lexus rx400h 2008 Complaints

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

unprovoked vehicle acceleration while parking, causing vehicle to jump a curb, hit a tree and land on the hood of a vehicle parked across from the subject parking space.

Reported in: ADA MI || Crash: Y || VIN #: JTJHW31U982

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

i was driving at 70 mph on us290. without warning, the engine suddenly shut down and the dashboard display went blank (except for the navigation system). i was unable to restart the car. there was a message to check the acv system. i tightened the gas tank cap and was able to restart. a complete shutdown without warning is very dangerous.

Reported in: HOUSTON TX || Crash: N || VIN #: JTJGW31U982

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

i was coming back from my first oil change from crown lexus dealer. i was pulling into a parking space and the car would not stop even when my foot is on the brake. i tried to steer away from the concrete wall in front but the front left side still hit the wall. the car was damaged and the wall is damaged. the cost of the damaged is 9,000-10,000. right now is being fixed by my insurance company. the model of the car is lexus rx400h year 2008.

Reported in: CHINO HILLS CA || Crash: Y || VIN #: JTJGW31U482

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

i was coming back from my first oil change from crown lexus dealer. i was pulling into a parking space and the car would not stop even when my foot is on the brake. i tried to steer away from the concrete wall in front but the front left side still hit the wall. the car was damaged and the wall is damaged. the cost of the damaged is 9,000-10,000. right now is being fixed by my insurance company. the model of the car is lexus rx400h year 2008.

Reported in: CHINO HILLS CA || Crash: Y || VIN #: JTJGW31U482

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

i was driving a lexus rx 400h in a parking lot. when i turned left into the parking spot and engaged the brakes while pulling into the parking spot. at that time, i felt the car continue to accelerate and ended up hitting and going over the parking cement curb and the car stopped between the curb and the sidewalk after i slammed on the brakes as hard as i could. i contacted the dealership, they looked at the vehicle and said they could not repeat the incident and found nothing wrong with the car.

Reported in: MILLERSVILLE MD || Crash: N || VIN #: JTJHW31U582

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

tl* the contact owns a 2008 lexus rx400h. the contact stated as he was pulling into a parking space the vehicle accelerated and jump the curb and destroyed the fence of a hotel. the contact stated as he stepped on the brakes the vehicle did not stop. he had to put the gear into neutral to stop the vehicle. the contact stated they ran into a fence and did $10,000 of damage to the vehicle. the vehicle was towed to the dealer and repaired. there were no injuries. there is a police report available if needed. the failure mileage was 12,000. updated 03/01/10 *bf the consumer was able to place the vehicle in neutral and turned the vehicle off, however there was over 10,000 in damages. updated 05/20/10

Reported in: SEQUIM WA || Crash: Y || VIN #: JTJHW31UX82

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

tl* the contact owns a 2008 lexus rx 400h. whenever the contact applies the brakes while traveling over a rough surface the brakes will disengage allowing the vehicle to still move forward. the vehicle was taken to the dealership where the contact was informed that the vehicle was operating as designed. the contact has noticed the failure since the day she purchased the vehicle. the current and failure mileages were 16000.

Reported in: BLOOMINGDALE IL || Crash: N || VIN #: JTJHW31U382

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

tl*the contact owns a 2008 lexus rx400h. while driving 25 mph and applying the brakes the lack of electricity in the battery caused the contact to apply excessive pressure to the brake pedal in order to stop the vehicle. within minutes the brakes began to function normally since the battery recharged by pumping the brakes. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer twice for a diagnostic test and both times the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. the contact is concerned that the failure could in the braking system could cause a crash to occur. the failure mileage was 22,000.

Reported in: NORTHVILLE MI || Crash: N || VIN #: JTJHW31U182

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY

tl*the contact owns a 2008 lexus rx400h. while driving 25 mph and applying the brakes the lack of electricity in the battery caused the contact to apply excessive pressure to the brake pedal in order to stop the vehicle. within minutes the brakes began to function normally since the battery recharged by pumping the brakes. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer twice for a diagnostic test and both times the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. the contact is concerned that the failure could in the braking system could cause a crash to occur. the failure mileage was 22,000.

Reported in: NORTHVILLE MI || Crash: N || VIN #: JTJHW31U182

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

tl*the contact owns a 2008 lexus rx400h. the vehicle continuously began to accelerate on it's on and lunge forward whenever the contact drove over uneven pavement at approximately 20 mph. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed that the malfunction should occur when the vehicle was switching from an electrical engine to a gasoline engine. the failure mileage was 28,000.

Reported in: TRUMBULL CT || Crash: N || VIN #: JTJHW31U782

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

when braking, any small bump, particularly on wet surfaces, causes braking to cut out for a second or two, and the car does not decelerate as fast. added pressure is required to engage the regular brakes to resume the same stopping level. this non-linear stopping characteristic causes increased stopping distances and loss of control in braking (at least for a second or two). this seems to be caused by the regenerative braking cutting out when the anti-lock system engages momentarily. *jb

Reported in: FRANKFORT KY || Crash: N || VIN #: JTJHW31U382

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

when braking, any small bump, particularly on wet surfaces, causes braking to cut out for a second or two, and the car does not decelerate as fast. added pressure is required to engage the regular brakes to resume the same stopping level. this non-linear stopping characteristic causes increased stopping distances and loss of control in braking (at least for a second or two). this seems to be caused by the regenerative braking cutting out when the anti-lock system engages momentarily. *jb

Reported in: FRANKFORT KY || Crash: N || VIN #: JTJHW31U382

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

i own a 2008 lexus 400h hybrid purchased as new last year. almost immediately we noticed a problem with the brakes when stopping over bumpy surfaces -- it was almost as if the brake disengaged while trying to stop. we brought it back to the dealer, who assured us everything was working properly. they even brought in a national expert to evaluate and we again were told the car was working as it should. the problem has not gone away -- if anything it is worse -- and it appears to be precisely the same problem now being reported with the prius braking system. toyota/lexus basically ignored us when we complained and the problem is not fixed. it is of major concern and has been since we bought the car. it is a replacement for a previous 400h that was totaled in an accident, and the previous car did not have this problem.

Reported in: HIGHLAND PARK IL || Crash: N || VIN #: JTJHW31U082

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

brakes. loss of braking capability while traveling over an uneven road surface.

Reported in: BROOKLYN NY || Crash: N || VIN #: JTJHW31U582

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

ongoing since 2008 - problem with brakes on rough or bumpy surface. the car speeds up when applying break. they do not catch immediately and hard pressure is required. reported and checked by to the dealer x3 on 11/25/08, 5/13/09, 2/9/10 - each time was told the car is behaving normally and nothing was wrong. most serious incident - during light snow beginning of jan 2010, i was applying slow even pressure as i was coming to stop sign - familiar road so going slow - car hit bump, gained speed and abs failed. skidded up a slight incline through stop sign almost hit a pole. brought to dealership again 2/9 and called lexus 2/8 to report problem. told nothing wrong car not on the recall list.

Reported in: PEARL RIVER NY || Crash: N || VIN #: JTJHW31UX82

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

tl*the contact owns a 2008 lexus rx400h. the contact stated that when he stepped on the brake pedal the vehicle lunged forward. the failure occurred while driving approximately 45 mph when he drove over a pot hole. the vehicle was taken to the dealer to run a diagnostic test which didn't indicate any failure codes. the contact stated also filed a complaint with the toyota dealer regarding the failure. the failure mileage was 9,000. updated 3/8/10 *cn the consumer stated it felt as though the vehicle was accelerating momentarily after slowing down. the consumer experienced the problem during rainy, snowy or wet road conditions more so than dry conditions. updated 03/29/10 updated 05/13/10. *jb

Reported in: CANTON OH || Crash: N || VIN #: JTJHW31U182

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

tl*the contact onws a 2006 lexus rx400h. while driving 40 mph, the contact applied the brakes to slow down the vehicle and it rapidly accelerated which caused the contact crash into a parked vehicle. the vehicle was destroyed. one of the passengers suffered a fractured a sternum and the other passenger was knocked unconscious and suffered a broken collar bone. the contact sustained major bruises. the contact stated that the accelerator pedal became stuck and caused the crash to occur. the failure mileage was 15,000.

Reported in: LOS ANGELES CA || Crash: Y || VIN #: JTJHW31U362

SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

my lexus r400h brakes are not braking as other cars.

Reported in: GERMANTOWN WI || Crash: N || VIN #: JTJHW31U782

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

tl*the contact owns a 2008 lexus rx400. while the contact was driving into a parking space the vehicle suddenly surged forward without warning causing the vehicle to crash into a wall. the vehicle was taken to the dealership where the contact was informed that the failure could not be reproduced. there were no prior warnings. the consumer stated when she exited the vehicle and walked around it, suddenly the windows and moonroof opened. updated 04/05/10.*jb updated 4/30/10 *cn updated 07/09/10.*jb

Reported in: SEA RANCH CA || Crash: Y || VIN #: JTJHW31U982

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

tl*the contact owns a 2008 lexus rx400. while the contact was driving into a parking space the vehicle suddenly surged forward without warning causing the vehicle to crash into a wall. the vehicle was taken to the dealership where the contact was informed that the failure could not be reproduced. there were no prior warnings. the consumer stated when she exited the vehicle and walked around it, suddenly the windows and moonroof opened. updated 04/05/10.*jb updated 4/30/10 *cn updated 07/09/10.*jb

Reported in: SEA RANCH CA || Crash: Y || VIN #: JTJHW31U982

SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

2008 lexus 400h. when approaching a stop, at an approximate 25-35 mph, on typically city streets with somewhat uneven surface, while applying the brakes, the car will lurch forward momentarily shortly into the stop. it produces the sudden anxiety feeling that the car will not stop and can be felt by driver and passengers. it does not happen at every stop, just now and then. this has occurred since the car was purchased. we had the car serviced some time back to address the "b" gear not slowing the car on hills. the "b" gear issue was resolved during this service. inadvertently the breaking issue seemed to occur less frequently. since it has been some time since the service, the breaking issues has slowly resurfaced and with a greater frequency.

Reported in: BELMONT CA || Crash: N || VIN #:

SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6) *year: 2008 * make: lexus * model: rx400h * component: the hybrid braking systems * vin: [xxx] * component -- the 2008 lexus rx400h hybrid braking systems does not work properly. when the vehicle goes over a small road depression or a small pot hole on one side of the wheel, it temporarily lost control of the brake while the driver's foot is on the brake pedal. it also behaves the same way when the vehicles slips on the snowy road. it is very similar to toyota prius braking problems. i reported to the toyota dealer. the toyota dealer told me that it intended that way. if the vehicle is driving in a traffic bumper to bumper, it is very likely to hit the car in the front rear end when the brake systems let go the brake while the operator is pressing on the brake pedal. it is a safety issue. it happens every time and it can be duplicated under the above conditions. they should fix this like they do with the prius.

Reported in: BILLERICA MA || Crash: N || VIN #: JT6HF10U2Y0

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

tl*the contact owns a 2008 lexus rx400h. the contact stated that on april 16, 2010, the vehicle suddenly accelerated when the driver depressed the brake pedal at 2 mph. the vehicle crashed into a curb and then a tree. the driver sustained a hip injury and a police report was filed. the current and failure mileages were approximately 12,000.

Reported in: BOISE ID || Crash: Y || VIN #: JTJHW31U082

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

tl*the contact owns a 2008 lexus rx400h. while driving 45 mph, the contact noticed that when she took her footoff the accelerator pedal, the vehicle surged forward. she depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle slowed down. the failure occurred several times. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership three times but the dealer could not duplicate the failure. the vin was unavailable at the time of the complaint. the failure mileage was approximately 2,000. the current mileage was unknown.

Reported in: MALIBU CA || Crash: N || VIN #:

STEERING

i drive a 2008 lexus rx400h. i experienced a serious electric power steering failure, which caused me to loose control of the car while driving. on oct 15, 2009, i drove my car on the freeway without incident. later that day, i parked my lexus rx vehicle, and in doing so i turned the steering wheel to the right "lock' position. when i returned to the car i made a hard left u-turn to exit the parking area. as soon as i accelerated and tried to turn the wheel back towards the right to steer, i realized my power steering had failed completely, and i could barely control the car. after struggling with the steering for several hundred yards, i was finally able to park the car at the side of the road. the incident occurred in the evening and the vehicle was towed to the closest lexus dealership the next day. the lexus dealership repair technician initially reported that "steering wheel does not work" - "towed-in" - "light is on" "check and advise". upon further examination, the lexus repair tech reported a "code c1568 power steering open circuit". the lexus dealer informed me that this power steering problem was "covered by warranty". the lexus repair team installed a computer assy, power steering 89650-48010. suddenly, lexus refused to cover any cost to repair this failure because they claimed they had determined that the power steering failure could only be caused by a collision. i did not have a collision. i wrote to toyota of america, and they confirmed this conclusion to be correct.

Reported in: LOS ANGELES CA || Crash: N || VIN #: JTJGW31U182

STEERING

while turning into parking lot from road bumped the right front tire into curb at approx 4 mph. power steering immediately ceased to function. told by toyota mechanic that a high voltage power spike destroyed the power steering computer. paid $1050 for replacement of power steering computer. does this mean a pothole can also fry the p/s computer.

Reported in: HARBOR CITY CA || Crash: N || VIN #:

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

the road was snowy and slippery, but not icy. when the vehicle about 50 feet ahead of me stopped for the traffic light, i applied the brakes, but to no effect. my vehicle did not slow, and i didn't hear the noise of the anti-lock brake system. i chose to go off the road and hit a pipe railing rather than the tanker truck that was stopped in front of me. other vehicles at the same location had no problem stopping. copies of my correspondence with toyota are available. toyota only road tested the vehicle on dry pavement.

Reported in: PALATINE IL || Crash: Y || VIN #: JTJHW31U882

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

i drove the vehicle [xxx] about 25 miles from home to a doctor¿s office, at typical northern virginia highway speeds on i-66 & i-495. i arrived at the doctor¿s office, i entered the parking lot at about 5 mph, i approached a parking space and at about 2 mph made a right-turn into the space. without warning, the vehicle started accelerating. i could not stop it even with both feet on the brake pedal. the vehicle jumped over a concrete parking strip, then the concrete curb, up a slight embankment and through a wooden fence. the vehicle eventually came to rest with 3 of the 4 tires on the embankment over the curb. the right-rear tire was resting against the parking curb strip. the vehicle continued to lurch forward trying to pull the last wheel up out of its resting spot. i looked down at the brake/accelerator pedals and though both of my feet were on the brake pedal, the vehicle was still trying to move forward. i shifted the vehicle into park and the vehicle continued to try to lurch forward, so i turned off the engine. after departing the vehicle, i checked the driver¿s side floor mat and noted that the floor mat was properly positioned, hooked to hooks on the floor of the vehicle. the car was towed to a lexus dealership where it was inspected by a toyota-authorized engineer. since the event could not be reproduced, we were told that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle and that it was safe to drive. though we were told that we would be provided with the analysis of test results, lexus has not responded to our repeated requests for this information. the vehicle had been properly maintained by owner for all required services and had just been serviced in september 2010. to date, there has been no determination as to what actually cause this sudden uncontrolled acceleration event which resulted in $7600 damage to the vehicle. updated 07/10/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Reported in: MANASSAS VA || Crash: Y || VIN #: JTJHW31U482

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2008 lexus rx400h. consumer states unintended acceleration *tgw the consumer stated as he pulled into the driveway behind another vehicle, suddenly, the vehicle accelerated even though his foot was on the brake and consequently, he hit the other vehicle on the right rear side. during the accident, the consumer felt a significant power surge and it happened when the power was switching from battery to gasoline. prior to the accident, the consumer noticed power surges on numerous occasions, specifically when the vehicle switched from battery to gasoline. *jb

Reported in: METHUEN MA || Crash: Y || VIN #: JTJHW31UX82

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

for no known reason, front windshield cracked. no visible marks that glass could have been hit by rock or any hard particle. crack starts from where the rear view mirror is placed going down and up to the top edge of the windshield. manufacturer denied claim for replacement stating it is not a manufacturer's defect. *kb

Reported in: VAN NUYS CA || Crash: N || VIN #: JTJHW31U782

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM

noted hvac dust in 2008 rx400h consistent with lexus tsb l-sb-0128-11 and a faulty evaporator. this vehicle is not listed in the tsb but this is a common concern and discussion thread in the lexus owners forum. some people are reporting respiratory reactions to the dust.

Reported in: SPRINGFIELD VA || Crash: N || VIN #: JTJHW31U682

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

noted hvac dust in 2008 rx400h consistent with lexus tsb l-sb-0128-11 and a faulty evaporator. this vehicle is not listed in the tsb but this is a common concern and discussion thread in the lexus owners forum. some people are reporting respiratory reactions to the dust.

Reported in: SPRINGFIELD VA || Crash: N || VIN #: JTJHW31U682

VISIBILITY/WIPER

for no known reason, front windshield cracked. no visible marks that glass could have been hit by rock or any hard particle. crack starts 8 inches from top passenger side and propagates across center of windshield toward drivers side. manufacturer denied claim for replacement stating mileage beyond warranty period.

Reported in: PEORIA AZ || Crash: N || VIN #: JTJHW32UX82

STRUCTURE

for no known reason, front windshield cracked. no visible marks that glass could have been hit by rock or any hard particle. crack starts 8 inches from top passenger side and propagates across center of windshield toward drivers side. manufacturer denied claim for replacement stating mileage beyond warranty period.

Reported in: PEORIA AZ || Crash: N || VIN #: JTJHW32UX82

SERVICE BRAKES

i recently purchased (07/17/12) a 2008 used rx400h, i quickly noticed that while braking if the road has any bumps or unevenness the vehicle surges forward during the braking process and then resumes braking after the surge. this happens consistently when there are any bumps in the pavement. this is very frightening as it could easily cause an accident since the braking is interrupted and the car actually accelerates when it should be slowing down! i haven't driven it in the winter yet but i am already concerned and upset that this car that i purchased because of the high safety ratings on the nhtsa site now turns out to be potentially very unsafe.

Reported in: MILWAUKEE WI || Crash: N || VIN #: JTJHW31U182

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

the headlight assembly collects moisture on the inside and fails. it is a known problem to lexus/toyota and there have been numerous complaints to dealers on the rx330, rx350 and rx400h models. the same assembly is used from 2003-2009 for the rx models and lexus issued a technical service bulletin in january 2010 ( l-sb-0008-10) to dealers to replace the assembly if owners complained about it while the vehicles were under warranty, but have decided to do nothing about it on mine because it is out of warranty by one year. the lexus customer complaint representative who addressed my claim also advised me that customer loyalty is one of the factors they used to determine whether or not the company will pay for the replacement. it is my first lexus vehicle and it doesn't make sense to me. cost of replacement is $1560.00.

Reported in: PLATTEVILLE WI || Crash: N || VIN #: JTJHW31U082

ENGINE

a moment of terror in my lexus 2008 rx400h on may 01 i was driving home from work. on busy route 111 in nh. in heavy traffic i lost all power. all the lights on the instrument panel went on. it was almost a multicar pileup. with screeching tires and cars making panic stops it was a wonder that nobody was hurt.

Reported in: DANVILLE NH || Crash: N || VIN #: JTJHW31U982

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

a moment of terror in my lexus 2008 rx400h on may 01 i was driving home from work. on busy route 111 in nh. in heavy traffic i lost all power. all the lights on the instrument panel went on. it was almost a multicar pileup. with screeching tires and cars making panic stops it was a wonder that nobody was hurt.

Reported in: DANVILLE NH || Crash: N || VIN #: JTJHW31U982

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

a moment of terror in my lexus 2008 rx400h on may 01 i was driving home from work. on busy route 111 in nh. in heavy traffic i lost all power. all the lights on the instrument panel went on. it was almost a multicar pileup. with screeching tires and cars making panic stops it was a wonder that nobody was hurt.

Reported in: DANVILLE NH || Crash: N || VIN #: JTJHW31U982

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

the headlight assembly collects moisture on the inside and fails. it is a known problem to lexus/toyota and there have been numerous complaints to dealers on the rx330, rx350 and rx400h models. the same assembly is used from 2003-2009 for the rx models and lexus issued a technical service bulletin in january 2010 ( l-sb-0008-10) to dealers to replace the assembly if owners complained about it while the vehicles were under warranty, but have decided to do nothing about it on mine because it is out of warranty. the lexus customer complaint representative who addressed my claim also advised me that customer loyalty is one of the factors they used to determine whether or not the company will pay for the replacement. driver saftey should be the concern.

Reported in: DANVILLE NH || Crash: N || VIN #: JTJHW31U982