2001 Toyota Highlander Fuel system Problems

“2001 Toyota Highlander purchased new. About once a year it accelerates on its own. Reported problem to Toyota dealer in 2002 or 2003 - have receipt. We can stop the car with firm pressure on the brake. In most cases when we put the transmission into park the engine continued to race at high RPM. I can't remember all incidents, but believe that in some cases was able to slow the engine down by keeping my foot on the brake and putting the car back into drive. Other times I turned off the ignition. When I restart the car it is fine. …”

“Wife complained of intermittent gas smell in 2001 Toyota Highlander,v-6/awd, for 2-3 weeks. I checked it more than once for leaking under hood and under front of engine; could not find source. On 10/27/06 I started car for 2-3 minutes to position in front of garage to install front brake pads. Shut off and started to jack when I noticed gas drips on cement, coming from above front differential and dripping down & off still fairly cool exhaust pipe rear bank of v-6 . Started engine again, checked for leaks; nothing detected. …”

“Began to fill the Toyota Highlander with gas, and noticed gasoline pouring out underneath the vehicle. The dealership informed me the rubber hose which connects the filler nozzle to the gas tank had split. They would have to replace this rubber hose. This seems like a major safety issue, since if a non-moving part can split like this, what could happen in an accident, where stress could be applied that would more easily cause failure and a gas leak.”

“While driving some road debris punctured the drivers gas tank resulting in fuel leaking from the vehicle, the plastic shield around the tank was replaced along with the tank, the consumer feels that plastic is not a sufficient material to use for a tank shield and is requesting that Toyota replace the shield with a metal one. Nlm”