2004 Toyota RAV4 Electronic stability control Problems

“When driving on hills, specify during a turn, at sporadic times, the ESC light comes on, with 3 beeps from the dash......the car jerks and lugs, like the engine is dying, then resumes normal speed. Each time this happens is a little more dramatic than the last, and has happened 5 times in the past month. My car has 99000 miles on it , and has been a terrific car so far, but now I am scared to drive it. My husband called Toyota dealers, and local toy specialty shops, but no one has heard of this problem. …”

“When I drive my automatic awd 2004 RAV4 (143,000 miles, only owner, maintained well throughout the life of the vehicle) on the freeway around slight curves, the traction control light turns on and beeps loudly. The last time this happened my engine stalled, jerked, and the car automatically swerved me into the next lane, almost causing a horrible accident, I was not applying the brake or turning the wheel. It was like the car had a mind of its own. …”

“My cars check engine and vsc trac lights came on at the same time when I started the car. I then put it in drive and pressed on the gas pedal and nothing happened, but sometimes the car suddenly accelerates. My husband had to drive my car and I had to follow him home b/c the car was so unpredictable. He would have to push down hard on the gas pedal and it would hesitate but then all of a sudden it would then jerk forward. He was terrified that he would get stuck in the middle of an intersection! …”

“Vehicle decelerate, ignores throttle input with esp light flashing and sometimes a 'beeping' sound with violent sequential brake application by itself of right front wheel, with the violent consequence that it has on steering wheel. Made a 'reset' of steering wheel angle sensor procedure by Toyota steps. Problem not solved. By my experience as an automotive technician I suspected of an esp problem. I also noticed that there was a slightly increased input of steering wheel needed to have the same effect than before. …”

“Often after a cold start (all year round), stability control kicks in (with beep and stability control light coming on) after a few hundred feet of driving, resulting in one or more wheels applying the brakes and causing a jerk in the steering wheel. This happens on smooth surfaces and with normal acceleration where stability control should never activate. Has never happened at high speed because it always happens shortly after start, so always fully recoverable, but very concerning. Toyota (acton Toyota of littleton, ma) has failed to diagnose the issue.”