NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
51 reportsClear category filter67,440 miles · Apr 10, 2013
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
I WAS DRIVING INTO A PARKING SPACE ON THE SIDE OF A CONDO AND NEEDED TO PULL UP APPROXIMATELY 2 YARDS. I GENTLY PRESSED THE GAS PEDDLE AND THE CAR SHOT FORWARD, WENT OVER THE CURB, TRAVERSED SEVERAL FEET OF GRASS AND SLAMMED INTO THE CONDO PATIO BRICK WALL. I WAS STUNNED. HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPL…
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I WAS DRIVING INTO A PARKING SPACE ON THE SIDE OF A CONDO AND NEEDED TO PULL UP APPROXIMATELY 2 YARDS. I GENTLY PRESSED THE GAS PEDDLE AND THE CAR SHOT FORWARD, WENT OVER THE CURB, TRAVERSED SEVERAL FEET OF GRASS AND SLAMMED INTO THE CONDO PATIO BRICK WALL. I WAS STUNNED. HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS NOT HURT BUT THE WALL WAS DAMAGED IN THE AMOUNT OF $2500 FOR REPAIRS. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND, AGAIN, THE CAR SHOT BACKWARDS, EXTREMELY FAST. MY BRAKES WORKED SO I JUST MISSED SLAMMING INTO THE CARS BEHIND ME IN THE PARKING LOT. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND SAT THERE. THEN STARTED IT AGAIN AND IT BEHAVED NORMALLY. NEEDLESS TO SAY, NOW I AM FRIGHTENED OF MY CAR AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10505783
130,000 miles · Jan 5, 2013
SteeringVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
75 N TRAVELING 65 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD SNAP UNDER CAR. CAR TRIED TO VEER TO LEFT SEVERAL TIMES PULLED BACK THOUGHT IT WAS UNDER CONTROL WHEN SPEED INCREASED CAR DARTED RIGHT HEAD ON INTO RETAINING WALL BOUNCED OFF DID 2 1/2 360 DEGREE SPINS HIT WALL AGAIN BROADSIDE AND FINALLY CAME TO STAND STILL. WHEN SPEED INCREASED AND CAR S…
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75 N TRAVELING 65 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD SNAP UNDER CAR. CAR TRIED TO VEER TO LEFT SEVERAL TIMES PULLED BACK THOUGHT IT WAS UNDER CONTROL WHEN SPEED INCREASED CAR DARTED RIGHT HEAD ON INTO RETAINING WALL BOUNCED OFF DID 2 1/2 360 DEGREE SPINS HIT WALL AGAIN BROADSIDE AND FINALLY CAME TO STAND STILL. WHEN SPEED INCREASED AND CAR SHOT TO RIGHT ALL CONTROL WAS LOST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10491519
136,272 miles · Jan 3, 2013
StructureVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
9/17/2010 ACCIDENT OCCURRED AS I ENTERED A PARKING SPACE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND STOPPED WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED GOING THRU A FENCE AND HITTING A STONE WALL WHEN THE CAR STOPPED. OUR INSURANCE COMPANY REPAIRED THE CAR AFTER A TOYOTA REP. EXAMINED THE CAR. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM [XXX] FROM TOYOTA DATED 10/25/2…
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9/17/2010 ACCIDENT OCCURRED AS I ENTERED A PARKING SPACE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND STOPPED WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED GOING THRU A FENCE AND HITTING A STONE WALL WHEN THE CAR STOPPED. OUR INSURANCE COMPANY REPAIRED THE CAR AFTER A TOYOTA REP. EXAMINED THE CAR. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM [XXX] FROM TOYOTA DATED 10/25/2010 THAT STATED THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY TYPE OF MANUFACTURE DESIGN OR DEFECT. DAYTONA TOYOTA DID AN AOH RECALL ON THE CAR DURING THAT TIME. MY BACK AND NECK WAS STRAINED AND I HAD CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS, HEAT THERAPY AND MASSAGES FOR TWO MONTHS PAID BY MY INSURANCE. 11/05/2012 ACCIDENT OCCURRED AS I ENTERED A PARKING SPACE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND STOPPED WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED OVER THE CURB HITTING A STOP SIGN. THE SIGN RIPPED THE LEFT OUTSIDE MIRROR OFF THE DOOR, SCRAPED AND BENT THE FRONT AND BACK DOORS ON DRIVERS SIDE. THE CAR NOW SITS IN MY GARAGE WRECKED BECAUSE I WILL NOT TURN IN ANOTHER ACCIDENT ON MY INSURANCE BECAUSE MY PREMIUM WENT UP AFTER THE FIRST ACCIDENT. I WILL ABSOLUTELY NOT DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN BECAUSE THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WRONG AND IT IS A BLESSING THERE WAS NO ONE ON THE SIDEWALK NOR A CAR ON THE STREET WHEN MY CAR ACCELERATED. SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA KNOWS WHAT IS WRONG NOR DO THEY KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. THEY NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO CUSTOMERS WHO TRUSTED THEIR VEHICLES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10490915
99,070 miles · Dec 12, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed ControlCrash
AS I WAS BACKING OUT FROM A SPACE IN A PARKING LOT, MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND I HAD A HARD TIME GETTING IT TO STOP WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE WHEELS WERE TURNED IN A SHARP LEFT POSITION. THE ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS AT A HIGH REV. THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR CRASHED INTO TWO CARS ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE PARKING LOT AISLE…
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AS I WAS BACKING OUT FROM A SPACE IN A PARKING LOT, MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND I HAD A HARD TIME GETTING IT TO STOP WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE WHEELS WERE TURNED IN A SHARP LEFT POSITION. THE ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS AT A HIGH REV. THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY CAR CRASHED INTO TWO CARS ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE PARKING LOT AISLE BEFORE COMING TO A HALT. THE WHOLE EVENT LASTED JUST A FEW SECONDS. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS INJURED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10488626
81,340 miles · Jul 4, 2012
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
PARKED TOYOTA AVALON WAS STARTED, SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION OCCURRED. BRAKES INEFFECTIVE SO HIT PARKED CAR IN FRONT EXTREMELY HARD. TRIED TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL BUT IT SLIPPED INTO REVERSE AND HIT CAR PARKED BEHIND. FINALLY GOT INTO NEUTRAL AND TURNED OFF ENGINE. VERY, VERY SCARY. NO INJURIES, NO POLICE REP…
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PARKED TOYOTA AVALON WAS STARTED, SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION OCCURRED. BRAKES INEFFECTIVE SO HIT PARKED CAR IN FRONT EXTREMELY HARD. TRIED TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL BUT IT SLIPPED INTO REVERSE AND HIT CAR PARKED BEHIND. FINALLY GOT INTO NEUTRAL AND TURNED OFF ENGINE. VERY, VERY SCARY. NO INJURIES, NO POLICE REPORT, NOTIFIED INSURANCE TO COVER DAMAGES TO CARS. WILL HAVE TOWED TO TOYOTA FOR INSPECTION. IF NOTHING FOUND, I WILL NOT DRIVE THIS CAR AGAIN. WITNESS SAID CAR "JUMPED UP AND ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLE". *JS
NHTSA ODI #10464205
Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
2003 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEMS WITH GAS PEDAL AND IDLE RUNNING TOO HIGH *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD IDLE HIGH AT TIMES AND THEN TOO LOW, TO THE POINT WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STAY ON. THE PROBLEM WAS INCONSISTENT, BUT RECURRING. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS MOUNTED TOO HI…
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2003 TOYOTA AVALON. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEMS WITH GAS PEDAL AND IDLE RUNNING TOO HIGH *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD IDLE HIGH AT TIMES AND THEN TOO LOW, TO THE POINT WHERE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STAY ON. THE PROBLEM WAS INCONSISTENT, BUT RECURRING. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS MOUNTED TOO HIGH.
NHTSA ODI #10382312
91,500 miles · Jan 19, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE BY LIGHTLY TAPPING ON THE BRAKES. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION IF THE FAILURE RECUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE BY LIGHTLY TAPPING ON THE BRAKES. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION IF THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED LESS THAN 1,000 MILES AGO BY THE DEALER PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,500. UPDATED 03/07/11*LJ UPDATED 05/02/11
NHTSA ODI #10377911
86,000 miles · Dec 31, 2010
SteeringVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
WHILE IN PARKING LOT, PLACED CAR IN REVERSE. THE CAR ACCELERATED ACROSS THE PARKING LOT, JUMPING A CURB AND HITTING A 2 FOOT HIGH POLE IN NEXT PARKING LOT. BRAKING HAD NO EFFECT. ATTEMPT TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL FAILED. STEERING ALSO FAILED. CAR TOWED TO COLLISION CENTER SUBSEQUENTLY TOTALED BY INSURANCE COMPANY. CAR HIT WITH SUCH …
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WHILE IN PARKING LOT, PLACED CAR IN REVERSE. THE CAR ACCELERATED ACROSS THE PARKING LOT, JUMPING A CURB AND HITTING A 2 FOOT HIGH POLE IN NEXT PARKING LOT. BRAKING HAD NO EFFECT. ATTEMPT TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL FAILED. STEERING ALSO FAILED. CAR TOWED TO COLLISION CENTER SUBSEQUENTLY TOTALED BY INSURANCE COMPANY. CAR HIT WITH SUCH FORCE, IT WAS WRAPPED AROUND POLE AND RESTING ON TOP OF POLE. WRIST OF DRIVER HURT - HAD TO SEEK ATTENTION FROM EMTS AND GO TO EMERGENCY ROOM. UNDER ORTHOPEDIC SPECIALIST CARE CURRENTLY. PASSENGER IN BACK SEAT, 20 YR OLD, HAS NECK STRAIN AND HEADACHE CONCERNS.
NHTSA ODI #10374289
60,000 miles · Jul 30, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE BRAKES REPLACED. THREE MONTHS AFTER THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT AND THE DR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE BRAKES REPLACED. THREE MONTHS AFTER THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT AND THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WERE INJURED. A LOCAL MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE CALIPERS DID NOT HAVE ANY SCREWS TO HOLD THEM IN PLACE WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE SCREWS WERE NOT PROPERLY PLACED IN THE CALIPERS. THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE DEALER DID NOT REPAIR THE BRAKES PROPERLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #10346420
87,000 miles · Jul 27, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH INTO THE RESIDENCE DRIVEWAY. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, FOLLOWED BY NO POWER RESPONSE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A NEARBY SHED. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY OR VEHICLE DAMAGE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TOYOTA AVALON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH INTO THE RESIDENCE DRIVEWAY. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED, FOLLOWED BY NO POWER RESPONSE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A NEARBY SHED. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY OR VEHICLE DAMAGE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURE WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETECT THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000. UPDATED 10/20/10 *BF UPDATED 10/21/10
NHTSA ODI #10345642
Official recalls
2Jan 28, 2015
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured December 28, 2001, to May 2, 2004, 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2002, to April 29, 2004, 2003-2004 Avalon vehicles manufactured June 5, 2002, to December 20, 2004, and 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe vehicles manufactured January 18, 2002, to April 27, 2004. Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module may fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Inadvertent deployment of the air bags or the seat belt pretensioners increases the risk of an injury or crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge. The recall began on August 24, 2015. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. GM issued an interim notification to owners on March 27, 2015. The recall began on August 24, 2015. Pontiac owners may call 1-800-620-7668. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 13V-029 and 14V-147. Vehicles that had a noise filter installed as the remedy for one of those campaigns need to have the air bag control module replaced under this campaign.
Jul 29, 2010
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2000-2004 AVALON VEHICLES. DUE TO IMPROPER CASTING OF THE STEERING LOCK BAR, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A MINUTE CRACK MAY DEVELOP ON THE SURFACE OF THE LOCK BAR. SUCH A CRACK MAY EXPAND OVER A LONG PERIOD OF REPEATED LOCK AND UNLOCK OPERATIONS, AND EVENTUALLY THE LOCK BAR COULD BREAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SHOULD THE STEERING LOCK BAR BREAK, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK AND THE DRIVER WOULD LOSE THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING INTERLOCK DEVICE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗