Lexus RX engine problems

ENGINE

Timing cover oil leak

NHTSA complaint #11758498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2023 Lexus RX 500h. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started shaking abnormally and stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated during the failure. The failure was a recurring failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and an engineer was sent to inspect the vehicle; however, the contact was informed that the vehicle had passed the inspection; however, the failure persisted. The failure mileage was approximately 10,637.

NHTSA complaint #11757964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I am reporting a safety issue with a 2016 Lexus RX350, VIN [XXX], with about 60,000 miles. The vehicle is registered in [XXX] and was being driven to [XXX] when it suddenly overheated on XXX near [XXX]. The warning lights appeared while the vehicle was traveling at highway speed. The driver immediately took the first available exit within about one minute. The failed system appears to be the engine cooling system, specifically the water pump. The vehicle is currently at Kendall Lexus of Eugene and should be available for inspection. This failure created a safety risk because it happened suddenly on a major highway. The driver had to exit quickly and the vehicle became disabled far from home. A sudden coolant-loss or overheating event at highway speed can leave drivers stranded in unsafe locations with very little warning. Kendall Lexus of Eugene inspected the vehicle. Their Service Manager stated in writing that the technician found a leaking water pump, misfires in every cylinder, and a 95% leak in cylinder #6 through the exhaust valves. She stated that the water pump failure caused the vehicle to lose coolant, overheat, and suffer internal engine damage requiring engine replacement. Lexus Customer Relations has been notified under Case #XXX. Whether Lexus corporate has physically inspected the vehicle is unknown. Before the incident, there were no known warning signs. The warning lights appeared five hours into the road trip when the overheating occurred. After exiting, the driver let the vehicle cool for 30 minutes, checked for visible leaks, and tried to continue only briefly around the block. The warning returned almost immediately, so the vehicle was towed. This vehicle has extensive Lexus dealership maintenance history. Lexus quoted about $20,000 for engine replacement. Lexus has issued TSB L-SB-0039-20 / NHTSA ID 10183269 regarding water pump leak inspection and diagnosis, but there appears to be no rec INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11751679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

when driving on the highway and i let up the gas the engine surges. this is an ongoing issue. makes me apply the brakes or take action scary. it happens all the time. took it to lexus and they say this is normal. to me it is a safety driving issue. it surges for some time with no gas applied.

NHTSA complaint #11748178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Dear Sir or Madam. My name is [XXX], [XXX], [XXX] living in [XXX]. I bought my 2008 Lexus RX400h car, used, in 2014 at a non-Lexus dealership in the [XXX] where I used to live. My Lexus VIN is: [XXX]. I've been satisfied with the car..until today. The car had been running smoothly forever, and this morning while I was driving I came to a stop (red light) and the car suddenly shut down completely, including the loss of lights, and the whole dashboard went dark. Other cars behind me were honking their horns. I could not even turn on the hazard lights. After 1-2 minutes, all of the lights/warnings started coming on one after the other. I started the car again and run around three different errands without having further issues. I checked online to see if other owners had experienced a similar situation, which is the case. One person said that there had been two recalls in 2011 and 2013, both related to the inverter module inside the hybrid system. Although, I called today a Lexus dealership, [XXX], located in [XXX], and I was told there are no recalls for the VIN number that I provided. Another owner said she/he went to a Lexus dealer in [XXX] and she was told it was a defect in the gutter drainage design and that water gets into the hybrid system. This is a dangerous and potentially catastrophic situation if the vehicle suddenly shuts down on a freeway/highway putting passengers in risk of harm, injury, or death. This is a horrific defect which Lexus should correct immediately with a recall before one of us ends up at the cementery. I am glad to know that organizations such as the NHTSA exist, and I will appreciate very much that immediate action is taken on this matter. Sincerely, [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11743901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

My 2023 Lexus RX350 with 67,000 miles displayed a check engine light along with a Drive-Start Control Malfunction warning. The vehicle was brought to a Lexus dealership where it was diagnosed with fault code P25B372 — Turbocharger Wastegate A Actuator Stuck Open. The dealership confirmed the wastegate actuator has failed and requires replacement. The part is currently on backorder with over 800 units backordered nationally, indicating this is a systemic issue affecting multiple vehicles. Toyota has issued Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0084-23 covering this exact fault code on the same 2.4L turbocharged engine used in the 2023 Lexus RX350. The bulletin states the repair is covered under the Federal Emission Warranty for 96 months or 80,000 miles. However, the Lexus dealership has declined warranty coverage citing the absence of a Lexus-specific bulletin, despite the identical engine and fault code. The failure puts safety at risk as the Drive-Start Control Malfunction warning indicates loss of traction and stability control systems. The problem has been confirmed by the Lexus dealership. Warning lamps appeared on the dashboard prior to the visit. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

NHTSA complaint #11740958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

While driving the engine stalls. It has jolted back-and-forth at times and had to be taken to a dealer. It’s still stalls when trying to slowly accelerate especially uphills. Low gas mileage barely getting 18 miles per gallon. Warning lights flickering while car stallling. It’s like it’s having a seizure. This has happened a few times.

NHTSA complaint #11740288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I was looking at common problems associated with the make and model of my car. I came across an issue that could possibly cause engine failure. I am unsure if any one has reported it yet. here are the details - Problem overview An VVT-i oil line on the Lexus RX350 is known to burst. This is a very large leak which covers the ground, engine, and undercarriage. If the oil line ruptures while driving, the low engine oil message and engine oil pressure warnings will illuminate. Continued use after these warnings will result in complete engine failure due to oil starvation. The line is known to be defective, and a revised part has been issued by Toyota, however, this revised part is known for the same issue. To repair the issue, the line must be replaced, and the engine bay and undercarriage must be cleaned thoroughly. The problem has occured generally around 120k miles. Here is the link to the website that has collected information from 116 users. Requesting you to please check if this a problem that needs a recall? [XXX] ely report it. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11734624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Vehicle jerking back and forth aggressively while at a complete stop with foot firmly on brake pedal. Vehicle seems to want to lurch forward.

NHTSA complaint #11734180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

1. Check engine light comes on. 2. Intelligent collision system (ICS) plashing while driving

NHTSA complaint #11727736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I own a 2020 Lexus RX 450h with approximately 129,803 miles. The check engine light came on and the vehicle stored diagnostic trouble code P0A2D, which indicates a failure of the drive motor/temperature sensor circuit that is integrated into the transmission/hybrid motor assembly. According to the Lexus dealer’s diagnosis, the temperature control sensor located on the transmission/hybrid drive unit has failed. Because Lexus designed this sensor as part of the transmission assembly, the dealer has stated the sensor cannot be replaced separately and that the only repair is to replace the entire transmission. Lexus is refusing to acknowledge this as a manufacturing defect and is requiring me, the consumer, to pay the full cost of a complete transmission replacement, estimated at approximately $9,040.03, solely due to the failure of this internal temperature sensor. This is a critical component used to monitor drive motor/transmission temperature. A malfunctioning sensor of this type can lead to improper system operation, possible overheating, loss of power, or unpredictable behavior of the hybrid drive system while the vehicle is in motion, which presents a safety risk to occupants and other road users. This failure occurred during normal use on public roads and not due to any accident, abuse, or modification. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether there is a design or manufacturing defect in the drive motor/transmission temperature sensor and its housing or circuitry on the 2020 Lexus RX 450h (and related Toyota/Lexus hybrid models) that forces owners to replace the entire transmission when this internal sensor fails. This appears to be an unreasonable safety‑related defect and an unreasonable repair burden on consumers.

NHTSA complaint #11723917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2009 Lexus RX 350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment with the check engine oil warning light illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the oil cooler hose was leaking due to a hole. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a different independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the oil cooler hose was leaking due to a hole. The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer was contacted and informed that there was no recall associated with the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The manufacturer made the contact aware of the Limited Service Campaign Number: LSC9LH. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

NHTSA complaint #11716172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

When coming from a stop, the car will not respond to the gas pedal being engaged OR it will begin to engage and then no response leaving the car rolling for a few seconds until a response is recieved and the car engages again. This has caused us to be put in harms way MANY times with oncoming traffic when making turns or in front of oncoming traffic in intersections. The dealer states this is not a known issue however it is all over the internet that hundreds of reports of this issue have been made. The dealer states no fix since they don't "have a problem". MAJOR safety issue. We have reported this many times to Lexus now with no resolve or help from them.

NHTSA complaint #11714118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I made a 6-mile trip from my garage and back (12 miles total). The next day, my neighbor asked me to come outside to inspect my driveway where I found a trailing stream of oil. The oil leak was substantial enough to visibly observe an unbroken ribbon of oil spanning the entire length of the asphalt street leading to my driveway and a large pool of oil where I waited momentarily for the garage door to open. Needless to say, I then discovered a large pool of oil under the front of the engine on the passenger side. It was the lower oil cooling line. No warning signal appeared reflecting the leak or low oil pressure. I remembered receiving a letter from LEXUS Corporate stating that this was a known defective part and could be repaired at the dealer at no cost to me. However, the caveat was that the age of the car could not exceed 10 years and the mileage 150,000. My mileage was only 106,400, but the car age exceeded the 10 year limit. Did LEXUS think that the defective part would magically heal itself after 10 years? Why put a limit? LEXUS would NOT assist me in any way, so I had the repair completed at an independent shop. I only repaired one side and now fear the other side will go out and the leak will not be discovered in time before blowing up the engine. I'm white-knuckle driving in a car I used to love. I'm extremely disappointed in the lack of "good-will" provided by LEXUS for a known defective part (a rubber hose, replaced with a metal one) because they would not stand behind their product. Loyalty is a delicate trait, and they have lost mine.

NHTSA complaint #11712933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

When accelerating at slow speed, the engine or turbo turns off which causes the nose of the car to take a hard nose dive and then turns back on within 1 second but results in a big loud sound coming from engine/transmission. This issue almost caused on accident because it does a hard engine break where I was almost rear ended but from other drivers perspective, it might seem that I’m break checking them. Showed car to Lexus but they said it is normal but it not normal and should be investigated as it can cause harm to everyone involved if accident were to occur. Situation occurred 3 times this week and it is entirely random and can’t replicate at will.

NHTSA complaint #11711012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I bought this vehicle last Thursday, The new Lexus we only drove it three times, but all power down. The first time we were about to go to work, the whole vehicle no power, so I checked the battery, it was 10 Volts, so I used my CRV battery turned on Rx350, it's working, Second time, when I arrived my work place, I turned off the new vehicle, The Whole power down again, After I checked the battery, it showed 12 Volts, after I checked the battery, the power came back. The third time, After working, I got totally locked outside the RX350, I tried so so many times, The Whole power was gone again, so I broke the handle and used the key get into the car, and checked the battery, still 12 volts, after my checking battery, the power back again! So I am sure it's not only the battery problem, but also Power management module something wrong with it, or a module named 89690-0E011 Is damaged , I am very sure the new RX350h needs very very professional technician repair, This vehicle has serious safety hazards and poses a threat to life and safety.

NHTSA complaint #11702060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.