2008 Lexus RX Electrical System Problems

Dear Sir or Madam. My name is [XXX], [XXX], [XXX] living in [XXX]. I bought my 2008 Lexus RX400h car, used, in 2014 at a non-Lexus dealership in the [XXX] where I used to live. My Lexus VIN is: [XXX]. I've been satisfied with the car..until today. The car had been running smoothly forever, and this morning while I was driving I came to a stop (red light) and the car suddenly shut down completely, including the loss of lights, and the whole dashboard went dark. Other cars behind me were honking their horns. I could not even turn on the hazard lights. After 1-2 minutes, all of the lights/warnings started coming on one after the other. I started the car again and run around three different errands without having further issues. I checked online to see if other owners had experienced a similar situation, which is the case. One person said that there had been two recalls in 2011 and 2013, both related to the inverter module inside the hybrid system. Although, I called today a Lexus dealership, [XXX], located in [XXX], and I was told there are no recalls for the VIN number that I provided. Another owner said she/he went to a Lexus dealer in [XXX] and she was told it was a defect in the gutter drainage design and that water gets into the hybrid system. This is a dangerous and potentially catastrophic situation if the vehicle suddenly shuts down on a freeway/highway putting passengers in risk of harm, injury, or death. This is a horrific defect which Lexus should correct immediately with a recall before one of us ends up at the cementery. I am glad to know that organizations such as the NHTSA exist, and I will appreciate very much that immediate action is taken on this matter. Sincerely, [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Lexus RX 350. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 114,000. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Owner’s Title was 265,000 based on a Carfax Report. After speaking to the son of the former owner, the contact was informed that the last known mileage was 278,000.

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2008 Lexus RX350. The contact stated that while obtaining a Carfax report, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 124,000. The contact stated that after obtaining the Carfax report, it was discovered that the mileage was 211,000.

The contact owns a 2008 Lexus RX350. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, she saw smoke coming from the front passenger seat. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled into a parking lot and parked the vehicle until the smoke vanished. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they could not assist. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that an agent of the Federal Department of Agriculture would inspect the vehicle and would send them a report. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the same dealer and was inspected on February 10, 2021 by a Federal Department of Agriculture agent who also disconnected the heating system of the front passenger seat. The contact stated that the manufacturer had not followed up with her since then. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,691.

THIS CAR IS EXPERIENCING SYMPTOMS EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN THE INVERTER MODULE RECALL, WHEREBY AFTER HIGHWAY DRIVING, THE ELECTRIC MOTOR WILL FAIL RANDOMLY, TRIPPING ALL DASHBOARD FAILURE LIGHTS, AND PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN "LIMP" MODE, WHERE IT EITHER SLOWS SIGNIFICANTLY OR STOPS, AND THEN THUS POSES GREAT SAFETY RISK WITH SURROUNDING TRAFFIC.

REAR LIFTGATE HANDLE MELTING WHEN CAR IS OPERATIONAL. HOT TO THE TOUCH. HAVE READ THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MULTIPLE LEXUS/TOYOTA MODELS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX350. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN THE CONTACT DISENGAGED THE AIR CONDITION COMPRESSOR, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITION COMPRESSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000. UPDATED 08/05/16*LJ *CN

SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WHITE GRANULES EMITTING FROM EVAPORATOR CORE THROUGH AIR VENTS WHEN HEAT/AC IS ON. CONCERN ABOUT HEALTH HAZARDS TO FAMILY FROM BREATHING PARTICLES.

HATCH HANDLE FOR REAR DOOR MELTED. REAR INTERIOR MODULE BUCKLING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX350. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. THE NOISE WAS ONLY PRESENT FOR A FEW SECONDS, ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CAMSHAFT SENSORS WERE FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 05/09/17*LJ CONSUMER STATED THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE CAM GEARS. POSSIBLY CAUSING THE ENGINE TO LOCK UP. UPDATED 7/6/18*JB *TR

THE REAR SWITCH ON THE TAILGATE IS MELTED. WHEN YOU PUSH ON THE BUTTON IF FEELS STICKY AND COMES OFF ON YOUR HANDS. TO REPLACE THIS PART IT COST 100.00 FOR THE PART AND 200.00 TO INSTALL. WHEN I LOOKED ONLINE SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE MAKING OF THIS PART. IT HAS FAILED.

MELTED RUBBER BOOT HANDLE COVER FOR THE REAR LATCH CAUSING REAR DOOR AUTOMATIC LIFT TO STOP FUNCTIONING ISSUE REPORTED MULTIPLE TIMES ON HTTP://WWW.CLUBLEXUS.COM/FORUMS WITH INCIDENT OF ELECTRICAL ISSUE INVOLVED.

THE RUBBER COVER OF THE LIFTGATE SENSOR MELTED. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT IT CATCHING FIRE. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ONLINE FROM OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THE BLACK RUBBER MELTS AND STICKS TO FINGERS. I ALSO CAUSES THE SENSOR TO MALFUNCTION SINCE THE RUBBER PIECE INTERFERES WITH THE SENSOR. *TR

REAR SWITCH ASSEMBLY PART #84840 FAILED. CAR IS SUBJECT TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TEMPERATURES AND IS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. PLASTIC MELTED THE REAR DOOR MANUAL SWITCH/HANDLE AND PROVIDE A MELTED TAR LIKE SUBSTANCE BEHIND. NO ACCIDENT OR ANY MISUSE WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE. *TR

TRUNK HATCH HANDLE HAS MELTED COMPLETELY, LEAVING BLACK RUBBERY GOO. UNABLE TO OPEN THE BACK TRUNK DUE THIS ISSUE. *TR

THE TRUNK HATCH HANDLE HAS MELTED, LEAVING BLACK RUBBERY GOO ON FINGERS IF OPENING USING THE HANDLE. RESIDUE IS HARD TO WASH OFF. CONCERNED THAT IT MELTED DUE TO ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. I'VE READ ALL COMPLAINTS AND HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER OWNERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

PART# 84840G 8484021010 SWITCH ASSEMBLY, BACK DOOR OPENER - RUBBER COVER OF SWITCH HOUSING DETERIORATES/DEPOLYMERIZES LEAVING BEHIND A HAZARDOUS GOO AND HINDERING OPERATION OF REAR HATCH RELEASE MECHANISM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS RX350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE BULBS WERE REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLIES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE STATUTE HAD EXPIRED TO RECEIVE A MANUFACTURER RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO SOLUTION OTHER THAN HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

JUST WISH TO REPORT MELTED REAR DOOR LATCH... BEEN GETTING GOOEY FOR MONTHS AND FINALLY CAME OFF - SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL LEXUS AND TOYOTA VEHICLES. WASN'T SURE IF THIS IS HEAT RELATED OR ELECTRICAL. *TR

I NOTICED MY BACK DOOR OPENER SWITCH WAS STARTING TO MELT. AT FIRST WE THOUGHT ITS FROM THE HEAT OF THE SUMMER BUT THEN AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION WE THOUGHT THAT WE'VE HAD THE CAR FOR 4 PREVIOUS SUMMERS WITH NO ISSUES WITH SAID BUTTON. WE THOUGHT THAT THERE MUST BE SOME ELECTRICAL COMPONENT INSIDE THE AUTOMATIC BUTTON THAT MUST BE GETTING TOO HOT THAT'S CAUSING THE HARD PLASTIC TO MELT. *TR