What 26 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Lexus RX 350

Vehicle: 2014 Lexus RX 450h Component: ABS / Brake Actuator System I am submitting this complaint regarding a safety-related brake system defect in my 2014 Lexus RX 450h. The vehicle experienced ABS/brake actuator failure consistent with a known defect that was previously addressed by Lexus/Toyota through a Customer Support Program (extended coverage program, not a recall). I was never notified of this program. I have confirmed that Lexus mailed notification to an incorrect address (Temple City), despite the fact that my vehicle registration address has never changed and has always been accurately maintained with the DMV. As a result, I was deprived of the opportunity to repair a known safety-related defect within the coverage period. Key facts: - Brake/ABS actuator system failure occurred at approximately 150,000 miles - Lexus had previously issued a Customer Support Program for this known defect - No notification was received by me during the coverage period - Lexus confirmed notices were sent to an incorrect address - My DMV registration address has remained unchanged I raised this issue directly with Lexus Customer Assistance, including escalation to a supervisor. Lexus denied goodwill assistance and stated no remedy is available despite the documented notification issue. This raises concerns regarding: - Adequacy of manufacturer notification procedures for safety-related defects - Potential failure to reasonably notify owners using accurate registration data - Loss of repair opportunity for a known braking system defect due to administrative error Because this involves a braking system (critical safety component), I am requesting that NHTSA review whether the notification process used for this defect was adequate and whether other owners may have been similarly affected. Supporting documentation is available, including proof of DMV address history and evidence of incorrect mailing address used by the manufacturer.

NHTSA ODI 11743831

Sudden unexplained acceleration, Vehicle is available for inspection for limited amount of time next week vehicle will be taken by insurance company. Operator deceased as result of crash, Problem not confirmed, Barnstable, Ma police reconstruction team has hold on vehicle pending investigation, Police report not available as of 03/09/25

NHTSA ODI 11647198

This involved the CARGO LID at the rear of the vehicle. I could have been KILLED or TOTALLY PARALYZED by the incident. I have not brought the vehicle to a dealer, nor has any other authority inspected it. Also, there was no warning. During cold weather days, the lid would open normally and when it was fully opened it would start descending in small steps. I then would physically lift it to the full open position and it would stay there until I was finished (loading or unloading) then it would close normally after I pushed the "close" button. This particular cold day incident, I physically lifted it to the top then went to get a box to load. As I approached the vehicle the lid came slamming down with a bang. Had I gotten there a few seconds earlier my head and neck would have been inside the cargo area and the lid would have slammed down on my head or neck, possibly killing me or paralyzing me with a broken neck. On non cold days the lid operates normally. However, I now use a two by four to prop the lid in the open position regardless of the daily temperature.

NHTSA ODI 11647121

Air bags did not deploy & yes it’s available for inspection. I was in an accident & the vehicle is totaled. Yes, has been inspected & confirmed they did not deploy by VA state police, tow company & insurance company USAA. There were no warnings or other symptoms.

NHTSA ODI 11628645

The contact owns a 2014 Lexus RX450H. The contact stated that occasionally while depressing the brake pedal or the accelerator pedal or while stopped at a traffic light, there was an abnormal squeaking sound coming from the brake actuator. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the vehicle was diagnosed with a faulty brake actuator. The dealer recommended replacing the brake actuator assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided the contact with a case number and would respond within 72 hours. The failure mileage was approximately 141,090.

NHTSA ODI 11572911

My front passenger door actuator has failed. This door cannot be locked/unlocked with the remote or by pressing any lock/unlock button. This prevents the driver from being able to lock all the doors or the front passenger from being able to quickly exit the cabin unless the manual unlock switch is known and applied. This is the 5th door actuator that has failed on this vehicle. I'm the original owner and it has 51K miles on it. All 4 doors failed and this is the second time for this particular door since it was replaced some 4 years & 21K miles ago. The problem started a few months ago and is currently intermittent. Being "sometimes" safe is not being safe. I have not had it analyzed at the dealer since I would not bring it there unless I planned to have it fixed. There were no warning signs or lights.

NHTSA ODI 11537787

01-12-2023 side tire blew out, only about 1.5mile drive at 69freeway Sugar land TX 77479. Nice weather , nice road conditions. The tire drove about 10,000.miles with 60,000. Warranty. It is newer tire, less miles because 3years pandemic. 4 new tires ; YOKOHAMA YK740 GTX 105V R19. Invoice cost $784.71 Installed at 12-12-2019 .

NHTSA ODI 11502598

The contact owned a 2014 Lexus RX350. The contact stated that while the wife was driving approximately 35 mph a dump truck collided with the passenger side of the vehicle. During the crash, the side curtain air bags did not deploy. The front passenger sustained injuries to the head, neck, shoulder, and torso and the front driver sustained injuries to the right foot and chest area. Medical treatment was required for both occupants. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. A police report was taken at the scene. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 44,000.

NHTSA ODI 11453349

Driving the car on the highway. The transmission lost power & engine started revving with no movement. It was dangerous because we could have been rear ended. We had car towed to the Peterson Lexus dealer in Boise Idaho. They said that the internal bearing failed & recommend a new transmission.

NHTSA ODI 11450590

My car stalled in the middle of an intersection. It had to be towed to the Lexus dealer, where it was determined to be a fuel pump malfunction. My car was not subject to the fuel pump recall but it should have been.

NHTSA ODI 11423781

When I press on my brakes they make a loud roaring sound right away. Usually when brakes are about to go out its usually a squeaky noise then it will go to loud roaring noise. There has not been an indicator on the dash about any issues with the vehicle. I found it rather odd that the brakes made the roaring noise immediately. It didn't squeak at all. I would like for this matter to be looked into. There is no way there should be a brake system failure right away. The schrader valve has a crack and freon is leaking out of and the air is not blowing cold air.

NHTSA ODI 11423499

WHILE DRIVING MY 2014 LEXUS RX350 AT 60MPH ON INTERSTATE I-10, MY SUNROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODED OUTWARDS! NO SIGNS OF ROAD DEBRIS NOR ANY OTHER VEHICLES IN VICINITY AFTER STOPPING, IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE REMAINING GLASS SHOWED THAT THERE WAS NO IMPACT AND THE GLASS SHATTERED OUTWARDS. WHEN INVESTIGATING ONLINE, I NOTICED THAT THIS COULD BE THE RESULT OF A DEFECT KNOWN BY THE AUTO INDUSTRY INCLUDING TOYOTA/LEXUS. I AM THANKFUL THAT THE INTERIOR SHIELD FOR THE SUNROOF WAS CLOSED FOR THE SHATTERED GLASS COULD HAVE ENTERED THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WITH POSSIBLE INJURY.

NHTSA ODI 11299131

CAR HAD 70,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. CAR WAS HAVING ISSUES WITH CRANKING, GETTING ERROR CODES FOR TECHNOLOGY, AND CAR SOUNDING LOUDLY AND SKIPPONG ALONG WITH NOT CHANGING OUT PROPERLY. DEALER NEVER FOUND A PROBLEM, BEYOND TECHNOLOGY, UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. DEALER AGREED TO PAY FOR NEW TRANSMISSION 1 YEAR WARRANTY BUT NOT LABOR. CAR WOULD HESITATE TO START AND COULD HAVE BROKEN DOWN ON HIGHWAY HAD I NOT DENSND AN INSPECTION AGAIN, ONE WEEK AFTER THE DEALER CLAIM MY CAR WAS FIX AND IT WAS ONLY THE BATTERY.

NHTSA ODI 11298660

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 LEXUS RX350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, A LOUD BOOMING SOUND WAS PRESENT. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE GLASS SUN ROOF HAD SHATTERED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE SUN ROOF WAS CLOSED DURING THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND A SERVICE APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

NHTSA ODI 11241939

CRACK IN WINDSHIELD STARTING ON PASSENGER SIDE JUST ABOVE THE BLACKISH PART AT THE LOWER PART OF THE WINDSHIELD , EXTENDING UP FOR ABOUT 3 INCHES THEN MAKING ABOUT A 95 DEGREE TURN HEADING TOWARD THE DRIVERS SIDE. WHEN FIRST NOTICED, THIS SECTION WAS ONLY ABOUT 3 INCHES LONG ALSO, BUT 2 DAYS LATER, IT EXTENDED ABOUT 2 FEET. NO APPARENT OR REMEMBERING ANY OBJECT STRIKING THE WINDSHIELD. NO CHIP SEEN. JUST NOTICED WHEN GOT IN CAR TO START IT THE MORNING STATED. THE 2 FOOT EXTENSION OCCURED WHILE DRIVING 2 DAYS LATER

NHTSA ODI 11155600

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA ODI 11105027

VEHICLE TAKEN IN FOR EMISSIONS TEST/RENEWAL IN MARCH 2016. AFTER WORK COMPLETED, MADE SEVERAL STOPS AND "DRIVERS" SEAT SETTING (#1) WOULD NOT RETURN TO ORIGINAL EXIT SETTING THAT I HAD PROGRAMMED. THE STEERING WHEEL ALWAYS MOVES INTO THE DRIVING POSITION, BUT THE SEAT WOULD NOT. ADVISED SERVICE DEPT SAME DAY BUT AFTER BUSINESS HOURS THAT I WOULD BRING IT IN TO CORRECT WHATEVER WAS DONE SO THAT IT WOULD WORK PROPERLY. RETURNED NEXT DAY, SERVICE TICKET NOT WRITTEN, AND DEMONSTRATED PROBLEM WITH SERVICE ADVISOR, WHO ALSO SAT IN THE VEHICLE AND SAW THE SAME RESULTS. TO DATE PROBLEM NOT FIXED, AND SEAT WORKS SOMETIMES & SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT. ON SECOND VISIT, MECHANIC SUPPOSEDLY FIXED & I GOT INTO MY CAR AND IT STILL DID NOT WORK. DRIVING POSITION IS SUPPOSE TO WORK WHEN SEAT BELT IS ENGAGED OR VEHICLE SWITCH IS PRESSED.

NHTSA ODI 10881261

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 LEXUS RX350. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD, NECK, BACK, AND SHOULDER INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY REPAIR CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,305. UPDATED 4/20/15*CN UPDATED 9/28/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI 10693820

CAR PARKED ON A DRIVEWAY AND SLIPPED OUT OF PARK AND DOWN THE DRIVEWAY INTO A NEIGHBORS TREE ACROSS THE STREET. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10693369

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 LEXUS RX350 EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN, TIRE LINE: LATITUDE TOUR AND TIRE SIZE: P235/55R19 (N/A). THE CONTACTED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND REAR SIDE TIRES WERE PUNCTURED WITH UNKNOWN OBJECTS. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. DJR

NHTSA ODI 10652164

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 LEXUS RX 350. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE AFTER A COMPLETE STOP, DURING THE (GEAR) SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO PARK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT / CRASHED ON TO A BUILDING AND SPUN OFF, AND THE IMPACT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO TRAVEL FOR ABOUT 15 FEET AND STOPPED. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NO INJURIES TO ANYONE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP AND LATER TO DEALERSHIP'S COLLISION SHOP. APPROXIMATE ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR IS $21,000. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED THROUGH THE EMAIL OPTION IN LEXUS CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER. APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,500. IT APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE OR SOME INTERNAL ELECTRONIC SYSTEM. BECAUSE, WHEN THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED, THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP AND MY (DRIVER) FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10644118

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 LEXUS RX350. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH THE VEHICLE INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,600.

NHTSA ODI 10621989

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A DISTORTION ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT CAUSED THE CONTACT TO BECOME PHYSICALLY ILL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

NHTSA ODI 10616257

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 LEXUS RX350. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POLE, WHICH THEN FELL ONTO THE WINDSHIELD AND THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,500. UPDATED 08/19/14*LJ THE LIGHT POLE BOUNCED OFF THE VEHICLE, AND FELL IN THE STREET. UPDATED 08/21/14

NHTSA ODI 10607987

2.5 MONTHS OLD WITH 2200 MILES HAS A LEAKY FRONT RIGHT SHOCK. THE DEALER SAYS THE SHOCKS ARE ON BACK ORDER NATIONWIDE AND IT WILL TAKE 2 WEEKS TO GET THE PART. IT SOUNDS LIKE A POSSIBLE RECALL PROBLEM. THEY WILL REPLACE IT UNDER WARRANTY NOW, BUT THIS MAY HAPPEN AGAIN RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY RUNS OUT. CAR FEELS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, BUT THE DEALER INSISTS IT IS SAFE. THE NOISE AND ROUGH HANDLING IS MORE NOTICEABLE IN LOW SPEEDS, BUT IT IS FELT AT ALL SPEEDS. THE PROBLEM STARTED ON SATURDAY AND GOT MUCH WORSE BY MONDAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10592861