Uncontrollable Sudden Acceleration 3 times while I drove the car, it suddenly and rapidly accelerated. Eventually, the car crashed and was totaled. The first time was 3/31/25 when my wife and I went to the car wash. To exit the car wash, I put the car in drive and lightly applied the accelerator pedal and suddenly the car ac…
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Uncontrollable Sudden Acceleration 3 times while I drove the car, it suddenly and rapidly accelerated. Eventually, the car crashed and was totaled. The first time was 3/31/25 when my wife and I went to the car wash. To exit the car wash, I put the car in drive and lightly applied the accelerator pedal and suddenly the car accelerated rapidly and made a loud noise. I immediately braked and the car went back to normal. Over 3 years nothing like this happened before. The 2nd time was only 8 days later. On 4/8/25, I was driving the car at moderate speed in the center lane of a large street and while changing from the middle lane to the right lane to prepare to turn right at the next street, the car started accelerating rapidly and to make a loud noise. Fortunately, I was able to brake and the car went back to normal. We went to the Toyota dealer the next day 4/9/25 and told our concerns to the service advisor and the shop foreman. They checked the car, including with a computer. The foreman and I both drove the car. He said they did not find any mechanical/electronic issues and the only explanation is that if I hit the cruise control (which I never use), as he saw my hand close to that button while I drove. He said to avoid the cruise control and it will be ok. They did not charge us for the visit. The third time was on 6/15/25 when we again went to the car wash. I was very careful as this was the same location as our first time. Just like before, I lightly applied the accelerator pedal and suddenly the car accelerated rapidly and made a loud noise. However, the acceleration was much more rapid than before and I was not able to brake in time and the car crashed into the pole of the car wash about 45 feet away. The airbags deployed and the car was totaled. We were pulled from the wreckage and ended in the emergency room. Luckily no one was seriously injured. Enclosures: My 4/8/25 text, 4/9/25 dealership visit paperwork, and photo after the crash on 6/15/25.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗