What 91 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Lexus RX 350h

I purchased a 2017 Lexus Rx 450h Fsport last year at Carmax. About 6 months ago, I noticed that every time I pressed the brakes, there was a chirping sound. I figured it could be dust in the calipers. As the months went by, the chirping sound has gotten louder and now it affected the parking brakes. I researched this problem and many people online have also complained that they are hearing this Chirping sound or what the Dealer calls a "Brake Squawking" sound. I received a letter from Lexus saying to bring my vehicle in for a possible Brake Booster and Fuel pump failure. So I brought my car to the dealership. Since it's there I complained about the chirping sounds that it's making every time I step on the brakes and when the parking brake is applied. I told the Advisor at Lexus that a lot of people online have also complained about this problem and it should be a "Recall". He said that it's not a Recall. To make the story short, the Dealership didn't find anything wrong with the Brake Booster and the Fuel pump. What's causing the Chirping or Squawking sounds was the "Brake Actuator". I was quoted $4,327 to have these parts replaced because my Rx was already past the 50,000 miles warranty. I brought my Rx to the Dealership at 55,483 miles. It was a great thing that we purchased the extended warranty at Carmax called the Max Care which I only had to pay a $100 co-pay. Amazing! It took about 2 days to have this completed. Now, the chirping sound has disappeared when I press the brakes and when the parking brake is applied. I truly believe that this should be a Recall by Lexus and be covered. It shouldn't matter how many miles the customer has. This is a safety issue. The brake actuator shouldn't fail this soon. I have a 2007 Lexus GS350 with 225,000 plus miles and I never replaced the Brake Actuator. I don't know if even has one. The bottom line is when I press the brakes on that car, there were never any chirping sounds.

NHTSA ODI 11526407

The contact owns a 2017 Lexus RX350. The contact stated that upon a cold start, an abnormal knocking sound was coming from the right side of the engine without warning. The contact stated that the knocking noise became louder upon shifting gear but would cease once the engine was warmed up. The contact also noted that the brake pedal was firm while depressing the brake pedal. There was an unknown brake warning message displayed. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V211000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics) which he linked to the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed him that the vehicle was not under recall. The dealer provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 25,800.

NHTSA ODI 11513038

At approximately 6:45pm on Tuesday, December 27, I was driving in Nassau County, NY, when my sunroof exploded. The sound was terrifying and I was very concerned that I was shot at or hit by an unknown object. At first I thought the object hit my car or my back windshield. I looked and did not see any holes anywhere but I could hear air coming into my car. I moved my sunroof shield and saw a gaping hole and shattered glass.

NHTSA ODI 11500870

Brakes make a squeaking sound when brakes applied. They are loud, this sound is not coming from brake pads or rotors. They are alarming and cause anyone to become startled and could cause crashes.

NHTSA ODI 11498726

DAMPER SERVO SUB-ASSEMBLY, AIR CONDITIONER RADIATOR, NO. 2 Part Number: 8710608120 Which also called the bend door actuator failed on my 2017 RX450h at 80,000 mile.The part or door opens to mix hot air form the heating core and cold air to supply heat to the interior of the vehicle. When the bend door actuator part failed you have no heat and to replace it you have to he the dash removed (poor engineer design) and face bills for service over 6,000 dollars. This part failed appears to be prevalent with this manufacturer. Other manufacturers such as Mercedes benz, Porsche, and Honda etc. do not appear to suffer from this part failure problem at the same mileage. This appears to be a lemon part form this Manufacturer. Respectfully submitted, Newton Edwards Chemical Engineer 31 years

NHTSA ODI 11498716

I just picked My Car up from Bakersfield Motor Ciry Lexus . My engine was replaced with a engine at this location with 65k . I have now notice my car jerk during acceleration from a stop position or uphill possibly from the transmission . I respectfully requesting a claim be opened on this issue as I didn't have the issue until engine replacement. I am also requesting a courtesy evaluation and stress test on the transmission at my home dealership Newport Beach Lexus. Ever since engine replacement the car has been bucking during acceleration 0 to 45.

NHTSA ODI 11493983

The contact owns a 2017 Lexus RX350. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal, without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the vacuum pump was defective and needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V211000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics) which she linked to the failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and the contact was given a case manager. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000. The contact stated that the vacuum pump was replaced at their expense and is requesting a reimbursement. The vehicle always had issues with the vacuum pump ever since the contact purchased it in 2021. The contact claims that they were told that the vacuum pump issue was normal. The 65k warranty of the vehicle had expired before the problem was dealt with.

NHTSA ODI 11493410

The Dealer Northtown Lexus in Amherst, New York replaced the vacuum pump per a factory recall. As a result, the vacuum pump continues to function improperly. The dealership, whom repaired the vehicle without my authorization, refuses to complete the vehicle repair.

NHTSA ODI 11493306

The on board mapping system is no longer accurate for speed limits and as such ( assuming speed limits were lowered for safety reasons) creates an unsafe driving experience. Other manufacturers update there mapping technology at no cost ( eg Audi) Lexus require $500. It needs to be free.

NHTSA ODI 11493089

It was found during inspection of front break calipers that rubber dust boots on 3 out of 4 pistons (2 pistons per caliper) were torn apart. Chunks of cut out rubber boots were found inside the pistons. The car never had break work done since the time it was manufactured. The brake pads on both front wheels are still factory original. The only way for dust boots to get damaged is to have improper installation during car assembly process where rubber boot is not tacked fully inside caliper. The issue would result in premature wear of piston seals dust boot supposed to protect. Wearing off seals would result in leak of break fluid and potential sudden loss of break functionality. The workmanship issue is likely to be impacting other vehicles assembled on the same factory floor by the same employee.

NHTSA ODI 11490741

When checking the emergency SOS function in my car I found that it did not work. I called Lexus support and was told that the following safety systems would no longer be operative: Lexus Enform Safety Connect including Automatic Collision Notification; Enhanced Roadside Assistance; Emergency Assistance Button and Stolen Vehicle Locator; Lexus Enform Remote including Remote Engine Start/Stop, Door Lock/Unlock, Vehicle Finder, Guest Driver Monitor, Vehicle Status and Alerts, Key Fob Remote Start, and Integration with Alexa and The Google Assistant; Lexus Enform Destination Assist including 24-hour live response center agent; Lexus Enform Service Connect including Vehicle Health Report, Vehicle Alerts, and Maintenance Alerts; These include safety systems that I rely on, especially when driving on interstate highways, and were included when I purchased my car. I had no warning that the services would cease to function in October of this year. Lexus states that these systems will no longer function because telecommunications providers will no longer support 3G service. This is certainly a safety issue for me and for other drivers and I believe that Lexus should be required to modify the hardware/software in these vehicles to function in a 4G/5G environment. Lexus representatives state that Lexus has no plans to correct these safety issues. I am requesting that NHTSA review this matter as a highway safety issue.

NHTSA ODI 11489866

On 5/8/2020, Northtown Lexus replaced or repaired the vacuum pump. Northtown Lexus required the vehicle to be returned for repair twice, following the initial repair on 5/8/2020. After three attempts, the vehicle's vacuum pump (per a factory recall) is not functioning properly. Northtown Lexus refuses to further diagnosis this defective vacuum pump and continued to decline any and all requests for repair. The vehicle operates abnormally ever since this factory recall was originally addressed by Northtown Lexus on 5/8/2020.

NHTSA ODI 11486423

At the beginning of the Month of May as the weather got hot I turned on the AC and suddenly the windshield cracked more than 6 inches long with no previous damage.

NHTSA ODI 11476146

Sunroof Glass Failure Report: I was traveling on the interstate at the speed limit and there was a loud bang, which after I pulled over, discovered that the sunroof had "exploded". There was no sign of anything hitting it and the weather was typical for the Texas Gulf Coast in a July morning. Luckily, the underneath cover for the sunroof was closed, because several pounds of glass fragments were released in the sunroof failure and would have been all over the passenger compartment of the Lexus. This is a major safety issue, especially if a child is fastened in a car seat with this problem directly overhead. This issue has been reported by numerous other Lexus owners and seems to occur often enough that it should be a concern for the manufacturer, but I am not aware that they have taken any action on this. A photo of the failed sunroof is included.

NHTSA ODI 11474780

Rear ended vehicle automatic braking did not activate

NHTSA ODI 11469282

I was driving up a hill, turning on to a dirt road. I had my foot on the brake as I was going down hill, I bounce from the crevice on the dirt road. My car started going faster, I kept my foot on the brake trying to stop, but it did not STOP. I avoided hitting a parked car and slammed in to a K-rail. My car would not STOP.

NHTSA ODI 11466093

I hear a loud clicking sound that is coming from the vacuum pump that sends vacuum to the brake booster, I am concerned that it could eventually cause braking issues.in the future if not corrected ,i have read multiple forums and it seems to be a common problem with this particular vehicle and ones similar to it, I would like to have this issue resolved before a traggedy occurs.

NHTSA ODI 11465808

The contact owned a 2017 Lexus RX350. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH on the highway, another vehicle that lost control and crashed into the contact's front and side of the vehicle. The driver's front air bag did not deploy. The contact suffered minor injuries to the face from the glass front windshield, a cut and burn from the seatbelt, and a bruise to the arm. Medical attention was received. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was deemed and destroyed by the insurance company. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000 The contact stated that of all the airbags, none of them deployed at the time of the accident. As a result, the vehicle was totaled.

NHTSA ODI 11464059

Today, May 5th approximately 9am travelling on 287 East (Westchester County, NY) I was startled by what sounded like an explosion - I literally ducked in the driver's seat. Sounded like it came from overhead and then I observed that no other car seemed to have slowed or was affected. I put on my hazard lights and drove a 1/2 mile or so until I could safely pull over. As I'm driving I can hear over my head rumbling and the wind as if the sunroof was open - but I hadn't opened it. When I was able to get out and take a look the closed sunroof had shattered outward - it reminded me of a volcano pattern. Left my hazards on, got unto local roads and drove car to dealer - Ray Catena Lexus of White Plains, where we purchased the automobile. Service told me something must have hit me at the right angle. They could find no debris besides broken glass in the sunroof compartment. I was shaken and went through the process of figuring out a loaner and cost to repair. Upon my return home I spoke to my husband and we realized it just didn't make sense. We started doing research and discovered that the Toyota corporation may well be aware of these incidents, they've been happening to different models of Lexus cars/SUVs for years - different models all over the country. In California there is currently a class action suit against the corporation. I'm thankful I was driving and not my daughter and that I had the presence of mind not to lose control of the car or open the soft inside cover of the sunroof. This needs to be investigated, Toyota makes many different model cars, trucks, SUVs and this is unacceptable. My one regret is that I didn't have the presence of mind to take a photo.

NHTSA ODI 11463529

The contact owns a 2017 Lexus RX350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the glass sunroof suddenly exploded causing shards of glass to fall into the cabin of the vehicle onto the driver. The contact indicated that no object had struck the sunroof to cause the glass to shatter. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 58,190.

NHTSA ODI 11441907

I was involved in a side collision accident and my car was determined to be total loss by the At-Fault's insurance company. I was lucky that my son and I came out with bruises and a few scratches but the main problem here is the airbags. It DID NOT deploy at all when it was hit. The force hit us from lane 1 all the way to lane 3 and damages to the structure near cabin was found by one of the vertified accident body shop. So yes, no airbags were deployed.

NHTSA ODI 11441571

The contact owns a 2017 Lexus RX350. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle would intermittently hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer where he was informed that the cause of the failure was related to defective fuel in fuel tank. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V682000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11439100

The contact owns a 2017 Lexus RX-350. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a strong chemical odor was detected coming from the cabin filter. The contact experienced severe headaches and a numbing, sour tongue sensation after the failure. The contact had replaced over 12 cabin filters and had the vehicle detailed where the interior cabin was shampooed and cleaned however, the failure recurred. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the vehicle was tampered with and to go through his insurance company for the repair costs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.

NHTSA ODI 11438622

The car stalls while I'm driving, and it almost caused a traffic. Accident, I have been trying to contact my local lexus dealer and they keep hanging up the phone when I try to call and make appointments

NHTSA ODI 11436026

Engine hesitation. sometimes the engine suddenly slows down or like lossing it’s power while running on the freeway or making a turn or going uphill . This is a very scarry situation everytime it does .

NHTSA ODI 11425869