2024 Lexus Rz

I am reporting a safety concern involving a 2024 Lexus RZ300e related to battery range performance and charging requirements in cold weather. In real-world winter conditions in Massachusetts, the vehicle experiences severe range loss, requiring excessive and repeated public charging to remain operable. On a representative day, I was required to use multiple public charging networks (ChargePoint, FLO, and Tesla Superchargers), spending over 4 hours physically charging, consuming approximately 105 kWh of electricity, and paying nearly $50 in public charging costs, with additional home charging still required for the next day. Many charging stations are outdoors and poorly sheltered, requiring prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures, wind, and precipitation. This creates a significant safety risk due to driver fatigue. To earn a modest daily income, I must drive for extended hours. When combined with approximately 4 hours per day spent charging, this results in up to 16 hours in a single day spent driving or waiting in the vehicle. Charging time is not rest, as I must remain alert, manage charging sessions, and relocate the vehicle. This extended time causes physical exhaustion and reduced alertness, increasing risk on public highways. These conditions are particularly concerning because my wife is pregnant, and the vehicle was leased as a family vehicle. Prolonged winter charging exposure and fatigue pose risks not only to the driver but to passengers and other road users. The vehicle has been inspected by a Lexus dealer. Dealer documentation states that battery degradation cannot be directly measured, usable battery capacity data is unavailable, and cold-weather range loss is considered “normal.” No corrective repair or adjustment has been offered. The issue is reproducible in winter conditions and remains unresolved. I believe the vehicle’s real-world charging burden and resulting fatigue create an unreasonable safety risk and warrant review.

NHTSA ID

11707267

Incident

Dec 27, 2025

Vehicle Completely Locks itself. Not able to open doors. Even Not able to open with keyless remote fob. Not able to take Charging cable connection out of vehicle. It has happened twice. Lexus was made aware of this issue. I have been stranded twice. It is a safety issue and requesting NHTSA to recall.

NHTSA ID

11698167

Incident

Mar 15, 2025

My 2023 Lexus RZ450e experienced a sudden failure of the 12-volt battery, which completely disabled the vehicle and prevented it from starting. The battery failed while the car was plugged into a Level 2 home charger, but not in ‘Ready’ mode. There were no warning signs or alerts, and I had to call roadside assistance to jump-start the car. After the incident, I brought the vehicle to the dealership. They tested the 12V battery and said it was “fine.” However, during the 100,000-mile maintenance, I specifically requested a battery re-check—and this time, the battery failed the test. This raises serious concerns about the reliability and longevity of the 12V battery in this vehicle, as well as the inconsistent diagnostics at the dealership. If the vehicle had failed to start while I was away from home, I could have been stranded in unsafe conditions. Safety Concerns: The 12-volt battery powers essential systems, including door locks, ignition, and electronic control units. Its failure disables the entire vehicle. The fact that this happened while the car was plugged in, but not in “Ready” mode, suggests a potential design flaw or charging system issue. I’ve also seen reports from other RZ450e owners experiencing similar 12V problems, which may point to a broader systemic issue. Requested Action: Please investigate potential defects in the 12-volt battery system and whether the Lexus RZ450e’s charging system fails to maintain battery health during regular use.

NHTSA ID

11660591

Incident

Feb 21, 2025

The contact owns a 2024 Lexus RZ 300E. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and charging, the heater was activated and failed to function and provide heat as needed. The contact stated that the charging system intermittently failed to charge as needed. The contact stated that there was an hour-and-a-half delay for a full charge. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,620.

NHTSA ID

11640583

Incident

Feb 4, 2025

Mileage

35,620 mi

This evening upon driving home my 2.5 year old son began crying. When I investigated, he was crying because his car seat had turned over on its side. When we arrived home I tested the rear seat belts and none remain locked; therefore his seat was not secured. Please advise how this can be fixed as soon as possible as it is not safe for us to use the vehicle until this is addressed.

NHTSA ID

11628087

Incident

Nov 30, 2024

OBSOLETE NOTICE October 28, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0035-26

Flash reprogramming allows the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) software to be updated without replacing the ECU. Flash calibration updates for specific vehicle models/ECUs are released as field-fix procedures described in individual Service Bulletins. This bulletin details the Global Techstream+ (GTS+) ECU flash reprogramming procedures and outlines the use of the Technical Information System (TIS) and the Calibration Update Wizard+ (CUW+). To ensure the correct ECU software is installed, ECUs will require a Security Signature before the ECU initializes the flash reprogramming sequence.

OBSOLETE NOTICE October 14, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0033-26.

OBSOLETE NOTICE October 14, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0033-26.

A new head unit software update (version 2300) is available via OTA or USB for 2022 – 2026 model year LX 600, NX 250, NX 350, and NX 350h; 2023 model year LS 500; 2023 – 2024 model year UX 250h; 2023 – 2025 model year ES 250, ES 300h, ES 350, LS 500h, RZ 300e, and RZ 450e; 2023 – 2026 model year RX 350, RX 350h, and RX 500h; 2024 – 2026 model year GX 550, LC 500, LC 500c, LC 500h, LS 500, RX 450h+, TX 350, TX 500h, and TX 550h+; 2025 model year UX 300h; 2025 – 2026 model year LX 700h; 2026 model year IS 350, RZ 350e, RZ 450e, and RZ 550e vehicles equipped with Lexus Multimedia versions older than 2300. This Software Update includes the following improvements: •User Interface •Cloud Navigation •Bug fixes Vehicle operators can perform this update directly by accepting the on-screen notification advising that the software update is available, or by locating the software update from the Settings menu and initiating the available update. The release message below will be displayed to the customer: “This software update includes improvements for User Interface, Cloud Navigation, and Bug fixes.” If it is necessary to perform the software update for a customer, follow the software update procedures in this bulletin. This is a phased rollout, which means that as time progresses, more vehicles will receive the update notification and ability to update the head unit. This timing will vary by location and may not display for every vehicle in one location at the same day/time.

Some 2023 – 2025 model year RZ 450e and 2024 – 2025 model year RZ 300e vehicles may exhibit a creaking noise coming from the strut mounting bearing in front suspension when turning. A new part has been developed to address this condition.