator at all when this happened. I have a major concern because this happened again today when I stopped at a crosswalk with people crossing. Scared the heck out of me. This is either the third or four time that something like this has happened, only today it was more severe.

- Scotland, MD, USA

Vvti gear..when the vehicle is first started the engine makes a loud rattling noise as if there is no oil getting to the pistons

- Hudson, OH, USA

This rav 4 has had two separate instances of sudden acceleration. One time while approaching a stop light, and the brake was applied, the engine started to rev, and the vehicle had "extended stopping distance". luckily, there was no car in front of us, otherwise there would have been an accident. It occurred a second time while pulling into a parking spot at work. Again, luckily, there was a snow bank in front of the space (and not another car!). the car is a 4cyl., and cert. Pre-owned. It's scary to think there is this unpredictable problem with the car. Dealer claims they know nothing about it. I will be showing them the 56 or so complaints from this NHTSA site for merely the 2011 Rav4. I haven't even looked at the other years yet! more than 50% of the complaints in here are for this very same problem! isn't it about time for a recall on this dangerous "feature"" how many more lives need to be at risk? or is the govt. Trying to preserve "Toyota quality"" it could be as simple as replacing the brake pedal -- space it further away from the accel. Pedal and make it "taller" so that there can be no iteration between the two. Or, simply allow the brake light signal to interact with the ECM to inhibit any "throttle increase" command to the engine.

- Ashland, MA, USA

I was driving on the road intending to make a left turn. I then heard a bang and a pop sound. I could smell gasoline. When I arrived home I could smell gasoline. When I looked underneath the vehicle I could see the gasoline dripping from the underside of the vehicle. I had a vehicle towed to a Toyota dealer who informed me a day later that the vehicle had incurred a ruptured gasoline tank. I am concerned that this can happen to anyone else and can cause a fire if the car is driven on a hot day, or someone throws a cigarette stub on the road. I had full gas tank of gas, and there is no way to contain the leak as well.

- Sterling, VA, USA

I was driving my 2011 Toyota Rav4 on October 18,2012, and upon pulling into my driveway, I put my foot on the brake pedal and the car began "roaring" and accelerated rapidly toward my house. I practically stood on the brake pedal and eventually the car stopped just short of crashing. It traveled a distance of 60 feet before stopping. We purchased the car new and it has 6000 miles on it. My husband immediately checked the Toyota floor mat and it was in place secured by the "fix" Toyota has installed(two clips). No other mat is in our car. We had the car towed to lakewood Toyota.

- Bradenton, FL, USA

I was at a stop sign in a parking lot attempting to turn left to position my car behind a pick-up truck (towing a trailer) waiting to turn right. My car shot ahead and crashed into the trailer. Applying the brake did nothing. I finally was able to put the car in reverse and it shot backwards at the same high speed. I don't know what the tach read--it wasn't a priority at the time. Had the truck and trailer not been ahead of me, I would have shot across a heavily traveled highway. This is the second time this has happened. Last March I was pulling into my garage when the car accelerated forward into my freezer and the back wall of the garage. I like the car but, frankly, I'm afraid to drive it now.

- Fairport, NY, USA

I have a serious concern over the design of the brake and gas pedal width on my 2011 Toyota rav. My problem is that my dress shoes and recreation boots are getting caught on the brake pedal when I swivel from the gas to the brake pedal. On multiple occasions, I came close to serious accidents. I avoided the accidents by quickly sliding my right foot to the right and completely lifting my foot up and over to the brake pedal. During one of these maneuvers, moving my right foot quickly to the right resulted in the lip of the sole on the right side hitting the gas pedal and causing acceleration of the vehicle. This problem does not occur when I wear sneakers, as the sole of the sneaker does not have an approximate half-inch lip on the sides. Also and most important, I drive a Toyota highlander and this problem does not happen. I also did not have this problem with my Camry, which I traded in for the rav. The above vehicles has close to a five inch width separation between the brake and gas pedals. I've brought this to the attention of my Toyota dealer and the maintenance manager. They have been responsive of my concern, forwarding my complaint to the area maintenance manager. I met with the area manager explaining the problem. He proceeded to take pictures of my shoes and the 3 inch width between the brake and gas pedals. That meeting ended with the area manager opening a case and the promise he would refer my problem to his appropriate management. To date, my case is still with Toyota. My local Toyota dealer maintenance manager has contacted me advising that the case is being handled at a higher level.

- Oakdale, NY, USA