What is Sudden Unintended Acceleration?

Sudden Unintended Acceleration is often described by victims as an event where a vehicle surges or accelerates out of control, contrary to the input given by the driver.

Drivers have reported these surges occur under almost all driving conditions: when they are pulling into garages, negotiating parking lots and driving on freeways. In each case, the vehicle’s throttle fully opens, and the vehicle cannot be controlled by the brake.

A variety of factors have been identified as causes of Sudden Unintended Acceleration, including the following:

• gas pedal entrapment by floor mats,
• improperly designed gas pedals,
• lack of a shift interlock,
• mechanical or electromechanical defects,
• electronic interference, and
• electronic problems

What to do if You Experience Sudden Unintended Acceleration

• Brake firmly and steadily – do not pump the brake pedal.
• Shift the transmission into Neutral (for vehicles with automatic transmissions and the sport option, familiarize yourself with where Neutral is – the diagram may be misleading).
• Steer to a safe location.
• Shut the engine off (for vehicles with keyless ignition, familiarize yourself with how to turn the vehicle off when it is moving – this may be a different action than turning the vehicle off when it is stationary).
• Call your dealer or repair shop to pick up the vehicle. Do not drive it.

Learn more about unintended acceleration:

• Safety Research & Strategies, Inc.
• The Los Angeles Times
• The Wall Street Journal

 

Toyota Recall Timeline

Sudden Unintended Acceleration

Throttle Control Problems

Electromagnetic Interference

Recalled Toyotas

PDF Resources