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

What owners actually said

167 reports

Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2010

Engine And Engine Cooling

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THIS COMPLAINT IS REGARDING THE VVT-I OIL HOSE ON A 2007 LEXUS RX350. EITHER THE CURRENT RUBBER HOSE OR THE "IMPROVED" RUBBER HOSE WITH LEXUS' SERVICE CAMPAIGN (9LH) DOESN'T ADDRESS THE SAFETY CONCERN ABOUT THIS HOSE. THIS HOSE ROUTES A HIGH PRESSURE FLOW OF HOT ENGINE OIL OUTSIDE THE ENGINE BLOCK. RUBBER DETERIORATES OVER TIME AND MILES AND CAN UNEXPECTEDLY BREAK OR RUPTURE CAUSING ENGINE OIL TO RAPIDLY DRAIN FROM THE ENGINE. DESPITE DENIALS BY TOYOTA/LEXUS, THIS IS IN FACT A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE RUPTURED OIL LINES CAN AND HAVE CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND FIRES WHEN SEIZED ENGINES AND/OR OIL SOAKED TIRES AND/OR BRAKE PADS CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND/OR MOTORISTS TO BECOME STRANDED (POSSIBLY OUT OF CELL PHONE RANGE). I HAVE CONTACTED LEXUS TO PUT THE CORRECT FIX OF ALL METAL OIL LINE WHICH IT BEGAN INSTALLING IN TOYOTA/LEXUS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED DURING APRIL 2008 AND LEXUS REFUSED TO DO SO. I STRONG URGE NHTSA TO INITIATE AN INVESTIGATION ON THIS ISSUE DUE TO THE SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10318935

130,000 miles · Mar 8, 2010

Seats

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WAS BROKEN AND WOULD ROCK BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN. HE STATED THE LOWER SEAT FRAME HAD BROKEN AND THE ENTIRE SEAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THERE WAS ONLY A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN AVAILABLE FOR THE SEAT FAILURE AND THEY WOULD TAKE NO LIABILITY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10317763

1,000 miles · Mar 6, 2010

Vehicle Speed Control

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RANDOM ACCELERATION! MY RX 350 LEXUS WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR LESS THAN A MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED IT FOR RANDOM ACCELERATION. I EXPLAINED THAT ALTHOUGH I AM NOT ACCELERATING MY VEHICLE ACCELERATES RAPIDLY AND LUNGES FORWARD. I HAVE TO TAKE MY FOOT OF THE GAS IMMEDIATELY AND APPLY THE BRAKE. SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS 3/4 TIMES A DAY AND SOMETIMES NOT FOR A WEEK, THUS THE TERM RANDOM. I HAVE BROUGHT IT IN TO PARK PLACE LEXUS AND CALLED NUMEROUS TIMES. THEY DRIVE IT A FEW MILES AND TELL ME NOTHING IS WRONG. I EVEN PLEADED WITH THE OWNER OF PARK PLACE, CHRIS BRUNNER TO KEEP MY CAR AND DRIVE IT UNTIL HE EXPERIENCED THE RANDOM ACCELERATION, HE REFUSED AND TOLD ME TO CALL LEXUS HEADQUARTERS. I DID CALL AND WAS ON HOLD FOR 38 MINUTES. LAUREN SHIELDS OF LEXUS ALSO TOLD ME NOTHING COULD BE DONE. I THINK MR. AL SMITH, THE VP OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SHOULD MONITOR HOW GOOD CUSTOMERS AND REPEAT BUYERS WITH SERIOUS VEHICLE PROBLEMS ARE HANDLED. I AM NOW AT 52,000 MILES AND PAST WARRANTY, (I THINK THIS WAS THEIR PLAN- TO DANCE AROUND THE PROBLEM UNTIL MY WARRANTY RAN OUT) I WORRY IF I WILL BE ABLE TO STOP MY VEHICLE THE NEXT TIME THIS HAPPENS. THE RANDOM ACCELERATION STARTED IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE AND IT WAS PRIOR TO ANY RECALLS, ANY TV NEWS CASTS OR NEWSPAPER ARTICLES. WE HAVE 2 HIGHLANDERS, AND THIS IS MY 4TH LEXUS, WE ARE GOOD CUSTOMERS AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. I THINK THE RANDOM ACCELERATION IS A PROBLEM FOR MANY MORE VEHICLES THAN THEY HAVE RECALLED! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10317351

37,300 miles · Mar 3, 2010

Vehicle Speed Control

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RE: 2007 LEXUS RX350. RESPONSE TIME FROM GAS PEDAL ACTION TO CAR RESPONDING IS SLOW (ABOUT 2-3 SEC.) I NEVER KNOW WHEN THE CAR IS GOING TO START/STOP MOVING. THE START DELAY IS CONSTANT. ACCELERATION REDUCTION IS ALSO 2-3 SEC. AND INFREQUENT. THE MOST RECENT PROLONGED ACCELERATION EVENT IS DOCUMENTED IN YOUR APPROXIMATE INCIDENT DATE SPACES. IF I NEED TO TRY TO GET OUT OF ANOTHER DRIVERS PATH AND STEP ON THE GAS IN ORDER TO "MOVE", THE REAR END SQUEALS AND CONTROL IS SACRIFICED. TWO DIFFERENT LEXUS DEALERS HAVE SEEMED UNCONCERNED AND HAVE NOT EVEN DOCUMENTED MY COMPLAINTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10316432

18,000 miles · Feb 24, 2010

Vehicle Speed Control

UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION IT HAS HAPPENED WITH TWO DIFFERENT DRIVERS. ONCE WHEN IN "PARK" AND ONCE WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. NO DAMAGE OR INJURIES OCCURRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313567

35,000 miles · Feb 16, 2010

Vehicle Speed Control

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 20-30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP SIGNAL. THERE WAS PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LUNGE FORWARD AND UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. THE DRIVER PLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO "NEUTRAL" POSITION. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURERER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10310929

57,000 miles · Feb 13, 2010

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; HOWEVR, IMMEDIATELY AFTER APPROACHING A TRAFFIC SIGNAL HE HAD TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES WITH AGGRESSIVE FORCE SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AND REAR ENDED THE PROCEEDING VEHICLE. THE POLICE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH CAUTION TO THE RESIDENCE AND TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN REFUSED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED HIM THAT THE MANUFACTURERS ENGINEER WOULD PERFORM AN INVESTIGATION. THE MALFUNCTION HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10310162

Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2010

Visibility

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WE LEASED A 2007 LEXUS RX350 IN JANUARY 2007. SINCE MAY OF 2009, MY WIFE HAS BEEN FEELING SICK EACH TIME SHE WAS IN THIS CAR. SHE HAS DEVELOPED PROGRESSIVE WORSENING SYMPTOMS OF DIFFICULTY OF BREATHING AND SWALLOWING WITH DRYNESS SENSATION IN HER THROAT AND CHEST, THROAT PAIN AND PAIN IN HER CHEST IN THE TRACHEAL AND BOTH BRONCHUS DISTRIBUTION. WE NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF WHITE DUST CAME OUT OF THE AC/HEAT VENT IN OCTOBER. MY WIFE WAS SEEN BY A PULMONOLOGIST IN DECEMBER, 2009. HER SYMPTOMS WAS RELATED TO THE REPEATED INHALING OF THE WHITE DUST EMITTED FROM THE AC/HEAT VENT OF THE RX350 EACH TIME SHE WAS IN THIS CAR. SHE DEVELOPED SEVERE PERMANENT INJURY TO HER LUNG FROM REPEATED INHALING THE WHITE DUST. WE TOLD THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEALER IN DECEMBER, 11, 2009. DEALER REPLACED THE EVAPORATOR SYSTEM IN DECEMBER 18, 2009. BUT, IT WAS TOO LATE. MY WIFE HAS ALREADY SUFFERED PERMANENT INJURY TO HER LUNG. EVEN THE EVAPORATOR WAS REPLACED, THERE WAS STILL SOME WHITE DUST COMING OUT OF THE VENT, JUST NOT AS MUCH AS BEFORE THE REPAIR. I INFORMED THE LEXUS DEALER IN ENGLEWOOD, NEW JERSEY. THE DEALER ADVISOR TOLD ME JUST TO BLOW IT OFF. WE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED EVENT. LOTS OF PEOPLE HAS/HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE WHITE DUST. SOME OF THEM (EVEN A THREE YEAR OLD CHILD) ALSO DEVELOPED HEALTH PROBLEMS. LEXUS ADMITTED THE WHITE DUST WAS FROM THE CORROSION OF THE COATING MATERIAL INSIDE THE AC/HEAT VENT SYSTEM. THIS IS A HEALTH SAFETY ISSUE. AS A PHYSICIAN OF MYSELF, I BELIEVE LEXUS HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO INFORM THE PUBLIC. LEXUS KNEW THIS PROBLEM AS EARLY AS JUNE OF 2007. LEXUS HAS ALREADY REPLACED EVAPORATORS IN MANY CARS IN 2007-2008. WHY LEXUS DID NOT WARN OR INFORM THE PUBLIC AT THAT TIME? LEXUS SHOULD WARN ITS CUSTOMERS OR DO A RECALL FOR THE DEFECTIVE AC/HEAT VENT SYSTEM. *TR UPDATED IVOQ 06/08/10

NHTSA ODI #10304766

10 miles · Feb 2, 2010

Fuel System, Gasoline

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SINCE PURCHASING MY 2007 RX350 LEXUS, I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE INSTANCES WHERE , UPON ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE WITH FOOT ON GAS PEDAL, THERE IS A HESITATION, FOLLOWED BY A LURCH/AND OR UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION. THESE EPISODES HAVE ONLY LASTED A FEW SECONDS, AND HAVE SEEM TO REMEDY BY REMOVING FOOT FROM GAS PEDAL , OR APPLYING PRESSURE TO GAS PEDAL. ALTHOUGH, I HAVE NOT HAD A SITUATION WHERE THE CAR IS "OUT OF CONTROL" AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENT, THESE EPISODES ARE SCARY. I REPORTED THIS BEHAVIOR TO MY LEXUS DEALER WITHIN A FEW WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP. THEY TESTED IT AND DEEMED THE CAR SAFE TO DRIVE. IT IS NOT MY EXPERIENCE THAT THESE INSTANCES ARE CAUSED BY THE PEDAL GETTING CAUGHT ON THE CARPET, OR BY A "STICKY" PEDAL AS DESCRIBED BY THE DEALERSHIP ON MODELS CURRENTLY RECALLED. I HAVE NOTIFIED MY DEALER , AGAIN , OF THE SITUATION IN HOPES THAT THIS WILL GAIN WIDER ATTENTION, AND TOYOTA WILL MAKE THE REPAIRS NEEDED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. I AM PERSONALLY AWARE OF AT LEAST ON FATALITY OF SOMEONE DRIVING THE EXACT SAME MODEL AS MY CAR. I DO NOT WANT TO WIND UP LIKE HIM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS SITUATION FURTHER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10303946

33,000 miles · Jan 10, 2010

StructureVehicle Speed ControlCrash

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LEXUS RX350 AUTO-ACCELERATION. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT (AT A SLOW SPEED) IN A PARKING STRUCTURE, THE ENGINE, WITHOUT PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL, SUDDENLY REVED UP TO HIGH SPEED AND ACCELERATED INTO THE WIRE RETAINING CABLED AND WALL OF THE STRUCTURE. THE DISTANCED TRAVELED WAS LESS THAN 10 FEET BEFORE THE CAR WAS STOPPED BY THE RETAINING CABLES AND THE WALL. THE FRONT END OF THE CAR AND THE STRUCTURE WERE DAMAGED. THE IMPACT WAS SEVERE ENOUGH TO BREAK 5 OF THE 7 CABLES. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10298927

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