What 24 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Lexus Ct200h

The contact owns a 2011 Lexus CT200H. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the ABS and brake warning light and check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the brake booster and brake booster pump were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11655185

I was driving my Lexus ct200h and the traction control, brake light, and two other lights came on the dash. I took it in to Toyota and they indicated that this was a common problem with both Prius models and ct200h models. Their exact verbage in the service ticket was: TECH FOUND CODE C1391 ACCUMULATOR ABNORMAL SLOW LEAK REC ACTUATOR AND PUMP ASSEMBLY

NHTSA ODI 11634471

Hello, I am writing to bring attention to a vital public safety issue regarding the Lexus recall policy eligibility of 21LE01, concerning brake system issues. The current policy deems vehicles eligible for recall based on a set criterion: the vehicle must be under 10 years of age or under 150,000 miles, whichever comes first. The term “whichever comes first” disregards the importance of “mileage” as the main indicator of wear and tear, especially for brake system issues which are largely and directly related to it. My vehicle, a Lexus CT200h, 11 years old with 100,000 miles (upon receipt of the recall notice) was confirmed to have the exact brake issues as described in 21LE01. However when I sought remedy and support, I was told that despite being well under the mileage limitation, my vehicle was ineligible for the recall due to its age. For recalls that pertain directly to the safety of the vehicle's occupants and the general public – such as brake system malfunctions – more lenient eligibility criteria should be adopted to ensure no vehicle with potential defects is left untreated. A more flexible approach that considers both age and mileage individually would be much more suitable for the break issues that 21LE01was set to address. A brake system malfunction is a grave risk to the safety of the vehicle's occupants and others on the road. Such recalls should prioritize safety over arbitrary constraints. The safety of drivers, passengers, and the broader public should always be the top priority. No vehicle owner should be left at risk due to arbitrary limitations. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I hope you can help push Lexus to make necessary amendments to the recall policy terms. Thank you!

NHTSA ODI 11632987

The Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump Assembly Malfunctioned Dec. 25th 2022 on Christmas day a month after the deadline for a Customer Support Program Notification ( Primary coverage til. Nov. 30,2022. Secondary Coverage 10 years or 150k whichever comes first from the date of 1st use-08/16/2011.) I called Toyota to inform them and get them to solve this issue. Toyota/Lexus Refuses to pay to fix this huge safety issue. The estimate for this is $4,000-$5,000 dollars. When this went out all the lights came on in my car including: Master Warning Light, Brake System Warning Light, ABS Warning Light, and the Slip Indicator Light. There is a pumping sound like a barking from a dog. The car is solely relying on the other brakes to slow the car down. After the Brake Booster went out I was driving on the highway and tried to stop in time for a curved exit. The stop was too much for these brakes alone the car started shaking and spun out of control. Luckily I was able to pull aside without hitting other vehicles or the median. It scared me so much. This is a known problem that they refuse to fix and pay for. This component has been inspected by a local car shop. This is my only car. I drive it only when necessary. I try to avoid highways and fast speeds because i know that these brakes are not sufficient for a safe stop. Even at speeds of 35 mph of less the car shakes when breaking. I think Toyota should fix this issue and pay for it indefinitely. The part they created is obviously faulty. It doesn't matter if it is 5 yrs, 10 yrs or 20 yrs. Its a fault on their part that is a huge safety issue and expense on their customers when they are company that prides themselves on safety and longevity with their vehicles. I am saving to replace this issue and or get another vehicle. In the meantime this unsafe vehicle will be on our roads occasionally.

NHTSA ODI 11618887

Car shakes and shutters and is very reluctant to accelerate at low speeds, even with gas pedal pressed down. Then acceleration kicks in and it wants to bolt off.

NHTSA ODI 11503914

​ ​All brake related lights went on suddenly; brakes are failing: will have to push to ground to slow down the car. Car is unsafe to drive due to the brake condition. Yet, this is really a complaint on the recall process for a car safety issue rather than the issue itself: the car manufacturer (Lexus) has sent me a letter in 2022 which highlighted this potential brake issue (a letter from Lexus HQ can be found in NHTSA achieve, and is also attached here). Took the car to Lexus dealer, they checked and verified the brake issue is exactly as described in the recall (code C1391, brake booster need to replace); BUT the coverage was rejected, siting that my car is over 10 years old while this recall program covers “10 years or 150k miles, whichever comes first”; then Lexus has quoted me $3000 to fix this. I have argued that the recall letter was sent to me in 2022, when my car is already over 10 years, although mileage has just passed 100k, 2/3 of the mileage limit. Having such term like “whichever comes first” is simply self-contradictory: if 10 years or less is a pre-condition, this recall should just exclude 2011 and 2012 models. ​and more importantly: brake issue is a major public safety concern, recall program should not have all these strings attached; and it certainly should not be used as sales scheme for expensive repairs. (they quoted much higher price​ on both labor and parts​) Please help bring attention to Lexus regarding this quite irresponsible way of handling car safety issues. According to Lexus’ own estimate, ​close to 50,000 such cars might be impacted, this is not a small number. Thank you! ​

NHTSA ODI 11504020

My cars horn sometimes works and sometimes does not

NHTSA ODI 11450682

I HAVE TO ADD 4-5 QUARTS IN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. MY ENGINE CONSUMES SO MUCH OIL AND I BELIEVE IT'S CONSTANTLY BURNING. ALSO WHEN I BREAK IT MAKES A LOUD ELECTRIC BRAKING NOISE. IT'S THE HYBRID BREAKING SYSTEM AND IT'S REALLY LOUD.

NHTSA ODI 11373999

CONSUMES 3-5 ADDITIONAL QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN REGULARLY SCHEDULED OIL CHANGES.

NHTSA ODI 11321686

LEXUS IS AWARE OF A SAFETY ISSUE THAT HAS CAUSED FIRES DUE TO AN IMPROPER WIRING HARNESS INSTALLED ON TOYOTA PRIUS AND LEXUS CT200H VEHICLES. I ASKED FOR THIS TO BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (I WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE EXISTENCE OF IT TILL VERY RECENTLY, BUT IT EXPIRED IN OCTOBER 2019). THEY REFUSED, CITING THE FACT THAT I DID NOT SPEND ENOUGH MONEY WITH LEXUS TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. NOW, EVEN AFTER LIGHTBULB AND FUSE REPLACEMENT, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS IN THE VEHICLE ARE INOPERABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11299912

I EXPERIENCED LOUD ENGINE VIBRATION AT COLD STARTS FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS, THEN I STARTED SEEING WHITE SMOKE FROM MY TAILPIPE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO LEXUS RIVER-CENTER, COVINGTON, KY, ON 14FEB19 TO COMPLETE TSB L-SB-0004-13 WHICH REPLACES THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WITH A NEW PART NUMBER. THE VIBRATIONS AND WHITE SMOKE SEEMED TO BE REMEDIED; HOWEVER, A WEEK LATER, 22FEB19, WHILE ENTERING A FREEWAY ON-RAMP, MY CAR ENGINE MADE A LOUD NOISE LIKE A SHOTGUN BLAST WHILE IN MOTION ON THE FREEWAY, METAL FRAGMENTS WERE EXPELLED FROM MY ENGINE BLOCK, THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, MY CAR DIED, AND I HAD TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER. I WAS ALMOST HIT FROM BEHIND. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO KERRY TOYOTA THE SAME DAY FOR DIAGNOSIS. ON 24FEB19, KERRY TOYOTA INFORMED ME THAT MY ENGINE THREW A ROD AND THERE WERE 3 HOLES IN MY ENGINE BLOCK (I CHANGE MY OIL AT REGULAR INTERVALS WITH MOBILE 0W-20 AS PRESCRIBED BY THE MANUFACTURER). THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS MODELS' HEAD GASKET, EGR VALVE, AND INTAKE MANIFOLD ON CT200H AND LEXUS FORUMS TO JUSTIFY A RECALL. MY CONCERN IS THE TSB TO REPLACE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD MERELY ADDRESSES PREMATURE SYMPTOMS AND DOES NOT ADDRESS THE PROLONGED EFFECT OF EXCESSIVE MOISTURE IN THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI 11182470

HEAD GASKET LEAKING OIL

NHTSA ODI 11164243

CAR SHAKES VIBRANTLY AND MAKES A RATTLING NOISE WHEN STARTING. DOES IT AT TIMES WHEN COMING TO A STOP ALSO. ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. HAVE HAD EXHAUST MANIFOLD CHANGED AND TUNE UP BECAUSE SCANNER SHOW A MISFIRE ON A SPARK PLUG BUT NONE OF THOSE SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE COMING SOON. EVERYTHING I'VE READ ON IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE IS HAVING SAME ISSUE. ALSO SOMETIMES IT WILL SPUTTER LIKE IT WANTS TO SHUT OFF ONCE IN A WHILE WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI 11162917

TAKATA RECALL INVOLVES PROBLEMS THAT CRACK WELDS. IT SHOULD BE FIXED.

NHTSA ODI 11115446

IN SNOW AND RAIN VEHICLE LOSES TRACTION AND STOPS WHEN GOING UP A HILL.

NHTSA ODI 11111203

MY ENGINE, WHEN IN USE, BURNS OIL. IT WILL BURN ABOUT 5 QUARTS OVER THE TIME BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. I HAVE CONTACTED LEXUS ABOUT THIS ISSUE, AND ALTHOUGH THEY (AND TOYOTA) HAVE A SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THE 2ZR-FXE ENGINE (THE SAME ONE FOUND IN MY CAR AND VARIOUS PRIUS MODELS) THEY'VE TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A VERY RARE ISSUE. THIS IS THE SECOND ENGINE I HAVE HAD IN THIS VEHICLE THAT HAS EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. THIS SEEMS TO BE POSSIBLY RELATED TO THE SAME ENGINEERING MISTAKE THAT LED TO THE TOYOTA TSB DESCRIBING NEARLY THE SAME ISSUES OF OIL BURNING/CONSUMPTION OF THE 2AZ-FE ENGINES.

NHTSA ODI 11073646

[XXX], I HAVE A 2011 LEXUS ES350 AND HAVE HAD A LETTER FROM TOYOTA MOTOR SALES PUBLISHED MAY 23,2016. I HAVE CALLED LEXUS ON THIS RECALL AND KEEP GETTING A RUNAROUND OVERTIME I CALL AS TO WHEN I WILL RECEIVE A LETTER FROM THEM ON THIS RECALL SINCE I RECEIVED THE RECALL FROM TOYOTA. I AM TRYING TO SELL MY LEXUS BECAUSE I NEED A TRUCK. WHEN CAN I EXPECT TO HAVE THIS RECALL TAKEN CARE OF? THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM THAT I CANNOT SELL MY LEXUS DUE TO THIS RECALL. [XXX] VIN # [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10958843

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS CT 200H. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V487000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 10939919

I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 LEXUS CT200H ON THE NJ TURNPIKE JUST OUTSIDE NYC. IT WAS A CLEAR DAY. THE TEMPERATURE WAS 85. SUDDENLY, I HEARD A LOUD "POP"--LIKE AN EXPLOSION. I HAD JUST PASSED A TRACTOR-TRAILER AND THOUGHT IT HAD BLOWN A TIRE. THEN I STARTED TO HEAR WIND NOISE IN MY CAR. I PULLED OFF AT THE NEXT REST STOP AND DISCOVERED THAT MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED. THERE WAS A PIECE OF GLASS MISSING ABOUT THE SIZE OF TWO SOFTBALLS AND THE REMAINING GLASS WAS ALL SHATTERED. THE EDGES OF THE REMAINING GLASS WERE POINTED UPWARD. THERE WAS VERY LITTLE GLASS DEBRIS RESTING ON THE INSIDE COVER OF THE SUNROOF. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT ANYTHING HIT THE CAR. THE LEXUS DEALER HAS TOLD ME HE HAS NOT HEARD OF THIS PHENOMENON, ALTHOUGH IT HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED ONLINE. THE WASHINGTON DC LOCAL ABC TV AFFILIATE DID A STORY ON THIS TOPIC LAST SUMMER. ALSO, MY MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME THAT HE SPOKE WITH A LOCAL LEXUS MECHANIC WHO SAID HE HAS SEEN THIS A FEW TIMES BUT THAT LEXUS DENIES IT IS A PROBLEM. HAD THE INSIDE COVER OF MY SUNROOF BEEN OPEN, THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT...UPDATED 03/15/16 *BF UPDATED 10/26/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI 10726432

ON EXIT RAMP FROM I 70 TO I 270, THE OVERPASS WAS COVERED WITH ICE, SLID OFF THE ROAD AND INTO THE TREES HEAD ON. I QUESTIONED THE LEXUS COMPANY ABOUT THE AIR BAG(S) NOT DEPLOYING......UPDATED 03-11-15 *BF UPDATED 5/3/2016 *JS THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH A TREE - THE CAR WAS TOTALED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10690700

WHILE DRIVING ON A ASPHALT ROAD I WENT OVER A SPEED BUMP AND APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKE AND NEARLY CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS A SIMILAR ISSUE WHEN I HIT A POT HOLE AND THE VEHICLE DID THE SAME THING. IT CONTINUED TO GO FORWARD EVEN AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LEXUS AND THE BRAKES WERE OPERABLE. THIS MAYBE RELATED TO THE TOYOTA BRAKE ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10663504

FUEL LEAK, WHICH WAS REPAIRED AT A LEXUS DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10659978

. ON THURSDAY, 11/7/13, I GOT INTO MY CAR TO GO TO WORK AND THE DASHBOARD GAUGE INDICATED THAT AIR PRESSURE IN ONE OF MY TIRES WAS LOW. I LOOKED BUT THEY APPEARED TO BE OK. I HEADED TO MY MECHANIC INTENDING TO STOP THERE ON THE WAY TO WORK. THE CAR PERFORMED NORMALLY ON THE STREETS AND THE HIGHWAY. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AS I ENTERED THE EXPRESSWAY DECELERATION LANE TO EXIT, CAR STILL FINE. I PROCEEDED DOWN THE EXIT RAMP, MY FOOT NEVER LEAVING THE BRAKE PEDAL, I APPLIED A BIT MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE WHICH INITIATED A "FLAT TIRE" , BUMPY SORT OF RIDE. I SLOWLY KEPT BRAKING ON THE EXIT RAMP WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, MADE A 90 DEGREE TURN TO THE RIGHT, STRAIGHT INTO A RETAINING WALL, THE CAR WENT UP THE WALL (OFFICER SAID THERE WAS A MARK ON THE WALL ABOUT 10-11 FEET UP), FLIPPED OVER AND LANDED ON IT'S WHEELS. I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL OF THE CAR, COULDN'T STEER OR STOP IT. NO KEY TO PULL OUT... PUSH BUTTON STARTER. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I SUFFERED A FRACTURED STERNUM , FRACTURED SACRUM (DUE TO MY WEIGHT ON THE SEAT BELT AS THE CAR HIT AND TUMBLED) PLUS OTHER INJURIES. CAR WAS TOTALED. YOU WOULD THINK FROM HITTING A WALL TO FLIPPING TOTALLY AROUND, SOMETHING WOULD TRIGGER AN AIRBAG TO CUSHION ME AGAINST BONE FRACTURES. AND THIS WAS NOT A CASE OF REACTIVE BRAKING (HITTING THE ACCELERATOR BY MISTAKE)...MY FOOT NEVER LEFT THE GAS PEDAL FROM THE DECELERATION LANE ON HIGHWAY TO VERY SLOWLY DESCENDING THE EXIT RAMP. LOST MY JOB, NO SICK PAY. WAS SCHEDULED TO TAKE MY CERTIFICATION TEST AS AN AEROBICS INSTRUCTOR IN 3 DAYS TO ENABLE ME TO GET A SECOND JOB. STILL ON PAIN MEDS, GOING THROUGH TESTS, UNABLE TO WORK OR EXERCISE, ETC. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10575011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS CT200H. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED UNINTENDEDLY AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WEBBING BEGAN TO TIGHTEN AROUND HIS NECK AND UPPER SHOULDER AREA. IN ADDITION, A CHIME SOUNDED WITH FOUR UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATION ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE AUTOMATIC FRONT SEAT MECHANISM WAS ENGAGED WHICH RESULTED IN THE SEAT TO MOVE BACKWARDLY WHICH ALLOWED THE SEAT BELT WEBBING TO NOT TIGHTEN ANY FURTHER AND THE WEBBING WAS LOOSENED. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM; HOWEVER WHEN DRIVING THERE WAS NO PROCEEDING VEHICLE INVOLVED TO CAUSE A COLLISION. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMALLY. THE SIMILAR FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATION WAS A ONE TIME OCCURRENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOUR TIMES FOR THE SAME MALFUNCTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM WHICH WAS DISCONNECTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10482728