APPROXIMATELY 7:45 AM ON 9/18/19, MY SON WHILE COMING HOME FROM WORK, HAD AN ACCIDENT. I WAS NOT WITH HIM AT THE TIME. WHEN HE SHOWED UP AT HOME AFTER THE INCIDENT, HE EXPLAINED HOW HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. HE ARTICULATED THAT WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, IT WAS AS IF HE VEHICLE SPED UP. REMEMBERING YEARS BACK DURING A PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, THIS WAS AN ISSUE WITH SOME OTHER TOYOTA'S. THE VERDICT WAS THE PLACE MATS INTERFERED WITH THE PEDALS. WHEN I RELEASED THE VEHICLE FROM THE TOW LOT, I CHECKED AND THIS WAS NOT THE CASE AS THE FLOOR MAT WAS SECURE. I HAVE DRIVEN TOYOTA VEHICLES SINCE THE EARLY NINETY'S AND HAVE OWNED FIVE. CHECKING FOR RECALLS AS A RESULT OF THIS I FOUND MULTIPLE INCIDENTS ON RECORD. THE PANIC BRAKING SYSTEM SURPRISED ME THE FIRST TIME I EXPERIENCED IT. LOW SPEEDS (25MPH OR LESS) I THOUGHT A TRUE ASSET BUT BECAUSE OF THE QUICK STOPPING, HIGHER SPEEDS WORRIED ME. NEVER NEEDED THE PANIC BRAKE BUT ONCE. SOME HOW, I BELIEVE THE COMMUNICATION (AI) WITH THE PANIC, ANTI-LOCK, BRAKING SYSTEM, AND THE WAY IT COMMUNICATES SPEED AND CONDITIONS IS THE CULPRIT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS IN POSSESSION OF THE 4RUNNER AND I STILL HAVE THE TITLE. PLEASE CONTACT ME TO ADVISE HOW TO PROCEED. THEY SEEM ANXIOUS TO GET THE TITLE BUT I AM ANIMATE TO KNOW IF CONDITIONS OR VEHICLE DEFECTS PLAYED A PART IN THE ACCIDENT. WHEN I MENTIONED THIS TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY, THEY AVOIDED THE ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI 11268551