NHTSA Complaint #10106462 — 2005 TOYOTA SEQUOIA

I HAD OWNED A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA FOR FOUR YEARS BEFORE RECENTLY TRADING IT IN FOR A 2005 MODEL. I OBVIOUSLY LOVE THE CAR BUT THERE IS AN UNFORTUNATE FLAW IN THE 2005 MODEL THAT DIFFERS FROM MY 2001 MODEL. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED COLD THE IDLE SPEED IS VERY HIGH - ABOUT 1500+ RPM. THE IDLE DOESN'T SLOW DOWN APPRECIABLY UNTIL THE CAR HAS WARMED UP - ABOUT 5 MINUTES DEPENDING ON THE WEATHER. THE PROBLEM WITH THE HIGH IDLE COMES WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE THE CAR ON AN ICY SURFACE. I CAME OUT OF MY GARAGE ON AN ICY MORNING, PUT THE CAR INTO FORWARD, KEPT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND SLOWLY TRIED TO MOVE FORWARD. EVEN AT A SNAIL'S PACE THE CAR SKIDDED UNCONTROLLABLY INTO A RAISED FLOWER BED BY MY HOUSE SCRAPING THE UNDER PANELS. MY 2001 SEQUOIA NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. THE HIGH IDLE SPEED MAKES THE CAR UNCONTROLLABLE ON ICE. THERE IS SIMPLY TOO MUCH TORQUE AND POWER EVEN WITH THE BRAKE ON. TOYOTA SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO SET BACK THE IDLE SPEED SO THAT THE CAR CAN BE CONTROLLED ON A SLIPPERY SURFACE WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARMING UP. *JB