What 51 owners told NHTSA about the 2020 Lexus RX 350

I own a 2020 Lexus RX 450h with approximately 129,803 miles. The check engine light came on and the vehicle stored diagnostic trouble code P0A2D, which indicates a failure of the drive motor/temperature sensor circuit that is integrated into the transmission/hybrid motor assembly. According to the Lexus dealer’s diagnosis, the temperature control sensor located on the transmission/hybrid drive unit has failed. Because Lexus designed this sensor as part of the transmission assembly, the dealer has stated the sensor cannot be replaced separately and that the only repair is to replace the entire transmission. Lexus is refusing to acknowledge this as a manufacturing defect and is requiring me, the consumer, to pay the full cost of a complete transmission replacement, estimated at approximately 9,040.03, solely due to the failure of this internal temperature sensor. This is a critical component used to monitor drive motor/transmission temperature. A malfunctioning sensor of this type can lead to improper system operation, possible overheating, loss of power, or unpredictable behavior of the hybrid drive system while the vehicle is in motion, which presents a safety risk to occupants and other road users. This failure occurred during normal use on public roads and not due to any accident, abuse, or modification. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether there is a design or manufacturing defect in the drive motor/transmission temperature sensor and its housing or circuitry on the 2020 Lexus RX 450h (and related Toyota/Lexus hybrid models) that forces owners to replace the entire transmission when this internal sensor fails. This appears to be an unreasonable safety‑related defect and an unreasonable repair burden on consumers.

NHTSA ODI 11723917

The car started giving warnings as follows in the middle of the highway on [XXX], at [XXX] 3 hours away from Chicago In order 1- Hybrid Malfunction, 2- Changing from 4 wheel to 2 wheel 3- Emergency Stop Vehicle And the car was full of the smell of burning I immediately turned off the car and called Lexus Roadside and towed off the vehicle to the Lexus dealership in Naperville, IL. Later learnt that Filter box had caught fire and also burnt cables leading from it to the engine. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11580180

Contact states they were sitting in DRIVE, with their foot on the brake. When the contact took their foot off the brake, they began to let the vehicle coast to about 5 MPH. Then, the vehicle lunged forward unexpectedly to about 25 MPH, when it collided with a rock. The vehicle had previously spent over 10 days in different dealerships to diagnose issues related to the engine running rough, the car stalling out, and the vehicle driving erratically and lunging forward. The contact only began to have issues with the vehicle after the NHTSA Denso Fuel Pump Recall. A year after the contact took delivery of the vehicle, the remedy was done. The dealership stated they had completed the remedy properly, but because of parts shortages they only MODIFIED the fuel pump, but that TMNA said this is a valid remedy. After further investigation, the remedy protocol which they followed did not match the one the manufacturer assured NHTSA they would follow, and there was no amended NHTSA remedy. Then, the manufacturer denied they told the dealership that the protocol they followed was a valid remedy. About 10 minutes after leaving the dealership the contact returned and stated the vehicle was running rough and driving erratically. The dealership told the contact that it was completely normal and that the vehicle just needs to re-learn their driving style. The contact had issues with the vehicle, including the illumination of warning lights, and the dealership cannot remedy the issue (refusing to replace/repair the fuel pump).

NHTSA ODI 11507921

The contact owned a 2020 Lexus RX350. The contact stated that while making a left turn into a parking lot at approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own and crashed into the side of a Walmart shopping store. The air bags deployed upon impact. The contact and her sister were both taken by ambulance to two separate hospitals. The contact was treated for fractures to her right hand and wrist; screws were placed in her right wrist and another was placed in between her index and middle right finger. The contact had additional X-rays performed on the right of her body where she experienced pain and soreness to the right side of her back and leg; as well as her breastplate. The contact's sister was treated for a fractured hip, spine, and breastplate. Both the contact and her sister attend physical therapy to treat their injuries. A police report was filed. The contact was uncertain if any property damage was caused by the accident. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and an independent investigator was sent to investigate the failure; the cause of the failure had yet to be determined. The vehicle was destroyed due to the accident. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.

NHTSA ODI 11466908

CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ODI 11363475