23 of the
78 complaints about the 2008 Lexus RX Hybrid are about the
braking system — 29% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
39,123 miles.
The contact owns a 2008 Lexus RX400H. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound with the VSC message displayed and the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle made the same abnormal sound for 15 minutes after the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ABS accumulator pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the extended warranty had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 138,140. Consumer stated extended warranty program for the defective part but that program expired in 2018. When the ABS actuator pump fails, it stops regulating and maintaining hydraulic pressure in the brake lines which can lead to brake failure. No recall was ever issued despite the fact that a failure of the braking system.
NHTSA complaint #11468955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesMoon Township, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
The contact owns a 2008 Lexus RX400H. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the ABS warning light would illuminate, and a grinding noise was present while depressing the brake pedal. On multiple occasions while driving at very slow speeds the vehicle abruptly stopped. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the ABS actuator was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.
NHTSA complaint #11439047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
STARTED NOTICING "BURPING" NOISE WHEN I PRESSED ON BRAKES FROM ENGINE BAY, THEN LATER I NOTICED CONTINUOUS CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM FRONT PASSENGER ENGINE BAY AFTER I WOULD TURN OFF ENGINE COMPLETELY. AS LATER TIME WENT BY THE CLICKING SOUND WOULD GET LONGER AND CONSISTENT. I ALSO EXPERIENCED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD "LUNGE" FORWARD WHEN I WOULD START THE ENGINE AND INITIALLY SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE POSITION AND HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL TO COMPLETELY STOP. THATS WHEN UPON FURTHER RESEARCH ONLINE I FOUND A "WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT" FROM TOYOTA REGARDING BRAKE ACTUATOR BEING REPLACED. BUT TOYOTA PUT A 10-YEAR EXPIRATION ON THE WARRANTY SO MY VEHICLE DIDN'T QUALIFY BY 6 MONTHS! TOYOTA NEVER MADE AWARE OR REACHED OUT TO THEIR REGISTERED CLIENTS OF THIS DANGEROUS RECALL THAT IS $3,000.00 TO REPLACE. I WAS INFORMED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE ACTUATOR COMPLETELY GOES BAD THAT STOPPING THE CAR WILL BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP FOR THE AVERAGE DRIVER AS THE BRAKE ACTUATOR APPLIES NEEDED BRAKE FLUID PRESSURE TO ALL FOUR BRAKE CALIPERS TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11209029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 111,000 milesAtlanta, GA
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX400H. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE CONTACT FELT AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND ADDITIONAL DISTANCE WAS NEEDED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RICK HENDRICK TOYOTA SANDY SPRINGS (LOCATED AT 6475 ROSWELL RD, ATLANTA, GA 30328, (404) 476-3921) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THE ABS, BUT IT EXPIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.
NHTSA complaint #11197208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,068 milesDallas, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX400H. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ABS, BRAKE SYSTEM, AND SLIP WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CARMAX (3100 SPUR 482, IRVING, TX 75062, (972) 721-0500) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO IGNORE THE FAILURE AND TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK IN IF THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,068.
NHTSA complaint #11133120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,000 milesIrvine, CACrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND FAILED TO PROPERLY BREAK WHICH THEREFORE ENDED HITTING AN OLDER MODEL BMW AT APPROX 45MPH. THE AIRBAGS INFLATED SENDING SOME TYPE OF METAL SHARDS TO MY RIGHT LOWER ABDOMEN THAT RESULTED IN MASSIVE BLEEDING. *TT
NHTSA complaint #11082305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 239,995 milesArcadia, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX400 HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT FAILED TO FULLY DEPRESS. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 239,995.
NHTSA complaint #11067251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,000 milesHenderson, NVCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BACK INTO A PARKING SPACE, ACCELERATOR STUCK IN DOWN POSITION, BRAKES LOCKED UP, ENGINE ACCELERATED TO VERY FAST RATE, STEERING WOULD NOT RESPOND RESULTING IN MY CAR SLAMMING INTO FRONT END OF CAR PARKED BEHIND ME AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. MY CAR THEN ACCELERATED FORWARD CONTINUING AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED ACROSS PARKING LOT AND HITTING ANOTHER CAR BROADSIDE WHICH FINALLY STOPPED MY CAR. MY CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS AS DEEMED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY.
NHTSA complaint #10825201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesWest Lynn, ORCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX400H. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A CURB AND CRASHED INTO TREES AND BUSHES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #10749750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,246 milesMilwaukee, WI
SERVICE BRAKES
I RECENTLY PURCHASED (07/17/12) A 2008 USED RX400H, I QUICKLY NOTICED THAT WHILE BRAKING IF THE ROAD HAS ANY BUMPS OR UNEVENNESS THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD DURING THE BRAKING PROCESS AND THEN RESUMES BRAKING AFTER THE SURGE. THIS HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY WHEN THERE ARE ANY BUMPS IN THE PAVEMENT. THIS IS VERY FRIGHTENING AS IT COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT SINCE THE BRAKING IS INTERRUPTED AND THE CAR ACTUALLY ACCELERATES WHEN IT SHOULD BE SLOWING DOWN! I HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT IN THE WINTER YET BUT I AM ALREADY CONCERNED AND UPSET THAT THIS CAR THAT I PURCHASED BECAUSE OF THE HIGH SAFETY RATINGS ON THE NHTSA SITE NOW TURNS OUT TO BE POTENTIALLY VERY UNSAFE.
NHTSA complaint #10471404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,900 milesPalatine, ILCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE ROAD WAS SNOWY AND SLIPPERY, BUT NOT ICY. WHEN THE VEHICLE ABOUT 50 FEET AHEAD OF ME STOPPED FOR THE TRAFFIC LIGHT, I APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT TO NO EFFECT. MY VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW, AND I DIDN'T HEAR THE NOISE OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. I CHOSE TO GO OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A PIPE RAILING RATHER THAN THE TANKER TRUCK THAT WAS STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. OTHER VEHICLES AT THE SAME LOCATION HAD NO PROBLEM STOPPING. COPIES OF MY CORRESPONDENCE WITH TOYOTA ARE AVAILABLE. TOYOTA ONLY ROAD TESTED THE VEHICLE ON DRY PAVEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10375750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,000 milesBillerica, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *YEAR: 2008 * MAKE: LEXUS * MODEL: RX400H * COMPONENT: THE HYBRID BRAKING SYSTEMS * VIN: [XXX] * COMPONENT -- THE 2008 LEXUS RX400H HYBRID BRAKING SYSTEMS DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. WHEN THE VEHICLE GOES OVER A SMALL ROAD DEPRESSION OR A SMALL POT HOLE ON ONE SIDE OF THE WHEEL, IT TEMPORARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE BRAKE WHILE THE DRIVER'S FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT ALSO BEHAVES THE SAME WAY WHEN THE VEHICLES SLIPS ON THE SNOWY ROAD. IT IS VERY SIMILAR TO TOYOTA PRIUS BRAKING PROBLEMS. I REPORTED TO THE TOYOTA DEALER. THE TOYOTA DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT INTENDED THAT WAY. IF THE VEHICLE IS DRIVING IN A TRAFFIC BUMPER TO BUMPER, IT IS VERY LIKELY TO HIT THE CAR IN THE FRONT REAR END WHEN THE BRAKE SYSTEMS LET GO THE BRAKE WHILE THE OPERATOR IS PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME AND IT CAN BE DUPLICATED UNDER THE ABOVE CONDITIONS. THEY SHOULD FIX THIS LIKE THEY DO WITH THE PRIUS.
NHTSA complaint #10325337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Belmont, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
2008 LEXUS 400H. WHEN APPROACHING A STOP, AT AN APPROXIMATE 25-35 MPH, ON TYPICALLY CITY STREETS WITH SOMEWHAT UNEVEN SURFACE, WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD MOMENTARILY SHORTLY INTO THE STOP. IT PRODUCES THE SUDDEN ANXIETY FEELING THAT THE CAR WILL NOT STOP AND CAN BE FELT BY DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN AT EVERY STOP, JUST NOW AND THEN. THIS HAS OCCURRED SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. WE HAD THE CAR SERVICED SOME TIME BACK TO ADDRESS THE "B" GEAR NOT SLOWING THE CAR ON HILLS. THE "B" GEAR ISSUE WAS RESOLVED DURING THIS SERVICE. INADVERTENTLY THE BREAKING ISSUE SEEMED TO OCCUR LESS FREQUENTLY. SINCE IT HAS BEEN SOME TIME SINCE THE SERVICE, THE BREAKING ISSUES HAS SLOWLY RESURFACED AND WITH A GREATER FREQUENCY.
NHTSA complaint #10316247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,200 milesGermantown, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
MY LEXUS R400H BRAKES ARE NOT BRAKING AS OTHER CARS.
NHTSA complaint #10312566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pearl River, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ONGOING SINCE 2008 - PROBLEM WITH BRAKES ON ROUGH OR BUMPY SURFACE. THE CAR SPEEDS UP WHEN APPLYING BREAK. THEY DO NOT CATCH IMMEDIATELY AND HARD PRESSURE IS REQUIRED. REPORTED AND CHECKED BY TO THE DEALER X3 ON 11/25/08, 5/13/09, 2/9/10 - EACH TIME WAS TOLD THE CAR IS BEHAVING NORMALLY AND NOTHING WAS WRONG. MOST SERIOUS INCIDENT - DURING LIGHT SNOW BEGINNING OF JAN 2010, I WAS APPLYING SLOW EVEN PRESSURE AS I WAS COMING TO STOP SIGN - FAMILIAR ROAD SO GOING SLOW - CAR HIT BUMP, GAINED SPEED AND ABS FAILED. SKIDDED UP A SLIGHT INCLINE THROUGH STOP SIGN ALMOST HIT A POLE. BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP AGAIN 2/9 AND CALLED LEXUS 2/8 TO REPORT PROBLEM. TOLD NOTHING WRONG CAR NOT ON THE RECALL LIST.
NHTSA complaint #10308335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,000 milesHighland Park, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I OWN A 2008 LEXUS 400H HYBRID PURCHASED AS NEW LAST YEAR. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY WE NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES WHEN STOPPING OVER BUMPY SURFACES -- IT WAS ALMOST AS IF THE BRAKE DISENGAGED WHILE TRYING TO STOP. WE BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO ASSURED US EVERYTHING WAS WORKING PROPERLY. THEY EVEN BROUGHT IN A NATIONAL EXPERT TO EVALUATE AND WE AGAIN WERE TOLD THE CAR WAS WORKING AS IT SHOULD. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT GONE AWAY -- IF ANYTHING IT IS WORSE -- AND IT APPEARS TO BE PRECISELY THE SAME PROBLEM NOW BEING REPORTED WITH THE PRIUS BRAKING SYSTEM. TOYOTA/LEXUS BASICALLY IGNORED US WHEN WE COMPLAINED AND THE PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED. IT IS OF MAJOR CONCERN AND HAS BEEN SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR. IT IS A REPLACEMENT FOR A PREVIOUS 400H THAT WAS TOTALED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THE PREVIOUS CAR DID NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10306241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,000 milesBrooklyn, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKES. LOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY WHILE TRAVELING OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE.
NHTSA complaint #10306314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,000 milesNorthville, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX400H. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THE LACK OF ELECTRICITY IN THE BATTERY CAUSED THE CONTACT TO APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WITHIN MINUTES THE BRAKES BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY SINCE THE BATTERY RECHARGED BY PUMPING THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND BOTH TIMES THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE COULD IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM COULD CAUSE A CRASH TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
NHTSA complaint #10305451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 29,000 milesTrumbull, CT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX400H. THE VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON IT'S ON AND LUNGE FORWARD WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE OVER UNEVEN PAVEMENT AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE MALFUNCTION SHOULD OCCUR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SWITCHING FROM AN ELECTRICAL ENGINE TO A GASOLINE ENGINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
NHTSA complaint #10305665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Frankfort, KY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHEN BRAKING, ANY SMALL BUMP, PARTICULARLY ON WET SURFACES, CAUSES BRAKING TO CUT OUT FOR A SECOND OR TWO, AND THE CAR DOES NOT DECELERATE AS FAST. ADDED PRESSURE IS REQUIRED TO ENGAGE THE REGULAR BRAKES TO RESUME THE SAME STOPPING LEVEL. THIS NON-LINEAR STOPPING CHARACTERISTIC CAUSES INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES AND LOSS OF CONTROL IN BRAKING (AT LEAST FOR A SECOND OR TWO). THIS SEEMS TO BE CAUSED BY THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING CUTTING OUT WHEN THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM ENGAGES MOMENTARILY. *JB
NHTSA complaint #10306060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Frankfort, KY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
WHEN BRAKING, ANY SMALL BUMP, PARTICULARLY ON WET SURFACES, CAUSES BRAKING TO CUT OUT FOR A SECOND OR TWO, AND THE CAR DOES NOT DECELERATE AS FAST. ADDED PRESSURE IS REQUIRED TO ENGAGE THE REGULAR BRAKES TO RESUME THE SAME STOPPING LEVEL. THIS NON-LINEAR STOPPING CHARACTERISTIC CAUSES INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES AND LOSS OF CONTROL IN BRAKING (AT LEAST FOR A SECOND OR TWO). THIS SEEMS TO BE CAUSED BY THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING CUTTING OUT WHEN THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM ENGAGES MOMENTARILY. *JB
NHTSA complaint #10306060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,000 milesBloomingdale, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX 400H. WHENEVER THE CONTACT APPLIES THE BRAKES WHILE TRAVELING OVER A ROUGH SURFACE THE BRAKES WILL DISENGAGE ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO STILL MOVE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT HAS NOTICED THE FAILURE SINCE THE DAY SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 16000.
NHTSA complaint #10304395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,120 milesChino Hills, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I WAS COMING BACK FROM MY FIRST OIL CHANGE FROM CROWN LEXUS DEALER. I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP EVEN WHEN MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. I TRIED TO STEER AWAY FROM THE CONCRETE WALL IN FRONT BUT THE FRONT LEFT SIDE STILL HIT THE WALL. THE CAR WAS DAMAGED AND THE WALL IS DAMAGED. THE COST OF THE DAMAGED IS 9,000-10,000. RIGHT NOW IS BEING FIXED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MODEL OF THE CAR IS LEXUS RX400H YEAR 2008.
NHTSA complaint #10298735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.