Lexus RX300 fire or smoke problems

Filed Feb 26, 2018 · Acceleration, Engine · 179,825 miles · WA · fire · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 lexus rx300. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the rpms suddenly increased and the vehicle accelerated to speeds above 85 MPH. During the incident, flames were seen coming from the exhaust. The contact sustained a neck injury, which required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who indicated that the flames created a hole in the catalytic converter and the oxygen sensor was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer (o'brien lexus in bellevue wa) were notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 179,825. *tt

Filed Jan 21, 2016 · Body, Electrical · 144,000 miles · ID · fire

On january 17th, 2016, I took my '99 lexus rx300 to church, parked the car, and joined the sunday service. An hour after parking the vehicle (during which time it was not running or in use), I was told that there was smoke coming from it and went outside. Within minutes, the front end was bursting in flames. The fire destroyed the entire front portion of the car, including the engine, transmission, tires, and dashboard. I don't know what could have been the cause; it was seemingly random.

Filed Nov 30, 2014 · Fuel system · 140,478 miles · CA · fire

While driving with client friends to the ritz carlton in rancho mirage for thanksgiving dinner, the car suddenly stalled. The engine was running but when the gas was stepped on there was no response. We managed to pull to the side of the road at which time we heard an explosion and the car was engulfed in flames. We all immediately jumped out of the car fearing that the gas tank would explode. We called 911 and the fire department arrived in time to extinguish the flames before the gas tank could explode. The windshield blew out...the tires exploded and the car is a total loss. The car has been towed to the police impound lot and because of the holiday we have not been able to reach lexus. It seems apparent to us that this is a gas leak issue as the under-carriage of the car was on fire. Considering that lexus has recalled 423,000 cars for a gas leak problem (ours was not on the recall list) it seems obvious that this make and model should also be recalled before someone dies in a fire. This was an extremely frightening and traumatic event and we all feel very fortunate to have survived it with no injuries....except shattered nerves.

Filed Jan 17, 2012 · Engine · 90,000 miles · FL

The past two weeks prior to taking the car to my local toyota dealership because there is no lexus dealership in ocala , fl ..... I would smell something burning like rubber against a hot exhaust or engine. Every now and then I would stop the car and check and I might see a whiff of light smoke but then nothing. No engine lights , no spotting on the garage floor. So I took the car in for an oil change early and asked that they check the car over. 3 hours later I was taken into the garage bay and shown oil dripping from the underside of the engine and told my seals were blown and the whole engine would need to be torn down to get to them. While repairing it turned out the water pump was leaking but the timing belt changed at 60,000 miles was okay. The following evening I was presented with a $1500 bill most for labor. I guess I consider myself lucky they found all this before I took this 12 year old car on a long trip .

Filed Aug 19, 2011 · Transmission · 89,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 lexus rx300. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH uphill there was a burning smell and the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle onto the shoulder. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who stated the transmission failed. The dealer stated there were no recalls and the repair cost would be $5000. The manufacturer advised the contact that a representative would return the call. The failure mileage was 89,000.

Filed Oct 14, 2010 · Engine · 38,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 lexus rx300. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle suddenly stalled. Before the vehicle stalled, it was shaking. The contact also noticed black smoke coming from the tailpipe when the vehicle was on. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the motor needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000 and the current mileages were approximately 40,000.

Filed Aug 14, 2007 · Brakes · 85,000 miles · FL · fire

Automobile was a perfectly functioning 1999 certified pre-owned lexus rx300 under a bumper to bumper 'new car warranty'. Auto was consistently serviced by lexus of palm beach. The automobile was consumed by 20 ft. Flames in about 15 minutes while parked in our driveway shortly after midnight. The garage was about 6 ft. Away and caught fire. Fortunately a neighbors dog awoke them and the firemen arrived to put the final car flames out and stop the fire on the garage. We slept through the entire incident and were awoken by a fireman. The exact cause is still a mystery. The arson investigator ruled out arson, the responding fire chief ruled out weather related causes. Both the arson and the insurance investigators determined the ignition point at the rear left tire. Both concluded that possibly an over heated brake was to blame. I and the legal department at toyota motor sales agree that this explanation is impossible since the car had not been driven in two days and it rained heavily during those two days. I have encouraged them to do their own investigation. To date no response. Three months have elapsed and lexus has shown no interest in this matter. I am especially concerned for the safety of small children when flames can erupt so unexpectedly and consume a car so quickly. On our street of 34 houses there are at least 10 other lexus owners. One has confided that he parks his car further from the garage now as a result of what he witnessed. He also is the father of an 18 month old son who would be buckled into a car seat just above that ignition point.

Filed Oct 29, 2003 · Electrical · 41,000 miles · CA · fire

While driving 40 MPH vehicle caught on fire without warning. Due to severe damage from the fire vehicle was considered a total loss.

Filed Jul 20, 2001 · Body · CA

While driving on the freeway after approximately 5 hours on the road, the vehicle caught fire dropping melting, burning debris onto the roadway. The car had 16,000 miles at the time. A plastic "under engine cover" and two vacuum hoses were destroyed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who said there was no responsibility on their part for the fire or damage. They suggested a plastic bag or similar object blew up from the roadway setting the vehicle components on fire. Another suggestion was that a service person left something in the engine compartment. The vehicle hadn't been serviced for almost 4 months and had been driven over 1000 miles since the last service. No signs of burning were found on other engine components. We don't believe that the dealer's explanation of a piece of trash blown underneath the car should set vehicle components on fire and suspect a possible defect in design or construction.

Filed Jun 11, 2001 · Tires · AK · crash · fire

I thought that I had previously filled out a questionnaire with the federal safety agency, so this may be a duplicate, but we were unable to locate it so I thought to file a second one. This vehicle was involved in a minor fender bender in which a plymouth voyager hit the rear left of the vehicle while travelling approximately 10mph. My wife (sophia roslin), who was driving the vehicle, and the other driver, exchanged insurance information but did not intend to file a claim as the damage seemed minor. Sophia then parked the vehicle and attended a birthday party that my 3 year-old daughter was attending. After the party, approximately 90 minutes later, sophia again began driving the car and headed home. After driving approximately one mile, and without feeling any pulling, dragging or tugging, sophia was alerted by good samaritan that the rear left tire was on fire (unfortunately, I don't recall the make or manufacturere of the tire, but it was the standard tires that come with the lexus rx300). Sophia escaped the car along with my daughter. The fire wound up engulfing the vehicle, melting the car seat and totalling the car.