The front timing chain cover on the engine was leaking at 53k miles. This is a 2GR-FKS engine. We have had the car for 19k miles, and bought it as a Certified Pre-Owned. We're looking at spending over 10% of the purchase price of the car on a repair, after barely having it for three years.
NHTSA complaint #11749126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
There is already a service bulletin for the vacuum pumps on these cars, but it should be made into a recall because these pumps generate the vacuum needed by the brake system. I took it to the Lexus dealer for replacement out of warranty, which I had to pay out-of-pocket, since service bulletins only apply to cars under warranty, and they still installed another replacement vacuum pump that was impacted by the service bulletin and still had the issues. It wasn’t until a field technician came out and confirmed that they installed the old vacuum pump style (2019-2023), which was the one they should have avoided installing. Failure of this part could impact the braking system and cause an accident.
NHTSA complaint #11711049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While entering into a parking spot the car suddenly surged, went over a curb, and crashed into a store front. The driver had her foot on the brake. We checked to see if the floor mat was against the accelerator and it was not. I have a photo of the mat.
NHTSA complaint #11693327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have purchased two Lexus ES350s--a 2007 and a 2017. Both cars have been serviced at Lexus of Atlanta and both have had transmission failure. On August 28, 2025, after my car passed emissions and had just been serviced a month prior at the dealership, my car abruptly jumped and stalled, and the "Traction Control" message popped up. This was extremely scary as I was driving in Atlanta traffic. I immediately had it towed to Lexus of Atlanta. I received a call from my Service Advisor with whom I have worked for many years and he said it is my transmission and quoted me $10,000+. He also had zero empathy, could not tell me why my car all of the sudden "died" and essentially said, "these things happen and it is what it is." Those were actually his exact words. No one can explain why the transmission failed when I have had the car serviced routinely by the dealership from where the car was purchased. I just had the car serviced in July. I had no indication that the car was malfunctioning. I am unsure if the transmissions need to be recalled but this is a serious safety concern.
NHTSA complaint #11686632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In April 2022, the timing cover seal on my 2016 Lexus ES 350 was replaced due to a leak. This was completed under warranty at approximately 84,785 miles. In February 2025, less than three years and roughly 56,000 miles later, I was informed by the same Lexus dealership during a routine service that the exact same issue—leaking from the timing cover—had reoccurred. There were no warning lights, engine performance issues, or visible signs of oil loss leading up to this. During my prior service appointment in December 2024, I was told the car was in excellent condition with no issues. I service my vehicle at every Lexus-recommended interval and maintain a full history of service records. The dealership has confirmed the new timing cover leak but has not been able to explain why the seal failed again. This is a major engine component that should not require a second repair within such a short time frame. I am now being asked to pay a significant portion of a nearly $5,000 repair despite a prior warranty fix, and despite having done nothing to cause or accelerate the failure. Lexus offered a partial goodwill credit, but no root cause has been identified. I am concerned that either poor workmanship or substandard parts contributed to the premature failure, and that it may happen again. Given the cost, critical nature of the part, and the lack of answers, this feels like more than just an isolated incident. I have complete service documentation and before-and-after video footage of the most recent repair. The vehicle is currently in my possession and available for inspection upon request. I purchased a Lexus because I believed in the brand’s commitment to long-term reliability and quality. That confidence has been shaken. I respectfully ask NHTSA to investigate this recurring failure and assess whether this is part of a larger issue.
NHTSA complaint #11652155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Driving car experienced a loud thump. Lost all engine power. Pulled to side of road. Had a hybrid system unavailable warning. Called a tow. Checked oil level to find it below the low mark. Car left a huge puddle of oil when loaded. Got to dealership. They found a hole in the engine block. Engine seized. Looms like it was the rod for the first cylinder. This issue sounds like what was the 2020 model years recall. My car had 128k on it all maintenance was completed on time, at the dealership. I regularly check oil level, and it was within normal range.
NHTSA complaint #11646961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
The Heat Shield on Exhaust becomes loose, rattles and comes off while driving. Danger to to other drives behind me. See the number of complaints over here - https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-3rd-gen-2010-2015/863952-exhaust-heat-shield-loose-and-rattling.html
NHTSA complaint #11536846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving and my car speed start going down and I saw engine and battery light came on so I pulled over and turned off the car and try to turn it back on but it's not turning on.
NHTSA complaint #11492005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
During a trip on the highway the accelerator was to low and take harder to accelerate the car. When we arrived home close to parking end the car suddenly accelerated while I was using the brakes pedal. I was lucky to stop on time. Thanks for your attention.
NHTSA complaint #11475472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The first incident occurred sometime in late June/early July...indicator lights mentioned below came on and I cleaned off sensors and indicator lamps disappeared on this occurrence. On July 13 2022, I was driving on a busy local road when the following malfunction indicators were displayed: brake system warning, 'check' engine malfunction indicator lamp, electric power steering system warning, parking support brake system, and pre-collision system. As these indicators were displayed, simultaneously the vehicle decelerated to an almost complete stop on the road (though I was pressing gas pedal to floor) and then to a complete stop as I was able to blessedly pull over to a gas station without getting hit (the car sounded like putt, putt as it shut down). The vehicle would not start even though I cleaned off the sensors this time...I sat for about 15-30 minutes and the vehicle restarted and resume normal operations until I was able to get home safely. This happened again on 15 July 2022 while I was driving on I-75N, a truly busy interstate, I was switching lanes to get to the far right lane when all of a sudden, the aforementioned indicator lamps displayed and the vehicle decelerated to a complete stop as I was able to pull over onto the shoulder of the highway...I believe since I had a family member following me, that definitely kept an accident from occurring along with the oversight of the good Lord. While we sat and waited for tow services, I tried wiping the sensors to no avail...yet, upon 30 minutes of waiting, the vehicle restarted and resumed normal operations. I drove vehicle to an auto shop in which they did a vehicle diagnostics check and couldn't find anything wrong...they even drove vehicle to see if problem would reoccur but to no avail.
NHTSA complaint #11475224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I leased a 2019 Lexus ES300H in March of 2019. About 1 year later, the vehicle started having serious mechanical issues related to the power of the vehicle and put my life in danger on 3 different occasions. The vehicle has a serious problem with losing power. The very first time that this problem occurred, I was in the left only lane attempting to make a left turn. When it was safe to do so and there was enough distance between me and the nearest vehicle driving in the opposite direction, I pressed on the accelerator to make a left turn and my vehicle suddenly lost almost complete power. I had the accelerator pressed all the way to the floor and the vehicle was barely moving like 3-5 miles per hour. Me and the other vehicle that was coming kind of fast in the opposite direction almost got into a head on collision. I would have very easily and safely, without even rushing, cleared the intersection and completed the left turn had this not happened. After collecting myself from the terrifying experience I just went through and having my life flash before my eyes, pulled over and called Lexus Roadside. They came and towed the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer kept the vehicle for some time, but was not able to duplicate the problem and told me that there is nothing with the vehicle. Regardless of how much I insisted that they do further tests, they refused and told me that the mechanic he driven it home at night and back in the morning and could not duplicate the issue and that if I didn't come to pick up the vehicle, they would park it on the street where it would be subject to tow. After picking it up and literally after about 20 minutes of driving it, almost the same thing happened while I was on the freeway on my way home. The vehicle lost power again and I almost got into an accident. A similar incident occurred the third time. Took the vehicle to service 3 times. Brand engagement has not done a single thing. Lemon Law Department denied the case. Been paying.
NHTSA complaint #11451094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This is a second report of unexpected, unanticipated extremly high acceleration while braking. I reported this experience in November 2019, NHTSA Complaint Number 11279155. At that time, the car was moving and I was braking on an uphill curve. On October 10, 2021, at approx 12:30 p.m. The unexpected, unanticipated extremely high acceleration occurred as I was starting my car in a Pittsburgh area restaurant parking lot. The car requires that my foot be on the brake while starting. The car was in Park when I depressed the start button. Immediately the car started with extremely high revolutions to the point the loud engine noise frightened several individuals standing 15-20 feet on an adjacent sidewalk. The tachometer was in or close to the redzone. I immediately shut the engine down. At no time did I have my foot on the accelerator and neither the floor mat nor any other item was touching the accelerator.
NHTSA complaint #11436298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While at a stop sign or light, I have experienced on at least five separate occasions where I press the accelerator and the vehicle does not move. I took it in to the Lexus dealer last year and have set up another appointment again next Monday September 27. There response is that they will put it on their diagnostic machine.
NHTSA complaint #11434058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Smoke started coming out of hood when returning home. Opened hood to check engine and choked on smoke. After engine cooled, found VVT-I tube is leaking at lower end of rubber hose. Engine oil had accumulated around engine compartment aft, a bit foward of VVT-i tube, and to passenger side. Searched Internet and saw that LSC-90K oil line "campaign" has the exact same part that is part of campaign that failed on my engine, but my VIN is not part of campaign.
NHTSA complaint #11421192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE FRONT TIMING COVER SEAL ON MY CAR WAS RESEALED AT 105,124 MILES @ A COST OF $2,804.52 PLUS TAX ON NOVEMBER 2014. THE CAR WAS 8 YEARS OLD. I AM NOW BEING TOLD THAT THE TIMING COVER NEEDS TO BE RESEALED/REPLACED AGAIN. THE CAR HAD 160,830 MILES WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE ON 5/3/2021. BY THE WAY, THE SERVICE ADVISER WROTE THE WRONG MILEAGE. HE MISTAKENLY WROTE 168,036 MILES AS THE ODOMETER READING. WHEN I ASKED WHAT IS CAUSING THIS ISSUE HE HAD NO ANSWER. I CONTACTED LEXUS CUSTOMER SERVICE TO INQUIRE INTO WHAT CAUSES THE SEAL TO NEED REPLACEMENT EVERY 7 OR SO YEARS. CASE # 210506001409 WAS ASSIGNED. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE CALLED TODAY AND INFORMED ME THAT THE SERVICE MANAGER AT CROWN LEXUS IN ONTARIO INFORMED HER THE SEALER SHRINKS OVERTIME. HOWEVER, SHE COULD NOT PROVIDE A REASON FOR THE SHRINKAGE. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT CAUSES THIS SO I CAN DECIDE WHETHER TO CONTINUE PUTTING MONEY INTO THIS CAR. THIS DOES SEEM RIGHT TO ME. I THINK IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I SIMPLY NEED TO KNOW WHY THEY CONTINUE TO USE SEALERS THAT THEY KNOW WILL SHRINK. THE NEW COST TO REPAIR THIS CAR IS APPROXIMATELY $3500. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSON DID NOT KNOW THE NAME OF THE SEALER THAT WAS BEING USED. SHE COULD ONLY REFER ME TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER AND I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE TALKING TO HIM ABOUT THIS BECAUSE HE GAVE HER NO REAL EXPLANATION OTHER THAN IT SHRINKS. OTHER CUSTOMERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR CARS. IF I HAVE CONTACTED THE WRONG OFFICE PLEASE DIRECT TO ME TO SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP. BY THE WAY, I ASKED FOR A WRITTEN RESPONSE AND WAS TOLD SHE COULD NOT PROVIDE ONE.
NHTSA complaint #11416479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS IS FRIED, DRAINING EVERY BATTERY I BUY ( ABOUT A TOTAL OF 15 OR MORE BOUGHT) I'VE CHANGED THE STARTER AND ALTERNATOR MULTIPLE TIMES AS WELL. IF I TURN THE A/C ON THE LIGHTS DIM AND THE CAR SLOWS DOWN DANGEROUSLY BEFORE COMPLETELY SHUTTING DOWN! MY CAR IS A RISK ON THE ROAD SO I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT SINCE FINDING OUT, YET, I STILL HAVE TO PAY INSURANCE EVERY MONTH ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #11405105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.