What 13 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Lexus Rx450h

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

DRIVER SIDE REARVIEW MIRROR VIBRATES INSIDE HOUSING PREVENTING PROPER IDENTIFICATION OF VEHICLES APPROACHING OR VEHICLES ON LEFT LANE. THIS SITUATION HAS BEEN PRESENT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. LEXUS DENIES MY CLAIM. I BELIEVE IT TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 10721150

WHILE STOPPED AT A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT, I PRESSED THE PHONE HANGUP BUTTON (BLUETOOTH CONNECTION) ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, FOOT ON THE BRAKE, PRESSED THE START BUTTON ON THE DASH - ENGINE DID NOT START. TRY #4 IT STARTED. MEANWHILE THE TRAFFIC LIGHT HAD GONE THROUGH A FULL CYCLE, THEN RED AND LATE ON THE 2ND GREEN I WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR. CONSIDERABLE HONKING FROM CARS BEHIND ME DURING THE EVENT, BUT FORTUNATELY NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES DURING THIS STALL. ON JUNE 17, 2014 I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO KEYES LEXUS MAINTENANCE IN VAN NUYS, CA, MY DEALERSHIP AND THE MAINTENANCE SERVICE I ALWAYS USE. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY DEFECTS IN THE SHOP OR DURING A LONGRANGE DRIVE, BUT THE DRIVER DID NOT USE THE BLUETOOTH. LEXUS SAID NO SYSTEMIC DEFECTS HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED IN THE BLUETOOTH, OR OTHER PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE STALLS, AND MY GOOGLE SEARCH CONFIRMED THAT. I TURNED THE LEASED VEHICLE IN AT KEYES LEXUS, AND THEY MADE AN EXCELLENT DEAL FOR ME TO LEASE A NEW 2015 RX450H. I AM NOT COMPLAINING ABOUT ANY OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO WORKED WITH ME, AND I AM A LONG TIME CUSTOMER AT KEYES LEXUS WHICH PROVIDES OUTSTANDING SERVICE AND COURTESY. HOWEVER, I AM UNCONVINCED THAT THE VEHICLE IS SAFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10604514