Mar 25, 2025Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlCrash
While my father was exiting his 2018 Toyota 4Runner SR5, the vehicle unexpectedly started reversing fairly quickly, despite no foot being on the brake. He was dragged by the vehicle while attempting to stop it outside the car, and it continued moving backwards then down a hill before crashing into a fence, causing significant damage to both the car and the fence. This vehicle should not have rolled back at this speed, and it appears to be related to a potential design flaw in the vehicle’s brake-shift interlock system or automatic reverse functionality. This incident is concerning, and after reviewing discussions in various forums, it seems that similar issues may not be isolated to this particular vehicle and could point to a larger defect in Toyota vehicles. I am very disappointed that there are no built-in safety features that could have prevented this incident. It is extremely concerning that the vehicle shifted into reverse while the driver was in the process of exiting. A vehicle should not be able to reserve this quickly or move into reverse unintentionally without the driver’s control. This poses a serious safety risk to drivers and bystandards, and I strongly urge the NHTSA to investigate this issue and determine whether a defect or design flaw contributed to the incident. Implementing proper safeguards could prevent similar accidents in the future.
NHTSA ODI 11650452
Apr 18, 2024Fire
I do not know what component or system failed. I was at an appointment with my son when the receptionist informed me that my car alarm was going off and there was smoke coming out of it. I went out to investigate and it sounded like the engine was attempting to start continuously. My key fob would not unlock the car. The engine continued to attempt to start and i was certain the car was going to start fire. We called 911 and went back inside to avoid anyone being hurt. The car then caught fire and burned until the fire department put it out. It was towed to an impound lot where it caught fire again and was destroyed. See pictures for more information.
NHTSA ODI 11583941
Mar 29, 2024AirbagsCrash1 injury
My vehicle was in a collision at 55 miles an hour. Hit 3 grown cows in the highway at nighttime. Totaled my vehicle in the airbags, never deployed period Turn off.
NHTSA ODI 11580036
Jul 20, 2020AirbagsBody & structureCrash
HUSBAND FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL GOING 80MPH AND HIT A HUGE EXIT SIGN WHICH HIT THE ENTIRE FRONT BUMPER AS WELL AS THE DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.
NHTSA ODI 11340505
Jan 4, 2020AirbagsBody & structureElectronic Stability Control (esc)Crash
TOTALED VEHICLE REPAIRED AFTER VEHICLE REPORTED TOTALED - VEHICLE NOT REPAIRED ADEQUATELY AND IS UNSAFE AS A RESULT OF A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT. INCIDENT REPORTED TO POLICE - INSURANCE COMPANY, TOWING SERVICE, AND CONSUMER FRAUD BY NETWORK HACKING INSURANCE INFORMATION.
NHTSA ODI 11297063
May 3, 2019AirbagsCrash
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN I CAME UPON A DEER JUST STANDING THERE. I SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING IT AND HIT THE GUARDRAIL AT APPROX 60MPH.
NHTSA ODI 11205442
May 3, 2019AirbagsCrash
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 0540 WHEN I CAM UPON A DEER JUST STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. I SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING IT AND HIT THE GUARDRAIL AT AN 90 DEGREE ANGLE, WHERE THE FORCE WHIPPED THE BACK END OF MY CAR INTO THE GUARDRAIL AS WELL.
NHTSA ODI 11205444
May 3, 2019AirbagsCrash
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 0540 WHEN I CAME UPON A DEER STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF IT. I SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING IT AND CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL AT AN 90 DEGREE ANGLE, AT HIGH SPEED, CAUSING ALMOST 14 THOUSAND IN DAMAGE.
NHTSA ODI 11205466
May 23, 20181 injury
VEHICLE HAS CONSTANT TRANSMITTED ENGINE VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL. VIBRATIONS ARE CAUSING TINGLING, NUMBNESS AND JOINT PAIN. VIBRATIONS ARE WORSE WITH INCREASED ENGINE RPM. VIBRATIONS HAVE BEEN CONSTANT SINCE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN APRIL, 2018. CAR HAS 2400 MILES ON IT CURRENTLY, 5/23/18. LONG TRIP (900 MILES) WAS FIRST TIME THERE WAS TINGLING AND NUMBNESS WHICH WERE UNBEARABLE AT THE 450 MILE MARK AND THE RETURN TRIP WAS QUITE DISTRACTING AND UNCOMFORTABLE TO SAY THE LEAST. FOR 2 WEEKS AFTERWARDS, TINGLING AND NUMBNESS REMAINED. NOW AFTER APPROX. 3 WEEKS, IT TAKES ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING FOR THE TINGLING AND NUMBNESS TO RETURN NOW FEELING MILD JOINT PAIN AS WELL. VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN FOR REPAIR 3 TIMES SO FAR FOR THIS CONDITION AND THE DEALER AND TOYOTA REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE CONDITION! I HAVE ALREADY SCHEDULED THE 4TH. APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALER SO I CAN COMMENCE MY ARBITRATION/LEMON LAW CLAIM. I PURCHASED A VIBRATION ANALYZER AND THE READINGS OFF THE STEERING WHEEL FAR EXCEED SAFE RECOMMENDED VIBRATION LEVELS ESTABLISHED BY N.I.O.S.H,/O.S.H.A. BY A FACTOR OF AT LEAST 3 TO 4 TIMES! IF I KEEP DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IT WILL TURN INTO A PERSONAL INJURY LAWSUIT VS. A SIMPLE LEMON LAW CLAIM.
NHTSA ODI 11097675