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

What owners actually said

167 reports

12,179 miles · Dec 29, 2009

Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LEXUS RX350. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH SHE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATION. CONSEQUENTLY SHE REAR-ENDED THE PROCEEDING VEHICLE. BOTH DRIVERS OF EACH VEHICLE RECEIVED BRUISES FROM THE IMPACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE RECEIVED $13,000 WORTH OF DAMAGES. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER WAS SENT TO INSPECT HER VEHICLE. THE INSPECTOR COULD NOT LOCATE A DEFECT IN HER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,179.

NHTSA ODI #10297294

46,000 miles · Nov 26, 2009

Fuel System, Other

LEXUS RX 350 COMPLAINT. I HAVE 2007 RX350 THAT HAS` SUDDEN ACCELERATION. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS DUE TO FUEL INJECTION HOSE. . THERE STILL SEEMS TO BE OCCASIONAL ACCELERATION. WHY AREN'T THE RX 350'S BEING RECALLED ALSO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10293655

90,000 miles · Nov 23, 2009

Engine And Engine Cooling

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND MY CAR STARTED MAKING A TICKING NOISE. IT GOT LOUDER AND WOULD BARELY ACCELERATE. IT SMELLED LIKE IT WAS BURNING AND IT WAS SMOKING. ONCE I GOT IT TO THE MECHANIC, HE SAID MY OIL LINE BURST AND I ALL THE OIL GUSHED OUT. HE SAID HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM MANY TIMES BEFORE. LEXUS SAID THEY HAVE…

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NHTSA ODI #10293296

25,000 miles · Nov 3, 2009

Vehicle Speed Control

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I DRIVE A 2007 LEXUS RX 350 WHICH WAS PURCHASED AND I HAVE NOTICED THAT PERIODICALLY IT SURGES FORWARD WHEN MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKES. IT HAPPENS A LOT EVEN IN SLOW TRAFFIC. I FIRST NOTICED IT WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY A FEW TIMES. AT THAT TIME I GOT SO FRIGHTENED THAT I HAD TO CHECK IF I MADE A MISTAKE AND PRESSED THE BRAKES INSTEAD, BUT MY FOOT WAS DEFINITELY IN THE BRAKES. I TRAVEL ON AN EXPRESSWAY TO GET TO WORK IN THE MORNINGS AND QUITE A FEW TIMES I NOTICE THE SURGE, BUT USUALLY I AM DRIVING SLOWLY. IN GENERAL I'M NOT A FAST DRIVER. I MENTIONED IT TO THE SERVICER OF MY CAR, THEY DRIVE IT AND INDICATES THAT THEY DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, ONLY PERIODICALLY. IT IS VERY FRIGHTENING BECAUSE IT IS SO UNPREDICTABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10290756

65,000 miles · Oct 20, 2009

Vehicle Speed Control

2007LEXUS 350 RX -AT LEAST 3 TIMES IT HAS ENGAGED IN SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. NOW I FIND THAT IT IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. PLEASE REGISTER MY NAME TO THOSE HAVING HAD SAFETY PROBLEMS. THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT (YET)! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10289197

75,000 miles · Oct 2, 2009

Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LEXUS RX350. THE FLOOR MATS HAVE A TENDENCY TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE MALFUNCTION OCCURRED AT A CAR WAS AND THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND REMOVE THE FLOOR MATS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI #10286055

36,506 miles · Sep 17, 2009

Electrical System

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OUR TWO 2007 LEXUS RX-350 (AND ALL MODELS 2004-2009) HAVE ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD NEAR THE DASHBOARD OF APPROXIMATELY 100 MILLIGUASS. THIS IS CAUSING OUR KNEES AND HAND CELLS TO DEGENERATE AS LEXUS HAS NOT DONE ADEQUATE JOB OF PROVIDING FARADAY CAGE OR SHIELDING FROM EMF. THIS READING OF 100 MILLIGUASS IS WHAT YOU FIND UNDER HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINES AND STUDIES HAVE LINKED 2 TO 3 MILLIGUASS TO CHILDHOOD LEUKEMIA, CANCER, HEADACHES OR CELL DENERATION. I CONTACTED LEXUS CUSTOMER SERVICE BUT THEY BRUSHED OFF OUR SAFETY CONCERN, SAYING MOST HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES PRODUCE EMF. FOR REFERENCE, 2010 LEXUS RX-350 OR CURRENT MODEL ES-350S HAVE 15 TO 20 MILLIGUASS. THEREFORE LEXUS HAS TECHNOLOGY TO SHIELD BUT HAS DONE INADEQUATE JOB OF SHIELDING 2004-2009 LEXUS RX-350 BU ISSUING A RECALL. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUE AND NEED HELP FROM NHTSA AS YOU ARE THE ONLY ENTITY THAT CARES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284463

39,500 miles · Sep 2, 2009

Engine And Engine Cooling

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THE ENGINE IN MY 2007 LEXUS RX-350 BEGAN MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND THERE WAS NO FIRE, BUT THE RESULT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DIFFERENT HAD THE EVENT HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY RATHER THAN ON A SURFACE STREET SINCE STEERING AND STOPPING THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT WHEN THE ENGINE DIED. WHEN I STOPPED, OIL WAS DRIPPING OUT ONTO THE GROUND. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO WESTSIDE LEXUS IN HOUSTON, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A RUBBER HOSE ON THE OIL PIPE SUB ASSEMBLY (PART NO. LE15707-31030, I BELIEVE) HAD FAILED, CAUSING THE CRANKCASE OIL TO SPRAY OUT OVER THE ENGINE AND FIREWALL. THANKFULLY, THERE WAS NO FIRE--THIS TIME! FAILURE OF THE HOSE AND LOSS OF THE CRANKCASE OIL CAUSED A NUMBER OF CATASTROPHIC FAILURES TO OCCUR. FIRST, SINCE THE CAMSHAFT OR SOME OTHER VALVE TRAIN COMPONENT WAS SEIZING UP, THE TIMING CHAIN JUMPED TIME FROM ONE OF THE SPROCKETS, CAUSING AT LEAST TWO OF THE INTAKE VALVES TO BE STRUCK BY THE PISTONS, THIS NECESSITATED REPLACEMENT OF OVER $2750 WORTH OF PARTS UNDER WARRANTY, INCLUDING THE ALTERNATOR WHICH WAS APPARENTLY DIRECTLY HIT WITH A SPRAY OF OIL. I ASKED THAT THE ENGINE BE REPLACED, BUT WESTSIDE LEXUS REFUSED, SAYING THERE WOULD BE NO REDUCTION IN ENGINE LONGEVITY DUE TO LOSS OF THE ENGINE OIL. THERE WAS NO OIL SHOWING ON THE DIPSTICK WHEN IT WAS CHECKED AFTER THE INCIDENT, BUT THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN, MR. TAM, REPORTED THAT THERE WAS AN ESTIMATED 2 QUARTS REMAINING IN THE CRANKCASE WHEN HE DRAINED IT AND THAT HE DIDN'T EXPECT "BOTTOM END" DAMAGE TO THE MAIN BEARINGS, CRANKSHAFT, AND CONNECTING RODS. I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THIS IS TRUE OR NOT, BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS COULD HAPPEN WITH CATASTROPHIC RESULTS. THE SERVICE MANAGER, MR. MICHAEL LORCH, INDICATED THAT LEXUS HAD EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON OTHER VEHICLES AND THAT THE PART HAS BEEN REDESIGNED, BUT NO FORMAL RECALL HAS BEEN UNDERTAKEN. WHY ISN'T THE HOSE METAL BRAID INSTEAD OF RUBBER? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10282693

Mileage unknown · May 25, 2009

Visibility

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I HAVE A LEXUS 2007 MODEL RX 350. WHEN DRIVING WITH THE WINDOWS UP AND WITH THE HVAC SET ON RECIRCULATION, THERE WILL BE A PRONOUNCED SMELL OF SULFUR DIOXIDE WITHIN THE CABIN. THIS SMELL CAN OCCUR WHEN WE ARE DRIVING ALONE ON A HIGHWAY WITH NO OTHER CARS WITHIN 20 MILES. WHEN I COMPLAIN TO THE DEALER, ALL I GET IS A PRINTOUT WITH THE OFFICIAL LEXUS POSITION THAT THE SULFUR DIOXIDE SMELL EMANATING FROM THE TAILPIPE IS NORMAL. OF COURSE THAT IS NORMAL, IT IS COMING FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. WHAT IS NOT NORMAL IS THAT IT IS PENETRATING THE CABIN WITH ALL OF THE WINDOWS UP. IF SULFUR DIOXIDE IS COMING INTO THE AFT AIR VENTILATION PORTS, SO IS CARBON MONOXIDE. THE DEALER REFUSES TO INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM OR TO ESCALATE THE ISSUE UP TO THE MANUFACTURER, TOYOTA, FOR INVESTIGATION AND CORRECTION. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE ADVISORS, THEY ARE RECEIVING THIS COMPLAINT FROM A LARGE NUMBER OF OWNERS, BUT NO ONE IN THE DEALER'S OR THE MANUFACTURER'S ORGANIZATION HAVE GRASPED THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269883

Mileage unknown · May 19, 2009

Air BagsStructureSuspension

2007 LEXUS RX350. LTR REGARDING A DEFECT HE HAS IN HIS CAR THAT HE BELIEVES CAME FROM THE FACTORY; HE BELIEVES THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING, THERE WERE LARGE GAPS AT THE RIGHT SIDE BODY SEAMS, FRONT FENDER HEADLIGHT AND RIGHT SIDE DOOR AREA. THE LEFT HINGE…

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NHTSA ODI #10270270

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