What 30 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Lexus Rx450h

Vehicle was parked, engine off, and unattended. An internal electrical fire originated in the overhead/sunroof wiring area. Damage includes melted wiring harness near the sunroof, burned center console, and soot throughout the interior. The fire originated in a constant-power electrical circuit and spread downward into the cabin. There were no aftermarket modifications, no external heat sources, and no objects in the vehicle that could have caused ignition. Ambient temperature conditions were normal and insufficient to cause this damage. This represents a serious safety defect because the fire originated spontaneously within the vehicle’s electrical system and could have resulted in a full vehicle fire or injury if occupants were present. The failure appears to involve factory-installed wiring/components and is not consistent with normal wear or external factors.

NHTSA ODI 11729838

I was just driving regular and the rx350 started to jerk and apply the breaks by itself and slip and go side ways and the car behind me almost hit me because my Lexus started to stop hard and fast .im pressing the gas but it’s not accelerating.the engine wanted to stop and very dangerous I’m scared to even drive the vehicle.i am the 3rd owner and now i know why the otheer people don’t want it .there is a recall for that problem but im new to the car recalls so im not to shure what to do to get the car repaired .i would like this fix especially because it is a recall .thanks

NHTSA ODI 11718143

While my daughter was driving at about 1:15 PM in a residential neighborhood, the steering wheel suddenly jerked hard to the right and locked while in motion. This caused the vehicle to crash into a parked car. After the vehicle was towed home, the steering wheel remained locked with both front tires pointed sharply right. When I restarted the vehicle, the steering wheel immediately spun right on its own and locked again. It could not be moved manually, and the front tires stayed stuck in the fully turned position. This appears to be a critical steering system failure. It presents a severe safety risk and could easily result in serious injury or death. Note: I had the car towed home immediately after my daughter informed me of the incident. She reported the accident to AAA Insurance at that time, and the adjuster later indicated they wanted to tow the car for evaluation and a possible total loss settlement. However, I would keep the car at my home for inspection and can reproduce the issue if you let me know when you are available to come out. There were no warning signs prior to the failure, and the car had just passed a smog check a few weeks ago. I just made a video but don't know how to attach it.

NHTSA ODI 11690104

When driving the car the steering column felt loose and when going over a railroad track or bump the steering column would jiggle. The car steering felt unsafe. Took it to the Lexus dealer in Austin Texas four or five times and they said they could not find a problem. This a a known issue on several models of Toyotas and Lexus vehicles since the early 2000’s. Toyotas/lexus continued to be manufactured with a faulty steering bussing. Because the car felt unsafe I took it to an authorized mechanic and they took the steering column apart and replaced a flawed steering bearing. The labor was $741 to disassemble and reassemble the steering column. The steering is fine now. I am so disappointed that this flaw with the steering bussing is known and not covered by Toyota/Lexus. Other models with the same problem have been recalled!

NHTSA ODI 11660645

AC or Heating stopped working on Passenger side and Rear after not using it for a couple of weeks. I checked online and a lot of RX350 owners have this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11658745

When I was driving down the road there have been times that I smelled smoke and was concerned my car was on fire. I checked the oil and inspected around my car, and didn't find the source. Today when I took my car in for service I found out the source of the smoke has been for the past 4 months. There is engine oil leaking from the timing cover that I was informed by my Lexus Dealership today would cost $7,000 (approximate) to fix. I researched online and found that all vehicles with this particular engine are known to have this problem, and it is fairly common. Leaking oil can be a fire hazard, and it seems unacceptable that Lexus/Toyota let this issue continue without addressing it with a recall. Thanks for your time, and I have also sent a similar letter to Lexus also to let them know of my concern.

NHTSA ODI 11648426

The contact owns a 2013 Lexus RX350. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel was pulling to either the left or right. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the front control arms were torn and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 101,786.

NHTSA ODI 11644901

I was in the Toyota advantage dealer in Barbousville WV to see why my park assist after replaced are stating there still out per Toyota I need a Wire Harness that’s on back, back, back order now that’s two critical items my car needs and I’m in a new place where I need GPS to work and no one has any ideal when the parts will be available for the Wire Harness nor the Air Bag well per Lexus just wait that does not work for me.

NHTSA ODI 11622541

This vehicle is missing along with a 25 year old driving it We need GPS data to locate this vehicle however Toyota motor corps is not cooperating in getting this data to us, please help us.

NHTSA ODI 11577904

The contact owned a 2013 Lexus RX 350. While the contact was parking her vehicle the vehicle inadvertently accelerated and crashed into a tree. The contact was not sure how fast the vehicle was moving. The contact crashed into the tree head on and crushed the center of the bumper and grill. The contact stated that the air bag had not deployed. The contact stated she did not notice any warning lights. The contact was transported by ambulance to the hospital. The contact suffered lacerations on her hands and face. The contact stated that the police arrived after she had been transported. The vehicle was not repaired and was declared a total loss by her insurance provider. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11568826

Rear hatch door let loose and hit my wife in head knocking her out temporarily. Lexus dealership would not run diagnostic unless I paid them 150.00. My 8year or 100,000 mile warranty ran out in 2021.

NHTSA ODI 11565260

I purchased a 2013 Lexus RX 350 pearl white in color. After about 2 years I noticed spots mainly on the roof and now it is everywhere. The curious thing about the spots are that they are under the clear coat. We had the vehicle checked by a paint professional and we confirmed that it was factory paint. I like to report this issue .

NHTSA ODI 11544359

I have had a reoccurrence of a warning light "Trac Off- Check AWD" ( All Wheel Drive}. This is, apparently, an indication that the Vehicle Stability System has been turned off. The car is now less safe/ controlled in slippery inclement conditions. In researching this issue, I have found numerous indications that many drivers have experienced this problem with Vrious Lexus models and model years. Dealer service departments appear to be baffled and unable to correct the problem. The attempted/unsuccessful repairs have been costly.

NHTSA ODI 11530332

Sunroof glass exploded while driving car

NHTSA ODI 11504198

The contact owns a 2013 Lexus RX450H equipped with Bridgestone Tires, Tire Line: Ecopia H-L 422 Plus, Tire Size: 235/55/R19, DOT Number: 0bE7EC10120. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the passenger’s side front tire exploded. The contact stated that the side of the tire quickly lost air pressure in the blowout. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21T012000 (Tires). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate tire mileage was 25,000. The vehicle failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11491568

Had so many issues with this car. Transmission went out at 52k (was replaced under warranty), and at 86k, it went out again. Car overheated and won't move in traffic. Had to push and move it to the side. Had a independent shop rebuild the transmission. Notified Lexus, but won't help due to it was not taken into their dealer. Nothing came on the dash, nor showed any symptom prior to the incident. Thanking you in advance for looking into this matter.

NHTSA ODI 11479702

There seems to be a barking noise when pressing the brakes even when engine is not on. Local shop could not diagnose the issue. I heard this could be the regenerative system that is expensive to repair. Braking seems ok but I am concerned as I thought there were some recalls on brake booster for this year but they say not on my car.

NHTSA ODI 11462173

Airbag sign on .. lexus service is asking for recalibration to fix the issue

NHTSA ODI 11453147

The contact owns a 2013 Lexus RX450H. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the contact had crashed into a tree which resulted in the airbags not deploying. The contact does not remember anything between driving on the highway and waking up in an ambulance. The contact sustained shoulder, neck, and mild concussion and sought medical treatment. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard where it was awaiting diagnosis. The manufacturer was informed of failure and the contact was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 105,606.

NHTSA ODI 11422817

I TOOK MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP FOR WARNING LIGHTS ON, HYBRID BATTERY MALFUNCTION AND BRAKE MALFUNCTION. OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP HERE ON GUAM DIAGNOSED AND PROVIDED ME AN ESTIMATE OF OVER $4K TO REPLACE THE BRAKE ACTUATOR BECAUSE IT'S LEAKING, ALONG WITH THE PUMP. CAR WAS IN MOTIKN WHEN IT FIRST CAME ON.

NHTSA ODI 11390111

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LEXUS RX450H. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KEYES LEXUS (5905 VAN NUYS BLVD, VAN NUYS, CA 91401, (818) 538-2990) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

NHTSA ODI 11355213

SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, RAINING GLASS ON THE DRIVER, WHO SUSTAINED MINOR CUTS.

NHTSA ODI 11353534

WHEN PULLING OUT OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, MY HUSBAND SLOWED DOWN TO TURN RIGHT. UPON TURNING INTO THE MIDDLE LANE, ALL SIDE AIRBAGS, FRONT AND BACK BLEW. WHILE THE INTENSITY FROM THE BLAST ROCKED THE CAR, THERE WAS NOTHING NEARBY THAT HE HIT. NO VISIBLE DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE CAR, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF, THE AIR BAGS. WE HAD NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THIS CAR, AND IN FACT, HAD JUST BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP THE SATURDAY PRIOR GETTING A STATE INSPECTION AND A NEW BATTERY. THE SERVICE REP EVEN MENTIONED HOW IMPRESSED HE WAS THAT THIS WAS THE CAR'S FIRST BATTERY IN 7 YEARS AND OVER 90K MILES. HE TOLD US THE CAR LOOKED GREAT AND TO KEEP IT UP! AND THEN TUESDAY CAME AROUND AND THE AIR BAG MALFUNCTION OCCURRED. NOT ONLY WAS THIS AN EXTREMELY SCARY EVENT, BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN THAT MUCH WORSE HAD MY 2 MONTH OLD SON BEEN IN THE CAR AT THE TIME. WE ARE THANKFUL NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY HURT. HOWEVER, THE STORY ONLY GETS WORSE WITH LEXUS'S (TOYOTA HEADQUARTERS) LACK OF RESPONSE. 4/14 ' CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP 4/16 ' DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDS CALL CORPORATE AS IT WAS A MALFUNCTION ' I CALL CORPORATE 4/20 ' CALL CORPORATE ASKING WHERE MY 24 HOUR CALL BACK WAS 4/21 - CALL AGAIN ASKING WHERE MY 24 HOUR CALL BACK WAS 4/22 ' FINALLY GET CALL. PROVIDE STATEMENT. TOLD I WILL HEAR FROM CASE MANAGER IN 7-10 BUSINESS DAYS FOR FURTHER STEPS. ASKED TO FILL OUT NDA AND SEND PICTURES. NDA PROVIDED WAS FOR WRONG CAR, IMMEDIATELY CALLED BACK AND REQUESTED NEW NDA. EMAILED PICTURES. 4/23 ' FINALLY NEW NDA SENT AND SIGNED. 5/4 ' CALL CORPORATE WONDERING WHEN CASE MANAGER WILL CALL 5/11 ' CALL CORPORATE AGAIN ASKING WHEN I WILL HEAR 5/12 ' CALL AGAIN 5/13 ' CALL AGAIN 5/14 ' FINALLY HEAR FROM CASE MANAGER ONLY TO BE TOLD NO ONE WOULD BE COMING OUT TO LOOK AT THE CAR AND A LOANER COULD NOT BE PROVIDED BECAUSE 'IT'S NOT THEIR JOB' REQUESTED TO SPEAK TO THEIR MANAGER - WAITING. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11324527

MY 2013 RX450H' ABS LIGHT SUDDENLY TURNED ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN A LOCAL ROAD. ALONG WITH THE ABS LIGHT, THERE WERE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT, MASTER MAINTENANCE WARNING LIGHT, SLIP LIGHT ON ALONG WITH "CHECK ABS" "BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION" WARNING MESSAGES APPEARING ON THE DASH BOARD. VERY UNSETTLING. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LEXUS DEALERSHIP AND THEY RETRIEVED ERROR CODE AS "C1391, ABNORMAL LEAK IN ACCUMULATOR. " THEY DIDN'T DETECT ANY LEAKAGE OR MOISTURE IN THE DIAGNOSIS, THEY RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE THE ABS ACTUATOR AND BOOSTER BUMP/ACCUMULATOR ASSEMBLY FOR A PRICE OF OVER $4300. AFTER I DID SOME RESEARCH OF THIS PROBLEM, I RAN INTO MANY COMPLAINT OF THE SAME ISSUE WITH VARIOUS TOYOTA AND LEXUS CARS, ESPECIALLY ON HYBRID MODELS. I ALSO LEARNED THE FAULTY COMPONENT IS THE ISSUE AND THE ISSUE HAS BEEN THERE ON MY CAR FOR A LONG TIME WITHOUT MY REALIZING IT. BECAUSE 1) THE ABS ASSEMBLY WOULD MAKE THE CHIRPING SOUND WHEN I START THE CAR. SINCE THE SOUND ISN'T LOUD, I WASN'T AWARE IT WAS ANY INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. 2) I ENCOUNTERED AN EVEN MORE SERIOUS SYMPTOM OF THIS ISSUE MANY MANY TIMES. WHEN I PUT THE GEAR ON REVERSE SHORTLY AFTER I SWITCH ON ENGINE, EVEN WHILE I AM STEPPING ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR WOULD JUST MOVE BACKWARD, OUT OF CONTROL OF THE BRAKE. I HAVE TO RELEASE AND REAPPLY MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO STOP ITS MOVEMENT. I FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS THE SYMPTOM OF A FAILING ABS ACTUATOR EARLIER, AS I THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING THE HYBRID MODEL HAS WITH ITS ELECTRIC MOTOR KICK IN INSTANTLY. I ALSO LEARNED TOYOTA/LEXUS OFFERED CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE ACROSS MANY MODELS AS DETAILED IN THIS POST HTTP://WWW.DIY-TIME.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/TOYOTA/FAULTY-BRAKE-ACTUATOR-BRAKE-BOOSTER-PUMP-ON-TOYOTA-LEXUS-CARS/. LEXUS SHOULD ISSUE SWEEPING RECALL TO ADDRESS THIS PREVALENT ISSUE IN ITS PRODUCTS. THE ISSUE WOULD LEAD TO REAL SAFETY ISSUES FOR DRIVERS.

NHTSA ODI 11316157

THE BRAKE ACTUATOR IS FAILING THIS IS A LARGE SCALE PROBLEM AS EVIDENT ON THE LEXUS/TOYOTA FORUMS. LEXUS ISSUED A SMALL EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR SELECT MODELS BUT FAILED TO INCLUDE ALL EFFECTED MODELS

NHTSA ODI 11310572