Electrical System. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
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NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports0 fire reports5 injury reports

Engine complaints

8 reports

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146,000 miles · Jul 19, 2019

EngineHybrid Propulsion System

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS RX400 HYBRID. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, DRIVING ON AN INCLINE, OR MAKING TURNS, THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE, HYBRID CHECK, AND BATTERY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. ONCE RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE DROVE NORMALLY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TREASURE COAST LEXUS (LOCATED AT 5121 US-1, FORT PIERCE, FL 34982, (772) 460-0000) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN CLEANED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, CLEARED THE FAILURE CODES, AND TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE IN CHECK MODE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS EXPECTED. THE DEALER SWAPPED THE CIRCUIT OPEN RELAY WITH THE IGNITION RELAY TO ELIMINATE THE RELAY AS THE FAILURE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V396000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY FOUR TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURES, BUT THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.

NHTSA ODI #11233390

Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 2018

Electrical SystemEngine

CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE. THE INVERTER WAS REPLACED FOLLOWING THE FIRST OCCURRENCE IN 2011. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING DURING THE FIRST OCCURRENCE.

NHTSA ODI #11152656

186,000 miles · Aug 1, 2018

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

THE HYBRID BATTERY FAILED, POWER INVERTER, LOCKING UP POWER STEERING AND MY CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO OPERATE ON THE ROAD. I WAS QUOTED 7500$ COST. I HAVE READ OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS OCCURRING. I WOULD LIKE HELP REPAIRING FROM LEXUS

NHTSA ODI #11115156

109,000 miles · May 26, 2018

EnginePower TrainService Brakes

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WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON A BUSY ROAD IN MA THE CAR ABRUPTLY STALLED AND LOST POWER AND ABILITY TO CONTROL IT OTHER THAN WITH A GLIDE AND MANUAL STEERING TO PULL OFF THE ROADWAY AND OUT OF BUSY TRAFFIC, WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY FOR BOTH OUR SON AND THE PEOPLE DRIVING AROUND HIM. UPON HAVING IT TOWED TO THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP, THEY INFORMED US THAT THE DASHBOARD SENSORS WERE INDICATING A FAULTY OIL PUMP AND POSSIBLY A FAILED INVERTER. "THEY HAD NO WAY OF DETERMINING IF THE INVERTER WAS FAULTY WITHOUT FIRST REPAIRING THE OIL PUMP FOR $1200." UPON REPAIRING THE OIL PUMP, WE LEARNED THE INVERTER ($8000 REPAIR) WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED REPAIR. THE DEALER COULD NOT EXPLAIN THIS AND HAD "NEVER SEEN OR HEARD OF SUCH A THING." FURTHER INVESTIGATION ON OUR PART, SHOWED THAT OVER 235,000 2006 AND BEYOND TOYOTA HYBRID VEHICLES HAD BEEN RECALLED FOR A FAULTY INVERTER IN 2013. WHILE OUR VEHICLE VIN DOES NOT SHOW UP ON THE RECALL LIST, WE BELIEVE WE ARE EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. LEXUS CORPORATE IS DENYING ANY PART IN THIS AND REFUSED TO STAND BEHIND THE VEHICLE WITH ONLY 109,000 MILES AND QUICKLY CLOSED THE CASE. OUR CONCERN IS THERE ARE MORE VEHICLES OUT THERE WITH THIS ISSUE, AND THAT IT COULD BE DEADLY FOR OPERATORS AND DRIVERS. IF THE INVERTER WAS IDENTIFIED AS FAULTY ALREADY ON OVER 235,000 VEHICLES, AN EXPANDED SEARCH ON ADDITIONAL VINS NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE. LEXUS WAS VERY COMFORTABLE IN CONFIRMING THAT THEY DID NOT AND WOULD NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES BEYOND 100,000 MILES, AND ESSENTIALLY, IT WAS GOOD THAT OUR SON DID NOT GET INJURED, AND SORRY OUR CAR WAS ESSENTIALLY TOTALLED (VALUE OF VEHICLE IS APPROX $9000 BASED ON KELLY BLUE BOOK) FOR THE FAULTY INVERTER WHICH WAS NOT IDENTIFIED ON THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11098091

111,500 miles · Apr 4, 2018

Electrical SystemEngineSteering

ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WITH NO WARNING WITH NO POWER TO CONTROL OR NAVIGATE THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI #11083253

8,100,000 miles · May 16, 2017

Engine

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DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE BETWEEN 60-70 MPH, THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT-OFF. LOST ALL POWER AND "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" LIGHTS CAME ON. WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. NOTIFIED AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LOCAL LEXUS DEALER WHO CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND SAID THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT AND RETURNED IT TO ME. SAME PROBLEM AGAIN A WEEK LATER WITH SAME RESULTS. LEXUS CONTINUES TO SAY THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE NOR CAN THEY FIND ANY RECALLS. BUT CAR CONTINUES TO SHUT DOWN AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH.

NHTSA ODI #10986019

79,000 miles · Aug 16, 2016

Engine

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TWO DIFFERENT TIMES, AFTER DRIVING 2 HOURS OVER A MOUNTAIN PASS ON THE HIGHWAY, PULLING A SMALL POPUP CAMPER, THE VEHICLE DIED AT THE CAMPGROUND. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT THAT TOYOTA/LEXUS USED PRIUS INVERTERS ON 2006 HYLANDER AND RX440H VEHICLES AND THEY OVERHEAT AND FAIL BECAUSE THEY ARE MEANT FOR A SMALLER VEHICLE AND HAVE INADEQUATE SOLDER. THERE IS A RECALL FOR INVERTERS ON 2006, BUT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT SHOWING UP AS QUALIFYING. THE INADEQUATE INVERTERS WERE INSTALLED ON RX400H MODELS WITH VIN NUMBERS ENDING IN 60036526 AND LOWER. MY VIN NUMBER ENDS 60029638-- SO AN INADEQUATE INVERTER WAS INSTALLED IN MY VEHICLE. TOYOTA/LEXUS NEEDS TO ADD MY VIN NUMBER TO THE RECALL GROUP, BUT THEY ARE HESITANT BECAUSE OF THE EXHORBITANT COST OF THE INVERTER. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE OVERHEATED INVERTER CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO A FAIL/SAFE- LIMP HOME MODE SUDDENLY AND THE VEHICLE CAN COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL UNEXPECTEDLY, WITH HIGH RISK OF A CRASH AND POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH

NHTSA ODI #10896299

65,000 miles · Jul 25, 2014

EnginePower Train

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DEAR SIRS! THE CAR WAS BOUGHT FEB 2009 FROM IRA LEXUS IN DENVER MA WITH 17K MILES ON IT. NOW THE CAR HAS 65K MI. IT DID DIE ON THE STREET ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO MECHANICS DID CHECK THE CAR AND DID WRITE A REPORT, THAT THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO THE MANUFACTURING ISSUE WHICH WAS A REASON FOR THE RECALL. I HAVE RECALL INFO AND REPORT, CAN EMAIL. I DID NOT RECEIVE THE RECALL NOTICE. THE LEXUS DEALER SAYS THAT THE CAR SHOULD BE FIXED BY THEM, BUT NEED A LEXUS APPROVAL. THE COST IS ABOUT $10K I DID CONTACT LEXUS AND RECEIVED A CALL THAT THEY WON'T PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE PROBLEM IN THE CAR ' INVERTER WENT BAD AND THE REASON FOR THAT ' A SMALL PART INSIDE, WHICH WAS ON THE RECALL. LEXUS SAY THAT THE RECALL WAS FOR A SMALL PART AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THE WHOLE THING. AND I BELIEVE THAT SINCE I DID NOT RECEIVE THE RECALL LETTERS - THEY SHOULD FIX THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10616220

Official recalls

13V396000 · Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter

Sep 4, 2013

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid vehicles manufactured February 16, 2005, through July 29, 2010; and model year 2006-2008 Lexus RX400h vehicles manufactured February 23, 2005, through December 2, 2008. The Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter module may contain transistors that have higher operating temperatures than the solder can support and the transistors may be heat damaged by the solder. If this occurs, various warning lamps, including the malfunction indicator lamp, slip indicator light, brake system warning light, and master warning light, will be illuminated on the instrument panel.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. It is possible that the hybrid system will shut down while the vehicle is being driven, causing the vehicle to stall unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the IPM free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicles that had their IPM replaced under recall 11V-342 are not affected by this campaign.

11V539000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Nov 9, 2011

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AVALON VEHICLES; 2004 AND 2005 CAMRY, CAMRY SOLARA, HIGHLANDER, AND SIENNA VEHICLES, 2006 HIGHLANDER HYBRID; 2004 AND 2005 LEXUS ES330 AND RX330; AND 2006 LEXUS RX400H VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH THE 1MZ-FE OR 3MZ-FE ENGINE. THE AMOUNT OF ADHESIVE AGENT APPLIED BETWEEN THE OUTER RING AND THE TORSIONAL RUBBER DAMPER (INNER RING) IN THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY MAY BE INADEQUATE. IF THE ADHESIVE IS INSUFFICIENT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE OUTER RING MAY BECOME MISALIGNED AND IT MAY NOT PROPERLY ROTATE WITH THE INNER RING, CAUSING NOISE AND/OR ILLUMINATION OF THE BATTERY DISCHARGE INDICATOR LIGHT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN SOME CASES, THE BELT FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM THE PULLEY WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND A SUDDEN INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL CHECK THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY TO IDENTIFY WHETHER IT WAS PRODUCED BY THE U.S. SUPPLIER. IF SO, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE PULLEY WITH A NEW ONE AT NO CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING EARLY JANUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

11V342000 · Electrical System

Jun 29, 2011

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2007 HIGHLANDER HYBRID AND LEXUS RX400H PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 16, 2005, THROUGH AUGUST 30, 2006. A MODULE INSIDE THE INVERTER MODULE MAY CONTAIN INADEQUATELY SOLDERED TRANSISTORS THAT DURING HIGH-LOAD DRIVING, MAY BE DAMAGED BY HEAT CAUSED BY THE LARGE CURRENT. IF THIS OCCURS, VARIOUS WARNING LAMPS, INCLUDING THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP, SLIP INDICATOR LIGHT, BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT, AND MASTER WARNING LIGHT, WILL BE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE VEHICLE MAY ENTER A FAIL-SAFE/LIMP-HOME MODE THAT LIMITS THE DRIVABILITY OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE HYBRID SYSTEM WILL SHUT DOWN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL UNEXPECTEDLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: TOYOTA/LEXUS MAILED AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION ON JULY 19, 2011 TO ADVISE OWNERS OF THIS RECALL AND THE FACT THAT THEY WILL RECEIVE A FUTURE NOTICE WHEN PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE REPAIRS. TOYOTA DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HYBRID INVERTER PRODUCTION NUMBER TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE INVERTER CONTAINS SUSPECT TRANSISTORS AND REPLACE THE MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

11V112000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Feb 24, 2011

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID, AND MODEL YEAR 2004-2007 LEXUS RX330, RX350, AND RX400H VEHICLES. IF THE FORWARD RETENTION CLIP USED TO SECURE THE FLOOR CARPET COVER, WHICH IS LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE CENTER CONSOLE, IS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY THE COVER MAY LEAN TOWARD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY TEMPORARILY BECOME STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION RATHER THAN RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION. A STUCK ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN UNINTENDED AND SUSTAINED VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FLOOR CARPET COVER WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ONE FREE OR CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

06V253000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Jul 13, 2006

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND HYBRID VEHICLES, THE TWO RETAINING CLIPS FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE FORWARD CENTER CONSOLE CAN BECOME LOOSE. IF BOTH CLIPS SEPARATE FROM THE FLOOR CARPET COVER, THE COVER MAY LEAN TOWARD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, CAUSING INTERFERENCE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ROD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TWO FLOOR CARPET COVER RETAINING CLIPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 24, 2006, AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY EARLY SEPTEMBER 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331 OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

PE11005 · Hybrid Inverter Failure - Vehicle Stall

Opened Feb 15, 2011 · Closed Jul 20, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter

In a June 29, 2011 letter to NHTSA, Toyota submitted a Defect Information Report regarding a safety recall of certain Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Lexus RX400h vehicles to address a defect condition with the hybrid inverter assembly (NHTSA Recall No. 11V-342).Toyota's letter identified a defect related to inadequately soldered transistors on the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) of some of the subject vehicles that could result in sudden loss of power while driving.Toyota's remedy procedure instructs dealers to inspect the hybrid inverter production number to determine if the inverter contains suspect transistors.If so, the dealer will replace the IPM.The recall covers approximately 45,528 model year (MY) 2006 and 2007 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles manufactured from February 16, 2005 through August 29, 2006 and approximately 36,745 MY 2006 and 2007 Lexus RX400h vehicles manufactured from February 23, 2005 through August 30, 2006.This Preliminary Evaluation is closed.

RQ10003 · Unintended And Uncontrolled Acceleration

Opened Feb 16, 2010 · Closed Mar 1, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:software; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

On February 16, 2010, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened RQ10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior Toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, Toyota recalls 07E-082, 09V-388, 10V-017, and 10V-023.NHTSA also requested information regarding potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles.I. Pedal Interference from Floor mats, Carpet Covers and Plastic Pads in Carpets.During the RQ10-003 investigation, ODI reviewed a large volume of documents to assess whether additional vehicles should be recalled.Following the agency's analysis, NHTSA requested that Toyota recall additional vehicles.Toyota complied with the agency's request.The details of these recalls are set forth more fully in Toyota's reports to NHTSA pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573.These recalls are as follows:Recall 11V-112: (1) model year (MY) 2004-2006 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid; and, (2) MY 2004-2007 Lexus RX330,RX350, and RX400h (hybrid model). The total estimated population under this recall is 769,379 vehicles.This recall remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment caused by a loose floor carpet cover (trim panel). Recall 11V-113: (1) MY 2003-2009 through 2009 Toyota 4Runner; (2) MY 2006-2010 Toyota RAV4; and, (3) MY 2008-2011 Lexus LX570.The total estimated population under this recall is 1,381,000 vehicles.This recall supplements recall 09V-388 and remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment by an unsecured floor mat.Recall 11V-115: (1) MY 2006-2007 Lexus GS300 (all wheel drive vehicles); and, (2) MY 2006-2007 Lexus GS350 (all wheel drive vehicles). The total estimated population under this recall is 19,647 vehicles.This recall remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment caused by inadequate clearance between the pedal linkage and a plastic pad embedded in the vehicle's carpet.II. Potential Electronic Causes of Unintended Acceleration.After NHTSA opened RQ10-003, NHTSA launched a ten-month study of potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles.NHTSA launched the study in the spring of 2010 in light of concerns aired in Congressional hearings.NHTSA enlisted engineers at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with expertise in areas such as computer controlled electronic systems, electromagnetic interference and software integrity to assess whether electronic systems or electromagnetic interference played a role in incidents of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles.That study has concluded.Two reports are associated with the study and are available on NHTSA's website.NASA's report is entitled Technical Support to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on the Reported Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) Unintended Acceleration (UA) Investigation, NESC Assessment No. TI-10-00618 (Jan. 18, 2011).NHTSA's report is entitled Technical Assessment of Toyota Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Systems (Feb. 2011).Both reports should be read in conjunction with each other. As stated in its report, NASA did not find an electronic cause of large throttle openings that can result in unintended acceleration incidents. NHTSA did not find a vehicle-based cause of unintended acceleration incidents other than the physical pedal interference causes that are being addressed by Toyota's recalls. This RQ is closed.

Additional source detail variants (6)

Electrical System:software

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal