The contact owns a 2008 Lexus RX400H. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound with the VSC message displayed and the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle made the same abnormal sound for 15 minutes after the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ABS accumulator pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the extended warranty had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 138,140. Consumer stated extended warranty program for the defective part but that program expired in 2018. When the ABS actuator pump fails, it stops regulating and maintaining hydraulic pressure in the brake lines which can lead to brake failure. No recall was ever issued despite the fact that a failure of the braking system.
Lexus RX Hybrid brake failure problems
13 of the 341 owner complaints about the Lexus RX Hybrid describe brake failure, most of them for the 2006 model year.
- owner complaints
- 13
- worst model year
- 2006
- typical mileage
- 56,000
By model year
- 20161
- 20151
- 20083
- 20071
- 20067
Often reported together
What owners say
Transmission cooler and lines are above a skid plate/shield that retains road gravel. The retained road gravel rubbed on the transmission cooler and rubber hoses leading to a significant leak of transmission fluid right above the driver's side tire. The engine, transmission, exhaust system and whole undercarriage of the SUV was covered in transmission fluid. We were fortunate that the vehicle did not start on fire. In addition, the driver's side tire, wheel and brakes were also covered in transmission fluid. We were fortunate that the vehicle did not experience a brake failure. The vehicle had just had the oil changed a few days prior and our initial thoughts were that the oil we were seeing was residual from the oil change. We continued to drive the car for 2-3 days until it was clear that something major was wrong. We took it to eskridge lexus in oklahoma city who diagnosed the problem. They said that it was not an uncommon issue with this vehicle but it was not covered by our vehicle power train warranty, recall or lexus service bulletin. The charged $1386 to replace the transmission cooler and the two rubber lines. I asked what they did to keep it from happening again. The service manager stated that lexus had re-engineered the replacement parts to be metal where they may come in contact with retained road gravel. The agreed that it was a design flaw but that it still wasn't covered. The replacement parts began leaking in less than 7 days following the repair. The car is a pampered 2016 lexus rx450h midsize SUV with less than 56,0000 miles on it. The car has only been driven by middle aged professional females and has not been driven on non black top roads. I can get access to the repair records and pictures from lexus if needed. Where the transmission cooler is located makes this a significant fire and braking safety hazard.
I was driving on highway on speed of 65 miles per hour suddenly my power string and brakes failed. Luckily I didn't get an accident. After I came home and start researching I saw there are a lot of people with the same problem.please make a recall for that maybe something happens to someone.thanks
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.
About 15 miles into my drive to work in my 2015 lexus rx 450h with only 6,300 miles, my dash panel indicated the following errors: check ABS, check bsm system, check headlight leveling system, brake malfunction, check hybrid system, check power steering system, speedometer at 0 MPH and every possible error light possible. As I attempted to slow down from 65 MPH on the interstate 5, I noticed I was experiencing complete brake failure and were not functioning properly. With aggressive force, I was able to engage the brakes but noticed an extremely loud metal on metal sound when doing so. In order to come to a stop, I exited at the first off-ramp possible, and popped the curve so I could park the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to lexus of glendale where they were able to see all the error codes but were unable to repair the issue since they were unable to duplicate it. My vehicle was borrowed for 4 days with the technician driving approximately 100 miles before returning the vehicle back to me with no repairs made. I fear this is an severe safety risk that can lead to a potentially fatal outcome. Please note, I also have a 18 second video of the errors occurring while I was driving in the first lane prior to my attempt to stop the vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 lexus rx400h. While driving at approximately 5 MPH and attempting to park, the brake pedal was depressed but the brakes failed to respond. As a result, the vehicle drove over a curb and crashed into trees and bushes. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
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.
Brakes. Loss of braking capability while traveling over an uneven road surface.
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.
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.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Lexus RX Hybrid brake failure
Which Lexus RX Hybrid years have brake failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2006 (7 complaints), 2008 (3 complaints) and 2007 (1 complaints).
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