2009 Lexus ES350

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

The Agency received a petition on June 19, 2015, requesting an investigation into low-speed surging in different models of Toyota automobiles in which the car starts accelerating and the engine RPM increases even when the accelerator pedal is not depressed.The petition is based upon the petitioner's interpretation of pre-crash Event Data Recorder (EDR) data from a crash his wife experienced in a model year (MY) 2009 Lexus ES350 vehicle and from two other crashes involving a MY 2010 Toyota Corolla and a MY 2009 Toyota Camry.The petitioner's allegations regarding the three crashes are based upon several misconceptions about the manner in which the EDR samples and records pre-crash data in the ES350, Corolla and Camry vehicles.In each of the three crashes, the vehicles accelerated as the drivers were attempting to park the vehicles.All three accelerations occurred as the vehicles were entering the intended parking spaces and in the times and positions where driver braking should be initiated to safely park the vehicles.No braking was recorded in two of the crash events until the EDR trigger point (t = 0 seconds) and in the third crash no braking was recorded at all.The crashes are all consistent with pedal misapplications by the driver mistaking the accelerator pedal for the brake when attempting to park the vehicle.In addition, contrary to the petitioner's assertion regarding previous studies by NHTSA and NASA, the issues raised in the petition are fully within the scope of prior studies which have carefully examined the subject of low-speed sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles equipped with electronic throttle control.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources, agency priorities, and the likelihood that an additional investigation would not result in a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists, NHTSA has concluded that further investigation of the issues raised by the petition is not warranted. The agency accordingly has denied the petition.The official petition denial, as published in the Federal Register, is available in the document file for this defect petition, as well as copies of reference material related to the denial.

DASHBOARD ON 2009 LEXUS ES 350 HAS BEGUN TO MELT AND ON SUNNY DAYS THE REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD POSES A SAFETY HAZARD AND REDUCES VISIBILITY. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON 2007 AND 2008 MODELS. THE 2009 IS IDENTICAL IN DESIGN AND LEXUS SHOULD FIX THIS. I CONTACTED THEM AND THEY OFFERED TO PAY A SMALL PORTION OF THE $1700 REPAIR COSTS.

NHTSA ID

11132175

Incident

Jul 10, 2018

Mileage

72,000 mi

TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL; RECEIVED NOTICE OF RECALL IN FEBRUARY, 2017; AS OF 3/19/2018, WE HAVE HAD NO CORRESPONDENCE TO SCHEDULE REPAIR

NHTSA ID

11080301

Incident

Feb 7, 2017

FAULTY AIRBAG HARNESS WIRRING. DEAR SIR OR MADAM, THIS IS TO REPORT THAT 2007-2012 IS 250, IS 350 AND ES 350 HAS FAULTY AIRBAG WIRING HARNESS WHICH DISABLES THE AIRBAGS. CLUBLEXUS.COM HAS RECEIVED HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS. THE REPAIRS WILL ONLY BE DONE OR CORRECT IF THE VEHICLE IS UNDER 6 YEARS OLD OR 70,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. FEW THOUSAND CUSTOMERS HAVE CARS LESS THAN 70,000 MILES BUY BEYOND 72 MONTHS BUT LEXUS REFUSES TO RECTIFY THIS TSB WARNING UNDER THE WARRANTY. IT IS NOT OUR FAULTS THAT THE VEHICLES HAVE BEEN DRIVEN LESS THAN 70,000 MILES IN 6 YEARS. THE COST TO REPAIR THIS IS IN THE UPWARDS OF 4000$. THIS IS RIDICULOUS ON THE PART OF LEXUS AND NHTSA. THE AIRBAG WIRING SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS ALONG WITH THE TAKATA RECALLS AS THEY ARE CONNECTED BUT LEXUS REFUSES TO AGREE TO THE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND HAVE DARED MANY CUSTOMERS TO CHALLENGE NHTSA TO GET IT COVERED UNDER RECALL. PLEASE HELP THOUSANDS OF LEXUS DRIVERS AND THEIR FAMILIES FROM THIS FATAL TSB FAULT WHICH LEXUS REFUSES TO FIX. FURTHER, LEXUS STATED THAT "IF THE FAULT IS COVERED BY THE RECALL, IT WILL BE FIXED WITHOUT FAIL". SO FAR LEXUS WANTS TO GET RICHER BY CHARGING CONSUMERS $4000.00 FOR A PART THAT THEY INSTALLED TO BIG WITH. PLEASE CHECK THE CLUBLEXUS.COM FORUM REGARDING THE AIRBAG LIGHTS COMING ON AND THE REACTION THAT LEXUS HAS SUBMITTED TO ITS CUSTOMERS. THEY ARE WILLING TO PUT THEIR CUSTOMERS AND THEIR FAMILIES LIVES IN DANGER JUST BECAUSE NHTSA DID NOT TELL THEM TO INCLUDE AIRBAG HARNESS WIRING IN THE TAKATA RECALL, EVEN IF THE VEHICLES ARE BEYOND WARRANTY REPAIRS. PLEASE HELP US IN THESE DIRE AND UNSAFE CIRCUMSTANCES. THANK YOU

NHTSA ID

11073588

Incident

Nov 20, 2017

Mileage

39,000 mi

MELTING DASHBOARD PROBLEM WHICH AFFECTS VISIBILITY. I CALLED LEXUS HEADQUARTERS IN AUGUST 2017 AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO LEXUS DEALER AND THEY TOOK PICTURES WHICH THEY SAID THEY WOULD SUBMIT SOMEWHERE. AFTER MANY MONTHS, I CALLED HEADQUARTERS AGAIN. I GOT A CALL FROM THEM ON 1/29/2018 STATING THAT MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THEY WANT ME TO PAY TO REPLACE DASHBOARD. MANY OTHER LEXUS MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THEY INDICATED MY MODEL WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. SINCE MY CAR ALSO HAVE THE DEFECTED MATERIAL THAT WAS USED IN THOSE OTHER MODELS, I BELIEVE LEXUS SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE DASHBOARD. THE ES350 SHOULD ALSO BE UNDER RECALL BECAUSE THE PROBLEM EXISTS IN THIS MODEL. PLEASE CONTACT ME TO ADVISE.

NHTSA ID

11065888

Incident

Aug 1, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. LEN STOLER LEXUS IN OWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *TT

NHTSA ID

11055731

Incident

Feb 1, 2017

TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN THE PAST AND WAS TOLD I WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. NOW DEALER TELLS ME THERE IS NO RECALL. DEALER IS LEXUS OF ROCKVILLE CENTRE NY

NHTSA ID

11055214

Incident

Dec 18, 2017

Mileage

55,000 mi

TAKATA INFLATORS- TAKATA RECALL WE SUBMITTED TO THE DEALERSHIP THE REQUEST TO REPLACE THE AIRBAGS PER THE RECALL AND AT THE TIME THESE WERE NOT BEEN AVAILABLE. IT'S BEEN SEVERAL MONTHS, AND THESE HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED.

NHTSA ID

11054077

Incident

May 28, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 LEXUS ES350. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V006000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (LEN STOLER LEXUS, 11311 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117 (410) 773-9613) WAS CONTACTED AND RECALL REPAIR APPOINTMENTS WERE SCHEDULED. THE APPOINTMENTS WERE CANCELLED BY THE DEALER, STATING THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AT 800-255-3987, BUT WAS GREETING BY A RECORDING, STATING TO CONTACT THE LOCAL LEXUS DEALER TO SCHEDULE A RECALL REPAIR APPOINTMENT. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11052789

Incident

Dec 6, 2017

CSP: On July 30, 2018, a settlement of claims for Economic Loss related to Takata airbag inflators was approved for full implementation. The settlement includes Lexus?s agreement to provide a Customer Support Program (?CSP?) for 2002-2019 model year (MY) vehicles originally equipped with certain Takata airbag inflators or repaired under a recall with Takata airbag inflators to provide coverage for repairs of the airbag inflator contained in the airbag module. This CSP letter is to help clarify how to administer this coverage in accordance with the settlement. This is NOT a recall or a campaign, but is provided to reassure owners that Lexus stands behind the reliability of our vehicles

CSP: Takata CSP Coverage Job Aid - published 7.28.2022

Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022

TSB: This Service Bulletin includes procedures to replace damaged or loose front carpet floor retainer(s) without replacing the carpet assembly. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to replace the loose or damaged carpet floor retainer(s).

TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This service bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle prior to an odor remediation being performed, as well as contact information for an approved vendor who will arrange the remediation, and instructions on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle for reassembly once the remediation has been completed. Refer to all model and model year specific Repair Manuals and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines. This service bulletin is to provide a general overview and direction for the odor remediation process.

POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Lexus. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it. Customers can find this information on the Owner?s section of Lexus.com. Dealers can locate a copy of this guide on the Claims Processing & Resource Center in Dealer Daily as well.