2006 Lexus RX Hybrid: brake failure

Filed Apr 11, 2018 · Brakes · 220,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 lexus rx400h. While driving 70 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to immediately respond and was difficult to stop. There were no warning indicators illuminated prior to the failure. The contact researched the VIN online and stated that there were no recalls concerning the failure. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the brake failure had been occurring randomly for over two years. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 220,000.

Filed Feb 5, 2010 · Transmission · 43,000 miles · WA

Lexus rx400h brake momentary loss of braking efficiency. In frequently, after long steady controlled braking down a hill, the brakes on my lexus will release without input from me for a second in time. The loss of braking causes me to press on the peddle and the car's braking performance returns to normal. Have experienced as I have decelerated to a stop for a signal light/stop sign. Not related to any bump in the road surface or the like. Frequency is weekly/monthly, but random in timing can't identify brakes from the system failure list. Chose powertrain out of frustration.

Filed Feb 4, 2010 · Brakes · VA

Ever since I purchased the car in late 2005, my 2006 lexus rx 400h hybrid SUV will lose braking effort when going over a bump. I have press harder on the brake pedal to maintain braking force to stop the car when this happens. This happens every time you go over a certain type of bump when the brakes are being applied. There is no light or warning sound associated with the loss of braking effort. If it possible to safely remove your foot from the brake pedal or a second, and then re-apply the brakes, the brakes are restored to normal operation. Vigilance is required in increasing brake pedal pressure when this happens to avoid a crash. I have to complained to several lexus dealers and to lexus central customer service about this issue. I was told the company never received any complaints about the problem and/or was never able to reproduce the problem in my car.

Filed Feb 4, 2010 · Brakes · 50 miles · NY

I have been complaining of this same problem (my brakes fail also when going over rough roads) since I bought my 2006 lexus rx400h. They have been telling me its normal and deny its even a problem. Eb. 4: the federal safety agency today announced it is opening a formal investigation of the toyota prius hybrid model year 2010 to look into allegations of momentary loss of braking capability while traveling over an uneven road surface, pothole or bump. The agency received 124 reports from consumers, including four alleging that crashes occurred. Investigators have spoken with consumers and conducted pre-investigatory field work. 'safety is our top priority,' said transportation secretary ray lahood. 'that is why in recent weeks the federal safety agency has also issued a consumer advisory on the recall of several models of toyota vehicles and the pontiac vibe involving pedal entrapment and sticky accelerator pedals. We will continue to monitor these issues closely.' news release.

Filed Feb 20, 2009 · Brakes · 60,130 miles · CA

I have a 2006rx 400h, with 60k miles, and an extended warranty. I broke down 2 weeks ago on a 2 lane highway, without brakes, loud warning sounds, and failure lights all over the dash. My choices at that time were to stop in the middle of the road, center divider did not exist but instead was a concrete barrier, and right hand shoulder eased off to the river. Since it was not commute time, traffic was light and I was able to slow down and pull off at the old mare island base in vallejo. My car was towed to freeman lexus, santa rosa, where I bought my car and have had all servicing done. I was informed that the computer needed to be replaced and would take a week or so to get. The job was done on wed. Feb 11. I went to the dealership to pick it up and was on my way to sf to teach a class, when less than 30 miles from the dealership, on highway 101, in the middle of commute traffic, failure alarms and lights sounded and brakes did not work. I was shocked and tried to quickly get my car over to the slow/right hand lane and tried to slow down. I finally, 2 miles later, found an exit ramp and brought the car to a stop after a long approach to the ramp. I was stopped between the lane and the shoulder. Called the dealer again to let them know of the failure. They now have the car towed back at freeman lexus. If this computer was replaced, how could this failure happen again. Additionally, I had to reach out to all my students to cancel the class at the last minute. This is a catastrophic failure and both times could have ended in injury, serious collision, to others or myself. While I have always been delighted with this vehicle and lexus products and service, I do not know what I could be told regarding the repair of this car, that would make me feel safe. I feel like with these 2 failures, two potentially serious situations were averted. How can I be sure that this won't happen again with terrible or deadly consequences?

Filed Jun 14, 2008 · Brakes, Transmission · 9,000 miles · VA

Vehicle was normally maintained and lightly driven. One year of age of the vehicle, when driven on level dry surfaces, the braking of the vehicle became erratic and remains erratic. In everyday use the vehicle will tend to overbrake or underbrake depending upon the mechanical loading of the hybrid drive. The onboard firmware is not properly accounting for integrating the stopping power of the brakes and the hybrid drive. This causes driver confusion and in some cases hazardous failure to brake conditions when the hybrid drive unexpectedly and erratically ceases it's contribution to the braking force of the vehicle. I.e. If the driver does not immediately compensate, the vehicle will lunge forward at low speed and within a few feet of pedestrians and other stopped vehicles in traffic. The dealership states that nothing can be done and that erratic/loss of braking is normal for this model. There are no recalls or sbs posted to upgrade the firmware, braking/hybrid drive systems. Lexus rx400h, 2006 model.

Filed Jun 26, 2007 · Brakes · 3,500 miles · NC

Brakes failed on two occasions within a week. Brake failure lasted for about 10 seconds and then brakes returned. During that time the dashboard warning lights lit up and a loud buzzer went off. Was able to stop the with great difficulty. Fortunately neither incident required an emergency stop.