Toyota RAV4 Prime brake problems

SERVICE BRAKES

I was beginning to slowly back out of a parking space in a super market parking lot. I had not put my foot on the accelerator because my car begins to slowly inch backwards once it is put into reverse. As the car began to inch backwards, I saw a car approaching down the parking lot driveway behind me. I immediately stepped on my brake, but instead of stopping, my car began to race backwards, accelerating at a fast speed. The car never responded when I put my foot on the brake, so I was unable to stop the car. This caused me to crash into the car driving past me, and that finally stopped the car. Because I was almost perpendicular to the car I hit, and the driver was unable to get out of his car, I then put my car into drive to move it out of the way. My car accelerated out of control, again, this time forward. Again, it did not respond when I put my foot on the brake. My out of control car was quickly heading toward a large metal fire gate. In complete desperation, I stomped very hard on the brake, pressing it to the floor as I was about to hit the gate, and the car finally stopped. In both incidents, my brakes completely failed to stop the car accelerator which was acting on its own. The problem has not been reproduced by Toyota, which says there is nothing wrong with the car. However the data report they gave us is suspect because the data shows no reverse movement of the car and labels the accident a rollover, which it was not. In addition, the inspector told my husband there were more tests he could do, but Toyota had not authorized him to do them. There is a police report, and a witness who observed the whole thing. She said that because of the way the car was moving, it looked like a hit and run accident with the driver trying to make a speedy getaway. There were no warning lights or messages displayed.

NHTSA complaint #11738412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

During snowy but manageable conditions, the brake system on my 2021 RAV4 Prime SE failed to respond, and the vehicle did not decelerate when I pressed the brake pedal. A “Pre-Collision System Malfunction” warning appeared shortly before impact. I was unable to steer away despite attempting an evasive turn. The vehicle collided with the car in front of me, and the airbags did not deploy. I was driving at a reduced speed due to snow. The vehicle ahead (a BMW SUV) began slowing. When I applied the brakes, my RAV4 Prime did not slow down at all—there was no deceleration, no ABS pulsing, and no traction control intervention. The vehicle continued moving forward as if the brakes were not engaging. At the same time, I saw a dashboard warning indicating a Pre-Collision System (PCS) malfunction. I attempted to turn the wheel to avoid the collision, but the vehicle did not respond to steering input quickly enough to prevent impact. Despite the collision, no airbags deployed. The vehicle has been regularly maintained (oil changes every 5,000 miles, new tires last year, all service intervals followed), and there were no warning lights or issues beforehand. Safety Concerns: •Complete or partial brake failure •Electronic braking or stability control malfunction •Pre-Collision System malfunction •Airbag non-deployment in a front impact •Potential systemic issue affecting Toyota hybrid/Prime models This incident caused significant fear and distress for both me and my child who was in the vehicle, and raises serious concerns about whether similar failures could occur for other owners.

NHTSA complaint #11703035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

While driving at no more than 5 mph, looking for a parking space, the car suddenly accelerated dramatically. I vigorously applied pressure to the brake but the car continued to go forward, sideswiping a parked pickup truck and crashing through a metal fence and coming up against a rock wall. Fortunately, there were no pedestrians walking through the parking lot and no one was injured. I don’t know if the problem has been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The vehicle has been inspected by an inspector hired by the manufacturer and also inspected by my auto insurance representative. There were no warning lamps, messages, or symptons of this sudden unintended acceleration prior to the failure.

NHTSA complaint #11670603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

On the night of [XXX] at approximately [XXX] PM, I was driving from Tracy, California to Lancaster, California via the [XXX]. The freeway had no traffic at the time, and I set my cruise control to maintain a speed of 75 mph for a safer ride. While driving in the left lane near Santa Nella, my car suddenly deployed the ABS brakes. The steering wheel locked, and the car began to slip—its tires locked as if on a roller coaster going downhill. The driver’s side then rolled over and crashed. Fortunately, the road was empty, and I did not hit anyone during the accident. I thought I was going to die, but I am lucky to be alive. suddenly Abs brakes deployed steering wheel lock right side this reason I have very accident. I believe the car has manufacturer defects. First, the door handle on the driver’s side is positioned too close to the driver’s left arm. Second, the center console on the right side—intended for resting the driver’s arm or storing extra items—repeatedly hit my ribs during the accident. During the crash, the driver-side door handle struck my left arm multiple times. Orthopedic surgeons reviewed my X-ray and found that my forearm was fractured in three places. They recommended surgery. The center console also struck my right ribs repeatedly, causing swelling and pain. Fortunately, my ribs were not broken. My chest & ribs swelling and pain right side shoulder I have pain my head & neck pain My car was declared a total loss. I respectfully request that these issues be investigated, as I believe another driver could sustain similar injuries in a future accident involving this vehicle model. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11666840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

On [XXX], I was pulling into a parking spot in a parking lot [XXX] in San Francisco. When I engaged the brakes, the vehicle did not stop and continued moving forward. The vehicle accelerated a bit and climbed over the parking lot barrier, onto the pedestrian sidewalk, and into the street despite continued brake depression. The right side of the vehicle made contact with the parking meter on the sidewalk for street parking. The brakes were depressed and engaged the entire duration of the incident, and the vehicle did not stop until impact with the parking meter. Standard safety features were enabled (ie. pre-collision system, road sign assist). Dynamic radar cruise control is disabled. I reported this incident to the Toyota dealership, whom sent a vehicle safety inspector, and I emphasized my concern for the safety of the vehicle. Per Toyota’s investigation report, Toyota concluded the vehicle was mechanically functioning properly at the time of the incident and the vehicle is overall safe to drive. (Written by [XXX] on behalf of my mom, [XXX] ) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11664045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

Upon entering a light controlled intersection at a relatively slow speed (probably less than 20 mph} on wet pavement, an oncoming car suddenly made a left turn directly in front of me. I applied the applied the breaks hard and slid into the passenger side of the turning vehicle. The ABS system did not function. The air bag did not deploy. At the moment of the collision my speed was reduced and I do not know the threshold for airbags to deploy, but this was a direct front end collision. I was able to brace myself and was not injured. I am not claiming the airbag malfunctioned as the speed at the moment of impact was not high. However, I have complained to the Toyota dealer service department almost since the car was new, that the ABS does not function. They have repeatedly told me that it is fully operational based only on the fact that the system registers as "on." Being "on" does not mean it is functioning. Questions: What component failed? ABS and possibly airbag How was my safety at risk? Non functioning ABS resulting in a potentially preventable accident Has the problem been confirmed? Yes, byt the dealer though they claim the sliding of the car is due to old tires. However, the tires are withing the legal limist for tread depth and I have complained about the problem since the car and the tires were nearly new. Has the vehicle been inspected? yes, byt the Toyota dealer and an independent Toyota crash inspector Were there any warning lights etc? No

NHTSA complaint #11634802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

I slowly turned right into a parking space, braked to stop but the car didn't stop and instead lurched, jumping forward over the parking curb and hitting a small wall. My foot was on the brake pedal the entire time. It happened at 9:00am on a clear day. I was alone in the car and uninjured. Damage to the car was extensive and estimated at nearly $40,000. As a result, car was totaled by the insurance company.

NHTSA complaint #11632869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

MY [XXX] ’S) SUDDEN ACCELERATION INCIDENT [XXX] - TOYOTA RAV4 2021: I was gliding into a parking space with my foot on the brake and as I went to straighten out the wheel to come to a full stop the car lurched forward full speed and smashed into the car parked in the row that was facing me. Good thing there was no one in that car, it had been backed in so I hit the rear end of it. The damage is so extensive it is beyond comprehension. My airbags did not deploy, which they should have. I saw that the ‘malfunction brake’ orange light was illuminated as I went crashing into the parked car and could not believe that the automatic anti-collision brake system failed - it was as if the car was possessed and the scariest thing ever. Towed to the dealer I bought it from. I have now read all of these other incidents that are the same as mine and this is no joke. We all could have been killed and there are people that most likely have been that have never been reported. I have been driving for over 40 years and have never experienced anything like it. Computers and software have glitches all the time, and if Toyota does not do something about this that means they do not care if their customers die. That makes them murderers. I loved my RAV4 more than anything, it is an eplugin hybrid and the best! I would/will never drive that car again, ever, and I am going to see to it that Toyota Corp, who is liable, reimburses me every penny I spent on that car, plus any legal fees and hourly wages for how much time I now have to spend on dealing with this whole thing, one of which is having to prove to my insurance company that this was NOT my fault so my rates do not go up! The dealer paid off my lease and never made me come pick up the car as I never had it fixed. Of course my insurance went up as they had to pay the damage to the other car! I now have filed a small claim with my local court to recoup the money for increase in insurance, deposit for Rav4 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

NHTSA complaint #11621836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

My 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime had traction control, braking issues and failure to warn in the event of a possible forward collision. On a few occasions the brakes seem to just slide and the car would keep moving. Last week I was in an accident and the emergency braking system, the forward collision warning system and all the air bags failed. The California Highway Patrol was surprised that even though the estimation collision speed was 60 mph the air bags did not deploy. I would have not had a chance to test out the air bags, emergency braking system or the forward collision warning prior to the accident.

NHTSA complaint #11590033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

I was pulling into a parking space at a slow speed and breaking when my car accelerated violently and caused me to go across a median and strike another parked vehicle. Police came and did a report. I took my car right away to dealer and they had me take it to their collision shop to be repaired. They said they would try to find the unintended acceleration problem after it was repaired. No warning lights or airbags.

NHTSA complaint #11563605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

Driver was parking the car in a parking lot at a very slow speed. The car suddenly shot forward at a very high rate of speed, requiring evasive steering from trees and a fence, until the car crashed head-on into another vehicle. The driver is very certain the brakes only were applied during the entire time the car shot forward. Airbags were not deployed. Bystanders were within six feet of the car at one point during the acceleration, prior to the crash. There were no injuries. Earlier, on the day of the crash, the car had a sudden, strong, yet brief acceleration of the vehicle during normal braking while approaching a rotary, unlike normal ABS. ABS itself seemed unneeded (the approach to the rotary was well within the speed limit, on dry condition roads). This issue occurred twice in the two months prior to the accident. There were no known warning messages in the car or the phone app for the car in any of these cases or at the time of the crash. The manufacturer has been notified of the crash, a product liability case has been opened, and an engineer was sent to look at the car. A data download from the airbag event data recorder (Bosch CDR) was done, a report was generated, and the report was provided to the car owner. No data in the formatted report is provided regarding Vehicle Speed, Accelerator Pedal, Cruise Control Status, Brake Torque, etc. Unformatted hexadecimal data is included in the report, without a data schema to decipher the data. It is not known if any other analysis or information about the car was reported by the engineer, beyond the Bosch CDR report. The owner is not aware that the problem has been reproduced or confirmed by anyone involved, or of any other inspections than the one described here. Manufacturer has not yet provided the owner with a report response. The car is currently at an auto repair shop and no repairs have begun. The shop is awaiting an appraisal by the insurance company before doing the repairs.

NHTSA complaint #11536313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

When pulling into a parking spot at less than 5 mph the car accelerated violently and couldn't be stopped while braking. A marble or granite barrier stopped the my car preventing me from going into a shallow ravine and potential on coming traffic. There have been multiple safety recalls on the braking system on the car and each have been executed in a timely fashion. I cannot determine if warning lights went off at the time due to how quickly the issue happened

NHTSA complaint #11534494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH and exiting the highway, the vehicle would not slow down. The contact desperately pressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle would not slow down or come to a complete stop. The contact lost control of the vehicle and drove off the road into a pile of dirt where the vehicle come to a complete stop. The contact was unsure If any warning light illuminated, but the air bags did deploy. The contact injured his leg and sought medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,000.

NHTSA complaint #11516305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.