Acceleration complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 30% | 15,000 miles |
| 2024 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2023 | 9 | 5% | 59,000 miles |
| 2022 | 8 | 3% | 13,000 miles |
| 2021 | 8 | 2% | 12,000 miles |
| 2020 | 10 | 3% | 13,000 miles |
| 2019 | 13 | 3% | 10,000 miles |
| 2018 | 9 | 3% | 15,000 miles |
| 2017 | 13 | 5% | 15,000 miles |
| 2016 | 4 | 4% | 15,000 miles |
| 2015 | 11 | 6% | 7,000 miles |
| 2014 | 5 | 4% | 18,000 miles |
| 2013 | 31 | 15% | 10,000 miles |
| 2012 | 14 | 8% | 9,000 miles |
| 2011 | 12 | 7% | 21,000 miles |
| 2010 | 22 | 10% | 5,000 miles |
| 2009 | 14 | 10% | 5,000 miles |
| 2008 | 45 | 11% | 29,000 miles |
| 2007 | 16 | 13% | 33,000 miles |
| 2006 | 43 | 15% | 50,000 miles |
| 2005 | 39 | 17% | 44,000 miles |
| 2004 | 40 | 14% | 39,000 miles |
| 2003 | 28 | 11% | 82,000 miles |
| 2002 | 31 | 10% | 61,000 miles |
| 2001 | 15 | 11% | 57,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while leaving the driveway at the doctor's office on a slope, the accelerator pedal was depressed while making a left turn, but the vehicle failed to move. The vehicle then rolled into traffic. The brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle was slow to respond. The dealer informed the contact that her foot was on the brake and accelerator pedals at the same time, or a sensor identified movement around the vehicle, which stopped the flow of fuel. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. Toyota was able to locate an issue in the log occurring at 3:00 PM. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
I was backing up the vechial accelerated the steering wheel was turning rapid & a grinding noise causing me too hit another vechial about a month before my husband was driving & the vechial accelerated going toward also we had had some issues with back camera not doing a warning signal with a object behind vechial when the accident happened my vechial has braking system that stops you if something is behind you this time it didn't I called the dealership when accident happed which was May 21 2026 & reported it they said they had accelerations before & advised me to call Toyota engadgment which I did they did a diagnostic test June 5 & to this day I've never heard back from them
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at lower speeds, pulling into an uphill driveway, the vehicle had independently accelerated while the accelerator pedal was depressed. In addition, the contact stated that she was not able to depressed in time and had crashed into the left side of the house, causing damage to the front driver-side bumper and quarter panel. The contact stated that the accident caused property damage to the garage of the house, which was covered by the insurance provider. A police report file. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the accelerator pedal was depressed throughout the accident; however, the brake pedal was depressed after the crash had occurred, according to the electronic data. The local dealer was contacted. …
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. While depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated and the engine misfired. The secondary collision, braking system malfunction, brake ligation malfunction, and throttle control system advanced warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was sludge in the engine. The oil was changed, and the warning lights reset. Additionally, the contact was informed that the DTC exhaust cam shaft sensor and oil pan assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while her partner was reversing out of a driveway, the vehicle independently surged backward up a hill as her partner applied the brake pedal. Her partner was able to place the vehicle into drive which sent the vehicle forward. The vehicle hit a tree which stopped the acceleration. The contact heard screaming from inside her home and called 911 for assistance. The air bags did not deploy. Her partner was taken to the hospital for an examination and suffered no injuries. A police report was not filed. No property damage was reported. The dealer and the manufacturer were both notified about the failure, the vehicle was towed to the dealer for an impending investigation. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highland. The contact stated that while at a traffic light, and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 13,000. The contact stated the vehicle had a similar incident while in park, lurching forward as if trying to drive.
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 3 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle surged over the curb and sidewalk. The contact was able to release the brake pedal, stopped the vehicle, reversed, and parked the vehicle. While driving on a hill with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle hesitated and failed to properly drive forward. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Germain Toyota of Naples (13315 Tamiami Trail N, Naples, FL 34110), who informed the contact about a brake issue and provided an unintended acceleration form; but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken back to the original dealer who informed her about brake calibration. …
- The vehicle has been experiencing shifting issues (its an automatic vehicle) when driving in all instances and at all speeds that has progressively gotten worse over the past 4-8 weeks. - As it seems to be a transmission issue (and a known one pending litigation) the safety issue is if the transmission fails during operation of the car. - It was brought to a dealership to be inspected after it was initially felt as more of a vibration than the more harsh shifting/engine sounds and issues that it is currently experiencing. The dealership thought it to be the front hub assembly/bearing that was the issue. I had the front driver side replaced and the issue still remains and has continued to worsen. It has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representative. - There have been no warning lamps or messages at all. …
Related recalls (4)
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
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…
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.
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 highlander, model year 2009-2010 corolla, venza and matrix passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.
Remedy: Toyota will modify or replace the accelerator pedals on the subject vehicles. Floor surface modifications are also being considered and will be included for any model for which it is deemed appropriate.
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 avalon, model year 2007-2010 camry, model year 2009-2010 corolla, corolla matrix, rav4, model year 2010 highlander, model year 2008-2010 sequoia, and model year 2007-2010 tundra vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will install a reinforcement bar in the accelerator pedal which will allow the pedal to operate smoothly. GM will notify owners for the Pontiac vibe please see 10v-018.
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Highlander years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (45), 2006 (43), 2004 (40), 2005 (39) and 2002 (31) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 11% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for Toyota Highlander acceleration problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 11V-112 (accelerator pedal, Feb 24, 2011); 10V-023 (accelerator pedal, Jan 27, 2010); 10V-017 (accelerator pedal, Jan 21, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota Highlander acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 34,000 miles; 65% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (36 mentions), followed by the cruise control (5).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.