Brake fade during slow and steady application on Lexus 400H 2007 dealer has not responded well to this complaint this is an ongoing problem.

- Huntington, NY, USA

I was approaching a stop sign at about 10 miles per hour and stepped on the brake pedal to stop. The car braked normally at first, then the car either free-wheeled or lurched forward for about half a second, but as I continued to press on the brake the car came to a stop but a little further than I wanted. I have noticed this about 10 times in the last 6 months but have not had any accidents. I finally contacted my dealer about the problem and he said that this was normal operation of the brakes on this model. He said that what I was sensing was the interval when the car switches between regenerative brakes and hydraulic brakes. He said that there is an order to fix the hs 2010 models so that the interval is minimized or eliminated but none for my model car.

- Albany, NY, USA

May 2008: Purchased 2007 Lexus 400H SUV. Car great except brakes. Something was odd. June 2008: Sent the car to the dealership to check brakes. They insisted everything was fine. My discomfort was due to my inexperience with the 'regenerative' braking system. I tried to get used to it. It seemed to get worse over time. At around 10 mph, the braking momentum changes suddenly. The car floats briefly then surges a little. It was unclear if it happened all the time, or only with gradual braking, or only when stopping from a slow speed. July 22, 2009: Accident. Brakes suddenly stopped working as I turned the car into a parking space behind another car. I panicked when the car didn't stop at the expected point. I slammed on the brakes, my foot slipped and I hit the accelerator. I hit the car in front of me sending it toward three other cars. This would not have happened if the brakes worked properly. August 2009 -reported accident to the dealership. I was told to talk with Lexus headquarters in California. They arranged for a field agent to go to the local dealership. September 30, 2009 - car at the dealership for everyone's review. Afterwards, told by phone that no problems were identified and the car was safe. I wasn't comfortable with that decision. On November 27, 2009, I took the car in again, insisting there was a problem. I drove with the service manager. He admitted he felt the floating/slight surge. He claimed it was the moment between the end of the "regenerative" braking system and when the conventional braking system kicked in. Not happy with the explanation. The floating/surge means you're not quite sure when you will stop. On January 6, 2010, I received a letter from Lexus. Their field technician inspected my car, found nothing wrong and the accident could not be related. I do not agree. Now I hear about Lexus hybrid brakes problems and I assume it's what I've complained about all along.

- Laverock, PA, USA

I recently purchased a used 2007 Lexus rx 440H with 22,000 miles on the odometer. Immediately (and several weeks prior to learning of potential Toyota and Lexus acceleration and braking issues) I noted that when braking from a low speed, say 20 mph at a stop sign, the brakes would initially take hold in a normal manner and then, for a very brief time, it felt as if the car was sliding, then the brakes would continue to take hold and bring the car to a normal stop. Typically this has occurred on a snowy or icy surface, but I have not detected the ABS kicking in at any time. The ABS has operated normally under other circumstances. At first I attributed this to the hybrid technology and regenerative braking system on the car. However, it now sounds exactly like the experience those driving prius and Lexus 250H automobiles have described that has been reported in the media. This braking anomaly occurs exactly the same way every time it occurs and it occurs frequently. So far I have owned the vehicle for less than one month.

- Jackson, WY, USA