2006 Lexus RX Hybrid: sudden loss of power

Filed May 26, 2018 · Brakes, Engine · 109,000 miles · MA

While driving 50 MPH on a busy road in ma the car abruptly stalled and lost power and ability to control it other than with a glide and manual steering to pull off the roadway and out of busy traffic, which could have been deadly for both our son and the people driving around him. Upon having it towed to the lexus dealership, they informed us that the dashboard sensors were indicating a faulty oil pump and possibly a failed inverter. "they had no way of determining if the inverter was faulty without first repairing the oil pump for $1200." upon repairing the oil pump, we learned the inverter ($8000 repair) was damaged and needed repair. The dealer could not explain this and had "never seen or heard of such a thing." further investigation on our part, showed that over 235,000 2006 and beyond toyota hybrid vehicles had been recalled for a faulty inverter in 2013. While our vehicle VIN does not show up on the recall list, we believe we are experiencing the exact same problem. Lexus corporate is denying any part in this and refused to stand behind the vehicle with only 109,000 miles and quickly closed the case. Our concern is there are more vehicles out there with this issue, and that it could be deadly for operators and drivers. If the inverter was identified as faulty already on over 235,000 vehicles, an expanded search on additional vins needs to take place. Lexus was very comfortable in confirming that they did not and would not stand behind their vehicles beyond 100,000 miles, and essentially, it was good that our son did not get injured, and sorry our car was essentially totalled (value of vehicle is approx $9000 based on kelly blue book) for the faulty inverter which was not identified on the recall.

Filed May 16, 2017 · Engine · HI

Driving on the interstate between 60-70 MPH, the car completely shut-off. Lost all power and "check hybrid system" lights came on. Was able to restart the vehicle. Notified and took the vehicle to local lexus dealer who checked the vehicle and said they can't find anything wrong with it and returned it to me. Same problem again a week later with same results. Lexus continues to say they can't find anything wrong with the vehicle nor can they find any recalls. But car continues to shut down at least once a month.

Filed Jan 24, 2017 · Fuel system · 101,000 miles · TX

Vehicle appeared to enter "fail-safe" mode with reduced power while driving on highway resulting in reduced ability to control vehicle. Several minutes later, while driving on city street, the vehicle eventually lost all power while stopped at red light and could not be driven, and power-steering also failed. Warning lights included "check hybrid system," "check engine warning light," "slip indicator," and perhaps others. After turning off and turning back on at red light, there sufficient power to drive vehicle again, though "check hybrid system" and "check engine warning light" remained illuminated. A couple hours later, after restarting vehicle, warning lights were no longer on and vehicle could be driven normally. The condition appears similar to issue in toyota safety recall 13v‑396. However, our vehicle's VIN is not in the range of that recall. We have not yet contacted lexus dealership regarding this issue.

Filed Mar 23, 2015 · Fuel system · GA

2006 lexus rx 400h. Consumer writes in regards to system inverter, intelligent power module safety recall. *smd the consumer stated on july 9, 2009 while driving on the highway, at 65 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly lost power. The vehicle stopped responding to any acceleration and the consumer had no choice but to coast off to the side of a nearby off ramp. After being towed to the dealer, it was determined there wa a short in the inverter assembly.

Filed Mar 8, 2015 · Electrical, Steering · 168,280 miles · TN

While backing out of my driveway, I bumped a tree with the passenger's side mirror. The impact was slight, estimated speed was 5mph as the driveway was icy. The wheels were not turned much as that portion of the driveway is straight. After the impact, I found that the wheel was very difficult to turn and the "p/s fail" light was lit on the instrument cluster. After examining the outside of the car, the only visible damage to the car was a paint chip on the mirror. There were no fluid leaks. There was a safety recall in nov. 2011 (lexus safety campaign 9lc) for this year make and model of vehicle due to others having similar sudden and unexplained loss of power steering. My insurance company denied my claim for repair because the experts they consulted said this type of impact could not have caused a loss of power steering. I have written lexus describing the issue and am awaiting a response. Had the power steering failure occurred after hitting one of the numerous potholes on the highways, instead of in my driveway, the consequences to my wife and I could have been much more severe.

Filed Mar 6, 2015 · Transmission · 114,275 miles · CO

While driving on I-70, elevated section down town denver, vehicle lost power, warning lights came on including hybrid system, check engine, antiskid, and several others. Vehicle coasted to a stop after difficulty getting to the safety lane nearly causing and accident. This incident happened after the recall where the ipm module was replaced. Towed to dealer but after 3 days of tests dealer reported that they could not replicate the malfunction. Similar incident reported on same car 6 months earlier just after recall. Owner traded car back to dealer and vehicle was towed to the auction 3 days later.

Filed Nov 27, 2014 · Electrical, Fuel system · 94,800 miles · WA

On november 12, 2014 evening, I was driving along and going up a hill in my city street and suddenly I heard a thump sound and then my lexus rx400h lost all power and the car stalled. It was dangerous because the vehicle lost power as I was going up a steep hill. Luckily, I was able to stop the vehicle and put the parking brake on. When the vehicle stalled, my dash lit up with "check hybrid system" , "check vsc" and other lights also came on. I tried to start the car, but the hybrid "ready" light would not stay on. The car would not start. I had to tow the vehicle to a lexus dealer. I put a new battery in the vehicle and that still did not fix the problem. Then, the lexus dealer mechanic did a computer diagnosis and said that it indicated "hybrid inverter problem". My vehicle was previously brought into lexus dealership for an earlier recall for ipm module but the dealer at that time said my vehicle was not within the serial range affected and nothing was done to the vehicle at that time. I phoned lexus USA on november 13, 2014, and they confirmed my vehicle was under the recall dlf, the federal safety agency recall number 13v396. I was never notified by letter. The lexus dealer then put in the ipm recall part toyota part 04001-29148 part and the vehicle started properly. My vehicle has about 94,000 miles and just over 8 years old and technically out of warranty. However, the lexus dealer replaced the part with labor at no charge. This repair costs thousands of dollars if not covered by lexus. When I bought my lexus hybrid, I did not be expect that the hybrid vehicle could fail in such a catastrophic way. I'm a little fearful to drive this vehicle again if it happens again, and I hope lexus will take care of this issue it happens again. There is definitely something defective with the hybrid inverter, and it could be dangerous if it fails while driving.

Filed Apr 4, 2012 · Engine, Fuel system · 62,000 miles · AL

Traveling down the interstate between 75-80 MPH, the car completely shut-off. Lost all power and "check hybrid system" lights came on. Was not able to restart the vehicle. It turns out that the inverter on this car was recalled in june 2011 and I was not notified. I took my car in for service in november of 2011 at the dealership where it was purchased, and they did nothing to resolve the problem. Saline kirkland at lexus of mobile (service manager) said she found out about the problem one week ago.

Filed Jun 24, 2011 · Fuel system · 109,000 miles · MI

This potential safety problem involves hybrid inverters in lexus hybrid vehicles. This particular case involves a 2006 lexus rx400h vehicle with about 109,000 miles on it that had received all recommended, scheduled, routine maintenance. In the course of normal driving, all power to propel the vehicle completely and abruptly vanished. In addition, the vehicle concomitantly lost power steering and skid control as evidenced by notices on the dash. Fortunately in this case, momentum allowed the vehicle to coast to the side of the road without incident. The car was put in neutral and manually pushed off the road. Later it was towed a great distance to the dealer, at considerable expense, the dealer being the only place capable of this type of repair. The dealer found the hybrid inverter faulty. No reason for the failure could be provided. The warranty no longer applied therefore the cost of repair was quoted as an astonishing $9,000.00 ! Toyota eventually agreed to pay the dealer for the part, but not its installation. The faulty part was not returned. Should this type of incident not prove isolated, such abrupt and uncontrolled power loss renders all these vehicles untrustworthy at minimum, and raises potentially catastrophic safety concerns dependent on conditions that include where and when hybrid inverter failure and complete power loss suddenly occurs.

Filed May 3, 2011 · Electrical · 106,867 miles · NY

On friday evening april 29 2011 , I was driving on the ny throughway south bound to ny city. All of a sudden, I lost all power and I have to pull to the shoulder and I cannot restart the car then I turned on the blinkers but in less than 5 minutes all power were gone it was dark and very dangerous not to have the emergency flashing lights on. I called the aaa they told me to sit in the car while they ask for a state trooper to locate me and state police had to park behind me with his flashing lights to protect me until the towing truck arrive the dealer charging me 248.00 just to do the diagnoses they told me it is the hybrid inverter ($10,000.00) and the hybrid battery ($6,000.00) that need to be replaced, labor not included, I believe this is an issue with manufacturer, as I read other consumer that has the same problem please help protect all the consumers in these defective inverters and the battery from lexus.

Filed Dec 21, 2010 · Engine, Transmission · 90,000 miles · 00

No failure, yet. But vehicle (lexus rx400h - 2006) is a hybrid. There is a separate cooling system for the hybrid components (inverter, and electric motors in transaxle). Coolant is leaking from the transaxle. If all coolant leaks out, the inverter will fail. Without the inverter, there is no power - no electric steering, no electric brakes, and no motive power to the wheels. Additionally, the coolant may leak somewhere or onto something that may short out or cause a fire. This is not a leak from a worn out coolant hose, but directly from the transaxle. Being a hybrid, the availability of electric power is absolutely essential. There have been reports of inverters failing (just check the lexus. Toyota and other hybrid forums) on the highway at speed, leading to a complete loss of power. To the best of my knowledge, there have been no injuries or accidents, but the potential is frightening.

Filed Oct 13, 2010 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · GA

Driving at highway speed and car shuddered and lost power and all the "check" lights came on. Dealer diagnosed inverter failure.