FaultScore

2010 Toyota RAV4 acceleration problems

83 of the 498 complaints about the 2010 Toyota RAV4 are about the throttle and cruise control — 17% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 7,500 miles.

F

83

Complaints

26

Crashes

0

Fires

7

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Vehicle Speed Control 75 90.4%
Accelerator Pedal 7 8.4%
Cruise Control 1 1.2%

Acceleration & Cruise Control across every Toyota RAV4 year

1998 13 1.5%
1999 14 1.6%
2001 23 2.7%
2002 36 4.2%
2003 29 3.4%
2004 20 2.3%
2005 13 1.5%
2006 75 8.8%
2007 101 11.8%
2008 92 10.8%
2009 99 11.6%
2010 83 9.7%
2011 70 8.2%
2012 49 5.7%
2013 17 2.0%
2015 21 2.5%
2016 12 1.4%
2017 12 1.4%
2018 20 2.3%
2019 30 3.5%
2020 14 1.6%
2024 12 1.4%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Raven, VA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Steering becomes very hard to control with no slack and in the wheel and occasionally it feels like you hit ice and sliding when you change lanes, happens on dry paved road without warning. Also when using cruise control hitting button to slow down the headlights and dash lights fade out and then brighter when acceleration

NHTSA complaint #11553136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Riva, MD

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

On August 10 2022 I was pulling slowly into a parking spot with foot lightly on brake to control forward motion car attempted to surge /accelerate . I stepped firmly on brake and since car was nearly stopped I put it in to park. RPM's went up dramatically and then car reverted to normal rpms. I estimate that the entire process.I estimate that the entire process took place in about 30 seconds or less. I immediately took vehicle to the Toyota dealer and they presumably checked it out and found no problems with vehicle. They "deemed it accidental accelerator pedal engagement by customer" which it was definitely not! A similar situation occurred about 3 months earlier. That time I was pulling slowly into traffic and suddenly car tried to accelerate. I pressed firmly on brake pedal and acceleration stopped. Entire event was very brief seconds and I ignored it as a possible anomaly not requiring attention. I reported that to dealer as well when I took it in for the 10 August incident.

NHTSA complaint #11479222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,069 miles Cerritos, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND ENTERING A FREEWAY RAMP TO ANOTHER FREEWAY IN A TURN AND I LET MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND THE THROTTLE STUCK AND ACTUALLY MY CAR BEGAN TO SPEED UP ON ITS OWN! MY FOOT WAS NOT THE GAS AT THE TIME I LET IT FOR A SEC AND THAN IT WAS LIKE I SLAMMED ON THE GAS GOING INTO THE TURN ON THE RAMP IT SCARED THE HELL OUT OF ME ITS THE FIRST SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPEN TO ME. IT SPED UP FROM 65 TO AROUND 68 AND THAN IT WAS OFF TO THE RACES SO I HIT GAS PEDAL AND THAN THE BREAKS AND IT STARTED TO SLOW DOWN I WAS AT THE TURN OF THE RAMP WITCH DIDNT HELP IT WAS REALLY BAD FOR A SECOND I WAS LIKE WHAT THE HELL AND WHEN I NOTICED I MADE SURE MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE GAS AND THAN IT ACCELERATED EVEN MORE!!!

NHTSA complaint #11269832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 74,000 miles Ellenborow, NC

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA RAV 4. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, BUT IT KEPT GOING. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH FORCE AND WAS FINALLY ABLE TO STOP AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BRIAN EASLEY TOYOTA (409 SPARTANBURG HWY, HENDERSONVILLE, NC 28792, (828) 693-7261) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA complaint #11155565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Randolph, OH Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE SPEED ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE CONTACT TO REAR END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER, WHILE SHE HAD THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO MEDICAL INJURIES THAT WERE SUSTAINED THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED, THE CONTACT ABLE WAS TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. *TT UPDATED 9/18/18

NHTSA complaint #11052465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,000 miles Keene, NH

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WAS ON A TEST DRIVE TO BUY THE VEHICLE.. IT WAS VERY COLD OUT,TEENS, BUT NO ICE ON ROAD. RIDING ALONG 20-25MPH SLOWING DOWN FOR RED LIGHT--APPLIED BREAK -- SEEMED CAR WAS STILL ACCELERATING HAD TO STAND ON BREAKS TO STOP A COUPLE OF FEET FROM CAR IN FRONT. RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM , THEY LOOKED UP VIN SAID THERE AS NO RECALL. I SAW ON THIS SITE THERE IS A VERY SIMILAR ISSUE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR. SHOULD TOYOTA TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THIS VEHICLE?

NHTSA complaint #10681052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 29,900 miles Independence, OH

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I HAD BEEN DRIVING APP. 10 MINUTES IN SNOW COVERED ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN I WAS APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION WITH TRAFFIC STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT. AS I APPLIED THE BRAKE TO EASE INTO A STOP, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. I WAS IN THE CENTER LANE WITH STOPPED VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD TO EXERT HARD FORCE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO FINALLY BRING MY VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE ENGINE WAS AT LEAST OVER 4000RPMS ON THE TACHOMETER. WHEN TRAFFIC STARTED MOVING AGAIN, I EASED OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SLOWLY APPLIED GAS AND EASED OVER IN TO THE RIGHT(CURB) LANE. I STAYED SLOW AT ABOUT 15-20 MPH AND FELT AN ACCELERATION AGAIN, BUT WAS ABLE TO BRAKE SUCCESSFULLY. I THEN TURNED RIGHT INTO THE FIRST AVAILABLE PARKING LOT TO GAIN COMPOSURE BEFORE CONTINUING ON. I CONTINUED HOME AT A SAFE RATE OF SPEED ( UNDER 35MPH). IN THE PAST 2 YEARS THERE HAVE BEEN 3 OTHER OCCURRENCES OF ACCELERATION WHEN BRAKING BUT NEVER TO THIS EXTREME.

NHTSA complaint #10679007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 24,000 miles Lexington, MA Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN FROM THE SCENE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE BLACK BOX DATA DETECTED THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT FAULTY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,000. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME, SHE AND HER HUSBAND EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE, WITH THE VEHICLE CONTINUING TO ACCELERATE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THAT AN UPDATE ON THE BRAKES HAD NOT BEEN MADE. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE NEVER RECEIVED ANY TYPE OF NOTIFICATION, TO HAVE SERVICE DONE.

NHTSA complaint #10598049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 43,000 miles Putnum, IL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY AND INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000. UPDATED 5/29/14

NHTSA complaint #10578265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Springfield, VA Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED TO 55 MPH. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED NUMEROUS TIMES HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE THEN CRASHED INTO A NEARBY PARKING SIGN AND A TREE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA complaint #10573229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 66,400 miles Kankakee, IL Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A RECURRING RAPID ACCELERATION FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING AT A LIGHT, AND WHEN SHE REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE BRAKE, TO MOVE UP SLIGHTLY THE VEHICLE MOVED VERY FAST AND FORWARD AND HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE VEHICLE BACKED UP AND SHE HIT THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, WHO DETERMINED THAT THEY WOULD PROVIDE AN EXTENSIVE INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER LATER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,400. UPDATED 04/30/14

NHTSA complaint #10565808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 48,320 miles SAN Francisco, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

AFTER COMPLETING A 5 BLOCK DOWNHILL DRIVE IN SECOND GEAR WITH LITTLE USE OF EITHER THE ACCELERATOR OR THE BRAKE, I THEN BRAKED AS I TURNED INTO MY GARAGE IN ORDER TO PARK MY VEHICLE. AS I ENTERED MY GARAGE AND WHILE STILL BRAKING AND AT SLOWING SPEED THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD VIOLENTLY. I IMMEDIATELY APPLIED HEAVY BRAKE PRESSURE AND UP SHIFTED IN AN ATTEMPT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR. MY BRAKING MAY HAVE SLOWED, BUT DID NOT STOP, THE VEHICLE'S FORWARD ACCELERATION. WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, THE WHEELS LOCKED, FORWARD PROGRESS STOPPED (JUST IN FRONT OF THE BACK WALL OF MY GARAGE), AND I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF USING THE IGNITION SWITCH. I DID NOT THINK OF TRYING TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH FIRST AND I DID NOT HAVE TIME FOR DIFFERENT OPTIONS; I HAD ONLY A FEW SECONDS TO GET THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL OR IT WOULD HAVE HIT THE BACK WALL OF MY GARAGE. ONCE THE ENGINE WAS STOPPED, I WAITED A FEW SECONDS, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE (WHICH STARTED NORMALLY), AND THEN BACKED INTO MY PARKING SPACE. I HAVE NOT USED THE VEHICLE SINCE. THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION TWICE IN 4 YEARS. UPDATED 04/08/14

NHTSA complaint #10562066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Davis, CA Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2010 TOYOTA RAV 4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SMD A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER NOTICED WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED TO SLOW DOWN, THERE WAS A SUDDEN PICK UP OF SPEED. THE CONSUMER CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE POST, DUE TO THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. UPDATED 12/16/13

NHTSA complaint #10551260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 12,857 miles Austin, MN Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES IN AN ATTEMPT TO PARK, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE DOOR. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,857.

NHTSA complaint #10546161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 37,000 miles Williamsport, PA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES BEFORE RESTARTING THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE RPMS CONTINUED TO INCREASE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000.

NHTSA complaint #10512549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 22,667 miles Waretown, NJ Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

PUTTING INTO A PARKING STALL (AT A REST STOP)WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL,THE RAV4 ACCEELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED,ONLY STOPPED AFTER HITTING A SIGN POLE,STILL ACCELATING ,ONLY STOPPED BY TURNING MOTOR OFF WITH IGNITOIN KEY.THE AIR BAGS DID NOT ACTIVATE WITH $8809 IN DAMAGE .THIS VEHICLE HAS 2 RECALLS ON THE ACCELLERATION PROBLEM,1 ON THE REAR SUSPENSION. ALSO REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT NOT WORKING AND TIRE PRESSURE CONTINOUS TO NOT FUNCTION ATHER BEING FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #10497692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 28,500 miles Midwest City, OK Crash 1 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A CURB AND THEN INTO A BUILDING. AFTER CRASHING IN TO THE BUILDING, THE CONTACT COULD STILL HEAR THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO HER HEAD AND KNEE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO REPAIR THE BODY. THE ACCELERATION FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,500.

NHTSA complaint #10494916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Maple Valley, WA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE MORE THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE, THE FARTHER THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF TO STOP THE ACCELERATION FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE BOTH NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA complaint #10489031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles Edina, MN Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 25,000. UPDATED 06/12/12*LJ THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE CRASH BOX. HOWEVER, NO FURTHER DETAILS WERE GIVEN. UPDATED 06/13/12

NHTSA complaint #10458821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6,600 miles Salt Lake City, UT Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A HANDICAP SIGN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT NO FAILURES HAD OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS: 10V017000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL) OR 11V113000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,600. UPDATED 05/11/12 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A CHIP IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM THAT FAILED, NOT THE ACCELERATOR. UPDATED 06/04/12

NHTSA complaint #10452198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,444 miles Cathedral City, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA RAV-4. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V113000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TECHNICIANS COULD NOT DETERMINE IF THE FLOOR MATS IN THE VEHICLE WERE ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS OR NOT AND THEREFORE, DID NOT REPLACE THE FLOOR MATS AS STATED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,444.

NHTSA complaint #10446853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 14,000 miles Northport, ME

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA RAV. THE CONTACT ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT ACTIVATION OR WARNING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23,500 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.

NHTSA complaint #10444352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 8,647 miles ST Helena, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE, EITHER WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED OR THE LEVER PULLED. IT HAS ACCELERATED AT LEAST TWICE WHILE APPROACHING SLOWED TRAFFIC, AHEAD.

NHTSA complaint #10442072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Leesburg, VA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I WAS STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT AT ABOUT 4:00 PM WITH MY FOOT FULLY ON THE BRAKE. WHILE WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE, THE CAR WENT INTO A HIGH IDLE. I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL FIRMLY, BUT THE CAR WAS LURCHING, TRYING TO ACCELERATE. I PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND IT MADE A HORRIBLE NOISE. IT STAYED IN HIGH IDLE FOR SEVERAL MORE SECONDS, BUT THEN SEEMED TO KICK ITSELF OUT OF THAT IDLE. I THOUGHT THE CAR MAY HAVE DIED. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, SO I GENTLY PUT IT INTO DRIVE (AGAIN THINKING THAT IT MAY HAVE DIED), BUT IT WAS STILL RUNNING, SO I DROVE ACROSS THE INTERSECTION, WENT TO A PARKING LOT, AND CALLED THE DEALER. THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THAT I SHOULD HAVE THE CAR TOWED IN (AT MY EXPENSE), WHICH WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO ME. I CALLED THE TOYOTA 800 NUMBER AND THEY ALSO SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR ANY OF THE EXPENSES. THEY SAID THAT IF SOMETHING WAS FOUND WRONG WITH THE CAR, THEY WOULD REIMBURSE ME. I DROVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT NIGHT. THE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO KEEP THE CAR UNTIL THE REGIONAL MANAGER COULD COME, WHICH WOULD BE SEVERAL DAYS. THEY CALLED ME THE NEXT AFTERNOON TO SAY THAT THE DEALERSHIP HAD RUN ALL TESTS, AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, AND THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE RAV 4 HAVING THIS ISSUE. THEY SAID THEY COULD KEEP THE CAR UNTIL THE REGIONAL MANAGER COULD COME, WHICH WAS NOW ESTIMATED TO BE 2-3 WEEKS. THEY SAID HE WOULD RUN THE EXACT SAME TESTS ON THE VEHICLE AS THEY HAD RUN. I WENT AND PICKED UP THE VEHICLE. I WENT INTO THE DEALERSHIP YESTERDAY AND MET WITH THE SERVICE AND SALES MANAGERS. THEY ADVISED ME THAT THOUGH THEY WERE NOT SAYING THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE ME ABOUT THE INCIDENT, THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, SO THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO, EXCEPT TO HELP ME GET OUT OF MY LEASE AND INTO ANOTHER TOYOTA VEHICLE. I OPTED TO TRADE MY RAV 4 IN AND AM NOW LEASING A CAMRY.

NHTSA complaint #10442031 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,200 miles Garden Grove, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

AT APPROXIMATELY 18:30 ON DECEMBER 27, 2011, I EXPERIENCED AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION EVENT IN MY 2010 TOYOTA RAV4. I WAS STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT ON PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY IN SEAL BEACH, CALIFORNIA AT THE CORNER OF FIRST STREET WHEN I NOTICED IT WAS DIFFICULT TO APPLY THE BRAKE, AND THE CAR DID NOT APPEAR TO WANT TO STOP. I APPLIED THE BRAKE MORE FORCEFULLY AND WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO STOP IN THE LEFT HAND TURN LANE, HOWEVER THE CAR KEPT LURCHING FORWARD AS IF IT WANTED TO BREAK FREE OF THE BRAKE. HAVING HEARD THE WIDESPREAD PUBLICITY REGARDING THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION PROBLEM IN TOYOTA VEHICLES, AND HAVING PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM ON ONE OCCASION OVER A YEAR EARLIER, I THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE THE ISSUE. I PUT THE CAR INTO PARK AND THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY REVVED UP TO AN ALARMING RATE. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION IN PANIC BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO LOOK AT THE TACHOMETER. HOWEVER, JUDGING BY THE SOUND AND LATER EXPERIMENTATION WITH REVVING WHILE PARKED, I BELIEVE THE RPM MUST HAVE BEEN IN THE 4000-5000 RANGE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. I WAS PARTICULARLY SHAKEN BY THIS EVENT BECAUSE I HAD ALREADY HAD THE RECALL SERVICE PERFORMED THAT WAS SUPPOSEDLY INTENDED TO ADDRESS THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ISSUE. THIS RECALL SERVICE WAS PERFORMED MAY 10, 2011 AT DESERT TOYOTA IN TUCSON, ARIZONA. I HAD EXPERIENCE THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ISSUE ONCE BEFORE, BUT IT WAS NOT NEARLY AS DRAMATIC. I DO NOT RECALL THE DETAILS, BUT IT WAS IN SOUTHERN ARIZONA IN EARLY 2011 AND MY MEMORY IS THAT TAPPING THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS RESTORED THE CAR'S OPERATION TO NORMAL FAIRLY QUICKLY. I WAS LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT IT HAPPENING AGAIN SINCE THE RECALL SERVICE HAD BEEN PERFORMED.

NHTSA complaint #10441571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 18,200 miles SAN Francisco, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WITH THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE ENGINE REVED IMMEDIATELY TO AROUND 6000 RPM WHEN STARTED. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE WITHOUT SHIFTING OUT OF PARK, GOT OUT OF THE CAR, AND VISUALLY CHECKED THE FLOORMAT. IT WAS NOT TOUCHING THE THROTTLE PEDAL AND THE THROTTLE PEDAL DID NOT APPEAR TO BE DEPRESSED. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1 MINUTE I STARTED THE ENGINE A SECOND TIME AND THE SAME THING OCCURRED. I THEN WAITED APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES, PUMPED THE THROTTLE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES, THEN STARTED THE VEHICLE A THIRD TIME. THIS TIME THE VEHICLE STARTED NORMALLY (ENGINE IDLING). I THEN DROVE HOME WITHOUT FURTHER REVING ISSUES AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY REOCCURENCE SINCE THE INCIDENT DATE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE THE NEXT DAY AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A FLOORMAT ISSUE, AND MY DRIVERSIDE FLOORMAT WAS REMOVED BY THE DEALERSHIP. I DISAGREE WITH THIS ASSESSMENT. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT BEFORE I HAD THE REVING ISSUE UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, MY LAST INTERACTION WITH THE VEHICLE WAS TO HAVE MY FOOT COMPLETELY OFF THE GAS PEDAL AS I WAS STEERING THE CAR INTO A PARKING SPACE, WHEN I WAS USING ONLY THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MODERATE MY SPEED, WITH NO THROTTLE PEDAL PRESSURE BEING APPLIED BY ME, AND WITH THE ENGINE IDLING, AS IS NORMAL. DO NOT SEE HOW THIS COULD BE A RESIDUAL STUCK THROTTLE PEDAL ISSUE WHEN I RETURNED TO MY AUTOMOBLE AND STARTED THE ENGINE TO DRIVE AWAY. THE ONLY OTHER FACTOR WHICH MAY (OR MAY NOT) BE RELEVENT WAS THAT WHEN I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AFTER PARKING, I DID NOT FIRST TURN THE RADIO OFF, WHICH I USUALLY DO. I BELIEVE I WAS TUNED TO A SATELLITE STATION AT THAT TIME (XM).

NHTSA complaint #10438609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 26,000 miles Endicott, NY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON A PUBLIC MAIN STREET TRAVELING 35-45 MPH, STARTED TO BRAKE TO STOP FOR A LIGHT CHANGING FROM YELLOW TO RED. AS THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV TO 5000 RPM. THE BRAKES WERE HOLDING BACK THE CAR, BUT THE ACCELERATION WAS PERSISTENT. THE CAR BARELY STOPPED BEFORE ENTERING THE INTERSECTION, BUT THE ENGINE REMAINED AT WHAT APPEARED TO BE FULL THROTTLE. I SHIFTED THE STOPPED VEHICLE INTO PARK ON THIS AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE/TRANSAXLE MADE A SIGNIFICANT "BANG" AS IT WAS SHIFTED, THE ENGINE STOPPED REVVING AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SHOT BACK TOWARD MY LEG HITTING MY ANKLE. AT NO TIME DID MY RIGHT FOOT LEAVE THE BRAKE PEDAL. IN FACT, I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKE WITH ALL MY STRENGTH TO COMPLETE THE STOP. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED BY FAMILY MEMBERS. IT WAS MY FIRST DIRECT EXPERIENCE WITH IT AND THE VEHICLE IS JUST OVER A YEAR OLD. IT HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALER FOR THIS REASON AND RECEIVED A RECALL UPGRADE SEVERAL MONTHS AGO DURING A ROUTINE FREE MAINTENANCE VISIT. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA DIRECTLY TO TERMINATE MY LEASE ON THIS AND ANOTHER EXACT SAME MAKE/MODEL/YEAR LEASED THE SAME DAY. I FEEL THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT FIXED THE ISSUES FROM 2010 AND THAT ADJUSTMENTS TO THE FLOOR MATS AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARE NOT ADDRESSING WHAT IS REALLY WRONG. THE FACT THAT BOTH VEHICLES WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE RECEIVED "REPROGRAMMING" TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THERE IS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM THAT REMAINS UNDISCOVERED. UPDATED 10/03/11

NHTSA complaint #10426439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 19,398 miles Vista, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP FROM 45 MPH, THE CAR CONTINUED TO MOVE AT THE SAME SPEED. I INCREASED PRESSURE ON THE THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN. FINALLY, AFTER ABOUT THREE SECONDS, THE CAR SEEMED TO DOWNSHIFT, AND THE BRAKES ENGAGED. I ENDED UP HALFWAY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. THE CONDITIONS WERE WARM AND DRY, AND THE TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT. THIS IS A STOCK CAR WITH NO MODIFICATIONS. WE HAD ALREADY TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR THE RECALL ADJUSTMENTS TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE FLOOR MATS AS DIRECTED BY TOYOTA IN 2010 AND 2011. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, IT SEEMED TO ME THAT THE LACK OF BRAKING WAS NOT MECHANICAL, BUT ELECTRONIC. IT SEEMED THAT THE BRAKES WERE LOCKED OUT WHILE THE CAR CONTINUED TO DRIVE FORWARD AT THE SAME SPEED. WHEN THE CAR DOWNSHIFTED AND REVVED A LITTLE, THE BRAKES SUDDENLY CAME BACK ONLINE, AND WE CAME TO A STOP. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS. WE WILL CONTACT TOYOTA AND SEE WHAT THEY ADVISE.

NHTSA complaint #10425932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6,300 miles Rochester, NY

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED FIRMLY AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV FOR APPROXIMATELY EIGHT SECONDS. THE CONTACT DROVE HOME WITH CAUTION AT AN EXTREMELY LOW SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS 10V017000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL). THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED TO KNOW THAT THE REMEDY WAS NOT SUFFICIENT. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A FIELD ENGINEER WOULD INVESTIGATE THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,300. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10412285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 5,000 miles Lakewood, FL Crash 1 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING OVER A CURB AND CAME TO A STOP WHEN IT CRASHED INTO A SIGN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V017000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL ACCELERATOR PEDAL NOTICE AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER FILED REPORT 1105090968 AND STATED THAT AN ENGINEER WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGERS RIGHT ARM WAS INJURED. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT CASE NUMBER 20119885 WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,200.

NHTSA complaint #10401111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2010 Toyota RAV4 problems

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