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

Electrical System complaints

11 reports

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150,000 miles · May 12, 2016

Electrical System

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THE PASSENGER SIDE OUTSIDE MIRROR EXPLODED SENDING GLASS SHARDS AND CAUSTIC LIQUID ON THE SIDE WINDOW AND PAINTED SURFACE OF THE DOOR AND FENDER AREAS. EXPLOSION WAS SPONTANEOUS WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE, AMBIENT TEMP 50'S, NO BIRD STRIKE, THROWN ROCK OR PROJECTILE. EXPLOSION WAS GUN-SHOT LOUD. VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT 10MPH ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREET. NO OTHER MOVING CARS AT THE TIME AND THE MIRROR DID NOT COME IN CONTACT WITH ANYTHING. INTERNET SEARCH OF EXPLODING MIRRORS REVEALED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF MANY BRANDS OF VEHICLES. CAUSE OF THE EXPLOSION HAS TO DO WITH THE DIMMING FUNCTION IN THE MIRRORS OF LATE MODEL VEHICLES. THE EXACT MECHANISM CAN ONLY BE GUESSED. THE CAUSTIC LIQUID MIGHT, UNDER PRESSURE AND ELECTRICAL CHARGE TEND TO BEND THE MIRROR IN SOME WAY, AND AFTER SOME TIME, FAIL CATASTROPHICALLY. THIS THEORY WAS CONFIRMED BY A STATE INSPECTION OFFICER WHO HAS HEARD OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH LATE MODEL YEAR SIDE MIRRORS WITH DIMMER FUNCTION. COST OF REPAIR FROM ONE ESTIMATE WAS $1300 FOR A NEW MIRROR AND REPAINTING OF THE MARRED SURFACES. LEXUS HAS REFUSED OUR REQUEST TO REIMBURSEMENT OR EVEN TO CONSIDER THAT THE MIRROR COULD HAVE EXPLODED. I WOULD ALSO ADD THAT HAD THERE BEEN A PASSENGER SEATED AND THE WINDOW DOWN, GLASS SHARDS AND CAUSTIC LIQUID WOULD SURELY HAVE STRUCK THE PASSENGER IN THE FACE. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE MIRRORS AND A RECALL IS CLEARLY IN ORDER.

NHTSA ODI #10864608

120,000 miles · May 30, 2015

Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats

I HAVE NOTICED FOR SOMETIME WHILE DRIVING WITH MY WIFE.THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE PANEL FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT COME ON. SOMETIMES IT COMES ON AFTER WE HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR A WHILE.I FIGURE THE AIRBAG WILL NOT WORK IF WE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT.I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY CARS COULD BE EFFECTED WITH THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10722398

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

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

85,000 miles · May 29, 2013

Electrical SystemEngine

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VSC OFF CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLES VIBRATE VIOLENT SHORTLY AFTER. WAS DIAGNOSED BY LEXUS TECHNICIAN THAT IGNITION COIL #6 HAS FAILED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10514061

Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2013

Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

MOISTURE IN HEADLIGHTS CAUSING SPREAD OUT LIGHT BEAM AND POSSIBLE RUST/SHORT CIRCUIT IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10499450

64,108 miles · Jun 21, 2012

Electrical SystemEngine

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I HAVE NOW HAD TO REPLACE 3 IGNITION COILS. I ONLY HAVE THE PAPERWORK FOR 2 TIMES, BUT EACH TIME THE CAR BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND THE ENGINE WENT OFF AT STOPS, AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM LIGHT WENT ON. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, WHICH I THINK WAS IN 2010, THE LEXUS TECHNICIAN SAID IT WAS A FLUKE. THE SECOND TIME (ABOVE DATE), THE LEXUS TECHNICIAN SAID HE WAS BEGINNING TO SEE A LOT OF IGNITION COIL FAILURES. THIS LAST TIME (TODAY), THE TECHNICIAN SAID REPLACING FAULTY IGNITION COILS IS NOW COMMON, AND JUST A PART OF MAINTENANCE. HE ALSO SAID SOME PEOPLE WERE CHOOSING TO REPLACE ALL 6 OF THEM AT ONCE SO THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE STRANDED AT NIGHT OR ON THE ROAD, AND TO SAVE MONEY. OBVIOUSLY, THERE'S A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH LEXUS RX350 IGNITION COILS. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10462568

38,000 miles · Apr 14, 2011

Electrical System

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ALL THE DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON UNTIL THE ENGINE/IGNITION KEY IS TURNED-OFF. NO APPARENT MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL FAILURE AS INDICATED BY ALL THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS. THE SUDDEN APPEARANCE OF THE ENTIRE DASH WARNING LIGHT SYSTEM ENERGIZING IS UNNERVING TO SAY THE LEAST. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING MALFUNCTION THAT THE DEALER CANNOT LOCATE OR REPRODUCE. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS ON APRIL 7TH AND AGAIN ON APRIL 11TH, BOTH WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND STAYED ON UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS SHUTDOWN. THE LIGHTS DID NOT COME ON AFTER A RESTART. THE REPEATING OCCURRENCE RENDERS THE WARNING SYSTEM TOTALLY INEFFECTIVE, IN THE EVENT OF A REAL MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10396502

42,500 miles · Jul 11, 2010

Electrical System

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IDIOT/TROUBLE LIGHTS ALL COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING; NO APPARENT AFFECT OR IMPACT ON OPERATION OF VEHICLE; OTHER THAN THE ANXIETY CREATED BY THE SUDDEN APPEARANCE OF ALL THE DASH TROUBLE LIGHTS COMING ON ALL AT ONCE, FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS CONTINUES TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. AFTER SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTING, THE TROUBLE LIGHTS RETURN TO NORMAL "ALL-OFF" STATUS. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR THE LAST TWO (2) YEARS. I HAVE DISCUSSED THE CONDITION WITH TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS (COCONUT CREEK, FL AND GREENVILLE, SC), BUT THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE CONDITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10342546

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