Question: On my drive home, a warning sign came up on my 2020 Toyota Tacoma. It said “Accelerator and brake pedals depressed simultaneously.” When it happened, my car lost power and I could only drive very slowly. But I was definitely not pressing both pedals at the same time. How do I stop this from happening again?
Answer:
The “Accelerator and brake pedals depressed simultaneously” error is part of Toyota’s Smart Stop system. It can occasionally malfunction, causing the warning light to come on even if you haven’t pushed the gas and brake pedals at the same time.
Check these before taking your car in
If you see the “Accelerator and brake pedals depressed simultaneously” warning, there are a few things you should check before taking your car to a professional:
- Driving with both feet: If you have a habit of resting your left foot on or near the brake pedal, you may have unintentionally pressed the brake while you were driving—triggering the Smart Stop system to work as intended.
- Floor mats: Check whether your floor mats might be bunched up, causing either the brake or accelerator to be depressed when it shouldn’t be.
- Brake lights: Many drivers report that this warning occurs as a result of a failing brake light. Aftermarket LED brake lights are frequently a culprit, but even a shorted-out factory light could be to blame.
- Brake sensor, controller, or switch: If none of the above options seem to be the issue, take your vehicle to a Toyota dealership and have it inspected by a technician—there could be a malfunction in your brake system. For instance, your brake switch may be stuck in the “On” position, sending a signal that you’re pressing the brake when you aren’t.
Although the Smart Stop system was designed as a safety feature, it can be dangerous for the system to trigger unexpectedly. Your car will go into Limp mode, and you won’t be able to go more than about 5–10 mph.
If this happens while you’re driving, immediately turn on your hazards to alert other drivers that you’re experiencing mechanical difficulties. If you’re in an area where it would be dangerous to drive that slowly, pull over as soon as you can safely do so—it’s better to call a tow truck than to risk getting into an accident.
Did you know?The Brake Override issue described above is designed as a fail-safe in case your vehicle’s accelerator pedal gets stuck. In 2009, Toyota came under fire for a series of incidents in which drivers could not stop their vehicles, so they introduced the Smart Stop system as a result.
Expert insurance writer and editor Amy Bobinger specializes in car repair, car maintenance, and car insurance. Amy is passionate about creating content that helps consumers navigate challenges related to car ownership and achieve financial success in areas relating to cars. Amy has over 10 years of writing and editing experience. After several years as a freelance writer, Amy spent four years as an editing fellow at WikiHow, where she co-authored over 600 articles on topics including car maintenance and home ownership. Since joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2022, Amy has edited over 2,500 articles on car insurance, state driving laws, and car repair and maintenance.
Everett Cook is an award-winning journalist and editor with more than 10 years of experience across a variety of industries. In editing for Jerry, Everett’s mission is to help readers have a better understanding of the costs of owning or leasing a car and to better understand their vehicle in terms of insurance and repairs. Prior to joining Jerry, Everett was an editor for Axios. His previous work has been featured in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Atlantic, Atlantic Re:think, The Boston Globe, USA Today, and others. He’s also been a freelance writer and editor with experience in SEO, audience building, and long-term content roadmaps. Everett is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan.
