2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID Vehicle Speed Control Problems

WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I-30 EAST UP A HILL GOING APPT 70 MPH WHEN THE CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND SLOWED DOWN TO 10 MPH. THEN WENT TO ONLY 1 MPH. WE CHECKED THE BATTERY CONNECTION, FUEL CAP, EVERYTHING WE FOUND ONLINE TO CHECK.

Mileage: 230,000

I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT THE OFF-RAMP OF EAST-BOUND 202/MCQUEEN RD EXIT. MY RIGHT FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY AND HIT THE REAR OF VEHICLE STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. AS I REALIZED THE COLLISION, I PRESSED THE BRAKE HARDER DELIBERATELY (WHILE THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HAD STARTED TO MOVE FURTHER), AND TO MY HORROR MY CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE DESPITE MY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. I CONSCIOUSLY CHECKED MY FEET TO ENSURE I WAS PRESSING THE BRAKES AND NOT THE ACCELERATOR. MY CAR CONTINUED TO STRANGELY & UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATE UNTIL IT HIT THE SAME CAR IN FRONT OF ME AGAIN THE 2ND TIME AT THE TRAFFIC INTERSECTION. AFTER THE 2ND COLLISION, MY CAR STOPPED AND I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE MCQUEEN ROAD.

Mileage: 174,000

I WAS DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT HIGHWAY BETWEEN 45 -50 MPH. SUDDEN A BUNCH OF LIGHTS AND WARNINGS CAME UP IN THE DASHBOARD. I LOST POWER STEERING AND MOTOR PROPULSION TOO. I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND NOTHING HAPPENED. ALTHOUGH I HAD THE ABILITY TO BRAKE, IT SEEMED THAT THE BRAKING WAS ALSO IMPAIRED. HOWEVER BECAUSE I WAS GOING UP AN INCLINE I DID NOT NEED STRONG BRAKING. I MANAGED TO COAST OVER TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE. LUCKILY THERE WERE ONLY A COUPLE OTHER CARS NEAR ME SO IT WASN'T TOO DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER BY THEM AND COAST TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE BREAKDOWN LANE WAS. ONCE I WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED I SHUT THE CAR DOWN COMPLETELY AND RESTARTED IN THE NORMAL HYBRID STARTUP MANNER. THE CAR PROPULSION AND STEERING CAME BACK BUT NOW THE MESSAGE WAS ALTERNATING BETWEEN "MAINTENANCE NEEDED" AND "CHECK VSC SYSTEM", AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND SYMBOL WAS ON. I SHUT OFF EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL TO MINIMIZE ELECTRICAL DRAIN. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR ANOTHER 8-10 MILES TO GET HOME BUT I WAS CONSTANTLY LOOKING TO SEE WHERE I COULD PULL OVER IF THE CAR STOPPED AGAIN. I MADE IT HOME. TOMORROW BRING IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER. SIGNIFICANTLY, I RECENTLY HAD THE BRAKE ACTUATOR REPLACED AT A COST OF AROUND $2700, SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE THEY WARNED ME THAT I COULD LOSE BRAKING AND OTHER ELECTRONIC FACILITIES UNPREDICTABLY. I THOUGHT THAT EXPENSIVE REPAIR WOULD AVOID THIS. UNFORTUNATELY IT APPEARS THAT WHAT THEY WERE PREDICTING COULD HAPPEN DID HAPPEN, BUT AFTER THE REPAIR! I WAS ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR DIED BUT WITH NOT MUCH TRAFFIC AND AN EASY ACCESS BREAKDOWN LANE. HAD IT BEEN 10 MINUTES LATER I MIGHT HAVE BEEN ON A MUCH BUSIER HIGHWAY IN A PLACE WHERE A BREAKDOWN LANE IS MUCH HARDER TO REACH. THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. HAD IT BEEN DAYTIME AND IN A SAFER AREA I WOULD HAVE STOPPED AND CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK. *TR

Mileage: 49,936

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.

Mileage: 156,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A PLANTER POT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V112000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V499000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC ).THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,160.

Mileage: 58,160

IN JUNE 2014 WE HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN WE PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED WHILE WE WERE ON A TRIP. TWO DAYS AFTER WE RETURNED THE"CHECK VSC SYSTEM" CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START.. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS DUE TO THE BATTERY. WE REPLACED IT AND THE WARNING LIGHT WENT AWAY. HOWEVER, THREE MONTHS LATER THE NOISE IS BACK. THE DEALER (DIFFERENT ONE) SAID THE BRAKE ACTUATOR NEEDS REPLACEMENT. VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR COSTING $3,600. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, I SAW MANY COMPLAINTS (AND A RECALL) FOR THIS DEFECTIVE PART IN OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES. TOYOTA NEEDS TO DO A RECALL FOR THE HIGHLANDER AS WELL. OUR CAR HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED. WE BOUGHT IT NEW. VERY UNHAPPY. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

WHILE DECELERATING TO TURN INTO OUR DRIVE WAY THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED. WE WERE ABLE TO GET IT STOPPED BY USING THE BRAKES, ENDING UP IN THE YARD/SIDEWALK. THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET OF SKID MARKS. THE ENGINE WAS RACING WHILE THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED. THE FLOOR MAT WAS NOT INVOLVED. THE INCREASED ENGINE RPM WAS NOT INITIATED NOR CONTROLLABLE BY THE OPERATOR. THIS WAS TRULY AN UNCONTROLLED RUN AWAY THAT COULD HAVE BEEN LIFE THREATENING. *TR

Mileage: 119,167

ENGINE SHUTDOWN AT 70MPH, ENGINE/HYBRID SYSTEM DID NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL OR CRUISE CONTROL - NO WARNING LIGHTS. WAS ABLE TO COAST TO SIDE OF FREEWAY SAFELY. I TURNED OFF IGNITION AND RESTARTED THE CAR, VEHICLE RAN FLAWLESSLY AFTERWARDS. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

IN NOVEMBER, 2013, THE VSC SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT AND SEVERAL OTHER LIGHTS ("ABS")CAME ON IN THE CAR. A WARNING NOISE REMAINS ON AT ALL TIMES SINCE THEN...THE SAME SOUND THAT COMES ON IF YOU FAIL TO FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELT. THE DEALERSHIP TESTED THE SYSTEM AND DETERMINED IT NEEDS A NEW BRAKE ACTUATOR PART WHICH WITH LABOR COMES TO OVER $2,000.00. I FILED COMPLAINTS WITH TOYOTA AND OTHER NATIONAL GROUPS TO NO AVAIL. I RECENTLY WAS NOTIFIED OF ANOTHER TOYOTA RECALL AND CAME ON THIS SITE AND DISCOVERED AN IDENTICAL INCIDENT (NHTSA ID NUMBER:10562656.) PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER AND ADVISE OF THE FINDINGS AS IT APPARENTLY IS A GROWING ISSUE AND RISK EXPERIENCED AND DOCUMENTED BY OWNERS. *TR

Mileage: 147,000

IN OCTOBER 2013 I HAD A "CHECK VSC SYSTEM" WARNING LIGHT. UPON TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID IT WAS DUE TO THE BATTERY AND REPLACED IT AND THE WARNING LIGHT WENT AWAY. HOWEVER, OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, WE STARTED NOTICING A "SQUEAKING" SOUND COMING FROM THE AREA UNDERNEATH THE FRONT OF THE CAR WHEN THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE BUT THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. YESTERDAY, THE SAME "CHECK VSC SYSTEM" WARNING POPPED UP, ONLY NOW IT WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A NUMBER OF OTHER LIGHTS ON THE DASH, INCLUDING "ABS" "BRAKE" THE "TIRE PRESSURE (!)" AND ONE OTHER LIGHT ON THE LEFT SIDE TO THE UPPER RIGHT OF THE "READY" TEXT. THE DEALER HAS JUST TOLD ME THERE WERE TWO COMPUTER CODES, ONE IS C1241. THEY SAID THE PREVIOUS DEALER DID NOT DIG DEEP ENOUGH INTO THE ISSUE IN OCTOBER, AND THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS NOT GETTING ENOUGH PRESSURE. THE BRAKE ACTUATOR NEEDS REPLACEMENT, THE PART IS $1,800 AND WITH LABOR AND TAXES THE BILL COMES TO OVER $2,400. BASED ON OTHER RESEARCH I HAVE DONE TODAY THIS SEEMS TO BE A GROWING ISSUE THAT MANY OWNERS ARE FACING. *TR

Mileage: 95,450

I WAS TURNING RIGHT AT AN INTERSECTION WHEN A WOMAN WALKING HER DOG BEGAN CROSSING THE STREET. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID HER AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED SOUNDLESSLY FORWARD (CAR IS HYBRID BUT PRESSING ACCIDENTALLY ON THE GAS PEDAL WITH FORCE WOULD HAVE CAUSED REVVING NOISE) AND I COULD NOT CONTROL IT.. I RAN OVER THE WOMAN'S FOOT AND ALSO HER DOGS FEET. I DROVE THE CAR UP OVER A CURB WHICH RESULTING IN A FLAT TIRE TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. THERE WAS NO INJURY TO THE CAR OR MYSELF. THE WOMAN WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BUT HAD NO BROKEN BONES. THE DOG HAD BRUISING AND DISCOMFORT BUT NO SERIOUS INJURIES EITHER. TOOK THE CAR TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD FIND NO ALERTS, WARNINGS, OR ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED IT TO ACCELERATE UNINTENTIONALLY. *TR

Mileage: 86,340

THE CASE WAS STOPPED AND PLACED IN PARKING WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED MOVING FORWARD AT ABOUT 3 MPH. I ALMOST HIT A CAR 5 FEET IN FRONT OF ME(AT THE TIME I PLACED THE HIGHLANDER IN PARKING GEAR) AND IT ENDED 6 INCHES AWAY FROM THE CAR IN THE FRONT. I HAD TO STEP ON THE BRAKE SHIFT GEARS FROM PARKING TO DRIVE. SHIFT AGAIN TO PARKING AND WHILE KEEPING THE BRAKES ON I PRESSED ON THE PARKING BRAKE AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. THERE WAS NO INCLINE IN THE STREET OR ANY DECLINE OBSERVABLE THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE ORIGINAL FAILURE. MY WIFE AND MY 1 YEAR OLD CHILD WERE INSIDE THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT APPROX. 60 MILES PER HOUR THE BRAKE LIGHT AND VCS SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON. THE WARNING LIGHT ALSO WENT ON. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OWNER'S MANUAL, I TOOK THE CAR TO AN AUTHORIZED TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. ACCORDING TO THE AUTOMOBILE STATUS REPORT, THE ABS-HYDRAULIC CONTROL ASSEMBLY: WITH ECU MUST BE REPLACED. ACCORDING TO COMPLAINTS I RESEARCHED ON-LINE, SEVERAL COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED RELATING TO THIS MAKE, MODEL AND ABS SYSTEM. I FILED AN INCIDENT WITH TOYOTA (REFERENCE NUMBER: [XXX]). THE INTAKE REPRESENTATIVE WHO CHECKED WITH THE DEALERSHIP SAID THIS WASN'T A RECALL ITEM AND NO SUPPORT WAS AVAILABLE TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE PART. SHE CONFIRMED THAT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO DEFECT IN THE WORKMANSHIP. I ASKED [XXX] (THE PERSON I SPOKE TO) IF I COULD TAKE THE VEHICLE FOR A SECOND OPINION RELATING TO THE ABS PART. I ALSO ASKED FOR VERIFICATION THAT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ACTUALLY CHECKED THE PART FOR A DEFECT OR IS QUALIFIED TO DETERMINE IF IN FACT IT IS A MANUFACTURERS' DEFECT. THE DEALERSHIP QUOTED THAT THE ABS PART; BRAKE FLUSH/FLUID EXCHANGE/BF; ENGINE AIR FILTER REPLACEMENT;A/C SERVICE-ACS; COOLANT FLUSH (PREMIUM)-CF; AND FUEL INJECTION SERVICE WOULD COST $2,250. I ALSO ASKED THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WHAT THE BATTERY EXPECTANCY ON THE CAR IS AND WHETHER THE MANUFACTURER OFFERS ANY SUPPORT IN TERMS OF THE COSTS. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE BATTERY CAN COST $5,000.00 TO REPLACE BUT THE MANUFACTURER MAY OFFER SOME SUPPORT. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR ASSISTANCE, RESEARCH AND FILLING OF THIS COMPLAINT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 149,405

CHECK VSC SYSTEM CAME ON, THEN OFF, IT HAPPENS A LOT TOOK IT TO A DEALER THEY FOUND NOTHING NOW THE WARNING IS ON ALL THE TIME, TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND NOW THEY WANT $2,600.00. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

THERE'S AN ENGINE SURGE, SLIGHT BUT STILL CAN BE FELT, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE SURGE IS INTERMITTENT BUT THE SURGE IS FELT OFTEN. EXAMPLE: AFTER TAKE OFF FROM A STOP THE NEXT TIME THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THERE'LL BE A SLIGHT BUMP, AS IF THE ACCELERATOR IS STEPPED ON AT THE SAME TIME THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THERE'S NO HIGH REV, JUST A BUMP. *TR

Mileage: 72,000

MY 17-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON I-5 IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. SHE HAD CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 70MPH AND WAS TRAVELING UP HILL WHEN CRUISE CONTROL SUDDENLY POPPED OFF AND CAR WENT DEAD. SHE HAD NO POWER, AND POWER STEERING WENT OUT. SHE MANAGED TO COAST TO THE CREST OF THE HILL AND DOWN THE OTHER SIDE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD, BUT WAS IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION NEAR TRUCK WEIGH STATION WITH BIG RIGS PULLING ON AND OFF HIGHWAY. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. WE WERE INFORMED THAT HYBRID INVERTER WAS DEAD AND WOULD COST $8,000.00+ TO REPAIR. CONTACTED CORPORATE AND WAS INFORMED THAT SINCE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY WOULD OFFER NO ASSISTANCE IN REPAIR COSTS. HAVE SINCE HEARD OTHER SIMILAR STORIES REGARDING 2006 TOYOTA HYBRIDS. *TR

Mileage: 160,000

DRIVING THE UPPER ROADWAY OF THE QUEENSBORO 59TH ST BRIDGE THE CAR JUST DIED. FLASHING ON THE PANEL READ CHECK THE VSC SYSTEM WAITED FOR A TOW AROUND A DANGEROUS CURVE, WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. OTW TO THE TOYOTA DEALER TO SEE IF THEY WILL HONOR THE RECALLED INVERTER PART. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE. WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIANS PERFORMED THE REPAIR UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V253000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL). THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN ENGINEER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FAILURE. THE INSPECTOR DETERMINED THERE WAS NO ABNORMAL FAILURE AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

Mileage: 83,000

I WAS DRIVING OUR 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID UP THE DRIVEWAY AND AROUND TO THE BACK OF OUR HOME WHERE WE HAVE A REAR ENTRY GARAGE. AS I TURNED IN THE DRIVEWAY I STARTED TO SLOW/STOP THE CAR SO I COULD BACKUP TO PULL INTO THE GARAGE THE CAR ACCELERATED SUDDENLY STRIKING A SMALL TREE IN THE YARD DOING A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FRONT, LEFT FRONT WHEEL AND LEFT QUARTER PANEL. IT'S POSSIBLY TOTALLED. IT WAS AS IF A SOMETHING SIEZED THE CAR AND SUDDENLY PULLED IT FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. IF THE TREE HAD NOT STOPPED THE CAR I WOULD HAVE STRUCK THE HOUSE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I AM BRUISED AND SORE BUT OTHERWISE OK. I HAD BEEN RUNNING ON BATTERY THROUGH OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND UP THE DRIVEWAY BUT AFTER IT HAPPENED I NOTICED THE ENGINE WAS NOW RUNNING SO I DON'T KNOW IF THE SURGE WAS THE RESULT OF THE GAS ENGINE KICKING IN OR SOME OTHER SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM. *TT

Mileage: 58,000

I WAS PARKING MY HIGHLANDER HYBRID IN A PARKING GARAGE , IT STARTED TO ACCELERATE AS I STARTED TO PUT ON BY BRAKES. I HIT THE CONCRETE WALL. THE RADIATOR,BUMPER AND HOOD AS DAMAGED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT THEN CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE DRIVER RECEIVED INJURIES TO HER ANKLE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN FINGER. THE REAR PASSENGER WHO WAS PREGNANT WAS KILLED AND ANOTHER PASSENGER SUSTAINED MAJOR INTERNAL BLEEDING. THE POLICE WERE CALLED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE THREE SURVIVING PASSENGERS WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ARE AWAITING AN INVESTIGATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 27,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 27,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE PUTS THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE IT WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO WAIT SEVERAL MOMENTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD FINALLY RESPOND AND MOVE IN REVERSE. ON OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE WHEN IN REVERSE WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE TO STOP THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT HE WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

Mileage: 50,000

MY WIFE WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF OUR APARTMENT BUILDING, IDLING WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, WHEN OUR 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A GATE. BEFORE THE CAR CRASHED, SHE REPEATEDLY APPLIED THE BRAKE AND EVEN PUT THE CAR IN PARK. THE CAR DID NOT STOP. AFTER THE IMPACT, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV AND ACCELERATE BEFORE FINALLY STOPPING. THIS HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. THE BODY HAS BEEN REPAIRED, BUT PER TOYOTA, NOTHING MECHANICAL OR ELECTRONIC HAS BEEN TOUCHED. LAST WEEK TOYOTA SENT A SPECIALIST OUT TO INSPECT THE CAR AND DOWNLOAD DATA. WE WERE PRESENT AT THE TIME, AND 5 DTC CODES DISPLAYED. THE DESCRIPTIONS DISPLAYED ON THE INVESTIGATOR'S LAP TOP MENTIONED VEHICLE SPEED SENSORS ON RIGHT WHEEL AND LEFT WHEEL, THE EMPS, BODY ECU SWITCH CIRCUIT AND "LOW OR HIGH POWER SUPPLY VOLTAGE". THE CAR WAS TEST DRIVEN, AND NO ERRORS OR CODES WERE REPORTED. THE CAR IS NOW WAITING TO BE TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE REVIEWED AND FIXED. *TR

Mileage: 40,384

2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID. CONSUMER STATES UNINTENDED ACCELERATION CAUSED A CRASH. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS WAITING IN LINE WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, WHEN SUDDENLY HER VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE OTHER PARTIES IN THE OTHER VEHICLE CLAIMED TO INJURED. *JB

2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID CRASHED AFTER SUDDEN UNBREAKABLE ACCELERATION WITH $13,500 DAMAGE. TOYOTA INVESTIGATED AND SAID DRIVER HIT GAS INSTEAD OF BRAKE DESPITE VEHEMENT DENIALS BY DRIVER. *TR

Mileage: 19,866

DRIVER STARTED TO BACK UP A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID IN A PARKING LOT. IT SHOT BACK AT MAXIMUM ACCELERATION JUMPING A CURB AND STRIKING A PEDESTRIAN. BY THEN, DRIVER HAD BRAKES ON AND SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. SHE PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE AND IT AGAIN ACCELERATED TO THE MAXIMUM STRIKING HER HUSBAND. AT THE TIME, WE COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. WE ASSUMED, SOMEHOW THE DRIVER, WHO HAD AN IMPECCABLE RECORD, HAD DONE SOMETHING WRONG. NOW, WITH ALL THE PUBLICITY, WE BELIEVE IT WAS CAUSED BY THE ELECTRONIC CONTROLS. NOTHING ELSE SEEMS AS LIKELY BECAUSE WE HAD NO REASON TO BELIEVE THERE WAS AN ELECTRONIC FAILURE, NOTHING WAS DONE. *TR

Mileage: 27,000

I OWN A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HIGHBRID, WHICH I PURCHASED NEW. I HAVE NOT HAD A RUNAWAY SITUATION, BUT HAVE EXPERIENCED POWER SURGES WHILE BRAKING AND ONLY EXPERIENCED THESE DURING THE BRAKING PHASE. THE APPROXIMATE SPEEDS DURING THESE BRAKING EVENTS WERE BETWEEN 20-45 MPH. THE SURGING LASTS FOR APPROXIMATELY 2-3 SECONDS, WITH THE VEHICLE LUNGING FORWARD WHILE MY RIGHT FOOT BEING ON THE BRAKE. I DISCUSSED THE ISSUE WITH HECKER TOYOTA AND SERVICE ADVISOR . I THOUGHT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION AND SERVICE ADVISOR TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE WITH NO PROBLEMS DETECTED. SERVICE ADVISOR ALSO STATED THERE WERE NO TOYOTA SERVICE BULLETINS FOR ANY ISSUES LIKE THIS. I HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS SITUATION APPROXIMATELY 10-11 TIMES SINCE NEW. THE PROBLEM DOES NOT SEEM TO BE TEMPERATURE RELATED. I DON'T RECALL ANY SURGES WHEN COLD (BELOW 20F OR COLDER) BECAUSE MN ROADS USUALLY HAVE SOME ICY OR SLIPPERY CONDITIONS AND I WOULD REMEMBER THIS SITUATION. *TR

Mileage: 8,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HV. THE CONTACT STATED AS HE WAS DRIVING AT 50 MPH AND SET THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND THE SPEED INCREASED RAPIDLY. HE HAD TO CONTINUE TO APPLY HIS FOOT ON AND OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN HE PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ,TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF, AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT HE COULD NOT DUPLICATED THE FAILURE, YET THEY RESET THE COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AFTER THE COMPUTER WAS RESET WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY AND INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE TOYOTA MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED TO SHUT OFF IN INCLEMENT WEATHER TO PROTECT THE ELECTRICAL DRIVE MOTOR IN THE WHEELS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT WILLING TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH HIS VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Mileage: 18,000

2006 HYBRID TOYOTA HIGHLANDER - ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEEMS TO DEPRESS ON ITS OWN WHEN DRIVER'S FOOT IS ON IT; FEELS LIKE SOMEONE IS STEPPING ON YOUR FOOT AND PUSHING IT DOWN FURTHER. MY WIFE AND I HAVE EACH EXPERIENCED THIS INDEPENDENTLY ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES OVER THE PAST YEAR. THE CAR IS CONTROLLABLE AND THE BREAKS WORK WHEN THIS HAPPENS. *TR

I PURCHASED A TOYOTA HILANDER HYBRID IN MARCH 2006. SINCE THAT YEAR, I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH BRAKING. WHEN I BRAKE (EXAMPLE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN) I NOTICE THAT THE CAR BEGINS TO SLOW DOWN, BUT FOR A FRACTION OF A SECOND, THE CAR APPEARS TO COAST OR CONTINUE TO LUNGE FORWARD AND I GET A FEELING THAT THE CAR IS NOT UNDER MY CONTROL ANY MORE. IT IS A TERRIBLE FEELING TO EXPERIENCE WHEN I AM FIRMLY AND GRADUALLY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE, AND I SENSE THAT THE CAR IS MOVING AND THAT I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO STOP!!! IT APPEARS TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN IN COLD WEATHER, AND NO, IT IS DEFINITELY NOT ICE OR WET ROAD THAT IS THE CAUSE. THE ROAD COULD BE DRY, AND FREE OF ICE, AND I EXPERIENCE IT. PLEASE READ AN MSNBC ARTICLE ON PRIUS BRAKING PROBLEM AND I CAN RELATE TO THE DESCRIPTION IN THAT ARTICLE. I HAVE GOT MY CAR CHECKED OUT AT TWO DEALERS - ONE IN MASON ,OH AND THE OTHER IN BROOKFIELD, WI. BOTH DEALERS SAY THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA IN LATE 2006 OR EARLY 2007, BUT TOYOTA DENIES ANY PROBLEM WITH THE HYBRID HILANDER SUV BRAKING SYSTEM. TOYOTA AND THE DEALERS TELL ME THAT THEY HAVE NEVER EVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM FROM ANY OWNER OF A TOYOTA HYBRID CAR. IF YOU VISIT HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F0D8058 YOU WILL SEE THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF HYBRID CUSTOMERS (TOYOTA AND LEXUS) WHO ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS VERY PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS OCCASIONALLY, BUT IT IS DISTINCT AND A TERRIBLE ONE TO EXPERIENCE. PLEASE DIRECT TOYOTA TO THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATE AND RESOLVE 2006 HILANDER HYBRID BRAKING PROBLEM. *TW

Mileage: 2,000

MOVING A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2006 HAD FINISHED BACKING UP AND WAS PREPARING TO MOVE FORWARD INTO A PARKING SPOT AND THE CAR CONTINUED BACKWARD AND HIT A PEDESTRIAN AND ANOTHER CAR. ALL OBSERVERS AGREE THAT THE CAR ACCELERATED AFTER MY FOOT WAS OFF THE PEDAL AND I HAD NO CHANCE TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE BEFORE IT HAPPENED. I HIT A PEDESTRIAN WHO WAS HOSPITALIZED AND RECEIVED A LARGE GASH IN HER LEG WHICH REQUIRED MANY STITCHES AND PHYSICAL THERAPY REHABILITATION AND ANOTHER AUTO WHICH WAS TOTALED DUE TO THE DAMAGE. *TR

Mileage: 30,000

2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID HAS SURGE IN SPEED DURING BRAKING. HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY WHEN GOING FROM DESCEND TO ASCEND. *TR

Mileage: 10

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT A SLOW SPEED DUE TO TRAFFIC, AROUND 20 MPH. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME UNEXPECTEDLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I HAD 2 CAR LENGTHS AND PUT ON THE BRAKES, BUT THE CAR NEVER "GRABBED"--I JUST SLOWED AND COASTED INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. BECAUSE THE ABS ON A HYBRID DOES NOT KICK IN UNTIL THE CAR REACHES 25 MPH, MY CAR WAS BUSY REGENERATING POWER FROM THE BRAKES RATHER THAN DOING A QUICK, EMERGENCY STOP. NOW I AM LIABLE FOR THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR AHEAD OF ME THAT I REAR-ENDED, AND I AM CONCERNED THAT I WOULD NOT STOP PROPERLY IF A CHILD RAN IN FRONT OF ME ON A NEIGHBORHOOD STREET. THIS HAS BEEN SUBMITTED AS A PROBLEM WITH THE TOYOTA PRIUS AS WELL ON HYBRIDCARS.COM FORUM. *TR

Mileage: 35,000