Maybe some acceleration problems are caused by incapable drivers. But with fly by wire and total computerized control of every system in a vehicle now, it is possible to have a runaway. Many things can cause that with electronic systems. Most newer vehicles have full on board diagnostics by radio capabilities, works similar to onstar and probably not well known, that opens them up to hacking and remote control.
In a runaway condition, how can you turn it off if the computer controls everything? The accelerator or throttle, the brakes ABS, now the electronic steering, the full electrically actuated valve body with no mechanical linkage to the manual valve or park pawl, the parking brake, and of course the ignition switch system. In such cases your basically in for the ride in an autonomously controlled vehicle, that you think your in control of via video game joy sticks of sorts.
Hand full of reports?, like everyone with some car problem is going to go on line to report it. Gosh most of them don't even get reported to the manufacture, check the above link.
Some new learning in this.
Fuel pump power I thought of that, but then it can have a small run on time, maybe just use a DPST and pull both.
I use to have a vehicle that did an unintended acceleration deal, it had a little linkage problem, I'd just turn off the ignition switch if it wouldn't clear right away, but then some of us are not the panic types.
