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

90,000 miles · Jul 18, 2016

Power TrainVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 LEXUS RX350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR AND BREEZE ROOM OF A KITCHEN. ALSO, WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, THE ACCELERATOR FAILED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A WHIPLASH, BUT NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWRE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10885672

Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2016

Air Bags

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AIRBAG LIGHT IN THE DASHBOARD BLINKING. AT FIRST, RESTARTING THE CAR WILL TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE BUT RECENTLY, IT JUST BLINKS CONTINUOUSLY. I BOUGHT THE CAR AT CARMAX AND CAR HAS 90K MILES IN IT, IT'S A LITTLE OVER 30 DAYS AFTER I PURCHASED AT CARMAX WHEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED BLINKING. FOR NO REASON. I WAS NOT IN ANY ACCIDENT. IF THE LIGHT TURNED ON WITHIN THE 30 DAY PERIOD OF PURCHASE, I MIGHT HAVE REPORTED TO CARMAX AND THEY WILL FIX IT FOR FREE (WITHIN 30 DAYS OF BUYING THE CAR). I WENT ONLINE AND SIMILAR HAPPENS WITH OTHER LEXUS 350 CARS. MAYBE NEED A RECALL?

NHTSA ODI #10875304

82,308 miles · Jun 13, 2016

Structure

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I WENT TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF THE BACK OF MY LEXUS, WHICH WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE, AND THE HANDLE TO THE REAR DOOR LATCH IS "MELTED". I WENT TO MANUALLY OPEN THE REAR POWER DOOR AND THE PLASTIC OR RUBBER THAT WAS COVERING THE MANUAL BUTTON WAS MELTED AND STICKY. I KEEP MY CAR IN MY GARAGE WHEN I'M NOT RUNNING ERRANDS OR AT WORK. NOT SURE WHEN IT "MELTED" CAUSE I USUALLY USE THE POWER DOOR BUTTON ON MY REMOTE TO OPEN THE REAR DOOR. I HAVE READ OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10874045

134,000 miles · Jun 7, 2016

Steering

I BRING MY LEXUS FOR OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING AND THE RACK AND PIN IN THE STEER WHEEL IS LEAK COST OF TOTAL REPAIR AT LEXUS WOULD BE $2650

NHTSA ODI #10873123

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2016

Unknown Or Other

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MELTING OF THE RUBBER HANDLE OF THE REAR LIFT DOOR. THE HANDLE IS EXTREMELY STICKY LIKE TAR WHICH TRANSFERS TO YOUR HAND WHEN YOU OPEN THE DOOR BY HAND. UNKNOWN IF THIS IS DUE TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE HANDLE OR HOT WEATHER. NOTICED THIS SEVERAL YEARS AGO WHILE TRAVELING AND FOUND THE BLACK TAR LIKE SUBSTANCE ON MY HAND. THIS VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THIS PROBLEM APPARENTLY TOOK PLACE OR JUST OVER TIME OF BEING OUTSIDE. FOR THE DATE THAT THIS HAPPENED BELOW I HAVE USED THE DATE OF PURCHASE FOR THERE IS NO EXACT DATE THAT I DISCOVERED THIS PROBLEM. I CAN ONLY ESTIMATE THAT IT HAS BEEN SEVERAL YEARS OR MORE.

NHTSA ODI #10870379

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

110,000 miles · May 8, 2016

Steering

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2012 POWER STEERING RACK FAILED. LEAKING AT THE RUBBER SEAL BOOT ON RIGHT SIDE UNDER VEHICLE. USED A REBUILT PART TO REPLACE IT. 2015 DECEMBER, POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED OUT OF FLUID CASING ALL OVER THE GROUND. I PULLED OFF OF THE TOLL RD BECAUSE OF THE NOISE. TOOK IT TO LEXUS AND DIAGNOSED POWER STEERING RACK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN BECAUSE RUBBER SEAL BOOT IS LEAKING AGAIN. THEY HAVE STOPPED USING REBUILT AND NOW USE NEW KIT TO REPAIR. THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR HALF THE REPAIR. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH LEXUS AND OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES WHICH USE THE SAME PART. IF MY CAR LOSES ALL THE FLUID BEFORE I GET IT REPAIRED, ESPECIALLY IF ON THE FREEWAY THERE COULD BE A FATAL ACCIDENT. LEXUS HAS TAKEN MONTHS TO RETURN MY CALLS IN ORDER TO GET THIS REPAIRED. I FINALLY GO A RETURN CALL FROM CUSTOMER SERVICE ON MAY 4TH. WILL NOT GET ON THE FREEWAY UNTIL THIS IS RESOLVED.

NHTSA ODI #10863823

84,500 miles · Apr 17, 2016

Air Bags

THE DRIVER AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING. TAKE TO MECHANIK RESET IT IS NOT GOING AWAY . ITS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WHEN AIRBAG IS NOT FUNCTIONING NORMALLY

NHTSA ODI #10859932

119,000 miles · Apr 1, 2016

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION - THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED IN STOP & GO RUSH-HOUR CITY TRAFFIC STRIKING SEVERAL CARS (6 CARS IN TOTAL) BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BY STRIKING THE OAKLAND POLICE DEPT BUILDING.

NHTSA ODI #10852969

124,000 miles · Mar 1, 2016

Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LEXUS RX350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE LOW OIL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER OPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LEXUS DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT, DUE TO THE WRONG ENGINE OIL COOLING HOSE BEING INSTALLED, THE PART EXPLODED AND THE MOTOR NEEDED TO B…

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NHTSA ODI #10839150

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