35 of the
474 complaints filed about the Lexus RX Hybrid
are about the fuel system —
7% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2006.
The contact owns a 2006 Lexus RX400H. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled while depressing the accelerator pedal. There were several warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V396000 (Hybrid Propulsion System). The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and the contact was included that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.
NHTSA complaint #11500121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2008 Lexus RX400H. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and the check engine and the Hybrid system maintenance warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving to her destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and where the vehicle was being serviced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,320.
NHTSA complaint #11455880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2008 Lexus RX400H. The contact stated that while reversing out a parking space at a low rate of speed, the vehicle stalled as the hybrid system warning message illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact was able to walk to an automotive parts store and purchased a new battery which he replaced in his vehicle. The contact was able to drive to a gas station and soon after leaving the gas station, the vehicle stalled again as the same warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after multiple attempts and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V396000 (Hybrid Propulsion System) and referred him to a local dealer. The contact called a dealer and was informed that his vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 268,000
NHTSA complaint #11430096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON FEBRUARY 13, 2020 MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING FROM FORT MYERS, FL TO SARASOTA, FL ON I-75. AT ABOUT PORT CHARLOTTE EXIT THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. WE WERE IN THE LEFT LANE GOING BETWEEN 75 TO 80 MILES PER HOUR. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE CAR INTO THE MEDIAN. AUTOMOBILES BEHIND ME HAD TO SUDDENLY BREAK TO AVOID HITTING US. THE LEXUS 2018 RX 450HL HAS THE SAME GASOLINE
NHTSA complaint #11311165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LEXUS RX400 HYBRID. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, DRIVING ON AN INCLINE, OR MAKING TURNS, THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE, HYBRID CHECK, AND BATTERY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. ONCE RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE DROVE NORMALLY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TREASURE COAST LEXUS (LOCATED AT 5121 US-1, FORT PIERCE, FL 34982, (772) 460-0000) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN CLEANED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, CLEARED THE FAILURE CODES, AND TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE IN CHECK MODE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS EXPECTED. THE DEALER SWAPPED THE CIRCUIT OPEN RELAY WITH THE IGNITION RELAY TO ELIMINATE THE RELAY AS THE FAILURE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V396000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY FOUR TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURES, BUT THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.
NHTSA complaint #11233390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY VEHICLE IS DISPLAYING A HYBRID SYSTEM CHECK MESSAGE, AND THE HYBRID SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. THIS IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL IN DRIVE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE LOSES ALL CAPABILITIES TO PROPERLY FUNCTION. I WAS ON A CITY STREET WHEN THIS HAPPENED, AND HAD TO COAST THE VEHICLE DOWNHILL IN TRAFFIC TO PULL OVER. MY ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THIS VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN REGULARLY, AS I JUST PURCHASED IT FROM A DEALERSHIP THAT HAD BEEN SITTING ON IT FOR SOME TIME. THE CARFAX CHECK OUT FOR THE VEHICLE, SO IT COULD BE A FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM INVERTER.
NHTSA complaint #11229830 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY 2006 LEXUS RX400H THAT I JUST PURCHASED A FEW MONTHS AGO FROM A LOCAL DEALER (ONE OWNER PRIOR) HAS SHUT DOWN GOING DOWN OUR MOUNTAIN. TAKING MY BOYS TO SCHOOL IT JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AS WE COASTED DOWN OUR MOUNTAIN, AND THE BRAKES JUST STOPPED WORKING. I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO MY NEIGHBORS' DRIVEWAY AND BARELY ABLE TO USE MY BRAKES. THEY DIDN'T WORK WHEN THE HYBRID LIGHT CAME ON. EXTREMELY SCARY! IT HAPPENED A FEW TIMES PRIOR TO THIS IN THESE LAST FEW MONTHS, BUT I WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN PREVIOUSLY. IT'S NOW A BRICK WITH A DASHBOARD OF LIGHTS! I AM BEING TOLD BY LEXUS THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE INVERTER RECALL AND IN FACT, THEY CLAIMED THAT THEY ALREADY REPLACED IT PRIOR TO MY OWNERSHIP A FEW MONTHS BACK, REPLACED IN 2012, LATER TO FIND OUT THAT WAS NOT TRUE. I HAVE THE SERVICE RECORDS FROM THE FIRST OWNER. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR. IT HAD TO BE TOWED FROM MY NEIGHBOR'S HOME ABOUT 500 FEET DOWN OUR MOUNTAIN, BACK UP TO OUR HOME ABOUT 500' BACK UP. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT WAS EITHER NOT RECALLED OR NEEDS TO BE FIXED AGAIN AFTER THE RECALL. PLEASE GIVE ME SOME ADVICE. I WILL HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE MECHANICS WHEN THEY OPEN. SOME PHOTOS OF MY DASH, ANY SUGGESTIONS? LEXUS NEEDS TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE! THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO MY NEIGHBOR'S DRIVEWAY. I CAN'T IMAGINE HAD THIS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT LEXUS WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY. PLEASE REOPEN THIS CASE AND INCLUDE MY VIN NUMBER IN THIS RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11175800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE HYBRID SYSTEM LIGHT TURNED ON. NEXT WERE THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS TURNED ON, THEN THE WAS STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND I WAS ABLE TO STEERED IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT WAS ON THE STREET ROAD. I CHECKED FOR THE RECALLS RELATED TO THE VIN, BUT NO RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE ALTHOUGH THERE WERE 6 RECALLS TOTAL. ONE OF THE RECALL RELATED TO THE INVERTER COOLANT. IT HAPPENED TO ME TWICE ONCE AT AROUND 120K AND NOW 135,828 MILES.MY VIN IS [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11083769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IN OCTOBER MY WIFE WAS RETURNING FROM A 9.5 HOURS TRIP WITH 1 FUEL STOP APPROX 4 HOURS FROM HOME. EXITING I95 THE CAR HAD NUMEROUS WARNING LIGHTS WITH A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER (VSC, CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM, AWD SYSTEM AND OTHERS). SHE COASTED THE CAR TO A PARKING LOT, ATTEMPTED TO TURN IT OFF AND BACK ON, BUT THERE WAS STILL NO ENGINE OR DRIVE POWER. ALL DASH LIGHTS WORKING. WE HAD THE CAR TOWEDTO OUR HOME AND I TESTED THE BATTERY AND CHARGING VOLTAGE, THEN HAD THE BATTERY LOAD TESTED AND FOUND TO BE BAD. PURCHASED AN OPTIMA YELLOW TOP BATTERY AND ALL OTHER DASH WARNINGS CEASED. IN NOVEMBER, AGAIN RETURNING FROM A TRIP EXITING I95 THE CAR STALLED AND DISPLAYED ONLY THE CHECK HYBRID AND AWD LIGHTS. THIS TIME TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR 30 SECONDS AND THEN BACK ON. THE ENGINE TURNED ON AND HYBRID MOTOR FUNCTION RESUMED WITH THE "CHECK HYBRID LIGHT" STILL ILLUMINATED. I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY FOR A MINUTE AND ALL WARNING LIGHTS WENT OFF WITH NORMAL ENGINE AND HYBRID DRIVE FUNCTION. I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT LEXUS IF IT OCCURRED AGAIN. ONE MONTH LATER AGAIN RETURNING FROM A TRIP, EXITED I95 AND ONCE THE CAR WAS SLOWED TO ABOUT 35 MPH CAR LOST POWER, WARNING LIGHTS "AWD" AND "CHECK HYBRID" ILLUMINATED AND CAR HAD ENTERED A "LIMP" TYPE OF MODE WITH SOME POWER WITH THE GAS PEDAL AND LIMITED SPEED. POWER DISTRIBUTION SCREEN SHOWED NO POWER MOVEMENT FROM THE ENGINE/BATTERY/WHEEL CHARGING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. PULLED TO A PARKING LOT TURNED OFF MOMENTARILY AND THEN BACK ON, RESUMING NORMAL FUNCTION. "AWD" WARNING WENT AWAY, BUT "CHECK HYBRID" AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS WERE BOTH ON. ONE DAY PRIOR TO THE APPT AT LEXUS THE CAR WAS USED WITH THE WARNING LIGHTS STILL ILLUMINATED, STILL FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. THE LIGHTS, AT SOME POINT DURING THE DRIVE WENT OUT ON THEIR OWN. THE SERVICE APPOINTMENT WAS AGAIN CANCELLED ON THE WEDNESDAY BEFORE THE SCHEDULE.
NHTSA complaint #10947927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE APPEARED TO ENTER "FAIL-SAFE" MODE WITH REDUCED POWER WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY RESULTING IN REDUCED ABILITY TO CONTROL VEHICLE. SEVERAL MINUTES LATER, WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET, THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY LOST ALL POWER WHILE STOPPED AT RED LIGHT AND COULD NOT BE DRIVEN, AND POWER-STEERING ALSO FAILED. WARNING LIGHTS INCLUDED "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM," "CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT," "SLIP INDICATOR," AND PERHAPS OTHERS. AFTER TURNING OFF AND TURNING BACK ON AT RED LIGHT, THERE SUFFICIENT POWER TO DRIVE VEHICLE AGAIN, THOUGH "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" AND "CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT" REMAINED ILLUMINATED. A COUPLE HOURS LATER, AFTER RESTARTING VEHICLE, WARNING LIGHTS WERE NO LONGER ON AND VEHICLE COULD BE DRIVEN NORMALLY. THE CONDITION APPEARS SIMILAR TO ISSUE IN TOYOTA SAFETY RECALL 13V-396. HOWEVER, OUR VEHICLE'S VIN IS NOT IN THE RANGE OF THAT RECALL. WE HAVE NOT YET CONTACTED LEXUS DEALERSHIP REGARDING THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10947314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I PURCHASED THIS CAR ON 6/11/2016 WITH 125, 812 MILES. I AM NOW AT 140, 949 AND TODAY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR MY VSC MAINT LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND TRACK STABILIZER LIGHT ALL CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. I HAVE CONTACTED THE LEXUS DEALER IN REGARDS TO CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V396000 AS THIS RECALL IDENTIFICATION IS IDENTICAL TO WHAT HAPPENED TODAY. THIS BEING MY ONLY VEHICLE WHICH CARRIES MYSELF AND MY CHILD THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT ALL OF THESE RECALLS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED AND MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED. IF THIS CAR WAS REPAIRED IT IS OBVIOUS IT WAS NOT REPAIRED CORRECTLY, IF AT ALL. THIS REPAIR WOULD COST ME CLOSE TO WHAT I PAID FOR THE CAR ITSELF! I WOULD LIKE DOCUMENTATION THAT MY VEHICLE HAS IN FACT BEEN REPAIRED AS I AM BETTER OFF BUYING A DIFFERENT CAR AND JUNKING THIS ONE THAN PAYING TO REPAIR IT.
NHTSA complaint #10926104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS TRAVELING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY DISPLAY STARTED READING "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" AND "CHECK VSC SYSTEM" SIMULTANEOUSLY. I SEARCHED AND SAW THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE (INTELLIGENT POWER MODULE INSIDE THE INVERTER MODULE) FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES OF MY EXACT MAKE/MODEL/YEAR BUT FOR SOME REASON MY VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE REGULAR 12 VOLT CAR BATTERY WAS THE ISSUE SO THEY REPLACED IT AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE CAR TESTED NORMAL FOR SEVERAL DAYS HOWEVER WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT A WEEK LATER THE SAME LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10882529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 LEXUS RX450H. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO PROVIDE THE ACCURATE READING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK DESIGN WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
NHTSA complaint #10861594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ONE OF THE 2 HYBRID MODULES FAILED. I BELIEVE THIS IS THE SAME ONE RECALLED IN 2013. THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. ALL DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON ALONG WITH CHECK HYBRID ENGINE AND CHECK VCS ( I THINK WERE THE INITIALS, FOR VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM). HAD THE CAR BEEN TRAVELLING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS I BELIEVE A FATAL CRASH WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. AS IT WAS, LUCKILY, WE WERE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. HAD CAR TOWED OFF HIGHWAY BUT TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOLD ME HE DROVE IT UP ON THE FLATBED. I HAD TRIED STARTING IT SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT ANY SUCCESS. ONCE OFF ROAD, I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, WHO IS OPEN SATURDAYS UNTIL 3 PM AND IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 2:30 PM. I WAS TOLD THAT IF ALL THE LIGHTS WENT OFF AND THE CAR STARTED THAT I COULD DRIVE IT HOME. THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THAT MONDAY WHILE ON THE PHONE WITH THE DEALER SO THAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE CHECKED OUT. IT TURNS OUT THAT THIS MODULE, WHEN HEATED UP TO HIGH TEMPERATURE, CAN FAIL BY THE SOLDERING CONTACTS OPENING AND THE POWER THEREBY FAILING. THIS IS THE PROBLEM THAT THE 2013 RECALL WAS SUPPOSED TO CORRECT. HOW DO I KNOW THAT THIS NEW MODULE WILL NOT FAIL AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING? LEXUS ABSORBED THE LABOR ON THE MODULE REPLACEMENT BUT CLAIMED THE PART (WHICH WAS THE RECALL PART INSTALLED TO CURE THE RECALL PROBLEM IN 2013) WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND WOULD NOT ABSORB THE ENTIRE REPAIR COST. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED WITH THIS MODULE SINCE THE 2013 RECALL OR IF OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS AND MAYBE THERE SHOULD BE ANOTHER RECALL. I WOULD ALSO LIKE THE FULL COST REIMBURSED AND TO HAVE SOME SOLID REASSURANCE THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10767579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HELLO, I OWN A 2007 LEXUS 400H. ON AUG 11, 2015 APPROXIMATELY 10PM THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON HWY 17 SOUTH IN MYRTLE BEACH SC. THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING AT A GREEN LIGHT IN THE TURNING WAITING FOR ON COMING TRAFFIC. WHEN THE TRAFFIC CLEARED MY WIFE PROCEED TO PROCEED FROWARD WITH THE TURN. ONCE SHE STARTED HER DECENT THE VEHICLE STARTED BLOWING COOLANT OUT OF THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND FROM THE BOTTOM. THE VEHICLE STOPPED RESPONDING LEAVING HER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN. I HAVE LOOKED UP ONLINE THAT LEXUS RECALLED 2006 AND 2007 LEXUS RX400H VEHICLES. WHEN I CALLED TO TALK WITH THEM ABOUT IT THEY TOLD ME THAT MINE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THIS ISSUES IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT THEY DESCRIBE ON THEIR WEBSITE. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN LEXUS.
NHTSA complaint #10747772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I BOUGHT A 2011 LEXUS RX450H NEW AT THE DEALERSHIP FEBRUARY OF 2011. FAST FORWARD TO SUMMER OF 2014. DRIVING DOWN I-20 IN EAST TEXAS, MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, CAR SUDDENLY HAS NO POWER, I BARELY GET IT ON THE SHOULDER. MESSAGE ON DASH "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM". TOW TRUCK TO DEALER. FAILED OR BROKEN FUEL PUMP. THREE YEAR OLD CAR WITH 34,336 MILES. REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. FAST FORWARD TO SPRING OF 2015. DRIVING ON I-55 NORTH. CAR DIES WHILE HIGHWAY DRIVING. 41,452 MILES. OUT OF WARRANTY. BUT, LEXUS HAS 1 YEAR WARRANTY PARTS AND LABOR ON REPAIRS. LEXUS SAYS, OH, YOU HAD BAD GAS, DON'T HAVE TO HONOR REPAIR WARRANTY!! CHARGE WAS ABOUT $ 1,200. THEY ALLOWED $ 500 CREDIT. HAD TO PAY $655.89 OUT OF POCKET. TALKED TO KROGER FUEL, WHERE I HAD PURCHASED PREMIUM FUEL. NOT ONE COMPLAINT FROM ANYONE ELSE ABOUT FUEL FROM THAT STATION. SECOND BAD FUEL PUMP. FUEL PURCHASED BEFORE 1ST FUEL PUMP FAILED WAS FROM DALLAS STATION, NOT KROGER. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN CAR STOPS ON INTERSTATE. FLOORBOARDING GAS PEDAL, CAR GOING LESS THAN 10 MPH AND SLOWING, AND THEN REFUSED TO MOVE. WOULD NEVER BUY ANOTHER LEXUS. OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH FUEL PUMPS. ALSO, LEXUS DOES NOT HONOR 1 YEAR REPAIR WARRANTY. POOR BUSINESS PRACTICE.
NHTSA complaint #10732033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2006 LEXUS RX 400H. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SYSTEM INVERTER, INTELLIGENT POWER MODULE SAFETY RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON JULY 9, 2009 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE STOPPED RESPONDING TO ANY ACCELERATION AND THE CONSUMER HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO COAST OFF TO THE SIDE OF A NEARBY OFF RAMP. AFTER BEING TOWED TO THE DEALER, IT WAS DETERMINED THERE WA A SHORT IN THE INVERTER ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA complaint #10680233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON NOVEMBER 12, 2014 EVENING, I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND GOING UP A HILL IN MY CITY STREET AND SUDDENLY I HEARD A THUMP SOUND AND THEN MY LEXUS RX400H LOST ALL POWER AND THE CAR STALLED. IT WAS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AS I WAS GOING UP A STEEP HILL. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND PUT THE PARKING BRAKE ON. WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED, MY DASH LIT UP WITH "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" , "CHECK VSC" AND OTHER LIGHTS ALSO CAME ON. I TRIED TO START THE CAR, BUT THE HYBRID "READY" LIGHT WOULD NOT STAY ON. THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I HAD TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO A LEXUS DEALER. I PUT A NEW BATTERY IN THE VEHICLE AND THAT STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THEN, THE LEXUS DEALER MECHANIC DID A COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS AND SAID THAT IT INDICATED "HYBRID INVERTER PROBLEM". MY VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY BROUGHT INTO LEXUS DEALERSHIP FOR AN EARLIER RECALL FOR IPM MODULE BUT THE DEALER AT THAT TIME SAID MY VEHICLE WAS NOT WITHIN THE SERIAL RANGE AFFECTED AND NOTHING WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. I PHONED LEXUS USA ON NOVEMBER 13, 2014, AND THEY CONFIRMED MY VEHICLE WAS UNDER THE RECALL DLF, NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 13V396. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY LETTER. THE LEXUS DEALER THEN PUT IN THE IPM RECALL PART TOYOTA PART 04001-29148 PART AND THE VEHICLE STARTED PROPERLY. MY VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 94,000 MILES AND JUST OVER 8 YEARS OLD AND TECHNICALLY OUT OF WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THE LEXUS DEALER REPLACED THE PART WITH LABOR AT NO CHARGE. THIS REPAIR COSTS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IF NOT COVERED BY LEXUS. WHEN I BOUGHT MY LEXUS HYBRID, I DID NOT BE EXPECT THAT THE HYBRID VEHICLE COULD FAIL IN SUCH A CATASTROPHIC WAY. I'M A LITTLE FEARFUL TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AGAIN IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, AND I HOPE LEXUS WILL TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING DEFECTIVE WITH THE HYBRID INVERTER, AND IT COULD BE DANGEROUS IF IT FAILS WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10661150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LEXUS RX 450 HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK HYBRID WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
NHTSA complaint #10650741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HAVING ENJOYED OWNING A LEXUS RX300, I MADE A HUGE "INVESTMENT" AND PURCHASED THE 2006 RX400H. IN APRIL OF 2014, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE HYBRID SYSTEM. I ATTEMPTED TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE AS SUGGESTED BY THE LEXUS DEALER. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I DISCOVERED THE CARPET INSIDE THE CABIN AREA WAS SOAKING WET! THE CAR HAD BEEN OUTSIDE IN THE RAIN WITH THE WINDOWS, SUNROOF AND DOORS CLOSED. ALSO, I TAKE THE CAR TO AN AUTOMATIC CAR WASH ON A REGULAR BASIS. WHILE LOADING THE CAR ON TO THE JERR-DAN TOW TRUCK, A LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER POURED OUT OF THE REAR TRUNK AREA. THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR WAS AMAZED AT THE AMOUNT OF WATER THAT WAS POURING ONTO THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LEXUS DEALER. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS, A LEAK IN THE REAR HATCH AREA WAS FOUND TO BE THE SOURCE OF THE WATER. THERE APPARENTLY IS A METAL SEAM WHERE THE WELDS DO NOT HOLD UP OR WERE NOT WELDED PROPERLY. WATER COLLECTED IN THE HYBRID BATTERY AREA CAUSING OVER $7000 DAMAGE. OF COURSE, LUCKILY FOR LEXUS, THE VEHICLE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE ONLY RECOURSE I HAD WAS TO MAKE A CLAIM TO MY INSURANCE, WHICH ONLY COVERED THE DAMAGES BUT NOT THE CAUSE. MY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES ARE APPROXIMATELY $3000. WATER LEAKING FROM THE OUTSIDE INTO THE CABIN OF A VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY ONE OF THIS PRICE, IS UNACCEPTABLE. AND TO HAVE WATER COLLECT INTO THE "HEART" OF THE VEHICLE AND RENDER THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE IS FRIGHTENING. I COULD HAVE BEEN ON AN ISOLATED ROAD OR A BUSY HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE SUDDENLY QUIT. LEXUS KNEW ABOUT THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM BUT DID NOT ADVISE THEIR CUSTOMERS TO WATCH FOR ANY SIGNS OF MOISTURE. THE REPAIR TO THE POPPED SEAM COULD HAVE BEEN DONE BY ANY BODY SHOP OR, I'M TOLD, THE USE OF A GOOD QUALITY SILICONE. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FROM 3/10/2009 THAT SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSES THIS PROBLEM: TSB-L-SB0019-09 REV 1.
NHTSA complaint #10586442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.