EN

2012 Lexus RX350 SUV FWD

1
Recalls
33
Complaints
Overall rating

Safety Ratings.

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings help consumers compare vehicle safety when searching for a car. More stars mean safer cars.

Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
Overall Front Star Rating

Combines Driver and Passenger star ratings into a single frontal rating. The frontal barrier test simulates a head-on collision between two similar vehicles, each moving at 35 mph.

Front Driver Side
Front Passenger Side
Overall Side Star Rating

Combines Side Barrier and Side Pole Star Ratings into a single side rating.

Driver
Passenger
Overall Side Pole Star Rating

Combines Side Barrier and Side Pole Star Ratings into a single side rating.

Rollover Star Rating

The Rollover Resistance test measures the risk of rollover in a single-vehicle, loss-of-control scenario.

Rollover Risk: 17.9%

Complaints
Recalls

33 Complaints

for 2012 LEXUS RX350
07/20/2020
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 07/20/2020
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 2T2BK1BA0CC******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS RX330. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ABS AND BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUDI PENSACOLA LOCATED AT 6303 PENSACOLA BLVD, PENSACOLA, FL 32505, (844) 313-0046, AND THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V054000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL), HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

07/05/2020
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 04/15/2020
Crash: No
Fire: Yes
Vehicle Identification Number: 2T2ZK1BA7CC******
Summary

THE CFEI (CERTIFIED FIRE & EXPLOSION INVESTIGATOR) FIRE LIEUTENANT/INVESTIGATOR WITH THE CITY OF FT. LAUDERDALE'S FIRE DEPT, WHO ALSO RESPONDED TO MY 911 CALL, HAD POINTED OUT AND EXPLAINED TO ME THE INTENSITY OF FLAME, HEAT AND BURN PATTERN IN THE ENGINE AND STATED THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY A MECHANICAL ENGINE MALFUNCTION. WHAT HAPPENED: I HAD JUST DRIVEN MY 2012 LEXUS RX350 A SHORT DISTANCE ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I PULLED INTO A 7-11 PARKING LOT NOT FAR FROM THE GAS PUMPS AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. WITH THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING, I OPENED MY DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW TO TALK TO A FRIEND WHEN I IMMEDIATELY SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. I FILED A REPORT WITH LEXUS THE VERY NEXT DAY AND RECEIVED A LETTER 3 WEEKS LATER. THEIR LAST PARAGRAPH SAYS "WE UNDERSTAND THAT YOU REPORTED THIS TO GEICO AS WELL. IF THEIR INVESTIGATION HAS REVEALED ANY EVIDENCE OF PRODUCT LIABILITY, WE WILL GLADLY REVIEW THAT INFORMATION." I CALLED OUT TO HIM AS HE WAS WALKING FROM HIS VEHICLE TOWARDS MY CAR AND YELLED OUT TO HIM THAT SOMETHING SMELLED LIKE IT WAS BURNING. HE THEN TOLD ME TO RELEASE THE HOOD BECAUSE HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. HE SLIGHTLY RAISED THE HOOD, SAW A FLAME, SLAMMED THE HOOD SHUT, THEN HE YELLED OUT TO ME "GET OUT OF THE CAR NOW YOUR ENGINE IS ON FIRE". I JUMPED OUT, CALLED 911, THEN STARTED TAKING PHOTOS WITH MY PHONE WHILE WATCHING AS MY VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND SMOKE. FIRST I HEARD THE TIRES BLOW OUT THEN I HEARD THE WINDSHIELD BLOW OUT. MY FRIEND SAW THE FLAMES WHEN HE LIFTED THE HOOD AND SAID HE OBSERVED THAT THE FIRE WAS BURNING IN THE CENTER OF THE MOTOR AT THE FUEL MANIFOLD. THE FIRE DEPT ARRIVED ABOUT 5-7 MINUTES LATER AND PROCEEDED TO TRY TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS!

01/03/2020
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 12/06/2019
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJZK1BAXC2******
Summary

I WAS BROADSIDED ON MY DRIVERS DOOR AND NOT 1 AIRBAG WENT OFF. THE OFFICER SAID SHE WAS DRIVING AT LEAST 40MPH. I HAD LEFT THE STOP SIGN TO MAKE MY LEFT HAND TURN WHEN IT OCCURED. MY CAR WAS TOTALED

10/15/2019
Components: AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
Incident Date: 08/17/2019
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 2T2BK1BA1DC******
Summary

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2013 LEXUS RX350. ON AUGUST 14, 2019 AS I WAS PARKING MY CAR AND ROLLING INTO A PARKING SPOT, WITH MY FOOT ONLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD. THE CAR HIT A CURB AND GAVE ME THE TIME TO REACT AND APPLIED ENOUGH BRAKE PRESSURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BEFORE IT WENT INTO THE STREET INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE NEXT DAY I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO MY LOCAL LEXUS DEALERSHIP. THEY HAD THE CAR FOR THE ENTIRE DAY AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. ON AUGUST 17, 2019, THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED AS I WAS AGAIN ROLLING INTO A PARKING SPOT. AGAIN WITH MY FOOT ONLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD. THIS TIME I WAS NOT ABLE TO REACT QUICK ENOUGH AS THE CAR HIT A CONCRETE POLE AT THE FRONT OF THE PARKING SPOT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP. OVER THE NEXT 30-45 DAYS AN INDEPENDENT ENGINEER REMOVED THE EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR)FROM THE CAR AND SENT IT TO TOYOTA FOR ANALYSIS. ON OCT 3, 2019 TOYOTA RESPONDED THAT BASED ON THEIR FINDINGS OF THE EDR THE VEHICLE IS NOT DEFECTIVE. IN MY OWN SEARCH OF THE INTERNET, I FOUND NUMEROUS INCIDENTS ON UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FOR THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL AS MY CAR. I HAVE SENT LETTERS TO THE CEO OF TOYOTA AND LEXUS BUT AS OF THIS DATE, OCT 15, 2019 NEITHER TOYOTA NOR LEXUS HAS ACKNOWLEDGED OR ADMITTED THAT ANYTHING IS DEFECTIVE WITH THE VEHICLE. *JS *JS *JS

04/23/2019
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 04/14/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 2T2BK1BA2CC******
Summary

DURING DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY SUDDENLY THE WHOLE VEHICLE IS SHAKING AND REDUCED SPEED SUDDENLY; ALL KIND OF ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON AS HAVE TO PULL ASIDE ON THE HIGHWAY. HAVE TO TOW THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FOUND THAT CYLINDER VALVE SPRING INSIDE THE ENGINE HAS BROKEN AS THE CAR ONLY HAS ABOUT 65000 MILES. THIS CAUSING VEHICLE TO MISFIRE AND VEHICLE IS SHAKING. THERE ARE MULTIPLE RECALL OF LEXUS MODEL ON VALVE SPRING AND THIS OBVIOUSLY SEEMS AN MANUFACTURER DEFECT.

04/12/2019
Components: STEERING,SEAT BELTS
Incident Date: 04/08/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJBK1BA2C2******
Summary

VEHICLE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 32K APPRX GARAGE KEPT. FRONT PASSENGER BELT LOCKS FREQUENTLY. ALSO THE STEERING GOT HARD. NO LEAKING OF ANY SORT OF OIL TOO. CURRENTLY THE VEHICLE IS BEING USED BUT SCARED IF STEERING MOTION WOULD FREEZE.

03/04/2019
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 02/28/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 2T2BK1BA9CC******
Summary

WHILE DRIVING ON I-15 NEAR ST. GEORGE ON AN OVERCAST, BUT DRY ROAD, WE HEARD A LOUD BANG OR THUMP ON OUR VEHICLE. TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE NEAR. WE COULD FIND NO EVIDENCE OF DAMAGE. WHILE LISTENING TO A NEWS REPORT LAST EVENING, INVOLVING A PROBLEM WITH SPONTANEOUS SHATTERING OF SUNROOFS, I IMMEDIAELY WENT TO MY GARAGE TO LOOK AT MY SUNROOF AND SURE ENOUGH IT WAS SHATTERED.

02/23/2019
Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 09/10/2018
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 2T2BKIBA8CC******
Summary

BOTH WHEELS ARE NOT STOPPING AT THE SAME TIME. THE CAR HAS A SLIGHT JUMP FORWARD WHEN YOU EXPECT TO BE TOTALLY STOPPED. THE CAR HAS NEW FRONT AND BACK BRAKES.

11/17/2018
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 07/04/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 2T2BK1BA4CC******
Summary

FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR IS NOT WORKING, IT LIGHTS UP, STANDING, IM MOTION ALL THE TIME, I AM AFRAID IF I HAVE A WIFE OR LOVE ONE ON THAT SEAT

12/08/2017
Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL
Incident Date: 09/27/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 2T2ZK1BA7CC******
Summary

VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED ON HIGHWAY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, ABS MALFUNCTION, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ALL POPPED UP ON DASHBOARD. DEALERSHIP ERASED THAT LIGHTS, VEHICLE GAVE SAME WARNING LIGHTS WITH POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION LIGHT TOO WITH OTHER WARNING LIGHTS WITHIN 24 HRS, WITH COMPLETE STOP ON ROAD AT SPEED OF 35MPH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES FOR SAME ISSUE, DEALERSHIP KEPT VEHICLE DEALERSHIP STATING ABS ACTUATOR MALFUNCTION (DUE TO INTERMITTENT OPEN CIRCUIT), REFUSING TO REPLACE THE PART UNDER VEHICLE RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN RECALLS 14V054000, AS THE CODE IS DIFFERENT ON VEHICLE. CAR CAME TO COMPLETE STOP ON HIGHWAY DUE TO THESE FLUCTUATION IN ABS SYSTEM BARELY MISSING AN ACCIDENT.

10/24/2017
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 06/15/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 2T2ZK1BA4CC******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS RX350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE LOW ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY SIX TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (LEXUS STEVEN CREEK, SANTA CLARA, CA, 408-553-4500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL WAS LOW AND THAT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO THE REPLACED. THE FAILURES WERE REPAIRED, BUT RECURRED TEN DAYS LATER WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED AN EXTENSIVE ROAD TEST, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000. UPDATED 8/2/18*JB

07/22/2017
Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 07/11/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 2T2ZK1BA5CC******
Summary

JULY 11TH 2017 AT AROUND 220PM PST, THE LEXUS RX350 2012, EXPERIENCE A VERY DANGEROUS FAILURE. EARLIER THAT WEEK I NOTICED ISSUE WITH THE BATTERY, WHERE IT WOULD TAKE ONE OR MORE PUSHES TO THE START BUTTON FOR THE CAR TO TURN ON. BUT ON THIS DATE, I HAD JUST PARKED THE CAR ON A ROAD WITH AN SLIGHT INCLINE, I DID NOT ENABLE THE EMERGENCY BREAK THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND THE KEYS WITH ME. I HAD DROPPED OFF A FRIEND AND HELPED HER TAKE A FEW THINGS INSIDE THE HOUSE. AFTER RETURNING TO THE CAR, I TRIED MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO TURN ON THE CAR (3 OR 4) AND ON THE LAST ATTEMPT THE CAR ROLL DOWN THE HILL INSTEAD OF TURNING ON . I WAS UN-ABLE TO APPLY THE BREAKS AND IN A STATE OF SHOCK DID NOT APPLY THE EMERGENCY BREAK. THE CAR ROLL ACROSS A ROAD, DOWN A BANK AND CAME INCHES TO HITTING A HOME. AFTER THE CAR WAS TOWED UP THE BANK IT WAS FOUND THE CAR WAS IN GOOD SHAPE BUT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. I WAS IN A STATE OF SHOCK AND MY ENTIRE BODY TENSED AND I WAS SUFFERING FROM A SEVERE HEADACHE. WE CALLED IN THE CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL 1722 EAST MAIN STREET EL CAL JON 92021 DATE: 7/11/17 - 14:40 NCIC NUMBER: 9680 OFFICER ID NUMBER 21588 THERE AFTER WE CALLED CONTACTED LEXUS TO DETERMINE IF ALL RECALL SERVICE HAD BEEN APPLIED, WHICH THEY ANSWERED YOUR CAR DOES NOT APPLY TO AN EARLIER RECALL . WAS REFERRING TO THE FOLLOWING RECALL. BASED ON THE NAME SEEM QUITE APPLICABLE FEBRUARY 12, 2014 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V054000 BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY MAY DISABLE ESC AND ABS I REQUESTED FOR A INDEPENDENT EVALUATION, BUT THEY TOLD ME (LEXUS)WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT IF THEIR WERE ISSUES AND I MUST TAKE IT TO A LEXUS SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I COMPLIED AND WE TOOK THE CAR (IT WAS TOWED OVER). THEY HELD THE CAR FOR FIVE DAYS AND CONCLUDED THE CAR HAD A BAD BATTERY. THEY STATE THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL WHEN IT WAS PARKED. WE ARE FEARFUL OF ANOTHER ACCIDENT RESULT IN GREATER DAMAGE AND HARM

01/13/2017
Components: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
Incident Date: 12/22/2016
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 2T2ZK1BA3CC******
Summary

I WAS STOPPED TURNING RIGHT FORM ONE CITY STREET ONTO ANOTHER CITY STREET WHEN I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY NOR DID THE SEAT BELT STOP ME FROM CAREENING FORWARD IN THE SEAT CAUSING MY HEAD TO HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. I RECEIVED A CUT OVER MY RIGHT EYE FROM THE IMPACT.

06/08/2016
Components: SERVICE BRAKES
Incident Date: 05/01/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 2T2ZK1BA2CC******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FELT ABNORMAL AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. TWO WEEKS LATER, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A U TURN, THE BRAKES SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V054000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,000.

03/02/2016
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 12/02/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 2T2ZK1BA6CC******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO PARK AND POWERING OFF THE VEHICLE, SHE ATTEMPTED TO EXIT WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ROLLED AWAY. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE ROLLED OVER HER BUTTOCKS. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,450.

08/13/2015
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 08/08/2015
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 2T2BK1BA2CC******
Summary

INITIALLY FELT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LURCH FOWARD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AFTER BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE AT WORK AND SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. HAD TO HIT BRAKES, BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP, AND THEN SLOWLY START FORWARD AGAIN. ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN THE DRIVEWAY OF A PRIVATE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK AND FULLY STOPPED.. DRIVER WAS ABOUT TO TURN OFF ENGINE AND, WITH PASSENGER, EXIT THE VEHICLE WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FOR NO REASON, PLOWING STRAIGHT INTO THE GARAGE DOOR OF RESIDENCE. GARAGE DOOR WAS COMPLETELY TORN OFF AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AFTER SMASHING AN INTERIOR WALL AND DOORFRAME. THANKFULLY, NO INJURIES BUT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE IF THE WINDSHIELD HAD BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED ON 3 SIDES AND THE PROPERTY SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE GARAGE DOOR, INTERIOR DRYWALL, DOOR AND DOORFRAME. AGAIN, THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED AND IN PARK WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED.

08/13/2015
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 08/08/2015
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 2T2BK1BA2CC******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS RX350. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A GARAGE DOOR AND INTO A WALL. THE VEHICLE HAD EXTENSIVE DAMAGES TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED WHIP LASH THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THE DAMAGES WERE REPAIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,878.

03/20/2015
Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL,TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 03/01/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 2T2ZK1BA7CC******
Summary

THE TRACTION LIGHT AND SKID CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON EVEN WHEN VEHICLE IS NOT MOVING. *TR

07/08/2014
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 04/30/2014
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJZK1BA4C2******
Summary

CONTINUATION OF MY REPORT. ABOUT A MONTH LATER THE SAME SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED BUT IN REVERSE AS THE DRIVER WAS LEAVING HER HOME AND THIS TIME SHE COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE, GOING THRU THE CONCRETE FENCE OF HER FRONT NEIGHBOR TAKING A SIDE OF THE NEIGHBOR HOUSE, DOWN A HILL AND HITTING TWO AIR CONDITIONER UNITS AND AN ELECTRICAL GENERATOR, DAMAGING THE WHOLE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE REAR, BRAKING THE REAR DRIVE TRAIN AND GETTING STUCK IN A CONCRETE WALL WHICH SAVE THEIR LIFE. IF THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE GONE 10 MORE FEET IT WOULD HAVE DROP IN AN APPROXIMATELY 800 TO 900 FEET CLIFF AND PROBABLY WOULD HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. ACCORDING TO THE DRIVER SHE PUT ON HER BRAKES AND THEY DID NOT WORK. ACCORDING TO THE WITNESSES THERE WAS ONLY ONE TIRE BRAKE TRACK ON THE ROAD WHICH IT WAS GONE BY THE TIME I WENT TO INVESTIGATE. MY THEORY IS THAT ELECTRIC SURGES FROM THIS HIGH INTENSITY CABLES INTERFERE WITH THE THROTTLE CONTROL AND ACCELERATE THIS VEHICLES. IT IS THE ONLY LOGICAL EXPLANATION. IF THERE IS A WAY TO TEST THIS THEORY I SURE WOULD APPRECIATE IT. PLEASE ANSWER ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR UPDATED 3/13/15 *JS

07/08/2014
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 04/30/2014
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJZK1BA4C2******
Summary

FIRST PART OF COMPLAINT JUST IN CASE IT DID NOT GO THRU THE FIRST TIME. DEAR SIRS, I'M WRITING TO YOU ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. THEY HAVE CONTRACTED ME AS A VEHICLE ACCIDENT RECONSTRUCTIONIST IN PUERTO RICO. I NEED TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE MADE ANY INQUIRIES IN THE FUEL DELIVERY AND PROPULSION SYSTEM. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS TOYOTA, LEXUS AND HONDA VEHICLES THAT I KNOW OF SO FAR, ARE HAVING SOME KIND OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION ISSUES AND THE COMPUTER DOES NOT CATCH THE PROBLEM. THIS ACCELERATION SURGES THAT I HAVE FOUND OUT ABOUT, ALL HAVE OCCURRED AROUND HIGH ELECTRICITY AREAS. SO FAR THAT I KNOW OFF, THREE OF THESE SURGES HAVE OCCURRED NEXT TO THE ELECTRICAL PLANT CENTER IN PALO SECO PUERTO RICO AND ONE CAUSED TWO DEATHS. THE OTHER ONE IS THE ONE I'M REPRESENTING WHICH OCCURRED IN THEIR HOME TWICE. THE FIRST TIME WAS ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE THIS ACCIDENT BUT THE DRIVER HAD THE CHANCE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND NOTHING HAPPENED. AT THAT TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A CHECKUP AND NOTHING STRANGE SHOWED ON THEIR SYSTEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR UPDATED 3/13/15 *JS

11/12/2013
Components: SUSPENSION
Incident Date: 06/24/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJZK1BAXC2******
Summary

I HAD REPORTED ROUGH RIDE TO SALES SPECIALIST AND SERVICE DEPT. IT WAS ATTRIBUTED TO NEW SUSPENSION SPECIFICATIONS AND POSSIBLE TIRE PRESSURE. TIRE PRESSURE WAS LOWERED HOWEVER ROUGH RIDE PERSISTED. DURING THE 12 MONTH 10K FULL MAINTENANCE SERVICE OF RX350 BOTH REAR SHOCKS WERE FOUND LEAKING AND REPLACED (UNDER WARRANTY). SINCE I HAD BEEN MONITORING ROUGH RIDE ISSUES OF OTHER RX350'S ON LEXUS FORUM I REPORTED THE SUSPENSION REPLACEMENT INCIDENT TO SALES SPECIALIST AND I HAD RECOMMENDED ADDRESSING WITH THOSE WHO MAY NEED TO KNOW TO INVESTIGATE POTENTIAL SUSPENSION PROBLEM (S). THERE WAS NO FOLLOW UP TO MY EMAILED CONCERN. SUBSEQUENTLY ON ANOTHER ONLINE FORUM A PARTICIPANT MENTIONED HAVING SUSPENSION REPLACED ON RAV4 (TOYOTA BRANDED AUTO). PERHAPS THERE MAY HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE WITH A SPECIFIC PRODUCTION RUN WITH ONE OF THEIR SUSPENSION SUPPLIERS AND MAY NEED TO BE ADDRESSED SINCE IT MAY RESULT IN HANDLING AND / OR CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *TR

10/08/2013
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 09/05/2013
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 2T2ZK1BA3CC******
Summary

AFTER EXITING A PARKING LOT BY BACKING OUT, LEXUS RX 350 DRIVER PRECEDED TO THE PARKING LOT EXIT. UPON MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN TOWARDS THE EXIT, THE CAR IMMEDIATELY LURCHED FORWARD AND DESPITE THE DRIVERS ATTEMPT TO STOP THE CAR BY APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE CAR HIT ANOTHER PARKED CAR. THE RX 350 CAME TO A STOP ONLY AFTER HITTING THE CURBING OF THE PARKING LOT. THE CAR THAT WAS HIT WAS UNOCCUPIED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO THE DRIVER OF THE RX 350. *TR

09/25/2013
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 09/21/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 2T2BK1BA8CC******
Summary

I WISH TO INFORM YOU ABOUT A SERIOUS INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2013 WHILE DRIVING MY LEXUS 350 AWD 2012. I WAS PARKING THE CAR. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BREAK PEDAL AND I WAS ABOUT TO REVERSE WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY SELF ACCELERATED AND WENT UP A 45 DEGREE EMBANKMENT. THE CAR DROVE OVER VERY LARGE BOULDERS THAT WERE AT THE HEAD OF THE PARKING SPACE. THE UNDERBELLY OF THE CAR RAMMED INTO A VERY LARGE BOULDER THAT RAISED THE LEFT REAR WHEEL OFF THE GROUND AND STOPPED THE CAR FROM CONTINUING UP THE INCLINE. THE ACCELERATION OVER THE BOULDERS AND UP THE EMBANKMENT WAS CONSISTENTLY FAST MOVING AND THE BREAK PEDAL WAS USELESS. LEXUS WAS INFORMED AND ADVISED THAT WOULD SEND AN INSPECTOR. THE LIFE ON MYSELF AND THE PASSENGERS WERE SERIOUSLY PUT AT RISK. I DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN BECAUSE OF THE UNPREDICTABILITY AND LIFE THREATENING RISK THE CAR POSES BECAUSE OF THE SELF ACCELERATION ISSUE. I KINDLY REQUEST YOUR OFFICE REVIEW THIS SERIOUS MATTER. I AM SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR MY UP-FRONT FINANCIAL COMMITMENT OR A TRADE-IN FOR A DEPENDABLE VEHICLE. *LN UPDATED 1/8/2013 *JS

08/22/2013
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 05/01/2013
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 2T2ZK1BA9CC******
Summary

I HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH MY 2012 LEXUS ON 5/1/13. I PULLED OUT OF A GAS STATION UNTO THE ROAD AND STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT BEHIND A CAR CARRIER WHICH WAS STOPPED ALREADY. WHEN I STOPPED, MY CAR ACCELERATED AND HIT THE BACK OF THE TRUCK. WHEN THE POLICE CAME, THEY CITED ME BECAUSE I HIT THE TRUCK. WHEN WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND I EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED, HE SAID HE HAD A SIMILAR CASE A MONTH BEFORE. WITH THAT, I SEARCHED GOOGLE AND REALIZED THAT I WASN'T LOOSING MY MIND AND THAT MY CAR ACCELERATED UNINTENTIONALLY. I CALLED LEXUS AND THEY SENT A REPRESENTATIVE TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND AFTER EXAMINING THE CAR, HIS FINDINGS WERE THAT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN. I CALLED TWO ATTORNEYS AND THEY HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING BUT BECAUSE I WASN'T HURT, THEY WOULDN'T TAKE MY CASE. I CALLED "8 ON YOUR SIDE" AND THEY SAID TO EMAIL YOU AND THAT A GENTLEMAN FROM THERE "MIGHT" GET IN TOUCH WITH ME. I AM OUT $4,500 FOR THE REPAIRS AND NOW MY CAR DEPRECIATED $5,000 BECAUSE IT WAS HIT. I AM NOT SURE IF THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN BUT I WORRY EVERY TIME I COME TO A STOP. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO SO I COULD GET REIMBURSED FROM LEXUS OR TRADE MY CAR IN AND NOT LOSE THIS SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT. I HAVE HAD LEXUS SINCE 1996 AND I CANNOT BELIEVE THEY WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR REPLY! *TR

04/29/2013
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 04/24/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 2T2BK1BA0CC******
Summary

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT APPROX. 3 MPH AND BEING LESS THAN A FOOT FROM WHERE I WOULD HAVE FULLY STOPPED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY AS THE ENGINE RACED AT A VERY HIGH RPM. I WAS ABLE TO TURN MY WHEEL QUICKLY TO THE LEFT TO AVOID HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. AT THAT SAME TIME WITH MY FOOT THAT WAS ALREADY ON THE BRAKE AND I BRAKED VERY HARD, THEN SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. I HAD A SMALL PIECE OF WOOD FLOORING ON THE BACK SEAT WHICH CAME FLYING TO THE FRONT AND CUT THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD. I JUST REPORTED THE ISSUE TO LEXUS AND THEY SUGGEST I BRING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP ASAP. *TR

04/11/2013
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 04/11/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

HI, I WOULD LIKE TO INFORM YOU ABOUT A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE I DISCOVERED IN THE LEXUS RX350, THE CAR IS KEYLESS AND YOU JUST NEED TO PUSH A BUTTON TO START AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE SAFETY PROBLEM IS THAT THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF WHEN PUSHING THE BUTTON EVEN IF THE CAR IS STILL IN D=DRIVE AND THE CAR WILL ROLL BACK IF PARKED ON A SLOPE LIKE A DRIVEWAY ETC. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS KIDS CAN BE BEHIND THE CAR. PLEASE CHECK THIS SAFETY ISSUE. THANK YOU *TR

02/13/2013
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 04/16/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 2T2BK1BA6CC******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH AUTOMATICALLY CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

10/09/2012
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 04/14/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJBK1BA9C2******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS RX 350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD A FEW FEET BUT THEN DECCELERATED AND DRIFTED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS AND EACH TIME THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20 MILES AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,800.

06/30/2012
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 06/25/2012
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: JTJZK1BA1C2******
Summary

ON 6/25/2012- AT 7:10 AM, I WAS PULLING INTO THE PARKING SPOT FOR MY VEHICLE IN MY HOSPITAL PARKING LOT FOR A SCHEDULED SURGICAL CASE, WHERE I WORK AS AN OB/GYN PHYSICIAN/SURGEON . AS I TURNED TO THE PARKING SPOT AT THE USUAL, APPROXIMATELY 2-4 MILES /HR SPEED ( THE SPEED AT WHICH NORMALLY ONE PARKS THE CAR), I NOTICED THAT MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL DID NOT BOUNCE BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL POSITION AS IT NORMALLY SHOULD OR WOULD. THEN MY RT FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKES TO JUST STOP THE VEHICLE IN MY PARKING SPOT. THEN JUST INSTANTLY THE VEHICLE HAD INCREASED SPEED AND BEFORE I COULD STOP THE VEHICLE, IT RAN FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY AND CLIMBED UP THE CEMENT PATHWAY AND HIT THE TREE JUST IN FRONT OF THAT PARKING SPOT. I WAS PRESSING ON THE BRAKES AND IT DID NOT STOP THE ENGINE RAVING AND I STOPPED THE ENGINE BY TURNING IT OFF. THE FRONT OF THE CAR IS SEVERELY DAMAGED INCLUDING BENT FRAME AND THE ENGINE IS PUSHED INSIDE ACCORDING TO THE BODY SHOP. I FELT I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT RAN ON ITS OWN. IT WAS THE SCARIEST FEELING. IMAGINE THE DAMAGE AND CASUALTY IT COULD HAVE CAUSED IF IT HAPPENED AT THE SIGNAL CROSSING. *TR

04/04/2012
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 03/01/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 2T2ZK1BAXCC******
Summary

THE CAR, A 2012 LEXUS RX350, WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM A CALIFORNIA LEXUS DEALER ON JANUARY 30, 2012. THE PROBLEM, WHICH MANIFESTS EVERY TWO OR THREE DAYS, IS A DELAY OF SEVERAL SECONDS BETWEEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND ACTUAL ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN ACCELERATION EVENTUALLY OCCURS, IT DOES SO WITH A SURGE OR JOLT. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED IN A VARIETY OF CIRCUMSTANCES. SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO ACCELERATE SAFELY FROM A FREEWAY ON-RAMP INTO FASTER-MOVING FREEWAY TRAFFIC. ON AT LEAST TWO OTHER OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE HAS FAILED TO ACCELERATE AS I DROVE UP A HILL. MOST RECENTLY, AS I BEGAN A LEFT TURN FROM A STOPPED POSITION, THE DELAY IN ACCELERATION NEARLY RESULTED IN MY BEING BROADSIDED. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TWICE TO AN AUTHORIZED LEXUS DEALER. ON BOTH OCCASIONS I WAS ADVISED THAT BECAUSE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM DURING A SHORT DRIVE, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I RAISED WITH THE TECHNICIAN THE FACT THAT THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE VERY SAME PROBLEM. HE SAID THAT THE ISSUE, WHICH APPARENTLY RELATES TO THE POWERTRAIN, HAD BEEN ADDRESSED WITH RESPECT TO EARLIER LEXUS MODELS BUT HAD BEEN "FIXED" FOR SUBSEQUENT MODELS THROUGH REDESIGN OF THE POWERTRAIN. *TR

03/22/2012
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/17/2012
Crash: No
Fire: Yes
Vehicle Identification Number: 2T2BK1BAOCC******
Summary

I WAS TOLD THAT A CIRCUT BREAKER FAILED UNDER THE DASH ,AS TO THE CAUSE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW AND HAD SOME STRANGE ELECTRIAL ISSUES. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

12/27/2011
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Incident Date: 12/19/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 2T2BK1BA3CC******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ABNORMALLY DEPRESSED INTO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC BUT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE CODE. THE DEALER THEN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT AIR HAD ENTERED THE BRAKE LINE AND CAUSED THE BRAKE TO BECOME SPONGY. THE DEALER REMOVED THE AIR FROM THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT DID NOT FEEL SAFE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPDATED 06/05/12*LJ UPDATED 6/6/12 *SD

12/16/2011
Components: POWER TRAIN
Incident Date: 12/03/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 2T2BK1BA5CC******
Summary

I BOUGHT THE NEW CAR FROM A LEXUS DEALER IN NJ ON SATURDAY 12/03/2011. RIGHT AFTER THE CAR WAS DELIVERED TO ME AND AS I DROVE THE CAR OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP, I NOTICED THAT RPM SURGED WHENEVER GEAR UPSHIFTED SPECIALLY IN 15-40 MPH RANGE. MY WIFE ALSO NOTICED THE SAME ISSUE. WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON FOLLOWING FRIDAY, 12/9/2011, AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, IT HAD ~340 MILES ON IT. ONE MECHANIC AT THE DEALER ROAD TESTED THE CAR WITH ME AND NOTICED THE SAME ISSUE. WE LEFT THE CAR AT THE DEALER ON THAT DAY. ON FOLLOWING MONDAY AFTERNOON (12/12/2011), THE DEALER CALLED AND SAID THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILED AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. WE HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE CAR AND RESULTING SAFETY ISSUE: POWER TRAIN IS THE MAIN COMPONENT OF A CAR THAT HAS DIRECT IMPLICATION ON A CAR'S SAFETY. THIS CAR WAS A DEFECT EVEN BEFORE IT WAS DELIVERED TO ME. I ALSO HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT THE RIGOR OF LEXUS NEW CAR INSPECTION PROCESS BEFORE CUSTOMER DELIVERY. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THIS KIND OF POWER TRAIN ISSUE CAN LEAD TO A MORE SERIOUS SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM THAT CAUSES DISASTROUS ACCIDENTS. WITH THIS DEFECTED CAR, WE MIGHT HAVE GOTTEN INTO AN ACCIDENT RIGHT AFTER DELIVERY DUE TO POWER TRAIN FAILURE. *TR

1 Recalls

for 2012 LEXUS RX350
12/02/2014
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V054000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
If this occurs, these systems could become inoperative, reducing the directional control assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Campaign Number: 14V054000
Manufacture: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Summary

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 and 2013 Toyota Tacoma and Lexus RX350 vehicles and certain model year 2012 Toyota Rav4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the brake system contains a brake actuator that adjusts the fluid pressure of each wheel cylinder. An electrical component within the actuator may experience an increased resistance resulting in the illumination of various warning lights, including those for the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system, Antilock Brake System (ABS), and Traction Control system.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

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