JAN. 23, 2020. 10:45 AM. I WAS ON MY STREET, A NARROW RESIDENTIAL STREET, PREPARING TO BACK IN MY GARAGE. IN ORDER TO DO THAT ON THIS NARROW STREET, I TOUCHED THE LIP OF THE DRIVEWAY ACROSS THE STREET. SPEED WELL UNDER 3 MPH. WHEN I DID SO, MY CAR SUDDENLY SHARPLY ACCELERATED AND AT THE SAME TIME SWERVED TO THE RIGHT. THE ACCELERATION AND SWERVE DROVE THE CAR INTO THE TOWNHOUSES ACROSS THE STREET FROM MY HOUSE. THE DRIVEWAYS ARE VERY SHORT, BARELY A CAR'S LENGTH. AFTER CRASHING, I COULD FEEL THE CAR STILL ACCELERATING. I QUICKLY SWITCHED THE CAR INTO PARK AND THE SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION CONTINUED. IN ORDER TO STOP IN I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF. WHEN THE TOWING COMPANY TURNED THE CAR ON LATER IT IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATE AND SURGE FORWARD AGAIN. THE MAZDA DEALER AND INSURANCE INSPECTOR EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THERE IS A SENSOR: WHEN A WHEEL ENCOUNTERS WHAT IT PERCEIVES TO BE AN OBSTACLE, IT 'TOSSES' ALL THE POWER TO THAT WHEEL AND ACCELERATES. THESE DRIVEWAYS HAVE A SMALL LIP AT THE EDGE. THIS SENSOR REACTED TO IT IN A WAY THAT CAUSED MY CAR TO CRASH. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND THE TOWNHOUSES ACROSS THE STREET DAMAGED. THANK HEAVEN THERE WAS NO ONE OUTSIDE OR THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED, RECALLED AND CHANGED.
NHTSA ODI 11309582