2001 Lexus RX300

2001 LEXUS RX300, 30DEGREE OUTSIDE TEMP, VEHICLE WARMED UP UNTIL HEATED SEATS WORKED, DROVE VEHICLE ABOUT 80 YARDS FORWARD, VEHICLE PUT INTO REVERSE, SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURED AT FULL THROTTLE, BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION, UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE POSITION WITH VEHICLE IN MOTION, RPM NEEDLE AT REDLINE 8000RPM, VEHICLE FINALLY BROUGHT TO SCREECHING AND SHAKING STOP WHEN SHIFTED INTO PARK. ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF, WHEN STARTED AGAIN, RMP NEEDLE JUMPED UP TO REDLINE AGAIN AND STAYED THERE. THIS REPEATED ABOUT 5 TIMES. ACCELERATION WAS STUCK AT FULL THROTTLE. NO COLLISION. VEHICLE MALFUNCTION REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP, VEHICLE TOWED FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS. NOTICED TICKING SOUND COMING FROM DRIVERS SIDE.

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER HIT A PIECE OF RUBBER TIRE THAT HAD FLEW OFF A TRUCK, MINUTES LATER THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY ANOTHER MOTORIST THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING GAS, CONSUMER THEN PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED A HOLE APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES IN DIAMETER ON THE SIDE OF THE GAS TANK, CONSUMER STATED THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURED JUST FROM HITTING A PIECE OF RUBBER.*JB

VEHICLE WAS AT A FULL STOP AND PUT INTO PARK. PAVEMENT WAS LEVEL. PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED. BOTH DRIVER SIDE DOORS WERE OPEN AND REAR DOOR LIFTED. I WAS LOADING VEHICLE FOR FULL 5 MINUTES. AS I TURNED, SAW VEHICLE BEGIN TO MOVE IN REVERSE AT A VERY FAST PACE. ROLLED INTO EXTERIOR STUCCO WALL OF GARAGE. DAMAGED BUMPER AND LIFT GATE. NO INJURIES. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO PARK WHILE RUNNING, WHEN AUTO IS PUT IN REVERSE AND FOOT IS TAKEN OFF BRAKE THE VEHICLE MOVES BACKWARD VERY QUICKLY WITH NO GAS APPLIED. WHEN PUT IN FORWARD, IT CREEPS AT A SLOWER SPEED THAN REVERSE. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO POSSIBILITY THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT IN REVERSE WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURED. THE CAR WOULD HAVE KNOCKED ME OVER BEFORE I COULD HAVE CLEARED IT BECAUSE IT MOVES SO FAST IN REVERSE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 15MPH AFTER STARTING OUT FROM A STOP LIGHT, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR THE PAST 26 HOURS AND WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE DURING THAT TIME PERIOD. AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN OPERATION FOR ONLY ABOUT 10 MINUTES, AND WAS ABOUT 4-5 MILES FROM MY RESIDENCE. THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL ODOR JUST PRIOR TO OBSERVING THE FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER BOTH SIDES OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE BUT DID NOT INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OR ORIGIN OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND IS A TOTAL LOSS. MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE DEALER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. AT THE TIME OF THIS REPORT I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT ME BY EITHER PHONE OR E-MAIL.*AK