467 of the
10,828 complaints filed about the Toyota Sienna
are about the throttle and cruise control —
4% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2004.
467
Complaints
4%
Share of all complaints
149
Crashes
0
Fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year
The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the vehicle had experienced unintended acceleration. During the failure the driver forcely pressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The contact indicated that the failure had once occurred while a transporting a Uber passenger. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11736476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle often applies brakes on its own . At first it was only in turns . However now it does it when driving straight on the the freeway or just down the street at 45mph. I have fixed my alignment ,new tires, all of the front suspension and nothing prevents the car from trying to brake for me. it is a safety feature that is not safe at all. a car slamming on your brakes at any speed is dangerous in addition to that it seems to cut off your fuel , leaving you unable to accelerate until its done beeping which can take a long time. the vsc , chenk engine and trac off flash there is no crash to report I have been lucky so far
NHTSA complaint #11649266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have had the traction control go on while driving on the highway even when I turn it off. Sometimes the VSC and TRAC OFF lights go on while driving. The roads are dry. Whenever I take it in to the mechanic, all the lights are off. They pulled a zero calibration code and recalibrated. It still kept happening. Then I was driving around a curve on highway speeds when the traction control light went on and the van suddenly braked on its own and I almost lost control. The tires are new and the roads were dry.
NHTSA complaint #11641052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Was driving on highway at 60-65 mph. The car continued to accelerate. Pressed on brake and wasn't slowing the vehicle. The driver was weaving in and out of cars as the van started to creek up to 92 mph. The driver and passengers thought they were going to crash and possible die. The driver tried the brake multiple times and nothing. The driver said the accelerator pedal wasn't pressed all the way down to the floor. It was half way and driver had to go down and pull up on the pedal while driving. The van then started to slow and driver was able to pull over to have the van evaluated . The throttle body was reached and cleaned of carbon because it said that this may have been part of the issue. Never has this van taken off like this. The throttle body cable wasnt loose or disconnected either. So far we havent been able to recreate but 3 people could have been killed.
NHTSA complaint #11635166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was pulling my 2011 Toyota Siena into a parking space. My foot was on the brake and the car was going about 5 mph. The car made a slight sound, along with a perceptible yet small physical shift, and (while my foot was on the brake) independently accelerated with tremendous force. It was like it was ignited. The car hit a concrete pole and was totaled. The acceleration over-rode the brake. No one was hurt. The concrete pole averted what could have been a catastrophic accident, had we hit pedestrians, or had we rear ended a car or truck on the freeway. The brakes failed as the car jumped into independent acceleration. My safety and the safety of my passenger were both at risk. As I said, in a different situation, we might have hit pedestrians, or gone through the wall of the grocery store and hit customers. The concrete pole saved us and others. The mechanic at the service center where the car was towed said it was impossible to discern if there had been a failure in the system of the car - though clearly both my passenger and myself experienced that failure in the car's ability to override an independent, forceful acceleration not caused by the driver. There was no warning of any kind. On the Edmunds site, there are many, many testimonials by other drivers of the Toyota Siena of similar, frightening experiences of independent acceleration. It is terribly dangerous and should be investigated. If there is not a recall on this vehicle, there should be. This is a potentially catastrophic defect.
NHTSA complaint #11605251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2004 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and the speed of the vehicle increased to over 90 MPH. During the failure, the braking system had failed and would not stop the vehicle while pressing the brake pedal. The front passenger was able to view the fuel pedal was stuck to the floor and was able to physically pull the fuel pedal up from the stuck position and the vehicle's speed was reduced. The incident lasted for approximately 10 minutes. During the incident, the police were on the scene. A police report was later filed at the scene and the vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The contact was informed by the dealer that the failure was due to a missing fuel pedal pen. No further information was available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact expressed experiencing emotional stress and anxiety during and after the incident. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11576843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My vehicle steering/control has frozen a few times in the past 18-24 mos. This happens for me in wet conditions at slow speeds while trying to turn, usually to the right. The car also seems to slow on its own and pull to the side at these times. This has also happened while reversing out of a parking spot. I do not recall seeing any lights engage but I am more focused on steering the car safely and exterior factors at these times so I haven't noticed the dashboard. It feels like the power steering fails, and I have no control. Thankfully, I have not been moving at high rates of speed, nor been in a position to go into the lane of on-coming traffic or had someone in a lane near me, and have been able to hold in position or manually turn as much as needed. Steering seems to return once the turn is complete. I have been fearful of hitting someone or being hit from behind each time. My mechanic has been unable to recreate the experience and was unable to suggest a direct answer. I see others have had similar experiences and the same lack of answers from even Toyota. Having come across this website and seeing responses here to this exact problem I have had, I am hoping for more information or a recall soon!
NHTSA complaint #11576496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated that after he entered the vehicle, he depressed the brake pedal to start the vehicle. After the vehicle was started, he shifted into reverse(R) while the brake pedal remained depressed; however, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated without warning. In a desperate attempt to stop the vehicle from crashing into another vehicle, the contact shifted into drive(D) while the brake pedal remained depressed. The contact then stated that he applied pressure to the brake pedal to stop the vehicle from accelerating when the vehicle then jumped the curb and struck a garbage can. The contact then shifted into reverse(R) while the vehicle continued to accelerate to move away from the garbage can and then shifted in neutral(N). The contact then shifted back into park(P). The contact then stated that after he placed the vehicle in park, the inadvertent acceleration stopped. The contact shifted into drive(D) and the vehicle performed as designed; however, the contact was concerned for his safety and carefully drove the vehicle to his residence where the vehicle remained. The contact was unsure if any warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,750.
NHTSA complaint #11521485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving on a dry road, going 70mph when my car began flashing the abs indicator and it began breaking and controlling my steering taking me into another lane. The car slowed my vehicle suddenly down to 60 mph and then went off like it never happened. I then had control. There was no reason for the car to do this. There was nothing in the road and luckily no one was to close to me or there would have been an accident. I almost over corrected due to the pulling of the steering and the breaking of the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11518385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Today 4/7/23 My 2017 Toyota Sienna accelerated on its own. I was driving my 4 children to school and we were at a stop light. When I took my foot of the brake to start making a turn the car gunned it around the corner. It scared everyone in the car half to death. Thankfully no one was hurt but it looks like others on here haven't been so lucky with this issue. I hope toyota does the right thing a d fixes this issue before more people die.
NHTSA complaint #11515946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle stability control system randomly engages and activates the brakes without cause. This can happen on a gentle curve going under the speed limit. It is very scary and I am afraid it is going to cause an accident. Internet research shows many owners with this issue and no information on the cause or a fix
NHTSA complaint #11514074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When the VSC light or the traction light comes on the alarm sounds and the the van brakes for me! It can be up hill or down hills, between 30mph-70mph, left or right curves. Thas happend on dry pavement, It is dangerous because the Van braking suddenly for me and dont let me accelerate.
NHTSA complaint #11500950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
- Traction control engaged at high speed(70 mph on interstate) causing the vehicle to brake abruptly and pull the vehicle to the right. Had I been traveling in the left hand lane, I could have been forced into the right hand lane causing a collusion with another vehicle. Also occurred at lower speed(30 mph on a windy road) causing the same issue as described above, almost causing the vehicle to leave the paved surface. - Mechanic was able to duplicate the issue - Mechanic diagnosed intermittent traction control activation, scanned computer for codes. Yaw rate/steering angle correlation causing false activation ABS/traction. Replaced hub bearing and spindle. Four wheel alignment, including check castor, camber and adjust toe. Performed zero point calibration and reset ABS memory. - Traction control lights up briefly
NHTSA complaint #11498401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Sienna. The contact stated while attempting to drive there was an idling issue while attempting to make a turn while accelerating. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that there was a traction control failure. Additionally, the vehicle failed to accelerate while entering the highway. The failure had been consistent for several years. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the mechanic was unable to replicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000.
NHTSA complaint #11481733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
About a year ago the Vehicle Stability Control warning light along with an audible alarm started coming on intermittently while turning on highways going uphill or downhill in dry weather and with no risk of any tire slipping. At first this only happened at higher speeds 65+mph. Over time, it has occurred more and more frequently and can occur at speeds down to 25 mph. At times, the Anti-lock Braking System is also activated resulting in jerky braking and loss of throttle. When people have been following me too closely, this has almost caused accidents. When these symptoms occur, it is always on a curve (of any degree, even slight curves) and while driving at least 25 mph, and even happens on flat turns now. The weather has always been dry with no risk of tire slippage.
NHTSA complaint #11479980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Slid warning light, VSC comes on randomly. Has been happening beginning at 110K miles. Taken to dealership and reported durning normal service. I worked at a Toyota dealer. Front end suspension has been rebuilt. CV shafts replaced. Rock solid. Dangerous as the VSC system engages and the slid light comes on, tire speed control engages, happens in a normal 70mph easy turn on the expressway. No codes stored. Only warning lights and VSC actions engaging for no reason.
NHTSA complaint #11477751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was at a stop light when I slowly started to lift my foot from the brake pedal. The engine started revving up and accelerate. I pressed the brake pedal normal , then harder when it would not stop revving. I looked down to see if I was hitting the gas pedal by accident. I was not, about after 5 seconds it stop revving. I went about a foot and nobody was in front of me. I going to have it checked out by my dealer. This happened before and I thought it was driver error .When I thought I was hitting the gas pedal and brake pedal. I searched for incidents like mine, but could not find something exactly just similar. I did not look at the dashboard so i do not know if there was a message . So I'm reporting this incident to get answers and alert others of this issue.
NHTSA complaint #11475590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving vehicle on dry, non slippery roads with slight to moderate curves, vehicle illuminates Traction Loss light, sounds alarm buzzer, and at times applies brakes and dethrottles engine, even when no loss of traction has occurred. This happens while driving on straight roads with slight unevenness. Had to disconnect wheel speed sensor harness to disable ABS/VSC system. When this happens, the vehicle automatically applies brakes to certain wheels and dethrottles the engine, this can pull the vehicle to one side sharply and can cause an accident.
NHTSA complaint #11463875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.