RoadVitals

2010 Lexus RX450H Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
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Latest Feb 7, 2023
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2010 Lexus RX450H, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Engine422.2%
  • Airbags316.7%
  • Electrical316.7%
  • Brakes211.1%
  • Fuel system211.1%
  • Steering15.6%
  • Other / unspecified15.6%
  • Seat belts15.6%
  • Driver assistance15.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2010 Lexus RX450H. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine cooler line fractured and the vehicle lost oil very quickly. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine cooler line needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but the vehicle was out of the warranty. The failure mileage was 185,000.

NHTSA ID 11506023 · filed Feb 7, 2023

TL *THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LEXUS RX450H. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE OIL FROM THE ENGINE DEPLETED AND THE ENGINE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SEWELL LEXUS IN FORT WORTH, TEXAS WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL COIL HOSE RUPTURED, WHICH DEPLETED ALL OF THE OIL, AND THE ENGINE SEIZED AND FRACTURED. HENDRICK LEXUS KANSAS CITY IN MERRIAM, KANSAS AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,022. *TT

NHTSA ID 11079092 · filed Mar 14, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WE WERE IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT IN MAY OF 2015 AND AIR BAGS EXPLODED AND SHOT FRAGMENTS OUT AT US AND WE HAD TO BE BROUGHT TO ER BY AMBULANCE. AND I HAD TO HAVE SURGERY.

NHTSA ID 11014271 · filed Aug 10, 2017

LEXUS RX450 WAS TRAVELING DOWN A ONE-WAY ROAD AND APPROACHED A STOP SIGN GOING 35 MPH. AFTER RUNNING THROUGH THE STOP SIGN DURING LATE HOURS OF THE NIGHT, THE LEXUS DROVE DIRECTLY INTO A DARK PRIVATE PARKING LOT, CONTINUING AT THE 35 MPH, BOUNCING THROUGH A DEEP POTHOLE AT THE PARKING LOT ENTRANCE (BREAKS WERE PUSHED BUT NOT ENGAGED) WHICH LED TO THE COLLISION WITH A PERPENDICULAR, PROPERLY PARKED LIMO. NO BRAKE IMPRESSIONS ON THE GROUND ALTHOUGH BRAKES WERE PUSHED. AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY. PASSENGER WAS KNOCKED OUT, SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND HAD TO BE PULLED OUT OF VEHICLE. CAR WAS RETITLED AS SALVAGE, AS WELL AS THE LIMO THAT WAS HIT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10621593 · filed Aug 12, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

OUTER MIRROR, DRIVER'S SIDE, TURNS DOWN WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE AND WILL STAY IN THE DOWN POSITION. OCCASIONALLY IT WILL TURN DOWN ON ITS OWN WHEN CHANGING FROM PARK. WHEN GOING TO DRIVE, THERE IS NO WAY TO SEE ONCOMING TRAFFIC ON THE LEFT WITHOUT TURNING HEAD AND LOOKING: SOMETHING A DRIVER ISN'T EXPECTING. THIS ALWAYS OCCURS GOING FROM STATIONARY TO MOTION. OCCURANCE IN RANDOM.

NHTSA ID 11207613 · filed May 14, 2019

RADIO WILL CHANGE AUTOMATICALLY BY ITSELF FROM RADIO TO OTHER SOURCE CD, CHANGE TO SAT AND EJECT A CD WITHOUT TOUCHING ANYTHING. LEXUS COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WHEN TAKEN IN. THEY UPDATED THE FIRMWARE, BUT IT STILL CONTINUES TO CHANGE FROM RADIO TO SAT AND EJECTS CD'S. I ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL OR OTHER KNOW COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. I WAS TOLD NO BY LEXUS. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND I FIND THIS HAPPENS TO OTHER CUSTOMERS SO I WANTED TO DOCUMENT THIS DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10649291 · filed Oct 22, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

LEXUS RX450 WAS TRAVELING DOWN A ONE-WAY ROAD AND APPROACHED A STOP SIGN GOING 35 MPH. AFTER RUNNING THROUGH THE STOP SIGN DURING LATE HOURS OF THE NIGHT, THE LEXUS DROVE DIRECTLY INTO A DARK PRIVATE PARKING LOT, CONTINUING AT THE 35 MPH, BOUNCING THROUGH A DEEP POTHOLE AT THE PARKING LOT ENTRANCE (BREAKS WERE PUSHED BUT NOT ENGAGED) WHICH LED TO THE COLLISION WITH A PERPENDICULAR, PROPERLY PARKED LIMO. NO BRAKE IMPRESSIONS ON THE GROUND ALTHOUGH BRAKES WERE PUSHED. AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY. PASSENGER WAS KNOCKED OUT, SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND HAD TO BE PULLED OUT OF VEHICLE. CAR WAS RETITLED AS SALVAGE, AS WELL AS THE LIMO THAT WAS HIT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10621593 · filed Aug 12, 2014

1/11/13 - WHILE DRIVING, VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS ON DASH BEGIN TO FLASH ' CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM, CHECK AWD SYSTEM, AND CHECK ABS, THEN CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATES. VEHICLE ENGINE BEGINS TO DE-RATE AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECOMES INOPERABLE. BRAKES STILL FUNCTION. STOPPED VEHICLE, TURNED IT OFF, AND RE-STARTED. ENGINE WAS UNSTABLE AND THE RPM WAS OSCILLATING. THE HYBRID SYSTEM WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSIS: FAULTY FUEL PUMP. MAINTENANCE ACTION: R&R FUEL PUMP, FILTER, & SUCTION PLATE. VEHICLE WAS RETUNED ON 1/19/13. ON 2/10/13 THE SAME EXACT SITUATION OCCURRED AGAIN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSIS: FAULTY FUEL PUMP/SYSTEM. MAINTENANCE ACTION: PENDING. DEALERSHIP IS WORKING WITH LEXUS ENGINEERS AND TESTING VARIOUS THEORIES. AS OF 2/25/13, THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT DEALERSHIP. ACCORDING TO MAINTENANCE RECORDS, SAME SITUATION OCCURRED ON 8/27/12 (PREVIOUS OWNER). DIAGNOSIS: FAULTY FUEL PUMP. MAINTENANCE ACTION: R&R FUEL PUMP, FILTER, & SUCTION PLATE. HISTORICALLY ' NO ACCIDENTS AND ALL SERVICES AND MAINTENANCE PERFORMED BY DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ID 10499934 · filed Feb 25, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE HYBRID COMPUTER SYSTEM SHORTED DUE TO A LEAK WHERE THE ROOF RACK CONNECTS TO THE ROOF. THIS COMPUTER IS BELOW THE REAR SEAT AND IS NEXT TO THE HYBRID BATTERIES. THIS COMPARTMENT SHOULD BE SEALED TO PREVENT WATER INTRUSION, AND IN NO SITUATION SHOULD WATER FROM THE ROOF BE ABLE TO REACH THIS COMPARTMENT. WATER ENTERING THIS AREA IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE A FIRE OR THE CAR TO CEASE FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY WHILE IT IS IN MOTION.

NHTSA ID 10873581 · filed Jun 10, 2016

1/11/13 - WHILE DRIVING, VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS ON DASH BEGIN TO FLASH ' CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM, CHECK AWD SYSTEM, AND CHECK ABS, THEN CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATES. VEHICLE ENGINE BEGINS TO DE-RATE AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECOMES INOPERABLE. BRAKES STILL FUNCTION. STOPPED VEHICLE, TURNED IT OFF, AND RE-STARTED. ENGINE WAS UNSTABLE AND THE RPM WAS OSCILLATING. THE HYBRID SYSTEM WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSIS: FAULTY FUEL PUMP. MAINTENANCE ACTION: R&R FUEL PUMP, FILTER, & SUCTION PLATE. VEHICLE WAS RETUNED ON 1/19/13. ON 2/10/13 THE SAME EXACT SITUATION OCCURRED AGAIN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSIS: FAULTY FUEL PUMP/SYSTEM. MAINTENANCE ACTION: PENDING. DEALERSHIP IS WORKING WITH LEXUS ENGINEERS AND TESTING VARIOUS THEORIES. AS OF 2/25/13, THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT DEALERSHIP. ACCORDING TO MAINTENANCE RECORDS, SAME SITUATION OCCURRED ON 8/27/12 (PREVIOUS OWNER). DIAGNOSIS: FAULTY FUEL PUMP. MAINTENANCE ACTION: R&R FUEL PUMP, FILTER, & SUCTION PLATE. HISTORICALLY ' NO ACCIDENTS AND ALL SERVICES AND MAINTENANCE PERFORMED BY DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ID 10499934 · filed Feb 25, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE STEERING LOCK ACTUATOR FAILED IN THE LOCKED POSITION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. ALTHOUGH IN THIS INSTANCE THERE WAS NO SAFETY HAZARD, IT SEEMS POSSIBLE THAT THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, WHICH WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE STEERING TO LOCK AND CONSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I INFORMED LEXUS US ABOUT THIS FAILURE.

NHTSA ID 11187088 · filed Mar 15, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

CPSC: LEXUS HYBRID: CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND THE A WARNING MESSAGE OF HYBRID ENGINE BRAKE AND AWD FAILURE ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE ACCELERATOR STOPPED FUNCTIONING AND THE CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THE GARAGE REPORTED THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL SOLENOID HAD FAILED. BOTH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE VAPOR RECOVERY SYSTEM. *JB

NHTSA ID 10806989 · filed Nov 12, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LEXUS RX 450H. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER 'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A UTILITY POLE. THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANTS AND THE FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST INJURIES AS A RESULT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE LOT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 02/11/2014 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS HIT BY A VEHICLE, THAT RAN A RED LIGHT. SHE WAS THEN PUSHED INTO A UTILITY POLE, AND THE FRONT END WAS CRUSHED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALSO, THE SHOULDER PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT, DID NOT RESTRAIN HER, AND SHE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA ID 10557015 · filed Dec 23, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 LEXUS RX450 HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V305000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT EXHIBIT ANY ACCELERATION FAILURES PRIOR TO THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE REPAIR WHILE PARKING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE ACCELERATION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 33,000.

NHTSA ID 10479597 · filed Oct 10, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .