2025 Toyota Corolla

I was driving west bound on I40 with the adaptive cruise control, and lane assist on at 75 MPH. It was around 8:30 PM when I seen the instrument panel flash, just drop for less than half a second, and then come back up but dimmer, like when the headlights come on, except they already were on. At that point all engine noises stopped and the car felt like it was actively braking. I literally lurched forward in my seat. I noticed that the RPM's had dropped to zero and I didn't see anything on the dash that indicated any warning. All green icons and nothing red. Stepped on the gas pedal, nothing. Tried hitting the cancel on the adaptive controls, nothing. I started turning the car from the inside lane to get to the outside shoulder while shifting the car into neutral to get more drift and tried toggling the key from off to start position and the engine. No rev, no RPM's. Car stalls in the outside lane. I turned on the flashers and then put the vehicle in park, removed the key and then re-entered the key and tried to start. Nothing. Attempted to push the car out of the lane in neutral but I wasn't able to get it to move. A couple semi's go by and I about pooped my pants. Waited for highway patrol to come by and get the car towed. Very fortunate no one was hurt or killed. I believe the automatic emergency braking activated or the electronic parking brake activated? All of the interior systems still had power.

On February 14th, my 2025 Toyota Corolla Hybrid (approx. 17,000 miles) experienced a catastrophic failure. Without warning, the steering wheel completely locked, preventing any control. Simultaneously, the automatic emergency collision braking system malfunctioned, locked the brakes, and would not disengage. This total loss of control forced the vehicle to crash into a median. Toyota Corporate has ignored my case for 30 days. This is a severe, life-threatening manufacturing defect that caused a crash and destroyed my sole source of income.

The contact rented a 2025 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds and entering into a parking space, the contact applied the brake pedal; however, the adaptive cruise control system engaged unexpectedly, causing the vehicle to accelerate and crash into a building. The driver was unable to turn off the adaptive cruise control system. There were no reported injuries, fire, or airbag deployment. A police report was filed. The vehicle remained drivable after the incident. The contact also stated that the vehicle continued to surge forward at intersections following the crash. An unknown local dealer was contacted, where it was diagnosed and determined that reprogramming was needed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.