IllustrationI am filing this updated complaint to supplement my prior complaint (NHTSA ID No. XXX, filed January 27, 2026) regarding a recurring, safety-critical engine defect in my 2020 Lexus IS300 RWD, 8AR-FTS engine. DEFECT: Three documented misfire events over seven weeks. The second (12/11/2025) and third (1/17/2026) each involved a te…
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I am filing this updated complaint to supplement my prior complaint (NHTSA ID No. XXX, filed January 27, 2026) regarding a recurring, safety-critical engine defect in my 2020 Lexus IS300 RWD, 8AR-FTS engine. DEFECT: Three documented misfire events over seven weeks. The second (12/11/2025) and third (1/17/2026) each involved a temporary stall in active traffic requiring immediate evasive action. All events involved flashing MIL, reduced engine power, shaking, and abrupt deceleration. DIAGNOSIS: Authorized Lexus dealership—following 34-day retention with Lexus Technical Assistance (TAC Case XXX) and personal on-site inspection by a Lexus Field Technical Engineer—confirmed worn intake valve guide on Cylinder 3. Repair estimate: $10,355.61 subtotal per Service Bulletin L-SB-0007-21 ($10,671.72 total incl. shop supplies and tax). Estimate cites L-SB-0007-21 without mileage qualification, confirming technical applicability. TSB PATTERN — NO RECALL: Lexus has issued multiple TSBs on the 8AR-FTS engine: L-SB-0153-17 (September 2017) and L-SB-0007-21 (March 2021, revised April 17 and July 2, 2024), covering 2015-2024 model year vehicles—progressively widening applicability over three years. Both 2024 revisions occurred during the active warranty period. No recall has been issued and this consumer received no notification of any kind. A TSB is an internal dealer communication — not consumer notification. A CPO purchaser relying on Lexus's representations of comprehensive inspection and rigorous certification has a reasonable right to assume known defects were addressed, without searching technical databases. MANUFACTURER RESPONSE: Lexus declined to authorize repair under warranty or as goodwill and declined to confirm authorization in writing. REQUEST: Please investigate whether the pattern of multiple TSBs covering progressively wider applicability—with no recall despite safety-critical symptoms—warrants a formal investigation and escalation to a safety recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION A