NHTSA Complaint #11684736 — 2024 TOYOTA GRAND HIGHLANDER

Description of Issue: I have experienced repeated incidents where the accelerator pedal becomes unresponsive (“dead pedal”) after coming to a stop. When pressing the pedal to accelerate, the vehicle does not respond at all for several seconds. Then, without warning, it suddenly surges forward with excessive acceleration once the power engages. This problem happens intermittently throughout a drive each day, often enough to be concerning. It occurs after being stopped at an intersection or in traffic. No warning lights or error messages appear before or during the issue. The delay followed by a sudden surge is dangerous, as I expect the car to move when I press the pedal, but it hesitates instead. When the vehicle finally responds, it accelerates quickly, which could cause me to lose control or collide with another vehicle. Safety Concern: This malfunction creates a significant safety risk. It puts myself, passengers, and other drivers in danger when the vehicle fails to accelerate as expected in high-risk scenarios such as crossing intersections, merging into traffic, or making left turns. The hesitation can leave the vehicle exposed in traffic, and the sudden lurch forward can cause unintended movement or rear-end collisions. Status: The problem has occurred multiple times under similar conditions and is ongoing. It has not yet been inspected or confirmed by a dealer or service center, but I have an apt Aug 24th. However, the malfunction is real, reproducible, and presents a serious hazard that could lead to an accident if not corrected. Many others with the same vehicle have expressed the same concern as well on forums and reported no fix after dealership appointments.