49 of the
357 complaints about the 2012 Toyota RAV4 are about the
throttle and cruise control — 14% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
10,600 miles.
F
49
Complaints
12
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Vehicle Speed Control
49100.0%
Acceleration & Cruise Control across every Toyota RAV4 year
Over the last several years, I have experienced a minimum of four, possibly one or two more, incidents of this vehicle accelerating at a high rate while I have had my foot on the brake. In all of these cases, I was braking to come to a stop - braking quickly and hard in a couple cases. While braking and slowing, my engine revved/accelerated at a very high rate. In all of these incidents, I changed gears to neutral, and the acceleration stopped. These incidents were random and very far apart from one another in terms of time. In all cases, my foot was firmly (and only) on the brake pedal, and my floor mat was in the proper position and secure. There was nothing in contact with the acceleration pedal. On Monday, March 10, 2025, I got into my car in our garage to go to work. The car started normally. When I put my car into reverse, the engine started revving/accelerating at a very high rate and it was lurching, like it was trying to move. Luckily, my foot was firmly on the brake, and the brake held. I quickly put the car back into park, and the engine began revving/accelerating at an even higher rate. I then turned the car off. Again, I checked my floor mat, and it was in place and secured, my foot was only on the brake pedal, and there was nothing touching the acceleration pedal. This was a frightening experience, and at that point I decided that I would never drive this car again. If I did not have my brake firmly engaged, my car would have shot out of my garage when I put it in reverse. Upon researching the problem, my husband and I read about the unintended acceleration that many people have experienced with Toyotas, causing numerous deaths and injuries, and about the class action law suit with Toyota. Although the investigation seemed to chalk the incidents up to "user error" - foot being on the wrong pedal, floor mats affecting the acceleration pedal, etc. - I know with 100% confidence that none of these were the case. I will be notifying Toyota, as well.
NHTSA complaint #11650394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 167,000 milesDeptford, NJCrash2 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON JUNE10TH. I HAD A MAJOIR ACCIDENT IN WHICH BOTH MY WIFE & MYSELF SUFFERED FRACTURED STERNUMS & FRACTURED RIBS. WHAT HAPPENED WAS THAT I PULLED INTO A LOT IN PRINCETON, N.J. & AFTER STOPPING TO SET MY GPS, I JUST TAPPED THE ACCELERATOR & THE CAR SHOT FORWARD, AS IF SHOT OUT OF A CANNON. WHILE STOPPED I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE & THE CAR SHOT BACKWARDS IN THE SAME MANNER, THEREBY STRIKING A WALL. NOW I WENT FORWARD LIKE A ROCKET, WITH NO TIME TO HIT THE BRAKE, THEREBY GOING HEADFIRST INTO A PARKED CONSTRUCTION TRUCK.
NHTSA complaint #11343888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,000 milesCedar Rapids, IACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN PULLING MY 2012 TOYOTA RAV4 INTO A PARKING SPACE AT VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED, I TAPPED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY STARTED ROARING AND ACCELERATING OUT OF CONTROL. THE CAR JUMPED THE CURB THAT WAS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE PARKING SPOT, CROSSED THE ROAD, JUMPED ANOTHER CURB, AND LANDED IN A MUDDY RAVINE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED AND THE TECH COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO TOYOTA. THEY SENT AN INVESTIGATOR. THEY CLAIM THE EDR DETECTED NO DEFECTS IN THE VEHICLE AND BLAMED IT ON EITHER ME MISTAKING THE ACCELERATOR FOR THE BRAKES OR MY CUSTOM FITTED, LOCK-IN WEATHERTECH FLOOR MAT WHICH HAS BEEN IN PLACE SINCE DAY ONE OF OWNING THIS VEHICLE SINCE 2012. I HAD NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE BEFORE THIS AND I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED MY CAR BUT AM NOW TERRIFIED THAT IT WILL ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #11331764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,450 milesCharleston, WV
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BALL TOYOTA OF CHARLESTON (1905 PATRICK ST PLAZA, CHARLESTON, WV 25387, (304) 513-3777) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TOYOTA CORPORATION SENT AN ENGINEER TO RETRIEVE DATA FROM THE VEHICLE DATA RECORDER, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,450. *LN *TP THE CONSUMER STATED INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED IN SEPT 2019 AND NO DEFECT WAS FOUND IN VEHICLE. AND LAST INCIDENT WAS ON DECEMBER 16TH AND BRAKES/TIRES WERE REPLACE A MONTH PRIOR.
NHTSA complaint #11289594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,000 milesSanta Cruz, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
3 WEEKS AFTER THE 50,000 MILE SERVICE, ON OCTOBER 22 2019, I WAS DRIVING 35 MPH ON SOQUEL AVENUE, WHEN THE CAR BECAME UNRESPONSIVE, I LOST ALL POWER AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND "CHECK EV SYSTEM" CAME ONTO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD INTO A BUS STOP, TURNED THE CAR OFF, AND HAD THE CAR TOWED INTO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE SYMPTOM AND INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE 12V BATTERY. THEY REPLACED IT AND ASSURED ME THE ISSUE WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. ON NOV 11, 2019, THE ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY THIS TIME. I HAD THE CAR TOWED IN AGAIN TO TOYOTA, WHO INFORMED ME THAT "SOME RAV4 EVS HAVE BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR MONTHS, UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED". I RESEARCHED THE SYMPTOM ONLINE AND FOUND THAT IT RELATED TO A 2015 RECALL THAT RELATED TO THE ELECTRIC TRACTION MOTOR. TOYOTA'S DESCRIPTION OF THE F01 RECALL: IN THE INVOLVED RAV4 EV'S, COMPONENTS IN THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE TRACTION MOTOR ASSEMBLY, WHICH IS PART OF THE PROPULSION SYSTEM, MAY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT TO 'NEUTRAL' DUE TO A SOFTWARE ISSUE. THIS CONDITION WILL ALSO TRIGGER A 'CHECK EV SYSTEM' WARNING MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND TURN ON A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP. IF THE VEHICLE SHIFTS TO 'NEUTRAL', THIS WILL RESULT IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF DRIVE POWER, WHICH CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. I INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP THAT MY SYMPTOMS MATCHED UP WITH RECALL EXACTLY, AND THEN WAS TOLD THAT IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS AS THIS RECALL HAD BEEN PERFORMED ON APRIL 18 2016 WHEN I HAD MY CAR IN. UPON FURTHER QUESTIONING, I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT SOME OF THE RAV4 EVS HAD HAD THEIR MOTORS REPLACED AS PART OF THIS RECALL, IN ADDITION TO THE SOFTWARE CHANGE, BUT MINE HAD NOT. TOYOTA FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THIS FLAW NOT ONCE BUT TWICE AND I AM SEEKING COMPENSATION FOR FAILURE TO PROPERLY RECOGNIZE AND ADDRESS A KNOWN ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11283129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 114,000 milesWildwood, MO
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY RAV4 ACCELERATES EXCESSIVELY OUT OF THE BLUE, IN A DANGEROUS MANNER FAR EXCEEDING ANY NEED TO MAINTAIN THE SET SPEED. SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES IS THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. IN A DAY AND A HALF OF HIGHWAY DRIVING IT HAPPENED THREE SEPARATE AND RANDOM OCCURRENCES YESTERDAY, SEP 4TH AND TODAY SEP 5TH, 2019. FOR EXAMPLE I WAS DRIVING ON I-44 EASTBOUND AT CRUISE CONTROL OF 70 MPH. AND AS I WAS GOING ALONG IT HAD ACCELERATED TO 75 BEFORE I RECOGNIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENED AND SLAMMED AGGRESSIVELY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL OR IT WOULD HAVE SURPASSED 85 MPH EASILY. IT PUT ME IN DANGER OF HAVING AN SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH A SEMITRAILER IN JULY. I SOUGHT ANSWERS FROM A MECHANIC TODAY. HE SAID IT SOUNDED SIMILAR TO WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER TOYOTA MODELS. BECAUSE OF THIS SIMILARITY, I AM REPORTING MY EXPERIENCES TO THE NHTSA NOW. YOURS TRULY, [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11253528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,000 milesBrooklyn, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS COMING TO A STOPLIGHT AND PRESS THE BRAKES THE CAR CAME TO STOP THEN THE ENGINE REVVED UP VERY FAST. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKES BUT THE ENGINE WAS REVVING VERY FAST THAT I HAD TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING FORWARD. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK THEN THE ENGINE STOP REVVING.
NHTSA complaint #11174879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesPortland, OR
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS COMING TO A STOPLIGHT AND I PUT MY FOOT IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CAR SLOWED DOWN, CAME TO A STOP BUT THEN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ENGINE REVED UP TO 3000 RPM. THE BRAKES WERE BARELY ABLE TO KEEP THE CAR STOPPED SO I HAD TO PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. I WAS IN DRIVE THE WHOLE TIME. ONCE THE LIGHT CHANGED, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ONTO TO GAS PEDAL AND THE RPM'S DROPPED BACK TO 1000. IT HASN'T HAPPENED SINCE THEN. TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND SAID THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO THEY COULDN'T FIX ANYTHING.
NHTSA complaint #11172974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Honolulu, HI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN EXITING THE HIGHWAY AND MAKING A TURN. RPM WENT UP TO 7,000 UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED FULLY SEVERAL TIMES WHILE THE CAR WAS SUSPENDED AND TURNED OFF AND STARTED BACK ON WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL FULLY DEPRESSED TO ENSURE PROPER SAFETY MEASURES IN CASE THE VEHICLE JOLTS FORWARD. NO ACCIDENT OR INJURIES OCCURRED DURING THE INCIDENT AS THE VEHICLE WAS PUT TO A STOP SAFELY BEFORE OTHER PARTIES WOULD BE INVOLVED. LOCAL DEALERSHIP DOESN'T WANT TO TAKE IT IN FOR PROPER INSPECTION WITHOUT A DIAGNOSTIC PAYMENT.
NHTSA complaint #11141880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,151 milesBallston SPA, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS IN A PARKING AREA LOOKING FOR A PARKING SPOT. I HAD JUST DRIVEN UP A SLIGHT INCLINE AND CRESTED THE TOP WHEN I SPOTTED AN OPEN SPACE ON THE LEFT. I BRAKED SLIGHTLY TO TURN INTO THE SPOT, LIFTED MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE BUT KEPT IT COVERED AND MADE THE LEFT TURN INTENDING TO COAST INTO THE SPOT. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN THE VEHICLE INEXPLICABLY ACCELERATED AT WHICH POINT I SLAMMED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE ENDING UP CROSS WAYS IN THE PARKING SPOT AND JUST SHORT OF A PARKING SIGN IN FRONT ON THE CURB. THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY RETURNED TO IDLE SPEED. THE THROTTLE PEDAL, WHICH IS TOP MOUNTED, WAS EXAMINED AND FOUND TO BE CLEAR AND FREE. NO IDEA WHAT MIGHT BE THE CAUSE, MOST LIKELY ELECTRONICALLY RELATED. FRIGHTENING SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #11113373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,500 milesWaterville, ME
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CENTRAL MAINE TOYOTA (15 AIRPORT RD, WATERVILLE, ME 04901, PHONE NUMBER: (207) 872-5444) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO DRIVER ERROR. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,500. *TT
NHTSA complaint #11074050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,000 milesLynn, MA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE AT A COMPLETED STOP, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
NHTSA complaint #10936736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,000 milesGlen Mills, PA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000.
NHTSA complaint #10936234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesKankakee, ILCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD, WENT OVER THE CURB, AND SLAMMED INTO A BRICK WALL. THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT BODY SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND WAS UNDER EVALUATION BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
NHTSA complaint #10928212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,500 milesEagle Rock, VACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE STOPPED IN A LEFT TURN LANE AT A MAJOR CITY INTERSECTION BEHIND A LINE OF ABOUT 6 STOPPED CARS, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO RACE AT HIGH SPEED. THE CAR MOVED FORWARD AND HIT THE REAR OF THE CAR IN FRONT BEFORE I COULD DEPRESS THE BRAKE HARD. I DID THAT, PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AT THE IGNITION KEY BEFORE CHECKING ON THE CONDITION OF THE FOLKS IN THE CAR IN FRONT. THERE WAS NO WAY THAT I COULD HAVE MISTAKEN WHICH PEDAL WAS WHICH, AS I WAS ALREADY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO KEEP FROM MOVING.
NHTSA complaint #10897029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,000 milesAlexandria, VA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AT APPX: 35-40MPH. ON US INTERSTATE #66. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR, AND THE ROAD WAS RELATIVELY LEVEL. AS THE OTHER CARS SLOWED, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR BUT THE CAR SURGED FORWARD. UPDATED 01/11/17*LJ I --LITERALLY--HAD TO STAND ON THE BRAKE AS THE ENGINE SURGED. I MANAGED TO PUSH THE SHIFTER INTO PARK. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE BUT, WHEN I PUMPED THE ACCELERATOR SEVERAL TIMES, THE ENGINE SPEED DROPPED BACK TO IDLE. I DID NOT HIT ANY OTHER VEHICLE OR OBJECT. I HAVE HAD TWO (2) SIMILAR INCIDENTS IN THE LAST 5-6 MONTHS-- BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT I REPORTED IT--TO BOTH NHTSA AND TOYOTA. I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, EXPECTING A QUICK FIX BUT INSTEAD, THE DEALERSHIP PERSONNEL BECAME DEFENSIVE, CLAIMED THAT THE WELL KNOWN HISTORY OF TOYOTA ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WAS A FRAUD. NEVERTHELESS, THEY HAD A PREPRINTED" UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION" REPORT FORM WHICH THEY FILLED OUT WITH MY "VERBATIM" ACCOUNTS. UPDATED 06/13/18
NHTSA complaint #10876447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesIthaca, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE CONSUMER WROTE IN ON BEHALF OF HER MOTHER. THE CONSUMERS MOTHER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON THE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. EACH TIME, WHEN HER MOTHER APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED AND THEN ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND ON EACH OCCURRENCES, HER MOTHER WAS ABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF TO STOP THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 10/06/16.
NHTSA complaint #10874108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,800 milesNorthville, MI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY SHUTTING IT OFF. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,800.
NHTSA complaint #10863610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10817659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,700 milesClifton Park, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
12/21/15 - MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. I JUST FINISHED REFUELING AND STARTED THE CAR. I HAD MY RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE, AND SWITCHED FROM PARK TO DRIVE. MY LEFT FOOT STAYED ON THE FLOOR, TO THE LEFT OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. WITHOUT REMOVING MY RIGHT FOOT FROM THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD. I PRESSED EXTREMELY HARD ON THE BRAKE TO KEEP THE CAR FROM MOVING FORWARD, AND COULD HEAR AND FEEL THE ENGINE AND BRAKE FIGHTING EACH OTHER. THIS LASTED APPROXIMATELY 3 SECONDS AND THE ENGINE RETURNED TO IDLE. THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE NOT THAT CLOSE, IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO PRESS BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10811522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,600 milesPittsburgh, PA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
NEW RAV4 PURCHASED 2/2013;BOUGHT EXTENDED PLATNUM WARRANTY. 5 SEPARATE INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION 2/14/2015-5/25/2015-HAD PASSENGER IN CAR EACH TIME.1ST- TRAVELING S I-79 WARRENDALE PA 60 MPH SPEED DROPS TO 50 MPH CAR IN FRONT HIT BRAKES TO SLOW I APPLIED MY BRAKES TO SLOW RAV4 STARTED TO ACCELERATE ENGINE STARTED TO REV LOUDLY PASSENGER SAID SHIFT TO NEUTRAL THEN I HIT BRAKE AGAIN TO SLOW. 2ND-LOCAL TRAFFIC 30 MPH APPLIED BRAKE TO SLOW INSTEAD CAR ACCELERATED PUT INTO NEUTRAL TO SLOW ENGINE REVVING. 3RD-DRIVING FROM OAKLAND-NORTH HILLS PA IN TRAFFIC 30 MPH HIT BRAKE TO SLOW FOR TRAFFIC LIGHT INSTEAD RAV ACCELERATED ENGINE REVVING LOUDLY PUT IN NEUTRAL TO STOP. 4TH-TRAVELING 20 MPH AT LOCAL PARK 3/7/15 APPROACHING STOP SIGN CAR IN FRONT APPLIED BRAKES, HIT MY BRAKES & CAR ACCELERATED PUT CAR INTO NEUTRAL ENGINE REVVING LOUDLY THEN APPLIED BRAKES TO STOP-DROVE DIRECTLY TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ADVISOR CHECKED FLOOR MATS STATED WERE PROPERLY PLACED. I MADE APPT AT DEALERSHIP ON 3/10. TOYOTA'S CONCLUSION-NOTHING WRONG STATED "POSSIBLE PEDAL MISAPPLICATION", SUGGESTED I BUY FLAT TOYOTA FLOOR MATS HAD WEATHERTECHS, I PURCHASED NEW DRIVER'S MAT & TOYOTA INSTALLED. 5TH-5/25/15 LEAVING GROCERY STORE 10 MPH WENT TO STOP BEFORE EXITING LOT RAV WOULD NOT STOP ENGINE LOUD THREW INTO NEUTRAL FINALLY STOPPED. 5/25/15 EMAILED CEO OF TOYOTA N AMERICA RECEIVED CALL BACK & MADE APPT FOR 5/29/15 TO HAVE RAV LOOKED OVER AGAIN AT DEALERSHIP FOR SUDDEN ACCELERATION ISSUES. RECEIVED CALL BACK ON 5/29/15 FROM NICKI @ TOYOTA EXECUTIVE OFFICE-STATED THAT TOYOTA STANDS BY THEIR MARCH 2015 ASSESSMENT THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY RAV & IF I HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP BY AAA, I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL COSTS TO HAVE MY VEHICLE SERVICED AT DEALERSHIP, WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTIES. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 40+ YEAR & POSSIBLE PEDAL MISAPPLICATION 5 X'S IS A BUNCH OF BULL.
NHTSA complaint #10722299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,500 milesChicago, ILCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL AND CRASH INTO A TRAFFIC LIGHT POLE. DURING THE CRASH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND WOBBLED FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND COULD NOT BE STOPPED WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED RIB AND UPPER TORSO CONTUSIONS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,500.
NHTSA complaint #10682815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,000 milesEvansville, INCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON THURSDAY 18 DECEMBER, MY WIFE AND I LEFT SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI TO DALLAS, TEXAS TO VISIT OUR FAMILY FOR THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY. WE WERE DRIVING OUR RECENTLY PURCHASED 2012 RAV4 WITH APPROXIMATELY 33,000 MILES WHICH WE PURCHASED IN LATE SEPTEMBER 2014. WE STOPPED SEVERAL TIMES DURING OUR TRIP TO REFUEL AND ALLOW MY WIFE, WHO IS 6 MONTH PREGNANT, A CHANCE TO STRETCH HER LEGS. FOR MUCH OF THE TRIP, I USED CRUISE CONTROL WHEN POSSIBLE AT VARYING SPEEDS FROM 65 MPH (IN MISSOURI) TO 75 MPH (IN PARTS OF OKLAHOMA). AT APPROXIMATELY 4:30 PM, WHILE DRIVING THROUGH TUSHKA, OKLAHOMA WE APPROACHED A STOPLIGHT WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT DROPPED FROM 65 TO 45 MPH. THE LIGHT WAS RED, A SEMI WAS STOPPED AT THE LIGHT, AND I ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE CAR'S BRAKES. AS I DID SO, THE CAR FELT AS IF IT WAS FIGHTING MY ATTEMPTS TO STOP IT. I HAD TO KEEP BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL, AND I DO NOT KNOW IF THE CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGED. AS I APPROACHED THE SEMI, I PRESSED HARDER ON THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP MY VEHICLE. FINALLY WITH LESS THAN A CAR LENGTH, MY CAR CAME TO A FULL STOP. WITH MY FOOT STILL PRESSED FIRMLY ON THE BRAKES, BOTH MY WIFE AND I HEARD THE CAR BEGIN TO MAKE A HIGH-PITCHED NOISE. I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE CAR INTO 'PARK,' AT WHICH POINT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV AND I SAW THAT THE RPM GAUGE ON THE CAR ROSE TO 7-8,000 RPM. AT THIS POINT, I TURNED THE CAR OFF AT THE IGNITION SWITCH. MY INTENT WAS TO RE-START THE CAR AND SAFELY PULL OVER AFTER WE PROCEEDED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. HOWEVER, AT THIS POINT THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND, AS I RESTARTED THE CAR, WE WERE HIT FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. ON FRIDAY, THE 19TH, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO TOYOTA OF LEWISVILLE (TX) WHERE THEY PROVED UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I WAS CONTACTED BY A REPRESENTATIVE ON 12/29/2014 WHO INFORMED ME THAT NOTHING WOULD BE DONE UNLESS THE EVENT "REPLICATED" OR SOMEONE HAD BEEN INJURED.
NHTSA complaint #10669207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,000 milesDetroit, MI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV-4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
NHTSA complaint #10653809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Teaneck, NJ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE FAILURE WAS PROGRESSING. THE SAFETY CONCERN WAS REPORTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER, AND NEITHER WERE ABLE TO REPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 12/9/14
NHTSA complaint #10651686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,000 milesOakwood, ILCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING PLACE AT OUR CHURCH. WHEN I TURNED INTO THE PARKING PLACE THE CAR TOOK OFF AND IT JUMPED AN 8 INCH CURBING AND RAN INTO THE PARISH CENTER WALL. IT TRIED TO CLIMB THE WALL. I PUSH THE ACCELERATOR TO TURN INTO THE PARKING SPACE AND THE CAR TOOK OFF! IT WAS NOT DRIVER ERROR!
NHTSA complaint #10650934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,000 milesMinneapolis, MN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OR WHILE IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. UPDATED 10/22/14
NHTSA complaint #10619270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,181 milesBend, ORCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I DRIVE A TOYOTA RAV4 V6 LTD, 2012 PURCHASED ON JAN 2, 2013. PRIOR TO THAT WE HAD A TOYOTA CAMRY 1999 WITH MORE 200K MILES ON IT. ON JULY 24TH, 2013, I WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 10 MPH INSIDE THE APARTMENT COMPLEX AND WAS TURNING RIGHT TO PARK. I WAS ALMOST PARKED WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR SURGED AND ZOOMED OVER PARKING STOPPER, BREAKING OVERHEAD STORAGE BIN, ZOOMED AHEAD AND BANGED INTO THE BUILDING STAIRS. I KEPT PUMPING THE BRAKE ALL THROUGH, BUT THE CAR DIDNT STOP UNTIL IT HIT ON TO THE STAIRS OF APARTMENT. THE WHEELS WERE STILL ROLLING BUT IT COULDN'T GO AHEAD BECAUSE OF THE HEAVY STAIRS AND FINALLY AFTER CONTINUOUSLY STEPPING ON THE BRAKE IT STOPPED. MY RIGHT FOOT WAS ALL ALONG ON THE BRAKE AS IT ALWAYS IS WHEN I'M PARKING. BODY OF THE CAR WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED WITH GLASS PIECES ALL OVER ME. LUCKILY MY 3 YEAR OLD WAS SAFER AT BACK IN HER CAR SEAT. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON IMPACT. I'M HAVING MORE THAN 10 YEARS OF DRIVING EXPERIENCE AND IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. SINCE I'M A WOMAN EVERYONE WAS QUICK TO CONCLUDE THAT, I HAD STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL INSTEAD OF BRAKE. BUT I KNOW MY FOOT WAS ALL ALONG ON THE BRAKE, UNTIL THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED. THIS HAS CAUSED A LOT OF DAMAGE, ALTHOUGH I HAD INSURANCE TO COVER THE CAR, THE VALUE IS ZILCH NOW. THE CAR WAS NOT TOTALED AND REPAIRS WAS WORTH MORE THAN 20K. DRIVING THE CAR NOW, DOESN'T FEEL THE SAME AS THE COLLISION CENTER DID A CRAPPY REPAIR JOB. NOW THE CAR MAKES SOUNDS WHILE DRIVING, AS THOUGH IT WILL COME APART. WE ARE LEFT WITH NO OPTIONS OTHER THAN JUST TO DRIVE THE SAME CAR BECAUSE WE CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER CAR. AFTER NOTIFYING TOYOTA AND AFTER NUMEROUS CALLS THEY COLLECTED THE EDR AND SENT US A REPORT STATING THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. IT WAS OUR FAULT THAT WE DIDN'T REALIZE TOYOTA HAD ISSUES RELATED TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION PRIOR TO BUYING THE RAV4.
NHTSA complaint #10574209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,212 milesOakwood, GA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ROUGH ENGINE, CAR SPEED UP WITHOUT FEET ON PEDAL,SLOW BRAKING I TOOK THE CAR INTO DEALER THE NEXT DAY(3/19/2014) THIS AM AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE TO DUPLICATE WHAT I HAD EXPERIENCED. THEY STATED THEY DID NOT SEE ANYTHING ON THE COMPUTER DATA, BUT WILL TEST ON NEXT MORNING OF 3/20/2014 TO DRIVE IT.THE COMPLAINTS WERE THAT I WAS DRIVING IN A 70 MILE ZONE AND THE CAR ACCELERATED TO 90 MILES THE CAR SHIFTED OUT OF D DRIVE TO 3D ON IT'S OWN WHILE DRIVING AND ALSO ROUGH ENGINE WHILE ACCELERATING HIGHER THAN THE SPEED LIMIT, AND WHILE BRAKING,ISAW VERY LITTLE STOPPAGE.ALSO SAME DAY NEAR MY HOME,I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN,WHEN TAKING OFF THE CAR JERKS FORWARD TO 22 MILES.THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME I HAD REPORTED TO THEM, WAS AFTER I HAD THE 2010 TOYOTA RAVA4 ABOUT SIMILAR PROBLEMS, THEY OFFERED TO BUY IT BACK THE 2010 MODEL IN RETURN FOR THE 2012 TOYOTA RAV4 THAT I GOT IN 2012.MY MAINTENANCE IS UP TO DATE ALSO.IT IS SCARY WHEN YOU EXPERIENCE A PROBLEM LIKE THIS, THANK GOD FOR NO ACCIDENT.UPDATE AS OF LAST NIGHT NO COMMUNICATION ON FINDINGS OR REPAIRS,I RECEIVED A CALL WHILE REPORTING THIS INFORMATION TO YOU(SAFER CAR), A REP [XXX],STATED THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH CAR, THEY CHECKED ALL DATA DROVE THE CAR COULD NOT FINE ANYTHING,I ASKED ABOUT ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, HE STATED THAT THEY CHECKED THE LEVELS,DATA COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING, FOR ME TO COULD COME PICK THE CAR UP, I INSIST THEY DO A MORE INTENSIVE LOOK INTO THIS, THE GUY BECAME AGGRESSIVE, AND STATED HE HAS TO CHECK WITH HIS MANAGER TO CHECK AGAIN LATER TODAY.TONY MEYERS MANAGER OF GAINESVILLE TOYOTA CALLED STATED COULD NOT DUPLICATE WHAT I WAS EXPERIENCING,STATED HE DROVE THE CAR TO THE MALL OF GEORGIA , HE FOUND A DOWN SHIFT WHEN GOING DOWN A HILL,CAR WAS SAFE, AND THAT THE SHIFT WAS A NORMAL THING,AND THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO AND FOR ME TO COME AND PICK UP THE CAR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10573699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 33,500 milesVictoria, MN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
APPROACHING STOP LIGHT AND SLOWING DOWN TO 35 MPH. STEPPED ON BRAKE WITH RIGHT FOOT AND ENGINE WENT FROM 2000 TO 3000 RPM WITHOUT ANYTHING AGAINST ACCELERATOR. STEPPED ON BRAKE AS HARD AS POSSIBLE, BUT COULD NOT GET VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN UNTIL WELL PAST THE STOP LIGHT. THIS EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN THREE DAYS LATER ON 2/14/14. HAD WALSER TOYOTA RUN A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK ON THIS VEHICLE ON 2/14/14, BUT IT DID NOT SHOW ANY ERRORS.
NHTSA complaint #10564610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.