My 2021 Tacoma accelerated on its own?!

I have a stock 2021 Tacoma TRD Off Road with 6,500 miles on it. Today something very concerning and somewhat dangerous happened while driving.

I was going about 50mph in the middle lane of a highway and my exit was soon coming up. I wanted to get in the right lane and saw there was a car driving slowly next to me in the right lane. I was going to over take that car so I accelerated but then the car in the right lane also accelerated so I took my foot off of the gas and my Tacoma continued to accelerate! The RPMs and speed continued to go up for about 3 seconds even though my foot wasn't on the gas! The truck is completely stock. Cruise control was not on.

Any ideas what happened here?

I don't know if this matters but the truck isn't driven too much. I've had it for a year and a half and it only has 6,500 miles. Most of the time it does city driving about 5 miles a day. Once a week I'll take it for a mile drive on the highway to get engine up to temp.

 

A glitch in the ECU with force value. The Transmission and engine suffered a temp glitch? Just a guess and speculation on my part.

 

So, you’ve got the magic one that actually accelerates?

 

Had my 2011 do that once. Is your an auto? Maybe tranny shifted or something right when u took foot off gas pedal

 

I know you said the tach went up, but sometimes I get that weird coasty feeling when I push on the brakes. You know your body expects to slow down but nothing happens just yet.

 

My 2021 sport 4x4 has done this twice. Both times were similar to yours (speed was around 35). It scared the crap out of ne. Fortunately, it's been about 6 months since the last time.

 

Definitely was not on the brakes. I am 100% sure of that.

 

Yup it is auto.

 

I've had this happen once and in my case it was just a weird downshift. It did startle me, however.

 

It could be a cruise control issue if cruise control was engaged perhaps..but probably just a the perfect storm situation with the auto transmission..letting off the gas pedal mid up or down shift with up hill or down hill sloping road ways etc..I'd definitely write down the exact circumstances, every detail including weather temp, all engine indicators, transmission selections, fuel on board etc to keep track of this so if or when it happens again you have something to hand over to the service techs etc..maybe the computer is still " learning your driving style" too..could be a one off situation if not have the best documentation possible to help diagnose this issue when it happens again..

 

You left out the part about marking the road like fox mulder in x files

 

I think you lifted off the gas at the same time the truck was down shifting which caused the rpm’s to jump and feel like it’s accelerating but it’s really not.

 

How many floor mats do you have?

 

A few similar reports here:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tacoma-accelerating-on-its-own.611912/

 

Did it accelerate or did the RPMs just go up? Did your actual speedometer go up after releasing the gas? By how much?
Need to examine all factors. Can you try recreating the conditions and see if you can replicate the problem?

 

I have not had an experience like you describe, OP. I did notice my Sport lunged when I took her out of Park...like she's ready to go!

My foot pressure on the brake (brake is not spongy) is firmer since then and it doesn't happen as profound as before.

Would taking it out of "D" and putting it in "N" be bad for the engine/trans? (Asking for a friend)

 

Had an incident once when slowing down at stop sign in my Tundra. Truck seemed to want to speed up as I was braking, scared the crap outa me. Realized later, had my work boots on and my heel was still on the gas as my toes were on the brake. Never had the problem again. It was surreal, learned a lesson.

 

Mine did this only once, i think it was inbetween gears also, it accelerated on its own for maybe 2 seconds.
I had my foot off the gas and was ready to hit the break but let it (do its thing) and it quickly returned to normal.

I think for a split second the truck thought i was going to stomp on it or pass a car. It was only 2 seconds or so.

I liked it. Keeps the ride interesting and full of fun surprises.

 

Maybe its those dam floor mats again.

 

Foot was on the accelerator.