What to do if…
your vehicle starts but the accelerator pedal is unresponsive while you are in a safe place

What to do now

1. Secure the car before checking anything

   • Keep the car in Park if it is automatic, or Neutral if it is manual.
   • Apply the parking brake.
   • Keep your foot on the brake if the car might roll or lurch.
   • If other road users may not expect you to be stopped, use hazard warning lights.

2. Check the pedal area without putting yourself at risk

   • With the car secured, look in the footwell for a floor mat, bottle, bag, cable, or loose item touching or blocking the accelerator.
   • If a mat is bunched up, remove it or refit it properly before any further check.
   • Do not put your hand near the pedals while the vehicle is in gear or able to move.

3. Look at the gear selection

   • Automatic: with your foot firmly on the brake, check the dashboard or selector shows the gear you intended, not Neutral.
   • Manual: check you are selecting 1st gear or reverse, and that the clutch is being released normally.
   • If the engine revs but the car does not move, treat it as a possible clutch, drivetrain, or transmission problem and do not try to force the vehicle into motion.

4. Stop testing if there are warning signs

   • If you see a red warning light, a stop message, smoke, a strong burning smell, grinding, or unusual vibration, switch off if it is safe to do so.
   • Step away from the vehicle if there is smoke, heat, or a smell that makes you think there could be fire risk.
   • If the vehicle shows reduced power or a similar message, treat it as not safe for normal driving until checked.

5. Do one very small response check only if it is safe

   • If there is clear space, no obstruction, and no serious warning sign, restart once and check whether the accelerator responds normally.
   • Use only gentle pressure.
   • If the pedal is still unresponsive, stop. Do not keep trying to diagnose it from the driver’s seat.

6. Arrange help rather than driving

   • Call your breakdown provider, recovery service, garage, or a mobile mechanic.
   • Tell them the engine starts but the accelerator is unresponsive, and mention any warning lights, smells, smoke, or gear-selection symptoms.
   • If your position becomes immediately dangerous, such as a hazardous obstruction or risk of collision, call 999 and ask for the police.

7. If this seems like a serious safety defect

   • If the problem is repeatable, dangerous, or happens again after repair, keep brief notes of when it happens.
   • Check for recalls and consider reporting it as a serious safety defect through GOV.UK.