TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 TOYOTA RAV 4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE AS THE VEHICLE BECAME STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED FOR THE FAILURE BUT NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH CONCLUDED THAT THE STEERING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,106. UPDATED 6/8/11 *CN UPDATED 01/05/2012 *LN
2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP FROM 45 MPH, THE CAR CONTINUED TO MOVE AT THE SAME SPEED. I INCREASED PRESSURE ON THE THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN. FINALLY, AFTER ABOUT THREE SECONDS, THE CAR SEEMED TO DOWNSHIFT, AND THE BRAKES ENGAGED. I ENDED UP HALFWAY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. THE CONDITIONS WERE WARM AND DRY, AND THE TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT. THIS IS A STOCK CAR WITH NO MODIFICATIONS. WE HAD ALREADY TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR THE RECALL ADJUSTMENTS TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE FLOOR MATS AS DIRECTED BY TOYOTA IN 2010 AND 2011. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, IT SEEMED TO ME THAT THE LACK OF BRAKING WAS NOT MECHANICAL, BUT ELECTRONIC. IT SEEMED THAT THE BRAKES WERE LOCKED OUT WHILE THE CAR CONTINUED TO DRIVE FORWARD AT THE SAME SPEED. WHEN THE CAR DOWNSHIFTED AND REVVED A LITTLE, THE BRAKES SUDDENLY CAME BACK ONLINE, AND WE CAME TO A STOP. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS. WE WILL CONTACT TOYOTA AND SEE WHAT THEY ADVISE. *TT
