2.0

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
78,046 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2010 Lexus RX 450h engine problems

engine problem

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2010 Lexus RX 450h Owner Comments

problem #18

May 022022

RX 450h

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My AWD check system keeps going on and off every few days. I took it to Mavis who gave me codes and stated that there is a TSB found to the issues my vehicle read. I took it to lexus of Brooklyn who basically disregard the recommendations just so I javelin to pay them again to diagnosis whay was already diagnosed.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #17

Sep 082021

RX 450h

  • miles
We were 2 hours into a 9 hour drive when I noticed smoke in the rear view mirror. I continued to drive as I thought it may have been coming from another vehicle. I drove to the nearest gas station (about 3 mi) and pulled in. Upon exiting the vehicle, we found the back window and the entire back of the SUV covered in oil. There were no warning lights and no engine noises. We checked the oil and it was so low that it did not register on the dip stick. We added 2 quarts of oil which then registered on the tip of the dip stick. We then added another quart of oil and drove to a nearby service station (1/2 mi). The mechanic could not diagnose the problem since he couldn't put it on his lift (it was occupied by another vehicle). He contacted two other service stations in the area and found one less than a mile away that had a lift open. We added 2 more quarts of oil and drove to the next service station. The mechanic put the vehicle on the lift and quickly found the problem - a pin hole in the oil line. He was able to find a replacement part (not the original part as it had been discontinued) and get us up and running the same day. We were very fortunate that I noticed the smoke - if I had not noticed it and continued to drive (we were 10 minutes from driving over a bridge tunnel) it could have been catastrophic. We finished the 7 additional hours of driving that day and after being gone for a week, have now returned home (another 9 hours). The mechanic told me the part had been recalled, but when I searched this sight, I found lots of similar reports - but no recall. Coincidentally, I had had the oil changed 4 days before beginning this trip. It is surprising that there are so many reports of this incident, but no recall by Lexus.

- Seaford, DE, USA

problem #16

Aug 172021

RX 450h

  • miles
Driving along normally, started seeing a flashing "low oil pressure warning". Within seconds, engine started revving uncontrollably and would not make power. Was able to coast into a parking lot. On dipstick inspection, engine had lost ALL engine oil and entire car was covered in oil. Suspect that oil spilled out at some point on the road- danger to other cars. Vehicle was towed to local dealer, diagnosed as a blown oil cooler pipe, causes all engine oil to spray out in seconds. This is a known problem, addressed in Lexus Technical Service Bulletin L-SB-0154-11 and a recalled part in Canada, but not in the US. Factory part is a rubber oil line that deteriorates and bursts, Lexus has an upgraded medal line available. Service invoice can be updated once service completed if needed.

- Annandale, VA, USA

problem #15

Jun 032021

RX 450h

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

the rubber oil cooler hose busted/exploded on 6/03/2021 on the way home from vacation 2 hours away from home late at night with my 2 children. there were no warning lights etc. all of a sudden it started making this horrible sound, i stopped on side of rode to everything covered in oil. had to get the vehicle towed to home. the engine and all under hood was covered in oil. i see tons and tons of complaints on this issue but no recalls. i would think this is very dangerous. shouldn-€™t this be replaced for free and /or reimbursement. spoke with ballet lexus roswell. they were familiar with this problem but no reimbursement offered therefore vehicle is still sitting in garage undeliverable.

- Canton, GA, USA

problem #14

Jun 302021

RX 450h

  • miles
Oil cooler line, rubber elbow potential failure. No notice letter from Lexus received warning of their TSB: POL.14.02 (NHTSA#: 10056509). Voluntary extended warranty coverage is expired now and no support from Lexus offered. Rubber elbow cannot be simply replaced as the newly desigend replacement is a metal elbow. Entire assembly must be replaced. Extremely expensive. Unacceptable for a flaw to endanger the engine, and possibly to cause a fire with oil spray onto a hot engine/exhaust.

- East Berlin, PA, USA

problem #13

Jun 282021

RX 450h

  • 170,000 miles
Oil cooler high pressure line, rubber elbow, pin hole oil leak/spray. TSB: POL.14.02 (NHTSA: 10056509). Leaked oil out with check engine light/low oil pressure warning just as I arrived home. Line of oil in driveway. Diagnosed leak from this rubber elbow. One quart of oil left in oil pan. After review of NHTSA website (and many, many Google hits) found this to be a well known problen by Lexus. No recall ever issued. I never received written notice from Lexus, and dealership that vehicle has been to many times never mentioned anything. Lexus denies any extended warranty at this time. Absolutely unacceptable.

- East Berlin, PA, USA

problem #12

May 062021

RX 450h

  • 115,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My oil cooler line busted and did not know till I got home thank god the engine did not seize. Come to find out the line is made of rubber and not metal. I understand Lexus is aware but they are not calling for a recall. I th8nk they should pay for work performed

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #11

Nov 022020

RX 450h

  • 132,000 miles
Bought a used 2010 Lexus Rx 450H 3.5L with 130,000 miles. At approximately 132,000 miles while driving on the highway, oil cooler line suddenly exploded without warning and vehicle lost all of its oil, full synthetic, within seconds. Oil splattered all over entire underbody. Vehicle completely un-drivable and had to be towed. No pre warning from oil light or any other indication other than loud bang and smell of burning oil. Huge safety risk and likelihood of complete engine loss or seizing if I had continued to drive any longer, possibly leading to an accident or worse. Immediately pulled over at smell of hot oil and had it towed to repair shop. Estimated cost about $ 1,000. Repair shop stated this is a known issue with Toyota oil line cooler hose and Lexus models of this year and should have been a recall item. Recommended replacement hose is now metal.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #10

Oct 092020

RX 450h

  • 110,000 miles
Oil cooller line exploded, engine lost half of oil, repair cost over $400.

- Glenview, IL, USA

problem #9

Aug 252020

RX 450h

  • 15 miles
I was driving on 275 highway in tampa, fl, and I got these messages on eco, "motor oil and pressure low" and check engine the mechanic advised to check with the dealer. Please advice. Thanks

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #8

Jun 192020

RX 450h 6-cyl

  • 128,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Major oil leaking from a faulty engine oil cooler line while car is moving or turned on. Oil is all over entire undercarriage, back bumper, back windshield & wiper and inside of tires. Garage floor and driveway have oil splattered everywhere. The whole back of car is cover in oil. After researching, I found this is a known issue for Lexus Rx 350/450H models between 2009-2011. No oil or engine warning light came on. Even after the faulty part is repaired, my concern then becomes potential engine failure from lack of oil.

- Highland Village, TX, USA

problem #7

Feb 182020

RX 450h

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Lexus Rx 350. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the oil pressure warning light illuminated. The contact pulled off to the side of the road and checked the oil. There was no oil in the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was discovered that the oil coolant line fractured. The vehicle was repaired and returned to the contact. After picking up the vehicle, while driving 45 mph, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle started to drive roughly. The vehicle was towed back to the independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

- Sandy, UT, USA

problem #6

Feb 042020

RX 450h

  • 127,000 miles
I was slowly entering from I15 to H-78 West. Suddenly car began to rev and accelerate as if I was flooring gas pedal. I jabbed at pedal a couple times and hit brakes...it stopped within a few seconds....not sure if what I did had anything to do with it stopping. My gas pedal is not sticky and smoothly adjusts. My vehicle is in pristine condition and has had all maintenance. I was fortunate I had several car lengths clear. I am 100% certain I did not accidentally slip or push on pedal. While it was accelerating I even lifted foot completely off pedal and it still was going.

- Escondido, CA, USA

problem #5

Sep 012019

RX 450h

  • 52,800 miles
While driving under 30 mph. Lights came on from the dashlights came on prompting low fuel pressure. Shortly after, weird noise coming from engine pulled over to check under the hood. Seen a lot of oil lost. Had the car towed to Lexus dealership and identified that it was hte engine oil cooler pipe. This was a known problem with Toyota/Lexus. Was told that there was a campaign to address the issue but is expired by 10 weeks. :(

- Kent, WA, USA

problem #4

Jul 312019

RX 450h

  • 91,000 miles
The vvt-I oil line on my Lexus RX350 burst while driving on a highway. It was a very large leak which covered the ground, engine, and undercarriage. The low engine oil message and engine oil pressure warnings came on when it happened. Complete loss of oil and no visible oil on the dip stick. After looking online and talking with the mechanic this is a known defect with the part though I don't see any recall for it.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #3

Mar 072018

RX 450h

  • 168,022 miles
TL 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.

- Stilwell, KS, USA

problem #2

Dec 132017

RX 450h

  • 151,000 miles
I have been a loyal Lexus owner for several years and have meticulously maintained my vehicle at only Lexus dealerships. While operating the vehicle 10 days ago, the oil cooler hose burst, which could have resulted in a major safety issue (engine failure/seizure while driving) with catastrophic engine failure. Lexus has known about this issue and has covered it for many other vehicles with 150K miles or less, hence the "enhanced warranty" about which I had no knowledge. I have 151K miles and they refuse to cover it or offer any kind of compensation for the expense of replacing the hose. They do not deem it a safety issue, which is absurd for the reason stated above. Apparently there was a warranty "enhancement" offered a couple of years ago, about which I was never made aware, by Lexus or by any of the technicians who have serviced my car over the years. If Lexus offered this warranty, they clearly knew this was a potential issue with this vehicle. Now that the issue has happened to my car, they won't cover it, as I'm "out of warranty" with a warranty I never knew was offered to me in the first place. I will never own another Lexus - they have lost my business and my trust,

- Castle Pines, CO, USA

problem #1

Sep 062015

RX 450h

  • miles
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.

- Mclean, VA, USA

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