Engine. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports1 fire reports10 injury reports

Engine complaints

36 reports

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130,000 miles · Jan 6, 2015

Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

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SHORTLY AFTER BUYING THE VEHICLE USED (ONE PREVIOUS OWNER), UPON COLD START A LOUD RATTLING NOISE COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS. TOOK TO A TOYOTA/LEXUS DEALERSHIP FOR ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, VEHICLE INSPECTION, AND ASKED THE TECHNICIANS TO ALSO ADDRESS THE NOISE. WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY COULDN'T REPRODUCE IT, AND THAT IT SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM. DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY IN GREATER MILWAUKEE, THE CAR STOPPED FUNCTIONING. AFTER VISITING A LOCAL MECHANIC, THEN LATER RESORTING TO A LEXUS DEALERSHIP, FOUND THAT THE VVT BOLTS HAD FRACTURED. ALL OF THIS IS EXACTLY AS OUTLINED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN 13V395000. NOW WE HAVE A DEAD LUXURY SUV DUE TO AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM, BUT LEXUS WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY RESOLUTION TO THEIR KNOWN PROBLEM, EVEN WITH PHYSICAL EVIDENCE (PHOTOS, AND FAILED PARTS STILL IN HAND).

NHTSA ODI #10670365

100,000 miles · Sep 28, 2014

Electrical SystemEngineSteering

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THE CAR COMPLETELY HALTED WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY ROAD. THE STEERING LOCKED AND THE CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE CAR. DURING INSPECTION THEY FOUND A/C COMPRESSOR LOCKED UP CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL UNDER LOAD. ONCE THE A/C SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED, VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT. THEY ALSO CONFIRMED THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY GOING 60 MPH AND IF IT DID, IT WOULD STALL THE CAR AND LOCK UP THE VEHICLE JUST LIKE IT DID IN THE FIRST INCIDENT. IT SEEMS COMPLETELY UNREADABLE TO STALL A VEHICLE IN MOTION FOR SOME CONFIRM/CONVENIENCE FEATURE LIKE A/C. I FEEL THIS IS A FUNDAMENTAL ENGINEERING PROBLEM WITH THE WAY THE CAR IS DESIGNED. I WOULD LIKE TO ENSURE THIS IS DECLARED AS AN ISSUE WITH THE DESIGN OF LEXUS VEHICLES AND THERE IS A TRIGGER TO DISCONNECT AC UNDER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE AC CAN STALL A CAR IN MOTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10639651

55,000 miles · Aug 30, 2014

Engine

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I RECEIVED LETTER FROM LEXUS TELLING ME THE ENGINE OIL COOLER PIPE COULD HAVE LEAKAGE, BUT LEXUS WON'T REPLACE IT UNLESS IT'S LEAKING. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE MANY OTHER CAR OWNERS HAVE HAD THE LEAK AND WHEN IT DOES, THE ENGINE MIGHT BE GONE BECAUSE OF NO OIL LEFT IN THE RESERVOIR. THIS COULD END UP IN AN ACCIDENT OR FIRE, OR AT LEAST ENGINE BLOWS UP. LEXUS ALSO SAID WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PIPE, TOYOTA PART NUMBER: 15767-31020 PIPE, OIL COOLER, THUS LEAVING OWNERS TO PAY THOUSANDS FOR A NEW OR REBUILT ENGINE. WHY DON'T THEY JUST REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE RUBBER PIPE WITH THEIR NEW METAL PIPE? I AM SURE THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, IT WILL HAPPEN SOONER OR LATER. PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10629541

65,000 miles · Jul 14, 2014

Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED AN OIL LEAK IN THE GARAGE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE OIL SUPPLY HOSE FOR THE VARIABLE TIMING AC…

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NHTSA ODI #10610259

92,235 miles · Jul 14, 2014

Engine

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AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AT NIGHT I NOTICED TO ENGINE GOT VERY LOUD, I PULLED OVER NOTICED BLUISH-WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE, ENGINE OIL LIGHT FINALLY CAME ON. GOT OUT THE CAR NOTICED A STREAM OF OIL BEHIND THE CAR. MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY AT THIS TIME. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE CAR OFF WHEN I SEEN THE SMOKE. I LEFT THE CAR THERE. I CONTACTED THE LEXUS DEALER OF MT KISCO WHICH REFUSED TO COME AND GET THE CAR SO I HAD THE CAR TOWED AT MY EXPENSE, TO THEIR DEALER. RECEIVED A PHONE FROM DEALER THAT DAY THAT THE CAR WAS FIXED, REPRESENTATIVE WOULD NOT TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR ONLY THAT IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS RUDE! I FOUND OUT LATER THE NEXT DAY THE OIL COOLER LINE LEAKED OUT WHICH I FOUND OUT ON THIS SITE THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE RX350. AND THEY KEPT TELLING ME THE ENGINE WAS NOT DAMAGED. RECEIVED THE CAR BACK, ENGINE WAS NOT RIGHT, NOW THE LOWER PART OF THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED! RECEIVED THE CAR AGAIN ,WITHIN A WEEK NOTICED A SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE, DEALER PICKED CAR AGAIN AND THEY PUT IN A CAMSHAFT! BEFORE THIS INCIDENT, I NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR, IT WAS THE BEST CAR I EVER HAD, NOW, IT IS A NIGHTMARE! AT THIS PRESENT TIME, THE CAR IS LEAKING AGAIN!! IT LOOKS LIKE OIL! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10610248

68,000 miles · May 30, 2014

Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE VTI OIL HOSE HAD MELTED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FA…

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NHTSA ODI #10595176

82,193 miles · Mar 31, 2014

EnginePower Train

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OUR VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED AT THE LOCAL LEXUS DEALERSHIP AND MAINTAINED IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. WITHOUT WARNING, ON 3/5/14, AS WE WERE EXITING THE FREEWAY, WE SMELLED A SLIGHT BURNING ODOR. THE OIL LIGHT THEN FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY. WE IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP. WE WERE INFORMED THERE WAS ONLY 1 QUART OUT OF 6 QUARTS OF OIL REMAINING. THE RUBBER OIL COOLER LINES HAD EXPLODED, BUT WE WERE ASSURED THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE COST OF REPAIR WAS $400+. 1 WEEK LATER, WE HEARD A CLICKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP ASKED IF WE COULD MAKE AN APPOINTMENT 5 DAYS LATER. WE INSISTED IT BE INSPECTED THAT DAY. 3 DAYS LATER WE HEARD BACK THAT THE ENGINE HAD SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF THE RUBBER OIL COOLER LINES EXPLODING, AND THAT IT WOULD COST $2,800 TO DIAGNOSE, AND BETWEEN $3,800 TO $5,800 TO REPAIR. WE FILED A CLAIM WITH LEXUS CUSTOMER SERVICE DUE TO THE LOW MILES ON THE VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH WE WERE TECHNICALLY OUT OF WARRANTY. THE DEALERSHIP APPARENTLY TOLD LEXUS CORPORATE THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ACTUALLY COST $12,000 TO $14,000 TO REPAIR. THE BEST LEXUS CORPORATE OFFERED WAS REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE RUBBER OIL COOLER LINES. THIS IS CONCERNING FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, THESE PARTICULAR OIL LINES MADE OF STEEL AND RUBBER HAVE FAILED FOR DOZENS UPON DOZENS OF LEXUS/TOYOTA CUSTOMERS. A VERY SIMILARLY DESIGNED RUBBER OIL LINE FOR THE VVT-I HAS ALREADY BEEN QUIETLY RECALLED BY LEXUS. LEXUS NO LONGER USES THESE MATERIALS FOR OIL LINES. WE EXPECTED OUR VEHICLE TO LAST WELL INTO 200,000 MILES, BUT THIS WAS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE. IN THE END, SINCE WE COULD NOT PAY FOR THE RIDICULOUS REPAIRS, WE ESSENTIALLY WERE FORCED TO TRADE IT IN FOR CASH FROM THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP. PLEASE MAKE LEXUS/TOYOTA DO A RECALL ON THESE PARTS BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT OR KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10576023

42,800 miles · Mar 18, 2014

Electrical SystemEngine

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LOST POWER ON HIGHWAY MY RX350 (2007) LOST POWER GOING 65 MPH ON A HIGHWAY, AND BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN QUICKLY. WITH A TRUCK ON ONE SIDE AND ANOTHER BARRELING DOWN MY BEHIND, I TRIED TO ACCELERATE BUT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHUDDER AND SHAKE VIOLENTLY! BY SOME MIRACLE, I MANAGED TO SWERVE TO THE SHOULDER ACROSS 2 LANES, AND AVOIDED GETTING HIT BY INCHES! GOT THE VEHICLE TO THE LEXUS DEALER AND THEY FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS A PREMATURE IGNITION COIL FAILURE - THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY ABOUT 42000 MI ON IT. ASKED LEXUS CORPORATE TO: 1) DO A FULL INVESTIGATION SO AS TO PREVENT SIMILAR LIFE THREATENING SAFETY FAILURES, AND 2) REIMBURSE THE COST OF REPAIR AT A MINIMUM LEXUS CUSTOMER SERVICE RESPONDED WITH A VERBAL OFFER TO BEAR 10% OF THE COST OF REPAIR - AND NO PROMISE OF ANY INVESTIGATION! TALK ABOUT ADDING INSULT TO INJURY. WE'D UNDERGONE A TRAUMATIC EVENT, ALMOST LOSING OUR LIVES - MY WIFE HAD STARTED SCREAMING ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WOULD NOT GET BACK INTO THE VEHICLE! I REFUSED, OF COURSE, AND PAID THE ENTIRE (AND SUBSTANTIAL) BILL MYSELF. I'D LIKE ALL READERS TO BE AWARE OF THE POWER FAILURE AND BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL OUT ON THE HIGHWAY. ALSO BE AWARE THAT THE LEXUS PROMISE OF PERFECTION SEEMS TO BE MAINLY LIP SERVICE NOWADAYS - SAFETY APPARENTLY IS NOT IN THEIR DEFINITION OF 'PERFECTION'. TO SEE SUCH A SERIOUS INCIDENT BEING TREATED SO TRIVIALLY WAS TOTALLY AT ODDS WITH THE LEXUS MISSION AND THE LEXUS PROMISE TO ITS DRIVERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10573208

Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 2013

Engine

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DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY WIFE NOTICED A FILM ON THE BACK WINDOW AS WE WERE HEADED FROM ONALASKA WI TO EAU CLAIRE WI ABOUT 20 MILES FROM EAU CLAIRE THE OIL LAMP STARTED TO FLICKER THEN CAME ON SOLID. WE ALSO HEARD A FLAPPING SOUND. WE WERE NOT SURE WHAT WAS GOING ON WE STOPPED AT A KWIK TRIP GAS STATION AND CHECKED THE OIL DIP STICK AND NOTICED NO OIL. ALSO CHECKED THE BACK OF THE CAR HAD OIL FILM PURCHASED 4 QUARTS OF OIL AND DROVE TO THE NEAREST QUICK LUBE THEY DISCOVERED A SERIOUS LEAK COMING FROM A SMALL HOSE OFF THE OIL FILTER AREA I AM CONCERNED WE MAY HAVE ENGINE DAMAGE. WHY WERE WE NOT NOTIFIED BY LEXUS?? THANKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10547756

139,569 miles · Aug 21, 2013

Engine

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE AFTERWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE OIL COOLING HOSE WAS FRACTURE DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE ENGINE COOLING HOSE WAS REPAIRED WITH A STEEL HOSE. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD EXCEEDED THE WARRANTY REPAIR MILEAGE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 139,569.

NHTSA ODI #10536550

Official recalls

11V112000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Feb 24, 2011

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 HIGHLANDER, HIGHLANDER HYBRID, AND MODEL YEAR 2004-2007 LEXUS RX330, RX350, AND RX400H VEHICLES. IF THE FORWARD RETENTION CLIP USED TO SECURE THE FLOOR CARPET COVER, WHICH IS LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE CENTER CONSOLE, IS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY THE COVER MAY LEAN TOWARD THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND INTERFERE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY TEMPORARILY BECOME STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION RATHER THAN RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION. A STUCK ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN UNINTENDED AND SUSTAINED VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FLOOR CARPET COVER WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ONE FREE OR CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

RQ10003 · Unintended And Uncontrolled Acceleration

Opened Feb 16, 2010 · Closed Mar 1, 2011

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:software; Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

On February 16, 2010, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened RQ10-003 to determine whether the scope of prior Toyota recalls relating to potential unintended acceleration were sufficiently broad, including, among others, Toyota recalls 07E-082, 09V-388, 10V-017, and 10V-023.NHTSA also requested information regarding potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota and Lexus vehicles.I. Pedal Interference from Floor mats, Carpet Covers and Plastic Pads in Carpets.During the RQ10-003 investigation, ODI reviewed a large volume of documents to assess whether additional vehicles should be recalled.Following the agency's analysis, NHTSA requested that Toyota recall additional vehicles.Toyota complied with the agency's request.The details of these recalls are set forth more fully in Toyota's reports to NHTSA pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573.These recalls are as follows:Recall 11V-112: (1) model year (MY) 2004-2006 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid; and, (2) MY 2004-2007 Lexus RX330,RX350, and RX400h (hybrid model). The total estimated population under this recall is 769,379 vehicles.This recall remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment caused by a loose floor carpet cover (trim panel). Recall 11V-113: (1) MY 2003-2009 through 2009 Toyota 4Runner; (2) MY 2006-2010 Toyota RAV4; and, (3) MY 2008-2011 Lexus LX570.The total estimated population under this recall is 1,381,000 vehicles.This recall supplements recall 09V-388 and remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment by an unsecured floor mat.Recall 11V-115: (1) MY 2006-2007 Lexus GS300 (all wheel drive vehicles); and, (2) MY 2006-2007 Lexus GS350 (all wheel drive vehicles). The total estimated population under this recall is 19,647 vehicles.This recall remedies potential accelerator pedal entrapment caused by inadequate clearance between the pedal linkage and a plastic pad embedded in the vehicle's carpet.II. Potential Electronic Causes of Unintended Acceleration.After NHTSA opened RQ10-003, NHTSA launched a ten-month study of potential electronic causes of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles.NHTSA launched the study in the spring of 2010 in light of concerns aired in Congressional hearings.NHTSA enlisted engineers at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) with expertise in areas such as computer controlled electronic systems, electromagnetic interference and software integrity to assess whether electronic systems or electromagnetic interference played a role in incidents of unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles.That study has concluded.Two reports are associated with the study and are available on NHTSA's website.NASA's report is entitled Technical Support to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on the Reported Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) Unintended Acceleration (UA) Investigation, NESC Assessment No. TI-10-00618 (Jan. 18, 2011).NHTSA's report is entitled Technical Assessment of Toyota Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) Systems (Feb. 2011).Both reports should be read in conjunction with each other. As stated in its report, NASA did not find an electronic cause of large throttle openings that can result in unintended acceleration incidents. NHTSA did not find a vehicle-based cause of unintended acceleration incidents other than the physical pedal interference causes that are being addressed by Toyota's recalls. This RQ is closed.

Additional source detail variants (6)

Electrical System:software

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal