LEXUS Complaints

THIS VEHICLES PARKING BRAKE FAILS TO HOLD THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE, UNLESS THE TRANSMISSION IS ENGAGED IN "P" (PARK). As a result, the weight of the vehicle rests on the transmission notch that is engaged with the Park position of the transmission. If the vehicle is stopped and the parking brake is engaged, the vehicle will roll in the direction of the downhill. The parking or emergency brake does NOT hold the weight of the vehicle without the transmission!

The contact owned a 2006 Lexus IS350. The contact stated when she started the vehicle, following an oil change vehicle stalled. The contact stated that she had restarted the vehicle and heard an abnormal popping sound from the engine compartment and flames had burst from under the hood. The contact stated that she had smelled the odor of gasoline from her vehicle as she had entered the vehicle. The contact stated that the service station employees extinguished the flames. The contact stated that the fire department was called and a report was filed. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V432000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

09/09/2015 LIEN REPORTED. ORIGINAL COLOR IS MOLTEN PEARL. NOW IS SILVER. - NOT IN THE RECORD. (BMW-BARRINGTON) VIN# [XXX] TITLE [XXX] WANT TO BUY THIS CAR. THE PRICE IS $33000. THIS IS VIOLATION. PLEASE HELP INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2008 Lexus RX400H. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond and made an abnormal pumping and grinding sound. Additionally, an unknown beeping and buzzing alarm sounded. The contact stated that he depressed the brake pedal with both feet. The ABS, traction control, and the stabili-trak warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

Lexus issued a Warranty Enhancement Program sometime in 2022. It stated that if the check engine light would illuminate due to moisture and cold in the air injection pumps and air switching valves. The warranty would be good until 10 years from first use which is 10/23 for this vehicle. I was not experiencing the problem at the time I received the notice so I files it. A few months later I started to experience the exact issue with the check engine light which would come on and render certain systems inoperable such as cruise control, The light would stay on for any amount of time then go off and everything was then OK. It then would reappear at some time and last for days/weeks then disappear. After a few months I contacted a Lexus dealer to have the issue addressed. They said the condition was caused by something other than what was outlined in the Enhanced Warranty and refused to cover it. .I contend that the exact symptoms outlined affected my vehicle and subsequent to Lexus initiating the program certainly other conditions would cause the problem and should be covered. My appeal to the dealer and Lexus headquarters were denied. In addition to the disabling of cruise control other issues existed and perhaps some not obvious to the driver could be happening.

On July 15, 2022, my 2022 RX450hL drove itself across approximately 150 feet of rugged desert terrain and ended upside down in my neighbor's driveway. No one was in the car and no one was in the driveway where it landed. I had parked the car on the side of my house, after several seconds the car took off across the desert to self-destruct. I contacted Lexus, someone from their legal dept. contacted me and they sent a representative to collect the "black box." After that Lexus refused to take my calls or provide any information to me about the "black box." I had taken possession of the car 34 days when this occurred, it was brand new. This car was equipped with safety features that should have stopped it from driving as it continued over sharp, protruding rocks, went through cactus plants taller than me and over a cliff. The seats have seatbelt sensors, this car knows it is driving with no passengers or a driver. Thankfully my 97 year old, blind and deaf mother-in-law was not in the passenger seat, or my 10 month old grand baby was not in the back seat. This could have been a catastrophe. As it was, a beautiful, new car was totaled and I don't know why.

The contact owns a 2008 Lexus IS250. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the dashboard and the door panels melted causing the vehicle to become sticky. The vehicle was diagnosed and confirmed that there was a recall on melting dashboards, but the recall was no longer active. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

•What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Amplifier is in failure. There is no sound. This is a very common problem with Lexus. It is available for inspection upon request. •How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? (1)Navigation and Directions – Navigation is working properly, but no sound coming out from navigation. This could lead to confusion and distractions. I have been using my phone to navigate, and this is not safe using my phone while I am driving. (2)Distracted driving – There is no sound using Bluetooth, so I disconnect my phone with the car’s Bluetooth. When I receive a phone call, I have to check the phone to see if this is an urgent call, like calling from my son’s aftercare. If the call is urgent, I have to respond to the call. This doesn’t allow the driver to make hands-free calls. This can lead to distractions that compromise the driver’s attention and increase the risk of accidents. •Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? This issue was checked by Lexus Englewood Service center, and they confirmed that this is the amplifier failure. I purchase this vehicle at Englewood Lexus. •Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? This issue was checked by Lexus Englewood Service center, and they confirmed that this is the amplifier failure. •Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. Sound system failure has appeared since April 2023.

You can feel the steering wheel stiffen and lock into place at highway speeds requiring some force to unbind it and turn.

WATER PUMP LEAKING COOLANT: This pump which pushes coolant for engine's cooling system is leaking in several Lexus vehicles. If not replaced, engine will not be operating efficiently and could result in catastrophic engine damage. My vehicle although out of warranty has not even reached 40,000 miles. Dealer provided estimate of $1,134.81 + tax. Dealer warned that if not replaced it could result in catastrophic engine damage that has costed people between $7,000-$21,000. On further research on Internet, I found that coolant water pump has failed in Lexus for several customers, for multiple models of Lexus, for several years, at low mileages. Despite this Lexus has never issued a recall of defective coolant water pump. I would request NHTSA to please investigate this serios issue. Thank You !!