Toyota Sienna Uncontrolled Acceleration

jul333

Today while parking my van infront of a building, with my foot lightly on the brake- my van accelerated uncontrollably and smasjed into the building. Luckily I was only 2-3' away from the building- and no one was infront of me. The reving noise and speed at which I hit the building was shocking. I was afraid to drive it, suffered some whip lash and had it towed to a dealer. They have said they can't find anything wrong thru the diagnostic testing. I'm afraid to drive it again- Has this happened to anyone else? Searching the web I found that it has happened to other toyota models..

Claires

jul333, if you haven't done so already, you might want to file a report with the NHTSA, and check to see if others have filed similar issues.

jul333

Thanks- I haven't done so yet- I've been forcing Toyota to send engineers out to look at the van. I will file a report- Thanks for the link.

tanker5

There have incidents with reverse. See the below. Tanker:
NHTSA Investigates Uncontrolled Acceleration in Toyotas
August 11, 2005
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation of several Toyota models because of uncontrollable and unintended acceleration while the vehicle is in reverse.

The agency has received 13 reports of accidents because of the uncontrollable acceleration.

NHTSA has received complaints involving the Camry, Solara, Lexus, ES, ES 300, ES 330 losing throttle control while the vehicle is reversing out of a driveway. The vehicles were all manufactured between 2000 and 1005.
There have so far been no fatalities associated with the problem.
A defect investigation often but not always leads to a vehicle recall.

jul333

Yes- I did read that on the internet. I'd like to find out what was detected to be the problem and how it was fixed. Any ideas on how to research that?

tanker5

You'll have to either contact Toyota at their site, www.Consumeraffairs.com or www.nhtsa.dot.gov or phone 888-327-4236. An experienced mechanic will be able to relate some possible solutions. Uncontrolled acceleration with computer chip and processor controls isnot a new problem. I has occur with previous cars when you start up and shift it immediately into gear when rpms are still rising and dials adjusting. Electrons do funny things if you don't let the processors do their thing before providing new inputs.
Regards, tanker

snevets23

On 1/31/07 while slowly reversing up a sloped driveway, my 1992 Lexus 400SC suddenly accelerated rapidly and uncontrollably. It felt as if I was in a rocket ship! Although I slammed on the brakes, I could not stop in time to avoid a car parked in the driveway. Luckily, there were no injuries (grandson was in car). This is my first accident in 42 years. While I hear that some conclude that I mistook the accelerator for the brake, I KNOW that's not true. My foot was on the accelerator to begin with since I was slowing giving the car gas to climb the incline. Weather conditions were clear, no obstacles on the floor, and I was wearing normal shoes... no boots or heels. This accident was NOT my fault, but I don't know how to prove this since the problem is intermittent. I have filed an incident report with both the police department and NHTSA and have sent a certified letter to Lexus in CA. However, there is strength in numbers and need to hear from others who have experienced this frightening experience.

jul333

Hi- I know exactly what you mean...Many people asked me the same questions re my Sienna van..I knew what I did and I refused to acknowledge anything else. Toyota sent out engineers to review the van...I'd make sure this happens..I had my van towed form the scene and refused to take it back until something was done. The engineers couldn't find anything..so I asked the 'male' managers, since the van is so 'safe' how would they like their wives to switch cars with me- so their family could drive around in the van- I kept telling them I didn't feel safe driving the van..Luckily they worked with me and I traded into a new Sienna van...

The police dept in Beverly Ma is currently investigating a horrific incident where a new cruiser (with documented uncontrollable acceleratin problems) took off on an officer and drove thru another car- killing the woman driver...

Demand attention to this problem...Good luck!

snevets23

Thank you for your update and words of encourgement. I feel as though I'm just at the beginning of an uphill battle to prove my innocence and learn the truth. I plan to inquire of the Beverly, MA accident, but, by any chance, do you know the make of the cruiser involved? Thanks again!

ben_sf

jul333:

This happened to our 2006 Sienna yesterday--my wife was about to stop the car while parking it, suddenly it accelerated (very fast!) and knocked down a tree and scratched a couple of parked cars. The bumper was damaged and the right side dented. My wife is a careful driver (with two toddlers inside!) and she is very sure she did nothing wrong. I am very concerned to drive it again if the repair shop cannot find defect with the van..... Ben

jul333

I don't know the make of cruiser involved in the incident in Beverly- but when this happened to me I scanned the internet and found other Toyota cars with uncontrolled acceleration problems..I believe some lexus models and Camry's. The dealerships have their engineers check everything out- but they can't find anything..Its very frustrating, especially when you as the driver, know the car is accerlating out of your control.. Good luck..I hope it works out for you...

jul333

I know how frustrating that is...I was doing the smae thing in my Sienna van..I was pulling slowly into a parking space--except it was infront of a building- when the van uncontrollably accelerated and smashed into the building. Luckily I was without my children and only 3 feet infront of the building..But I was too scared to drive it again..and refused to take it from the dealership..I traded into a new car...

ben_sf

The body shop is repairing the damage and both insurance company and police were notified. They will have the dealership check the problem once damage is repair. However, I am worried that they may not find any problem thus my wife would have to drive the van in fear. Any good suggestion as to how to convince Toyota about the problem? Thanks a lot!

jul333

I had the same fear- and told the same to the dealership...I refused to take the car from the dealership..I told them I was too afraid to drive it again..the engineers/technicians checked out everyting and found nothing wrong..which seems to be typically the case..but I continually explained that I wouldn't feel safe driving it again....there was no other alternative than to trade into another car.which they did very easily for us..At the time no one else had complained about Sienna's..but now there are at tleast 3 other compliants since it happened to me..all on this Edmunds site..you have a better case that I did....Good Luck

ben_sf

I did not have the van towed to my dealership as it was further away. But I will make sure the dealer check it out. About the trade-in, did you give you a replacement new van for no charge?? Mine is only 3 month, 3000 miles. About the 3 other complaints-- could you specify where they are (did you mean the complaints in this forum you initiated that were different models?) Thanks.

ben_sf

Jul133: Have you file a formal complaint at NHTSA? If not, would you? It would be nice that people can document their incidents to get the attention, and for subsequent event reference.

jul333

The dealership loaned me a car while they serviced my van. I refused to pay for the loaner as well..and I spoke directly to the Director of Sales and then his boss- until I got them to agree to not charge me. I went directly to my dealership with the problem- so I think I had more leverage...
They traded me into a new van..they bought back my sienna 2004 for what I owed on it and traded me into a new 2006 sienna..for basically the same payment. I lost on the equity I had on the 2004..but I had 45000 miles on it and I was happy to trade into a van which I hope doens't have the smae problem....

jul333

I started to file a complaint- but at the time I didn't know what the situation was with the van..I will file one.

otl

Ahh. It might be too late to answer your question, but your scenario was exactly same as what happened to me today. We drive a Toyota Sienna 2004, and its been 3 years we had this car. Somehow when we were getting ready to park, right at the moment when my driver was about to shift gear to park, the car decided to charge forward with tremendous speed. Ended up ramming to a shop owned by our friends.....

jul333

Thats just what happened to me! I hope you have success getting the point across to Toyota- that this is a problem...

caravan2

Could you please explain a little more.... when you were about to park, weren't your foot on brake pedal and applying the brake? If that's the case, even if the van accelerated, you would have been applying brake at the same time and the braking would stop it. Unless brakes failed OR the foot was on accelerator and thought to be on brake and pushed on accelerator instead :confuse:

mnrep2

OR the foot was on accelerator and thought to be on brake and pushed on accelerator instead

EXACTLY

jul333

There lies the problem...I had my foot on the brake, as I was pulling a little more into a parking space- and the van accelerrated-with my foot on the brake..the brake did nothing and I smashed the wall.

jul333

Sounds like you're an expert on everything...

mnrep2

I would sell the car immediately....

jul333

You would

caravan2

Then two things happened... van accelerated and brakes failed. very strange... both these things are mechanical even some electronics is involved in gas mixtures and electrical firing of ignition...

mleonardo

I hope you didn't trade in for another Toyota. All that tells them is that your a blind Toyota fan and they can pull that kind of "we cant find the problem" stuff on you any time. All that will result is you giving them more business. If this happens with my sienna, Toyota will never again be on my shopping list. I am already dissatisfied with my experiences with Toyota. I can't understand why a person would continue to patronize a car maker whos vehicle did this and was given no reason for it.

drbob1

I hate to pile on here, but this has been a problem since the early 80s Audi 5000. It was extensively analyzed including segments on 60 Minutes, and the testing rather conclusively proved that the problem was mis-application of the throttle instead of the brake. In fact, there's a lovely video of an Audi experiencing "unintended acceleration" showing that the brake lights did not, in fact, come on at the time the victim described pushing the brake pedal to the floor. It turns out that the problem is actually ergonomic-the brake and the accelerator are too close together. It's probably more dangerous than a purely mechanical problem because there's not really a fix for it (like there might be if it was computer or ABS related). It has been recorded by the NHTSA as a problem with small numbers of almost every vehicle ever built, but some are much more prone to it than others.

ateixeira

Modern brakes are 10 times more powerful than any engine. Note they're strong enough to lock up the tires at virtually any speed, while wheelspin under acceleration only happens in low gears.

If you hit the brakes strong enough, any car will stop, doesn't matter if the throttle is stuck wide open.

shaina1

I need to get in touch with anyone else who has had a similar problem with their Toyota Sienna. On 2/14/08, my 2006 Toyota Sienna was in park in my driveway with the ignition on. I had opened the garage door half-way to clean off the base of the door. While I was doing that, the van moved forward, pinning me between the van hood and the bottom edge of my half-open garage door. I was being compressed right across my hips and naval, so I was able to scream for help. Luckily, my neighbor was home and, after about five minutes, heard my screams for help. My neighbor had her husband call 911 and ran over to me and asked me what she should do. (She was afraid to back up the van, releasing the pressure on my abdominal area in case that action caused me further injury.) I screamed for her to back up the van. She is sure the van gear shift was still in park even though the van was still attempting to travel forward but could not because my body was in the way. My neighbor then put the gear shift into reverse (which worked, thank God) and backed the van away from the garage door, releasing me. 911 came and said I miraculously had no internal injuries, although my garage door and van hood are damaged. I went to the hospital and got a catscan, which also confirmed no internal injuries. I have put a claim in with Toyota Corporate and NHTSA. My husband also took the van to the Toyota Dealership where we purchased the vehicle. They said they could find nothing wrong with it and basically looked at my husband cross-eyed when he insisted that there had to be a problem. I am now afraid to drive this vehicle. From browsing this website, I see that there are other people who have had similar problems with their Toyota Siennas. Please respond to this message ASAP. Thank you.

ateixeira

Wow! Glad you are OK.

That was some Valentine's Day! :surprise:

I'm not sure there is much to say. Did the police come as well, to file an accident report? That might help solve the mystery.

You sure it wasn't in Drive? On a slight incline, the van will not move forward even in D. Did the neighbor notice what gear it was in before changing it to Reverse?

shaina1

Yes, I am sure my 2006 Toyota Sienna was not in Drive. It is impossible to leave the van in Drive in our driveway and exit the vehicle because the vehicle is moving too fast; even if I were to stop it entirely at the very base of the incline of the driveway, as soon as I take my foot off the brake to exit the vehicle, it moves too fast to exit it. Also, my neighbor who rescued me and backed up my 2006 Toyota Sienna says she is sure she had to shift from Park into Reverse.

If anyone that is reading this has had a similar experience with their Toyota Sienna, please reply ASAP. Thank you. My husband and I think it is of the utmost importance that this vehicle be recalled.

petl

I don't ever recall any vehicle moving forward when in park. I'm not a mechanic. However, this doesn't sound possible. Sudden acceleration is a problem that occurs when the vehicle is in drive, not park.

Could it be that you had the vehicle in neutral? Two things would be possible... 1) if the incline is towards the garage, the vehicle would have rolled and pinned you. Also, your neighbour, who is in panic mode, could have easily thought that she shifted from park to reverse. 2) when you got out of the vehicle, it was somehow accidentally nudged it into drive? Again, you neighbour is in panic mode when shifting.

Good luck.

snevets23

The following is an update to my original 2/3/07 post regarding my 1/31/07 accident involving uncontrolled rapid acceleration with my Lexus SC400. It's been over a year now and despite letters, calls, e-mails, and an inspection by an "expert" Lexus technician, the problem part(s) has never been located and, therefore, the cause remains unknown. The car remains in my driveway to date after 13 months, and no one in my family has driven it in fear of a recurrence. My husband had a similar incident with THIS car one month prior to my experience but, luckily, he was not involved in an accident. I won't trade it in for another Lexus because I won't give this manufacturer anymore new business. I hesitate selling it privately because of its past history. If I knew for certain which part was defective, I would gladly pay for its replacement so that I could have my beloved Lexus back and drive it once again without fear of accelerating uncontrollably--possibly causing another accident...or worse. Unfortunately, it is an intermittant problem making it difficult (if not impossible) to replicate the part's failure. For what it is worth, I filed a report with the National Highway Safety office but never heard from them again. From previous posts and surfing the web, I KNOW there are others who have experienced similar frightening episodes. With all of today's sophisticated technology, I find it difficult to understand why the cause of this problem cannot be solved. Thanks for listening to my tale of woe!

petl

Based, on your story, you wouldn't be here today if your vehicle encountered uncontrolled acceleration. The vehicle would have crushed you and the garage door. Your apparent problem is different.

shaina1

Is your story similar to what happened to me with my Toyota Sienna? In other words, were you in or out of your car when the uncontrolled acceleration occurred? Maybe you can retell what happened to you. Thank you.

snevets23

My current post (#35) above is an update to my original post of #7 found in this discussion group. However, I was a driver IN the vehicle when the incident occurred. In addition, you'll find other posts from me after #7 in reply to the questions of others. Good Luck!

justhuff

YES-just yesterday. I'm still not sure it is was my fault. I wanted to warm my car in the am, I started it and put it into reverse a few feets, so the fumes would not be in my garage, put it back into park and I stepped out of the car and it shifted into reverse knocking me over and plowing into my neighbors fence. I know I did not get out of a moving vehicle. I have it at a collision center-they said it was driving fine-yea I know. I don't think they are able to really tell if there was a defect. When I questioned it, it was brushed off. Were you able to prove anything??? Glad you were not seriously hurt.
Jennifer
PLEASE EMAIL BACK!

shaina1

Hi Jennifer,
What year is your Toyota Sienna? Have you had an independent (non Toyota) transmission specialist look at your Sienna? My husband will be taking our Sienna to a specialist this weekend. The day after my accident, on 2/15/08, my husband took our Sienna to our local Toyota dealer where we bought it two years ago; they said there was nothing wrong with the transmission; their service manager told me it was more likely I left the vehicle in neutral and someone pushed the vehicle the twenty feet up the incline of the driveway, hitting me. How rude and obnoxious can you get! I am the paying customer who almost got killed after all! I am positive I did not leave my vehicle in neutral; besides, if it was in neutral, it would have rolled backwards down the driveway as soon as took my foot off the brake to exit the vehicle, and like you, I know I did not get out of a moving vehicle; also, my neighbor is sure the vehicle gear shift was in Park when she put it into Reverse to free me. A Toyota Corporate representative will also be looking at my vehicle this week or next; I pray that this will be an honorable person.

Please, Please PLEASE make a report to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); their phone number is 1-888-327-4236. If enough reports are made, this vehicle and vehicles with the same transmissions WILL BE RECALLED. Also, make a report to Toyota Corporate Headquarters at 1-800-331-4331. Please e-mail me back. Sincerely, Shaina

justhuff

Hi again. I also have a 2004. Just curious-what state do you live in? I did not bring it back to the dealer to be looked at. It was not driveable, it was towed directly to the collision shop to be fixed. Honestly, I know they will look at me like I have 3 heads anyway. I don't know, maybe it was pushed into Park and it didn't shift over to the left and slipped out of gear. I don't thik I will ever know. I do promise that I will call both of those numbers when I get home fromwork later and filed reports to have them on record. So far you are the only person I could find. Have you found anyone else?
Jennifer

shaina1

Hi Jennifer. Just for the record, my vehicle is a 2006 Sienna, not a 2004. Were you hurt when your car hit you? I pray not. Don't doubt yourself. It is very unlikely that your gear shift did not go all the way over to the left when you put it in Park; besides, if you put it in Park and it did not go all the way to the left to be locked in place, that is Toyota's fault, not yours. I have found other people on this Edmund's site who have had experiences with their Toyota when they were shifting into Park; the vehicle accelerated out of control as they were parking in parking lots, etc. I also found someone here in South Florida (that's where I live) who had an experience similar to ours a couple of months ago with his 2005 Toyota Camry. I am hoping more people will respond to my Edmund's message and will also report their accidents to Toyota Corporate and NHTSA (which I thank you for doing, by the way); it will save lives if these vehicles are recalled. Talk to you later. Shai.

phishlover

All the more reason people really should use their parking brakes, fully engaged. Will probably save a life or transmission or two.

mking3

jul333, this same exact scenario happened to me last month.I was driving to work at my school where I work as a teacher. While making a slow U-Turn, with my foot lightly on the brake pedal, my 2004 Toyota Sienna LE van suddenly took off and accelerated uncontrollably like a rocket at maximum velocity. The accelerator pedal was never pressed during this incident. I had just a split second to remove my foot completely off the brake pedal to look down at the floor board to ensure nothing was pinning the pedal downward, nothing was there and the van was still accelerating. I looked up in horror as vehicle was continuing to accelerate at an extremely high rate of speed and continuing to accelerate. I quickly steered the vehicle and dodged a screened chain-link fence to avoid an area where children usually stand waiting for parents. With vehicle still accelerating at full power I quickly passed the fence area, applied the brakes with great force, but they felt unresponsive to the acceleration forces. Now, with vehicle moving at a very high rate of speed and still accelerating, I saw a parked vehicle right in front of me and could no longer control the vehicle and I braced for impact. The van violently smashed into an unattended Ford Expedition vehicle, the engine briefly revved and then finally shut down. Had there not been a parked vehicle there the van would have gone directly into the residential house about 50 feet away. It only took about 3 or 4 seconds for the van to travel the 22 yards from where the accelerator malfunction started to the impact area of the other vehicle. In complete shock, I briefly sat there and wondered how this could have happened. Luckily I was not seriously hurt, my neck and back were sore from the impact, but other than that I was thankful that I was ok. I looked down at the floorboard again to see if anything was pushing the accelerator down. Again there was nothing there, no floor mat or any other foreign object around that area. Had this incident occurred only five minutes before, the street would have been filled with young children, parents and grandparents walking them to school. Reported it to NHSTA and they sent a rep to the vehicle. They collected data from the computer but the chances of find a intermittent fault like this on those computer units is remote. Toyota has a serious class action problem here that needs to be addressed. There is just way too much evidence to dismiss. I encourage all to continue reporting these cases to the NHSTA, Car complaints.com and these blogs so that the NHSTA can eventually file a class action lawsuit against Toyota. Our van was totaled so there are no chances of it killing someone.

ateixeira

Are you saying both the throttle and the brake failed completely?

I ask because they are completely seperate systems. The brakes are hydraulic, while the throttle is by-wire.

For both the fail at the exact same time would be quite unusual.

ateixeira

Are you saying both the throttle and the brake failed completely?

I ask because they are completely seperate systems. The brakes are hydraulic, while the throttle is by-wire.

For both the fail at the exact same time would be quite unusual.

Here is a link to NHTSA if anyone wants to file a complaint:

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/

shaina1

mking3, I'm so sorry to hear about this accident of yours. My accident occurred on 2/14/08 (my 2006 Toyota Sienna was parked at the foot of the driveway with the ignition on; it accelerated by itself while the gear shift was still in park, up the incline of my driveway and pinned me between my half-open garage door and the hood of the vehicle) and I reported it to NHTSA and Toyota Corporate. NHTSA never offered to come to the scene of the accident to investigate and Toyota Corporate did a brief inspection of the vehicle (did not take the transmission apart) and said they felt there was nothing wrong with it. My husband, family, friends and I feel deeply betrayed by Toyota's lack of compassion and consideration, especially since we have been loyal Toyota customers for the past 15 years. Has Toyota done anything for you, such as offered to trade in your vehicle, etc? Shai

harold27

December 10, 2008 12:55 PM I was parked in line at the car wash and I was waiting to go into the car wash with a line of cars. I put my foot on the brake to move up in line, my Sienna took off like a jet engine at full speed. I served to miss the pickup truck in front of me. I just grazed his bumper, missed the car wash building. I raced across the parking lot, jumped a curb, and I slammed into the concrete barrier that protects the gas pumps in a gas station. The man in the pickup said even after my car smashed into the concrete barrier, my Sienna was still running full throttle and my tires were still turning. Both front tires went flat and we ruined. I was hit with the air bag and I broke the dash with my knees. I tried to brake but nothing worked. After the air bag went off, I couldn't stop the engine and I finally realized I need to shut off the key and it finally stopped. I was pressing as hard as I could on the brakes and it didn't help. When I shifted into Drive at the car wash I had my foot on the brake. I never got to the accelerator because as soon I put the car in drive it went full throttle. The Sienna left black tire marks as it accelerated uncontrollably forward. I call Toyota and they denied a problem. Needless to SAY I'll never buy another Toyota. They have a problem with the drive by wire accelerator. I was fortunate that I didn't kill someone or myself but I was injured. I complained to Toyota case# 2008121 at 1-800-331-4331 and I am filling a complaint with the National Traffic Safety Administration 1-888-327-4236. I purchased the van used from Hertz car rental and I filed with them also. My husband said that he believes the car at wide open throttled does not have any vaccum to power the brakes. Normally gas engines at wide open don't have vaccum but we don't know if the newer cars have the same vaccum boost as the older cars do. We contacted an attorney but he said since nobody was killed, I probably wouldn't win. I don't have the money to pay thousands of dollars in legal fees. Someone should start a class action suit for all involved.

snevets23

Harold,I shuttered when I read your post because it brought back the nightmare of my similar experience with my '92 Lexus (story is posted on this website). I went through all the motions you did--filing with the NTSA, contacting Lexus corporate headquarters in Calif. which eventually sent their "expert" who found NO problems!, spending countless hours of writing, e-mailing, phone calls but to no avail. The problem is that the cause is INTERMITTENT and supposedly cannot be pinpointed unless the conditions duplicate itself. On the first occasion, the car accelerated unexpectedly and uncontrollably while my husband was backing up in the driveway...he stopped it in time before plowing into the garage. A month later, the car did it again while I was backing up into another person's driveway. Although I quickly slammed on the brakes with all my force, I didn't stop in time before hitting a parked car in the driveway (and nearly missing the person's brick house!) Because Lexus would not admit to any wrongdoing and because the problem could not be found, I was charged with the accident and am still paying a higher insurance premium because of it. While other readers may try to reason that I was at fault (wore no heels, mat was fine, clear, sunny day, etc.), I KNOW in my heart that this was a malfunction of the car itself. This was my ONLY accident after 40 years of unblemished driving. I only pray someday that the public is made aware of the truth, and that victims such as you and I are vindicated. I, too, did not have the money to pursue this legally and I am so thankful my grandson who was buckled in the car was not hurt. However, from reading other accounts, there are those who were injured or killed as a result of this sudden, uncontrolled acceleration. I believe the "powers at be" at Toyota, Lexus, etc. KNOW the problem but will never admit to any wrong-doing because of $$$$.

ateixeira

the car at wide open throttled does not have any vaccum to power the brakes

This doesn't seem right to me. The systems are separate. The brakes are hydraulic - you push fluid, it's not brake-by-wire.

Even if you lost power assist you'd have some braking power.

shaina1

Hi Harold27,
I'm so sorry to hear about your accident. My accident was almost a year ago on 2/14/08 (my 2006 Toyota Sienna van drove up my driveway by itself while it was still in Park with the engine running, hit me and compressed me at the hips between the van hood and my half open garage door). I still have my van because Toyota refused to do anything about it and we cannot afford to replace it at this time. I do not leave it running while in Park anymore, but I am still leary about driving it, especially when I hear about accidents such as yours. I can hardly wait until we can by a new vehicle...and it definitely will not be a Toyota.
Thank the Lord you were not seriously hurt in your accident and you did not hurt anyone else.

If anyone knows of a reliable van to replace my Toyota Sienna with, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Shai