2006 Lexus RX Hybrid: engine stalls while driving

Filed Jan 4, 2023 · Fuel system · 134,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2006 Lexus RX400H. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled while depressing the accelerator pedal. There were several warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 13V396000 (Hybrid Propulsion System). The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and the contact was included that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.

Filed Jul 19, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 146,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 lexus rx400 hybrid. When attempting to accelerate from a stop, driving on an incline, or making turns, the vehicle stalled intermittently. In addition, the check engine, hybrid check, and battery warning indicators illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and powered off the engine. Once restarted, the vehicle drove normally; however, the failures recurred. The vehicle was taken to treasure coast lexus (located at 5121 us-1, fort pierce, fl 34982, (772) 460-0000) where the technician cleaned the mass air flow sensor, cleared the failure codes, and test drove the vehicle in check mode. The dealer stated that the vehicle was operating as expected. The dealer swapped the circuit open relay with the ignition relay to eliminate the relay as the failure. The check engine warning indicator remained illuminated. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v396000 (hybrid propulsion system). The vehicle was taken to the dealer approximately four times for the same failures, but there was no resolution. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and provided a case number. The approximate failure mileage was 146,000.

Filed Jul 6, 2019 · Electrical, Fuel system · 66,040 miles · HI

My vehicle is displaying a hybrid system check message, and the hybrid system malfunctions. This is causing the vehicle to stall in drive while the vehicle is in motion. The vehicle loses all capabilities to properly function. I was on a city street when this happened, and had to coast the vehicle downhill in traffic to pull over. My engine check light also illuminated. This vehicle has not been driven regularly, as I just purchased it from a dealership that had been sitting on it for some time. The carfax check out for the vehicle, so it could be a faulty electrical system inverter.

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 Apr 7, 2018 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 135,828 miles · AZ

The hybrid system light turned on. Next were the brake and ABS lights turned on, then the was stalled in the middle of the road. The car was in motion and I was able to steered it to the side of the road. It was on the street road. I checked for the recalls related to the VIN, but no recalls for this vehicle although there were 6 recalls total. One of the recall related to the inverter coolant. It happened to me twice once at around 120k and now 135,828 miles.my VIN is [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Aug 16, 2016 · Engine · 79,000 miles · AK

Two different times, after driving 2 hours over a mountain pass on the highway, pulling a small popup camper, the vehicle died at the campground. After doing some research, I found out that toyota/lexus used prius inverters on 2006 hylander and rx440h vehicles and they overheat and fail because they are meant for a smaller vehicle and have inadequate solder. There is a recall for inverters on 2006, but my VIN number is not showing up as qualifying. The inadequate inverters were installed on rx400h models with VIN numbers ending in 60036526 and lower. My VIN number ends 60029638-- so an inadequate inverter was installed in my vehicle. Toyota/lexus needs to add my VIN number to the recall group, but they are hesitant because of the exhorbitant cost of the inverter. This is a serious safety issue because the overheated inverter can cause the vehicle to go into a fail/safe- limp home mode suddenly and the vehicle can completely shut down while driving causing the vehicle to stall unexpectedly, with high risk of a crash and possible injury or death

Filed Jun 7, 2016 · Electrical · 140,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 lexus rx400h. While driving approximately 45 MPH, all of the lights on the instrument panel illuminated and the vehicle stalled. As a result, the brakes, power steering, and the windows became inoperable. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

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 14, 2014 · Body, Transmission · 104,000 miles · OH

The car is a hybrid. It would not start (the ready light would not come on), therefore it was inoperable. Fortunately, the car was parked and did not die while driving. If it would have died while driving, many dangerous possibilities could have incurred. After having it towed to a lexus dealer in columbus, the source of the problem was diagnosed as water in the hybrid battery area. After lengthy discussion with lexus service personnel, they concluded that "welds" near the hatch hinges had come apart, which allowed water to seep into the interior of the car to the hybrid electronic controls. Lexus service had experience these problems before, and had guessed at a variety of reasons (such as excessive opening and closing of the hatch, wind catching the hatch while it was open, and other lame reasons). There is no ticker on the hatch to count how many times it was opened nor what there any gust of wind that would have cause the welds, two welds, to break allowing water to seep into the car. My conclusion is that since the problem has occurred before, that there is either a manufacturing issue, an engineering issue, or both. I am neither an expert in these areas, but do have some common sense. Lexus corporate or the dealer would not confess to the wrongdoing and therefore I had to shell out over $1600 in repairs. They wanted another $1100 to re-weld the 3 inch gap on both sides with painting included. Due to the expense, I had to opt for using silicone to seal the gaps and am forced to drive the car in dry weather.

Filed Mar 22, 2013 · Fuel system · 75,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 lexus rx400h. The contact was driving approximately 50 MPH when the vehicle stalled without warning. The entire electrical system failed. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and it was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the failure as being the hybrid inverter battery which caused the vehicle to stall and shuts off the electrical system. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000 and the current mileage was 84,000.

Filed Nov 18, 2011 · Engine · 82,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 lexus rx400 hybrid. The contact was driving 5 MPH and making a left turn when a clunking noise was heard from under the hood, followed by the engine stalling. The contact added that prior to the failure, a warning light illuminated stating to check all systems including 4wd and hybrid. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired and the VIN was unknown. The failure and the current mileages were 82,000.

Filed Feb 16, 2011 · Electrical · 79,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 lexus rx400h. The contact was driving approximately 30 MPH and proceeding through an intersection when the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and it was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the failure as being the hybrid inverter battery which caused the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.