What 54 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Lexus RX 350h

The contact owns a 2011 Lexus RX350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH the front driver seat heater was activated and moments later smoke and flames were present coming from the center console of the vehicle. After stopping and exiting the vehicle the fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed and later towed away by the insurance company. No injuries were reported and no police or fire reports were taken. The cause of the fire was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not contacted regarding the incident. The failure mileage was 150,000.

NHTSA ODI 11613473

I was driving my 2011 Lexus RX 350 on July 7, 2023, to a swimming pool. I was pulling into a parking spot just rolling to a stop with my foot on the brake. The car suddenly accelerated with grate speed and ran on the curb of the sidewalk forward to a small rock wall, I immediately turned the vehicle to the right and pressed down on the brakes, but the vehicle kept moving about 45 feet and came to a stop after crushing another two vehicles in the parking lot. These two vehicles were destroyed and not repairable according to the insurance company. For my car the right front side was crushed and both airbags on the drive side deployed, and my chest and legs were injured by the airbags. The biggest injury was my mental injury which made me unable to return to normal life.

NHTSA ODI 11533038

On Saturday July 15, 2023, at between about 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. CDST the vehicle was parked overnight in a garage, spontaneously caught fire and burned and was a total loss. There was a smell I would associate with an electrical fire. People reported hearing a car alarm and a "popping sound" before the fire. The fire department extinguished the fire and had the car towed out of the garage of a condominium association. Fire damage to property (except the subject car) was minimal but there was extensive smoke. In my opinion based on this incident, electric/hybrid cars should not be parked indoors.

NHTSA ODI 11532457

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS RX 450H. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE BUT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS THE ONLY PERSON THAT SUSTAINED INJURIES (BODY SORENESS) BUT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED DURING THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000.

NHTSA ODI 11415932

AIRBAGS FAILED DURING A MAJOR ACCIDENT

NHTSA ODI 11415950

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, NOTICED SMOKE EMERGING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE POLICE WAS ALSO PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A THIRD PARTY COMPANY EVALUATED IT, THEY DIAGNOSTIC WAS UNKNOWN CAUSE FOR THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

NHTSA ODI 11210626

PARKED IN DRIVEWAY IN BACK OF HOUSE, BESIDE DECK AFTER SHORT TRIP TO STORE. SMELLED A MELTING SMELL OUTSIDE. MAYBE FIVE MINUTES LATER THE SMELL STARTED COMING INSIDE THE HOUSE. WE LOOKED OUTSIDE AND SAW SMOKE AND THOUGHT THE HOUSE WAS ON FIRE. WE WENT OUTSIDE AND THERE WAS SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SPRAYED CAR WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER, WHICH DID NOTHING, THEN USED WATER HOSE TO SPRAY FRONT OF CAR TO KEEP FROM THE HOUSE CATCHING ON FIRE. CAR WAS MAKING POPPING NOISES, LARGE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE AND STRONG SMELL. ALL NEIGHBORS CAME OVER IT WAS STRONG. FIRE DEPARTMENT SPENT OVER AN HOUR PUTTING OUT FIRE AND USED THEIR WHOLE TANK OF WATER. FRONT END MELTED, TIRES POPPED, DASHBOARD AND WINDSHIELD DESTROYED. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN

NHTSA ODI 11119918

12/7/2017 I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY TO PARK AT 1 PM. I SLOWED DOWN I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, I WAS PUTTING IT INTO THE PARK POSITION WHEN THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND AND PUT A HOLE IN THE GARAGE DOOR AND KNOCKED IT OFF TRACK.I WAS STUNNED & SURPRISED.MY HUSBAND AND I COULD NOT DUPLICATE THIS ACTION. ON 12/14/17 I PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT AT FOY PARK IN BURBANK CA. I SLOWLY PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE ,MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AS I PUT THE CAR INTO THE PARK POSITION THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE CAR TOOK OFF OVER A CEMENT PARKING BLOCK AND OVER THE CURB, WENT THROUGH A CHAIN LINK FENCE AND LANDED IN THE BRUSH WITH 3 WHEELS OFF THE GROUND AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL RACING WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. ON 12/15/17 THE DAY AFTER I DROVE INTO MY DRIVEWAY ABOUT 2 PM. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE I PUT IT INTO PARK AND IT DID THE SAME [XXX] THING AND 5 FEET MY FRIEND [XXX] WITNESSED IT. THAT WAS IT FOR ME I HAD IT TOWED TO KEYES LEXUS TOYOTA AND NEVER DROVE IT AGAIN. KEYES SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND I KNOW FROM CHECKING ON LINE WITH MY FRIEND [XXX] THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE U.S. I AM DEEPLY WORRIED THAT THIS CAR WILL BE SOLD AGAIN AND SOMEONE WILL BE INJURED OR KILLED. THERE ARE 64437 MILES ON THE ODOMETER WHEN TRADED IN.PLEASE HELP !! I WAS THE ONLY PERSON INJURED, SUFFERING BACK AND NECK INJURES AND I AM STILL BEING TREATED I'M A LITTLE AFRAID OF DRIVING ANY CAR AT THIS POINT BUT I WILL WORK THROUGH IT.. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11078721

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 LEXUS RX350. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 50 MPH. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A WALL AND REVERSED AT 50 MPH. THE CONTACT SWITCHED THE GEAR BACK INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AGAIN, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE WALL AGAIN. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,557. *LN UPDATED 10/1/18*JB

NHTSA ODI 11073126

AS I WAS TRYING TO PARK MY VEHICLE, IT ACCELERATED AND HIT A BUILDING THEN WENT BACKWARDS. I MANAGED TO KEEP THE CAR FROM REVERSING INTO THE STREET BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK AND CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN. IT HIT THE BUILDING A SECOND TIME. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND IT STOPPED. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS INFLATED AND THE CAR WAS TOTALED. TOYOTA TOOK NO BLAME FOR THE ACCIDENT AND I'M LEFT WITHOUT A VEHICLE. THIS CAR IS IN A GROUP OF RECALLED CARS, LEXUS DOES NOT HAVE RECORDS OF EVER RECALLING THIS TRUCK

NHTSA ODI 11066495

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS RX350. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE IDLING AT AN INTERSECTION, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AGAIN. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AFTER THE SECOND CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST ACCIDENT WAS 2016 CONSUMER INJURED HIS SHOULDER AND BACK. UPDATED 8/27/18*

NHTSA ODI 11054176

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS RX350. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN CRASHED INTO THE MEDIAN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ODI 10914201

MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A ACCIDENT MY CAR WAS TOTAL AND I PUSH DOWN ON MY BRAKES IT HIT THE BACK OF A TRUCK MY INJURY WERE REALLY BAD I FELT THAT MY BRAKES AND AIRBAG

NHTSA ODI 10881685

ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015, LEXUS RX350 (2011) CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A PARKING LOT. WHEN THE GEAR WAS ABOUT TO BE PUT IN TO PARKING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ITSELF AND MOVED APPROXIMATELY 40 FT FORWARD. THE CAR SPRANG OUT GOING OVER A CEMENT PARKING BLOCK, IRON FENCE THAT WAS DIVIDING ONE BUILDING'S PARKING LOT TO ANOTHER, AND FELL ABOUT 5 FT BELOW SINCE THE PARKING LOT WAS IN HIGHER LEVEL THAN OTHER BUILDING'S PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE KEPT MOVING EVEN AFTER FALLING FROM THE HIGHER GROUND AND CAME TO A STOP AFTER HITTING A TREE.

NHTSA ODI 10789422

I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON GEORGIA 400 MERGING ONTO 85 SOUTH WHEN I SAW CARS STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. I IMMEDIATELY APPLIED ME BRAKES - TO NO AVAIL. MY CAR KEPT GOING. I RAN INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME CREATING A FOUR CAR WRECK. I LATER LEARNED FROM A MARKET VALUATION REPORT THAT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 LEXUS RX350 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 30, 2010, THROUGH MAY 18, 2011, AND EQUIPPED WITH VEHICLE DYNAMICS INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT (VDIM). THE CALIBRATION FOR THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL VALVES IS INCORRECT. DUE TO THIS CONDITION, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL MAY NOT BE CONTROLLED PROPERLY DURING ABS (ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM) OR VSC (VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL) ACTUATION. THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES AND/OR A FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY CORRECT A VEHICLE SLIDE, WHICH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE ACTUATOR WITH A NEW ONE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331. I WAS UNAWARE OF THE RECALL, I NEVER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION. I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR EVERY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, AT THIS TIME, I WAS THE ONLY PERSON INJURED IN THE CRASH. IT APPEARS THAT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED IN MY CAR; THUS, I AM FILING A COMPLAINT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10607861

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE BRAKES SEIZED UPON ENGAGING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A BRICK WALL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,500. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10599215

WE WERE STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT IN A LEFT TURN LANE. AT 9;30 AT NIGHT THE LIGHT IS SLOW TO CHANGE. IN ABOUT 2 MINUTES IT TURNED GREEN. I COULD SEE CARS STOPPING IN THE LANES. I PULLED OUT ONLY TO BE HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE FRONT END. FHP ESTIMATED HIS SPEED AT 50MPH. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. OUR SEAT BELTS NEVER GAVE AN INCH IN THE CRASH, KEEPING US BACK AGAINST THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE IMPACT CRUSHED ITEMS BACK TO THE FIRE WALL. ON THE LEFT SIDE(SITTING IN THE VEHICLE) WHERE THE BATTERY SITS, THE POLICE, NOR THE IMS COULD UNDERSTAND WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WAS THE CRASH SO HARD AND FIERCE, THE SYSTEM WAS BYPASSED SOMEHOW? THE INJURIES WE SUFFERED WERE SEVERE CHEST PAIN FROM THE SEAT BELT AND MY RIGHT HAND JAMMED INTO SOMETHING, BREAKING SMALL BLOOD VESSELS AND SWELLING. THIS IS MARCH 16 AND I AM STILL EXPERIENCING DISCOMFORT IN THE HAND. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE CAR, IT IS A SMALL MIRACLE WE DID NOT RECEIVE GREATER INJURIES. WE THANK OUR GOD AND HIS SON, JESUS, FOR THAT. YOU HAVE TO TAKE YOUR HAT OFF TO THOSE SEAT BELTS, TOO. CAN SOMEONE COME UP WITH A GOOD REASON THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT WORK. I HAVE SEVERAL PHOTOS OF THE VEHICLE. I CANNOT FIND THE VIN NUMBER. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10503249

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPOT, THE BRAKES FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10473177

TURNED INTO PARKING SPACE. CAR BEGAN ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. I APPLIED THE BRAKES CONTINUOUSLY, THREW THE CAR INTO PARK TO NO AVAIL. THE CAR JOLTED FORWARD, CRASHING INTO THE STOREFRONT, BREAKING GLASS WINDOWS. THE (APPROX) 2 FEET OF BLOCK WALL STOPPED THE CAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MY CONTROL IN SPITE OF ALL EFFORT TO BRING THE CAR TO A STOP. HAD SOMEONE BEEN WALKING ON THE SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF THE STORE (SALON), I WOULD HAVE BEEN POWERLESS TO KEEP FROM INJURING OR KILLING THEM. THIS WAS NOT DRIVER ERROR. I WAS FULLY "IN THE MOMENT," AND AWARE OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10470336

I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE CAR FELT LIKE IT JUMPED / ACCELERATED FROM NOWHERE, AND I COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME IN A REAR-END COLLISION. DAMAGED CAUSED TO MY ENTIRE FRONT END AND THE OTHER VEHICLES BACK END. IMPACT SPEED IS UNKNOWN BUT IT FELT LIKE 5-10MPH AND DEFINITELY NOT A ROLL-HIT OR A BUMP OF A HIT. I WAS STOPPED AND THEN THE VEHICLE JUST ACCELERATED INTO THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10463921

WHILE PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY, MY WIFE TOOK HER FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR AND CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND RAN INTO WALL OF HOUSE DAMAGING FRONT OF CAR AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO HOUSE AND CONTENTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10453303

WHILE PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY MY WIFE TOOK FOOT OFF GAS AND CAR ACELERATED AND RAN INTO WALL DAMAGING HOUSE AND CONTENTS

NHTSA ODI 10453306

2011 LEXUS RX350. CONSUMER STATES AFTER TURNING A HALF CIRCLE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SKIDDED AND HIT THE LEFT CURB AND THE LEFT FRONT TIRE RUPTURED AND VEHICLE KEPT MOVING TOWARD THE DRIVER'S SIDE DESPITE CONSUMER TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE CRASHED INTO A NEARBY CONCRETE FENCE HEAD-ON. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE BRAKES MAY HAVE FAILED. *JB

NHTSA ODI 10433369