Some of you ask: But do you really know anyone this has happened to?
Some of you say: It's probably a driver problem.
Let me tell you MY story:
Bought my 2004 Toyota Sienna minivan in Dec. 2003. In the Spring of 2004, coming off a hill on a two lane road toward a busy 4 lane highway, put on my brakes as usual (on this road I travel 4 to 5 times a day).
Well, the car slid and did not slow down. Took foot off brake, put brake on again, same result. Van speeding up down the hill. Thought accelerator stuck - pumped accelerator one time to unstick it - did not unstick it. Van just sped up.
Mind goes to panic mode. Frantically pumping brakes, sliding, pumping accelerator - nothing works, just speed up. Gone from 25 mph to 70 mph now. Thinking - if I miraculously cross the 4 lane without getting hit, the road immediately dips on other side - will be airborne.
Okay - thinking turn off ignition. No going too fast to lose power steering or brakes. Last second - my Dad's warning from olden days - neutral, neutral. Thank you, Dad.
Threw the van into neutral. Throw on brakes, which work now, even though can still hear engine revving. Get the van to stop inches from 4 lane highway after sliding all over the road and thinking it's going to turn over.
Turned ignition off. Sat there 10 minutes, shaking, trying to calm self down. Waving cars behind me to go around.
Thinking - it's now or never. Turn ignition on - everything's fine. I go on my way. Has never happened again since this one time.
Wondered if it was something I did - but could not think of one single thing I did. While was going on, drew foot back to seat several times before applying brake, even once actually put head down and looked (I know, dangerous).
Recently took van in to Toyota after all the news about acceleration problems, told them my story. They said, well ma'am, the Sienna hasn't been recalled for that. I said, "I don't care if it has been recalled, it happened. And when it happened, I thought I was going to die." He said okay, they would check it out, which they did, and found nothing wrong.
So, yes, I'm scared of my car; but don't have the money for a different one right now. Every time I get in it, I say, "neutral, neutral."
And, you want to hear something really crazy? My husband just bought a 2008 Toyota Tundra truck less than a week ago. I tried to talk him out of it, but no go. So, I always say to him, just remember, "neutral, neutral."
I posted this because some of you say, yes but do you really know anyone it has happened to? Well, you only know me from this board, but I am here to tell you it is true, it does happen.
Driver problem? I've been driving 45 years; this is the only time in my life this has ever happened to me.
