80 complaints reported

2009 Toyota RAV4 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
80
Crashes
23
Fires
0
Injuries
5

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Oct 2010

I PURCHASED A NEW RAV4 2009 TOYOTA AND EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED RUNAWAY ACCELERATION ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. IT WAS FIRST BROUGHT TO A TOYOTA DEALER IN SANDY SPRINGS, ATLANTA AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. THEY WERE REPLACED BUT SOON AFTER THAT REPAIR, IT ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AGAIN AND WAS BROUGHT TO DELRAY TOYOTA WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR. THEY KEPT IT FOR 5 DAYS AND CALLED TO TELL ME THERE WAS "NOTHING WRONG" AND UNLESS THEY EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM DURING A TEST DRIVE THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I HAD SOMEONE DRIVE THE CAR BACK TO MY HOME AND IT IS PRESENTLY SITTING IN MY GARAGE. SOON AFTER THE THIRD INCIDENT I WAS CALLED BY THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO BRING IT IN. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO DELRAY TOYOTA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE RECALL DID NOT PERTAIN TO MY CAR BECAUSE THE VIN # DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE GAS PEDAL WHICH WAS RECALLED ON OTHER RAV 4'S . IT WAS AGAIN RETURNED WITH NO REPAIR OF THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND IS PRESENTLY UNUSABLE BECAUSE I FEAR THAT THIS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION PROBLEM COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT EFFECTING ME AND OTHERS. *TR UPDATED 04/21/10

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2009
Sep 2010

2009 RAV4 TOYOTA WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30-35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED. THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY AND A LOUD SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE REVVING. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS IMMEDIATELY DEPRESSED FIRMLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. AFTER TURNING THE CAR BACK ON THERE WERE NO FURTHER INCIDENCES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP OF PURCHASE. AN INSPECTION WAS DONE BY TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVES AND THE INSPECTION CAME BACK WITH NO UNUSUAL REPORT. THE VEHICLE THAT I PURCHASED IN NEW CONDITION IS UNSAFE AND I AM STUCK WITH A CAR THAT I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING. IT HAS BEEN PARKED SINCE JANUARY AND IS NO LONGER BEING USED. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Dec 2010
Aug 2010 Crash Injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN LOW SPEED WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED, RESULTING IN THE CONTACT CRASHING INTO A BUILDING. THE CONTACT WAS REPORTED INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE CONTACTS INSURANCE COMPANY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Sep 2010
Aug 2010

ALTHOUGH MY CAR WAS FIXED IN THE TOYOTA RECALL, I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. IT IS BETTER, BUT NOT BEST. WHEN I PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR SOMETIMES THE CAR JERKS FORWARD MUCH FASTER THAN YOU WOULD EXPECT. IT USED TO DO THIS MORE OFTEN AND TO A GREATER DEGREE, BUT STILL DOES DO IT ON OCCASION. I NOTICED THIS WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR, BUT PUT IT OFF TO PRESSING DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR TOO HARD. THEN I BEGAN TO THINK THAT IF THAT WAS THE CASE IT WOULD HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. I PURPOSELY TRY TO GO FORWARD GENTLY, BUT AM NOT ABLE TO SOMETIMES. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Aug 2010
Aug 2010 Crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE DRIVER STATES SHE WAS DRIVING 25MPH WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE CONTACT STATES THEY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,800. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 9,820.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Apr 2010
Aug 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH ON WET ROAD CONDITIONS; PROCEEDING TO A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. THERE WAS AN UNINTENDED INCREASE IN ACCELERATION. THE DRIVER APPLIED AN AGGRESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AND IMMEDIATELY, THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED INTO THE "NEUTRAL" POSITION. THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND ENGINE TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CLEANED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE WHICH THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,083. UPDATED 02/17/10. *LJ UPDATED 02/19/10.*JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Nov 2009
Jul 2010

2009 RAV4 TOYOTA WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30-35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED. THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY AND A LOUD SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE REVVING. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS IMMEDIATELY DEPRESSED FIRMLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. AFTER TURNING THE CAR BACK ON THERE WERE NO FURTHER INCIDENCES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP OF PURCHASE. AN INSPECTION WAS DONE BY TOYOTA REPRESENTATIVES AND THE INSPECTION CAME BACK WITH NO UNUSUAL REPORT. THE VEHICLE THAT I PURCHASED IN NEW CONDITION IS UNSAFE AND I AM STUCK WITH A CAR THAT I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING. IT HAS BEEN PARKED SINCE FEBRUARY AND IS NO LONGER BEING USED. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Feb 2010
Jul 2010 Crash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. HE CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE IN FRONT WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IN THE DEALERS POSSESSION WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 7,600.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jul 2010
Jul 2010 Crash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED TO THE FLOOR. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. THE GEAR SELECTOR WAS SHIFTED INTO THE PARK POSITION, AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PROCEEDING VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A PROBLEM. THE FRONT END DAMAGES WERE NOT REPAIRED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS IN THE PROCESS OF APPRAISING AND INSPECTING THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jul 2010
Jul 2010

APRIL 4, 2010 TOPIC: COMMUNICATION OF ENGINE ACCELERATION FROM: OMITTED VEHICLE: -TOYOTA RAV4 -PURCHASED 9/26/09 - -YEAR/MODEL: 2009/4443A -ENGINE: 3.5 LITER DOHC V6 ENGINE WITH DUAL VVT-I -PURCHASED FROM: GERMAIN TOYOTA OF COLUMBUS PROBLEM: TODAY, APRIL 4, 2010, MY WIFE WAS BACKING THE RAV4 INTO OUR CAR GARAGE. UPON GETTING THE CAR COMPLETELY ON THE FLOOR OF THE GARAGE (A LEVEL SURFACE), SHE WAS IDLING IN REVERSE SO THAT THE SUV WOULD FINISH BACKING UP TO INSURE THE GARAGE DOOR WOULD GO DOWN WITHOUT HITTING THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE ENGINE REVVED UP A FEW HUNDRED RPMS. WITH HER FOOT ALREADY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL SHE IMMEDIATELY PUSHED DOWN VERY HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PUSHED THE CONSOLE GEAR SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. THUS, MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO PREVENT THE SUV FROM IMMEDIATELY SPEEDING UP IN REVERSE WHICH PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM RAMMING INTO THE GARAGE WALL WHICH WAS APPROXIMATELY 4 TO 5 FOOT FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE ABOVE ACTION BY MY WIFE MAY HAVE TAKEN 2-3 SECONDS. HOWEVER, AFTER GETTING THE RAV4 INTO NEUTRAL , THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY REVVED UP TO A FEW THOUSAND RPMS. WITHIN A VERY FEW SECONDS MY WIFE TURNED THE MOTOR OFF. FORTUNATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEUTRAL WHEN THIS ENGINE REVVING OCCURRED. I WAS IN THE HOUSE IN A ROOM DIRECTLY ABOVE THE GARAGE AND HEARD BOTH TIMES OF THE ENGINE REVVING. MY WIFE ALSO HAD A SIMILAR REVVING UP OF THE ENGINE THAT OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 5 DAYS PREVIOUS TO MARCH 4, 2010 WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT. SHE HELD THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN. SHE ONLY NEEDED TO HOLD THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN FOR 1 -2 SECONDS BEFORE SHE COULD TAKE HER FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO ALLOW THE CAR TO GO THROUGH THE LIGHT THAT JUST CHANGED TO GREEN. UPON LETTING UP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GO FORWARD THE RPMS IMMEDIATELY REDUCED. ALSO, THE REVVING OF THE ENGINE THIS TIME WAS COMPARABLE TO THE INITIAL ENGINE REVVING STATED ABOVE FOR A FEW HUNDRED RPMS. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Apr 2010
Jul 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED UP TO 100. THE GEARS ALSO SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL POSITION. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND WITHIN A FEW MINUTES IT RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN WAS ALSO UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE CODE. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO SUBMIT AN ARBITRATION FORM AND POSSIBLY THE MANUFACTURER WOULD BUY BACK THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,850. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,758.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Mar 2010
Jul 2010

WHILE COMING TO AN INTERSECTION, I WAS BRAKING. DURING THE BRAKING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BOLTED (ACCELERATED) AHEAD FOR A PERIOD OF 5 SECONDS. (VEHICLE ACCELERATED DURING BRAKING PROCESS ) I CONTINUED TO KEEP FOOT ON BRAKE, PRESSING WITH A LOT MORE FORCE. DURING THE "INCIDENT", I WAS ABLE TO TURN WHEEL SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT, TO AVOID HITTING A VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WAS VERY SHAKEN, AS WAS MY 100% DISABLED HUSBAND, ALSO IN THE FRONT SEAT. WE TOOK VEHICLE TO TOYOTA DEALER, ON EBRUARY 10, 2010, (2, 766 TOTAL MILEAGE) AND 30 MINUTES OF THEIR TIME WAS GIVEN TO MY TOYOTA. THEY CHECKED IT OVER, TRYING TO FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID "THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM"., AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. THEY GAVE ME AN "800" NUMBER TO CALL, AND OUR 2 PHONE CALLS TO THEM, WAS A WASTE OF TIME. THEY SAID THEY WOULD SEND ME ARBITRATION PAPERS, WHICH I HAVE NOT RECEIVED. I DON'T SEE WHY I HAVE TO GO TO ARBITRATION FOR THEM TO FIX MY VEHICLE, WHEN IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. * THEY RESET ECM/PCM TEST DROVE OP CODE 895994 3/99. CHECKED ECU FOR DTC SCAN TOOL CHECK DTC AND OPERATION. HOURS 0.50 DEALER REFUSES TO DO MORE TESTING BECAUSE TOYOTA WILL NOT AUTHORIZE IT. I FEEL THAT MY VEHICLE IS "A DEATH TRAP" AND I WILL NOT DRIVE IT. IN THE MEANTIME, I AM STILL MAKING MONTHLY PAYMENTS ON IT, AND CONSIDER IT A "DEAD HORSE PAYMENT" . *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jun 2010
Jun 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV 4. THE CONTACT WAS AT A FULL STOP WITH HER FOOT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO IDLE AT EXTREME RPMS AND WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE THREE TIMES AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,000. UPDATED 08/11/10. *LJ UPDATED 08/17/10*JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Aug 2009
Jun 2010 Crash Injury

2009 TOYOTA RAV4. CONSUMER WRITES TO EXPRESS DISCONTENT REGARDING TREATMENT RECEIVED FROM TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, U.S.A. INC. RELATED TO THE DEFECTIVE ACCELERATOR PEDAL PROBLEM *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL AFTER HE HAD AN ACCIDENT WHICH INVOLVED DAMAGES TO HIS VEHICLE AND BACK INJURIES. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Nov 2009
Jun 2010

WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE CAR INCREASES IDLE TO 1500 -2000 AND THE BRAKES SOMETIMES BECOME "SQUISHY" AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL FEEL LIKE THERE IS NO PRESSURE. THE CAR WILL STOP, BUT THE IDLE WILL CONTINUE TO REV UP. I HAVE TO ENSURE I DO NOT RELEASE THE BRAKE UNTIL THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME IS A VERY SAFE DISTANCE AWAY. THE DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS CONTINUOUSLY OCCURRED SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW, IT NOW HAS APPROXIMATELY 17000 MILES. THIS VEHICLE, PER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Oct 2009
Jun 2010

WHEN I LIFT MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL OF MY RAV4 TOYOTA, THERE IS A NOISE AND GRINDING THAT OCCURS. IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE, AFTER 3 LEVELS OF SERVICE DEPT. LOOKING AT IT, THE DETERMINATION WAS THAT THIS IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE RAV4. NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHAT IT IS, BUT THAT THE CAR IF SAFE AND TO CONTINUE DRIVING IT. WHY THEN, IF IT IS CHARACTERISTIC OF A RAV4, DO THEY NOT HAVE AN ACTUAL EXPLANATION AS TO WHAT IS HAPPENING WHEN THE NOISE OCCURS, WHY DID IT TAKE 3 MONTHS AND A SPECIAL TECHNICIAN TO DETERMINE THIS, YOU WOULD THINK THAT WITH ALL THE RAV4S THEY HAVE SOLD, THAT THEY WOULD BE SEEING NUMEROUS CARS DOING THIS. MY CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW AND THIS LITTLE CHARACTERISTIC HAD NEVER BEEN DISCUSSED, WHERE HAS IT BEEN FOR THE 9 MONTHS PRIOR? WHAT HAPPENS TO MAKE IT APPEAR, AND WHY CAN'T THEY FIX IT, WHETHER THEY THINK ITS DANGEROUS OR NOT? THEY HAVE INFORMED ME THAT MY ONLY RECOURSE AT THIS TIME, AS IF I SHOULD BE MY PROBLEM AT ALL, IS TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALER, AND HAVE THEM DRIVE IT, ANOTHER DEALER WHO MORE THAN LIKELY, SINCE THEY TRAVEL FROM ONE TOYOTA DEALER TO THE NEXT, WILL GIVE ME THE SAME RESULT. I AM OUTRAGED THAT THEY ARE NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY AND DEALING WITH THIS. IT IS NOT OKAY TO SELL SOMEONE A BRAND NEW CAR, HAVE SOMETHING GO WRONG WITHIN A YEAR, AND HAVE A LEGAL DOCUMENT, WHICH THEY KEEP THROWING IN MY FACE, SAYING BECAUSE THEIR VERY OWN TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT IT IS A CHARACTERISTIC, I SHOULD JUST HAVE TO LIVE WITH THIS NOISE AND VIBRATION. MY 7 YEAR OLD IS AFRAID TO GET IN THE CAR. HOW DARE THEY TREAT THEIR CUSTOMERS LIKE THAT? IT MAKE NOISE, IT VIBRATES, WE CAN'T GIVE YOU AN ACTUAL EXPLANATION, WE CAN'T FIX IT, SO JUST GO BACK, GET INTO YOUR BRAND NEW CAR, AND DEAL WITH IT. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2010
May 2010 Crash

2009 TOYOTA RAV-4DRIVEN BY OWNER WITH WIFE AS PASSENGER. COMING DOWN OFF RAMP FROM TWO LANE ROAD TO STOP SIGN IN ORDER TO TURN ONTO A TOWN STREET. ALTHOUGH BRAKING HARD, CAR FAILED TO STOP AND ENGINE DECIDEDLY ACCELERATED. DRIVER ABLE TO TURN CORNER AND, SINCE NO CAR COMING IN HIS LANE, WAS ABLE TO PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD. DRIVER DECIDED TO PROCEED 2-3 BLOCKS TO A GAS STATION. DROVE SLOWLY TO STATION, PULLED IN, CAR REFUSED TO STOP, IN FACT IT WAS JERKILY ACCELERATING, AND BUMPED INTO A CAR WHOSE DRIVER WAS PUTTING GAS INTO IT. NO DAMAGE TO EITHER CAR OR PERSONS. (PRESSED YES FOR CRASH, BUT WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 5 MPH OR LESS AND DRIVER'S CAR PUSHED OTHER CAR INTO A STREET.) DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND CAR STOPPED. DRIVER HAD CAR TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALER WHOSE SERVICE MANAGER, AFTER TELLING DRIVER HIS RAV-4 WAS MADE IN JAPAN AND NOT ELIGIBLE AS A RECALL CAR, FINALLY AGREED TO HAVE CAR TESTED. NOTHING FOUND AND TOYOTA HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE ANY PARTS SAYING THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH CAR--TO THEM THE INCIDENTS DID NOT TRULY OCCUR. AFTER TESTING, TWICE, DRIVER PICKED UP CAR AND WAS DRIVING HOME, HAD TO STOP FOR A SCHOOL BUS AND WHILE STOPPED FELT ENGINE SURGING FORWARD AGAIN BUT WAS ABLE TO KEEP CAR STEADY BY PUTTING ON BRAKES AND PUT CAR IN TO NEUTRAL. ONLY DRIVES CAR ON BACK ROADS NOW. THESE THREE INCIDENTS ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCED THUS FAR. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Sep 2010
May 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED ACCELERATING AND THE RPMS JUMPED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO PARK BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE. THE CONTACT PUSHED THE OFF BUTTON TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. WHEN HE RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED FOR RECALL 10V017000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AGAIN AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 8,600.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: May 2010
May 2010

AS I WAS LEAVING A PARKING LOT I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE AS THERE WAS ONGOING TRAFFIC COMING ON THE ROAD I WAS ENTERING. THE CAR ACCELERATED AND CONTINUED TO RACE AS I PUT INCREASING PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR DID MOVE FORWARD SLIGHTLY. THIS HAPPENED TWICE ON A CAR THAT HAD LESS THAN 900 MILES. I HAVE STOPPED DRIVING THE CAR, A TOYOTA 2009 RAV 4. IT WAS PICKED UP BY A TOYOTA DEALER JUST RECENTLY AND IS BEING TESTED. BASED ON THEIR COMMENT THAT IN THE PAST THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THIS PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE MORE AND MORE REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM. I CURRENTLY HAVE 3 OTHER CARS AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. IN FACT IN OVER 40 YEARS OF DRIVING THIS HAVE NEVER OCCURRED BEFORE. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A CAR FAILURE NOT A DRIVER PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Aug 2009
May 2010

SUDDEN ACCELERATION 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. PULLING OUT OF A HOTEL PARKING LOT TOWARDS STOP SIGN, VERY LOW SPEED, TOOK FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL AND PLACED ON BRAKE PEDAL. RPM'S INCREASED DRAMATICALLY. SLAMMED GEAR TO NEUTRAL, KEPT FOOT HARD ON BRAKE PEDAL, SHUT OFF ENGINE. SITUATION REPEATED ONCE FOLLOWING DAY IN SIMILAR SCENARIO. BOTH EVENTS DURING FIRST LONG ROAD TRIP IN CAR (OVER 500 MILES DRIVING BEFORE INCIDENT). SECOND INCIDENT - FOOT RELEASED GAS PEDAL BUT RESTING ON GAS PEDAL - COULD SENSE GAS PEDAL PULLED DOWN LIKE WHEN VEHICLE ACCELERATING AFTER RESUME WHEN USING CRUISE CONTROL. I NEVER USE CRUISE CONTROL. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jul 2010
May 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. THE CONTACT WAS PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE UP TO 20 MPH. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE INCREASED ITS SPEED BEFORE IT FINALLY STOPPED. THE VEHICLE TRAVELED ABOUT TWENTY FEET BEFORE IT WAS STOPPED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 1,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: May 2010
May 2010

DROVE UP TO USE THE ATM AT BANK. PLACED CAR IN PARK AND USED ATM. WHEN I FINISHED, I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. CAR ENGINE ACCELERATED AND CAR LURCHED FORWARD. A LARGE CLOUD OF SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE. I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL DID NOT STOP THE ENGINE FROM RACING. I PUSHED THE CAR AWAY FROM THE ATM AND CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALER, WHO CAME AND DROVE THE CAR TO THEIR GARAGE. THE DEALER FOUND NO RECORD OF THE EVENT ON THE CARS COMPUTER AND HAS TWICE TRIED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO ME. ONLY AFTER I THREATENED TO GO ON A LOCAL RADIO TALK SHOW, DID THE AGREE TO CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE. I WAS ABLE TO OBTAIN VIDEO OF THE INCIDENT FROM THE BANK'S SECURITY CAMERAS AND HAVE SHARED THEM WITH THE TOYOTA DEALER AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO SHARE THEM WITH THE NHTSA. *TR UPDATED 07/26/10*JB UPDATED IVOQ 08/04/10*JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Mar 2010
May 2010

1. AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING PLACE IN A PARKING LOT, MY 2009 TOYOTA RAV4 ACCELERATED RAPIDLY AND DROVE UP ON THE SIDEWALK. I IMMEDIATELY SLAMMED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND MANAGED TO STOP THE CAR JUST BEFORE IT WOULD HAVE RUN INTO THE WALL AHEAD OF ME. BEFORE TURNING INTO THE PARKING PLACE, I HAD SLOWED WAY DOWN TO MAKE THE 90 DEGREE TURN AND I APPLIED ONLY GENTLE PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR TO PULL INTO THE PARKING SPOT. 2. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR SINCE SEPTEMBER 2009 AND HAVE NEVER HAD AN EXPERIENCE LIKE THIS BEFORE. 3. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY TOYOTA DEALER NEXT TUESDAY, FEB 9, TO INSERT A PIECE OF METAL TO STOP THE ACCELERATOR FROM STICKING. BUT I'M AFRAID THIS MAY NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM, SINCE THIS DID NOT SEEM TO BE THE RESULT OF THE ACCELERATOR STICKING; THE ACCELERATOR WAS ONLY SLIGHTLY DEPRESSED WHEN THE CAR SPEEDED UP BY ITSELF. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Mar 2010
Apr 2010

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE BUT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY REVVED UP. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL FIRMLY AND SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RPMS DECREASED AND THE VEHICLE BEHAVED NORMALLY AFTER FIVE SECONDS. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,264. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,674. UPDATED 06/29/10 UPDATED 09/21/10*JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Apr 2010
Apr 2010

I HAVE A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4, AND TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER FOR ACCELERATOR SHIM PLACEMENT AS PER THE RECENT RECALL. SINCE THE SHIM HAS BEEN PLACED, I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING PERIODIC EPISODES OF "JACKRABBIT" STARTS FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THE ACCELERATOR IS VERY TOUCHY, IT EITHER CREATES A PROLONGED MOMENT OF HESITATION, THEN JERKS FORWARD. THERE WAS ONE EPISODE WHEN THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED, THANKFULLY THERE WERE NO VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER, BUT SINCE THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE CONCERN, THEY DISMISSED MY ISSUE. I AM ANNOYED THAT TOYOTA ACTED AS THOUGH THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2009 TOYOTA RAV4, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2010

Trend Over Time

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Quick Summary

The 2009 Toyota RAV4 has 80 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL complaints on file. 23 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.