I purchased a new Toyota Rav4 (2008 ls) in the summer of 2008. I quickly realized that there seemed to be a problem with acceleration. I reported it then and the first several times it went in for scheduled maintenance. The response has been the same - that's just what Toyota do. The problem - when accelerating from a stop when the car has been idling, the car hesitates. There is a second or 2 during which there is no power. Then, the power kicks in and the car jumps forward, not because the pedal is sticking but because the car suddenly "catches up" with the gas pedal. The explanation given by two dealers is this: In the Toyota, there is a delay between when the pedal is pressed down and when the car's computer sends the information to the carburetor, or whatever passes for it in new engines. That causes the sequence - press the gas pedal, hesitation, then surge. This is most dangerous when trying to merge into heavy, fast moving traffic. Openings in the traffic are usually small but adequate if the car responds. However, when the car hesitates, then surges, the opening can be missed and the car and driver are at risk for a significant accident. The problem is also intermittent so that the driver can be caught off guard, even when experienced with the car. I'm filing this because I see that your department has gone past the sticking pedal to look at possible problems with the electronics and computer systems in the cars. So I thought this might be helpful. Ps-I have been fortunate that the problem has not caused an accident. However, there have been situations where a little luck and a quick foot to the brake pedal was all that prevented one. Psps-I will gladly provide the VIN # but I do not have it available now.

- Cordova, TN, USA

Sudden acceleration of a Toyota rav 4 engine. When the vehicle was stopped at a red traffic light with the brake pedal depressed, no foot on the accelerator and the gear shift in drive - the engine increased speed rapidly. The car lurched forward. The operator slammed both feet on the brake pedal. When the car was stopped, the operator put the gear shift in neutral. The engine continued at high speed for about a while, then went to idle. After the engine returned to idle, the operator kept both feet on the brake pedal and cautiously shifted the gear shift to drive, parked the car and turned the engine off. The operator got out of the car. Everything seemed normal. After meditation on the problem, the operator turned the engine on and drove off. There have been no problems since then.

- Huron, OH, USA

On 10/21/09 I was stopped at an intersection in my 2008 Rav4 while waiting for two cars to go by. My foot was fully planted on the brake. Suddenly the engine revved uncontrollably and the car lurched forward. I pressed as hard as I could on the brake. This happened twice. I barely managed to keep the car out of the intersection. There were no warning lights. I was able to drive home without another incident. The floor mats were firmly clipped into place causing no interference with the accelerator. I had the repair shop at my dealer check it over. They could not find any problem with it and no repairs were made. I wrote a letter to my dealer documenting my safety concerns. The dealer then brought a Toyota field specialist in to look at it. He too was unable to find any problem. Since then Toyota has announced two recalls associated with floor mat interference and faulty gas pedals. I've found out that my Rav4 was built in Japan and, therefore, not subject to the faulty gas pedals. This leads me to believe that the problem is due to an electronic glitch most likely associated with the computerized electronic throttle system. I believe Toyota needs to roll-out a "brake override system" to truly resolve this problem. Fortunately, I have not had another "sudden acceleration" event since 10/21/09.

- Bangor, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota Rav4. While driving approximately 60 mph, he tried to apply the brakes and the vehicle began to slide. The brakes did not respond when he tried to slow down which caused him to crash into the rocks opposite side of the road. At that point, the rpms began to increase and he turned the ignition off. The air bags did not deploy; therefore, the contact experienced minor injuries. A police report is was taken. He called the manufacturer but he was offered no assistance. The vehicle was currently being repaired for the damages. The vehicle identification number was not available. The current and failure mileages were approximately 50,000.

- Marlborough, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota rav 4. while driving 40 mph and attempting to engage the brake pedal, the vehicle did not respond. The brake pedal was engaged with excessive pressure and the rpms increased rapidly. The vehicle came to complete stop after pressing her foot firmly on the brake pedal and shifting gears into the park position. The dealer was contacted and stated that they never heard of the malfunction and that this would not happen again. This has only occurred one time. The failure mileage was 25500. The current mileage was 25738. Updated 03/01/10. The dealer was unable to find anything wrong with the vehicle. Updated 06/14/10.

- Tinley Park, IL, USA

In December of 2009, my husband was driving our leased Toyota Rav4 ('08) and it accelerated on him unexpectedly. The same thing happened in Jan of 2010 when I was driving the same vehicle and I almost crashed. The car was taken to the dealership where it was checked and nothing was found. This car is not part of the recent Toyota recall but it should be! I am now in a lease driving an unsafe car and I want to either trade this car in for a safe car or I want out of my lease!

- Lookout Mountain, TN, USA

I own a 2008 Toyota rav 4 which I purchased new. On several occasions I have had the accelerator pedal become stuck fully open when accelerating to merge onto an interstate highway. I was told several months ago that an aftermarket floor mat was slipping forward and trapping the pedal. Recently when this event happened I stopped and looked at the mat myself. It was at least 4 to 6 inches from contacting the accelerator pedal or any part of the drive by wire switch. I feel like the dealership is just trying to get around actually investigating my complaint. This has happened on several occasions over the last 6 to 9 months. I finally decided to file this complaint after it happened to me this morning (12/22/2009).

- Champaign, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota rav 4. while driving 10 mph the vehicle began to accelerate without intention. The brake pedal was depressed to the floor, but the vehicle would not decelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions, but they could not identify the cause of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,200. Updated 1/11/09 updated 01/13/10.

- Saugus, MA, USA

When coming to a stop at the end of a highway exit ramp, I was braking at approximately 5 - 10 mph. As I approached the car in front of me I noticed the car was not responding as it normally does to a slight depression of the brake pedal. My car seemed to keep moving and not slow down in it's normal braking characteristic. I depressed the brake pedal much firmer and the car slowed but the engine began to increase in rpms (as noted by the engine sound and visually by tachometer indication). My foot was off the accelerator at this time. I pushed the break pedal down a hard as I could and the car still moved forward. Finally, I put the transmission (automatic) in neutral and the engine raced away. I finally placed the transmission in reverse and the engine slowed down to normal and then the car stalled. After restarting the engine everything worked as it should. I drove it the two miles to work with no further problem and after being parked for 10 hours drove it 7 miles to my home with no further problem.

- Pottstown, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Toyota rav 4. occasionally after brake application, the cruise control switch will not disengage. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealership. The current and failure mileages were 38000.

- Dix Hills, NY, USA

Lost braking power and there was a crunching sound, had both feet on breaking pedal & truck wouldn't stop. It was still accelerating and ABS/anti skid light came on.

- Dover, DE, USA

Was going through a drive through carwash, auto in neutral. Reached the end, put foot on brake, put auto into drive. The vehicle accelerated on it's own, going straight out of the end of the carwash. Had the brakes on but they didn't stop the vehicle. Turned the car to miss a telephone pole and went out into 4-lane hwy., crashing into another vehicle, stopping my vehicle finally. Vehicle would not stop at all. The vehicle was towed to our ins. Co. repair/estimate shop. Do not have a cause for the problem as yet, still under investigation.

- Gurnee, IL, USA