2007 Lexus RX350 Electrical Problems

THE PASSENGER SIDE OUTSIDE MIRROR EXPLODED SENDING GLASS SHARDS AND CAUSTIC LIQUID ON THE SIDE WINDOW AND PAINTED SURFACE OF THE DOOR AND FENDER AREAS. EXPLOSION WAS SPONTANEOUS WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE, AMBIENT TEMP 50'S, NO BIRD STRIKE, THROWN ROCK OR PROJECTILE. EXPLOSION WAS GUN-SHOT LOUD. VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT 10MPH ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREET. NO OTHER MOVING CARS AT THE TIME AND THE MIRROR DID NOT COME IN CONTACT WITH ANYTHING. INTERNET SEARCH OF EXPLODING MIRRORS REVEALED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF MANY BRANDS OF VEHICLES. CAUSE OF THE EXPLOSION HAS TO DO WITH THE DIMMING FUNCTION IN THE MIRRORS OF LATE MODEL VEHICLES. THE EXACT MECHANISM CAN ONLY BE GUESSED. THE CAUSTIC LIQUID MIGHT, UNDER PRESSURE AND ELECTRICAL CHARGE TEND TO BEND THE MIRROR IN SOME WAY, AND AFTER SOME TIME, FAIL CATASTROPHICALLY. THIS THEORY WAS CONFIRMED BY A STATE INSPECTION OFFICER WHO HAS HEARD OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH LATE MODEL YEAR SIDE MIRRORS WITH DIMMER FUNCTION. COST OF REPAIR FROM ONE ESTIMATE WAS $1300 FOR A NEW MIRROR AND REPAINTING OF THE MARRED SURFACES. LEXUS HAS REFUSED OUR REQUEST TO REIMBURSEMENT OR EVEN TO CONSIDER THAT THE MIRROR COULD HAVE EXPLODED. I WOULD ALSO ADD THAT HAD THERE BEEN A PASSENGER SEATED AND THE WINDOW DOWN, GLASS SHARDS AND CAUSTIC LIQUID WOULD SURELY HAVE STRUCK THE PASSENGER IN THE FACE. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE MIRRORS AND A RECALL IS CLEARLY IN ORDER.

NHTSA ID

10864608

Incident

May 2, 2016

Mileage

150,000 mi

I HAVE NOTICED FOR SOMETIME WHILE DRIVING WITH MY WIFE.THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE PANEL FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT COME ON. SOMETIMES IT COMES ON AFTER WE HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR A WHILE.I FIGURE THE AIRBAG WILL NOT WORK IF WE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT.I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY CARS COULD BE EFFECTED WITH THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

10722398

Incident

Jan 1, 2015

Mileage

120,000 mi

SHORTLY AFTER BUYING THE VEHICLE USED (ONE PREVIOUS OWNER), UPON COLD START A LOUD RATTLING NOISE COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS. TOOK TO A TOYOTA/LEXUS DEALERSHIP FOR ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, VEHICLE INSPECTION, AND ASKED THE TECHNICIANS TO ALSO ADDRESS THE NOISE. WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY COULDN'T REPRODUCE IT, AND THAT IT SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM. DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY IN GREATER MILWAUKEE, THE CAR STOPPED FUNCTIONING. AFTER VISITING A LOCAL MECHANIC, THEN LATER RESORTING TO A LEXUS DEALERSHIP, FOUND THAT THE VVT BOLTS HAD FRACTURED. ALL OF THIS IS EXACTLY AS OUTLINED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN 13V395000. NOW WE HAVE A DEAD LUXURY SUV DUE TO AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM, BUT LEXUS WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY RESOLUTION TO THEIR KNOWN PROBLEM, EVEN WITH PHYSICAL EVIDENCE (PHOTOS, AND FAILED PARTS STILL IN HAND).

NHTSA ID

10670365

Incident

Jul 31, 2013

Mileage

130,000 mi

THE CAR COMPLETELY HALTED WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY ROAD. THE STEERING LOCKED AND THE CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE CAR. DURING INSPECTION THEY FOUND A/C COMPRESSOR LOCKED UP CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL UNDER LOAD. ONCE THE A/C SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED, VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT. THEY ALSO CONFIRMED THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY GOING 60 MPH AND IF IT DID, IT WOULD STALL THE CAR AND LOCK UP THE VEHICLE JUST LIKE IT DID IN THE FIRST INCIDENT. IT SEEMS COMPLETELY UNREADABLE TO STALL A VEHICLE IN MOTION FOR SOME CONFIRM/CONVENIENCE FEATURE LIKE A/C. I FEEL THIS IS A FUNDAMENTAL ENGINEERING PROBLEM WITH THE WAY THE CAR IS DESIGNED. I WOULD LIKE TO ENSURE THIS IS DECLARED AS AN ISSUE WITH THE DESIGN OF LEXUS VEHICLES AND THERE IS A TRIGGER TO DISCONNECT AC UNDER SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE AC CAN STALL A CAR IN MOTION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10639651

Incident

Sep 12, 2014

Mileage

100,000 mi

LOST POWER ON HIGHWAY MY RX350 (2007) LOST POWER GOING 65 MPH ON A HIGHWAY, AND BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN QUICKLY. WITH A TRUCK ON ONE SIDE AND ANOTHER BARRELING DOWN MY BEHIND, I TRIED TO ACCELERATE BUT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHUDDER AND SHAKE VIOLENTLY! BY SOME MIRACLE, I MANAGED TO SWERVE TO THE SHOULDER ACROSS 2 LANES, AND AVOIDED GETTING HIT BY INCHES! GOT THE VEHICLE TO THE LEXUS DEALER AND THEY FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS A PREMATURE IGNITION COIL FAILURE - THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY ABOUT 42000 MI ON IT. ASKED LEXUS CORPORATE TO: 1) DO A FULL INVESTIGATION SO AS TO PREVENT SIMILAR LIFE THREATENING SAFETY FAILURES, AND 2) REIMBURSE THE COST OF REPAIR AT A MINIMUM LEXUS CUSTOMER SERVICE RESPONDED WITH A VERBAL OFFER TO BEAR 10% OF THE COST OF REPAIR - AND NO PROMISE OF ANY INVESTIGATION! TALK ABOUT ADDING INSULT TO INJURY. WE'D UNDERGONE A TRAUMATIC EVENT, ALMOST LOSING OUR LIVES - MY WIFE HAD STARTED SCREAMING ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WOULD NOT GET BACK INTO THE VEHICLE! I REFUSED, OF COURSE, AND PAID THE ENTIRE (AND SUBSTANTIAL) BILL MYSELF. I'D LIKE ALL READERS TO BE AWARE OF THE POWER FAILURE AND BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL OUT ON THE HIGHWAY. ALSO BE AWARE THAT THE LEXUS PROMISE OF PERFECTION SEEMS TO BE MAINLY LIP SERVICE NOWADAYS - SAFETY APPARENTLY IS NOT IN THEIR DEFINITION OF 'PERFECTION'. TO SEE SUCH A SERIOUS INCIDENT BEING TREATED SO TRIVIALLY WAS TOTALLY AT ODDS WITH THE LEXUS MISSION AND THE LEXUS PROMISE TO ITS DRIVERS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10573208

Incident

Mar 8, 2014

Mileage

42,800 mi

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VSC OFF CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLES VIBRATE VIOLENT SHORTLY AFTER. WAS DIAGNOSED BY LEXUS TECHNICIAN THAT IGNITION COIL #6 HAS FAILED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10514061

Incident

May 16, 2013

Mileage

85,000 mi

MOISTURE IN HEADLIGHTS CAUSING SPREAD OUT LIGHT BEAM AND POSSIBLE RUST/SHORT CIRCUIT IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10499450

Incident

Feb 1, 2013

I HAVE NOW HAD TO REPLACE 3 IGNITION COILS. I ONLY HAVE THE PAPERWORK FOR 2 TIMES, BUT EACH TIME THE CAR BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND THE ENGINE WENT OFF AT STOPS, AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM LIGHT WENT ON. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, WHICH I THINK WAS IN 2010, THE LEXUS TECHNICIAN SAID IT WAS A FLUKE. THE SECOND TIME (ABOVE DATE), THE LEXUS TECHNICIAN SAID HE WAS BEGINNING TO SEE A LOT OF IGNITION COIL FAILURES. THIS LAST TIME (TODAY), THE TECHNICIAN SAID REPLACING FAULTY IGNITION COILS IS NOW COMMON, AND JUST A PART OF MAINTENANCE. HE ALSO SAID SOME PEOPLE WERE CHOOSING TO REPLACE ALL 6 OF THEM AT ONCE SO THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE STRANDED AT NIGHT OR ON THE ROAD, AND TO SAVE MONEY. OBVIOUSLY, THERE'S A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH LEXUS RX350 IGNITION COILS. *TT

NHTSA ID

10462568

Incident

Jul 11, 2011

Mileage

64,108 mi

ALL THE DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND STAY ON UNTIL THE ENGINE/IGNITION KEY IS TURNED-OFF. NO APPARENT MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL FAILURE AS INDICATED BY ALL THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS. THE SUDDEN APPEARANCE OF THE ENTIRE DASH WARNING LIGHT SYSTEM ENERGIZING IS UNNERVING TO SAY THE LEAST. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING MALFUNCTION THAT THE DEALER CANNOT LOCATE OR REPRODUCE. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS ON APRIL 7TH AND AGAIN ON APRIL 11TH, BOTH WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND STAYED ON UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS SHUTDOWN. THE LIGHTS DID NOT COME ON AFTER A RESTART. THE REPEATING OCCURRENCE RENDERS THE WARNING SYSTEM TOTALLY INEFFECTIVE, IN THE EVENT OF A REAL MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

10396502

Incident

Jul 7, 2009

Mileage

38,000 mi

IDIOT/TROUBLE LIGHTS ALL COME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING; NO APPARENT AFFECT OR IMPACT ON OPERATION OF VEHICLE; OTHER THAN THE ANXIETY CREATED BY THE SUDDEN APPEARANCE OF ALL THE DASH TROUBLE LIGHTS COMING ON ALL AT ONCE, FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS CONTINUES TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING. AFTER SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTING, THE TROUBLE LIGHTS RETURN TO NORMAL "ALL-OFF" STATUS. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR THE LAST TWO (2) YEARS. I HAVE DISCUSSED THE CONDITION WITH TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS (COCONUT CREEK, FL AND GREENVILLE, SC), BUT THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE CONDITION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10342546

Incident

Jul 10, 2010

Mileage

42,500 mi

OUR TWO 2007 LEXUS RX-350 (AND ALL MODELS 2004-2009) HAVE ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD NEAR THE DASHBOARD OF APPROXIMATELY 100 MILLIGUASS. THIS IS CAUSING OUR KNEES AND HAND CELLS TO DEGENERATE AS LEXUS HAS NOT DONE ADEQUATE JOB OF PROVIDING FARADAY CAGE OR SHIELDING FROM EMF. THIS READING OF 100 MILLIGUASS IS WHAT YOU FIND UNDER HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINES AND STUDIES HAVE LINKED 2 TO 3 MILLIGUASS TO CHILDHOOD LEUKEMIA, CANCER, HEADACHES OR CELL DENERATION. I CONTACTED LEXUS CUSTOMER SERVICE BUT THEY BRUSHED OFF OUR SAFETY CONCERN, SAYING MOST HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES PRODUCE EMF. FOR REFERENCE, 2010 LEXUS RX-350 OR CURRENT MODEL ES-350S HAVE 15 TO 20 MILLIGUASS. THEREFORE LEXUS HAS TECHNOLOGY TO SHIELD BUT HAS DONE INADEQUATE JOB OF SHIELDING 2004-2009 LEXUS RX-350 BU ISSUING A RECALL. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUE AND NEED HELP FROM NHTSA AS YOU ARE THE ONLY ENTITY THAT CARES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10284463

Incident

Jul 16, 2009

Mileage

36,506 mi