2007 Lexus GS450H

Defect. TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 THROUGH 2008 LEXUS PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 26, 2005 THROUGH AUGUST 4, 2008. MICRO-FOREIGN OBJECTS IN THE MATERIAL OF THE VALVE SPRING MAY DEGRADE THE STRENGTH OF THE VALVE SPRING, POSSIBLY CAUSING THE SPRING TO BREAK.

Risk. THE ENGINE COULD FAIL AND STOP SUDDENLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

AIR BAGS - LEXUS REFUSED TO COVER UNDER WARRANTY DEPLOYED AIRBAGS DUE TO LIGHTLY SCRUBBING A CURB POWER TRAIN - THE AUXILIARY OIL PUMP ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED, AS IT IS COMMONLY KNOWN TO DO. THE BEARINGS INSIDE THE PUMP WEAR DOWN OVER TIME AND EVENTUALLY SIEZE. THIS LEADS TO THE VEHICLE BEING LIMITED TO 70 MILES PER HOUR AS WELL AS DISABLES THE HYBRID SYSTEM. THIS TRIGGERS MIL P2797.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LEXUS GS450H. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK HYBRID INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LEXUS OF AUSTIN (9910 STONELAKE BOULEVARD, AUSTIN, TX 78759, (512) 343-3400) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VARIABLE TIMING SYSTEM WAS WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V395000 (ENGINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LEXUS GS450H. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A LOUD UNKNOWN NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE, STABILITY CONTROL, AND ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED SEVERELY WHEN RESTARTED AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

REAR VIEW MIRRIOR BECOMES DISCOLORED AND GRAINY. HINDERS THE OPERATOR'S ABILITY TO SEE THE ROADWAY AND MAY PRESENT A SAFETY HAZARD.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LEXUS GS450H. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES SCREECHED EXCESSIVELY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND DETERMINED THAT THE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

I OWN A 2007 LEXUS GS450 HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ENGAGING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE YEARS INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AT VARIOUS MILEAGES BELOW 87,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 115,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LEXUS GS450H. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD BANGING NOISE HEARD FROM UNDER THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT CAME TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN IMMEDIATELY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,080. KMJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LEXUS GS450 HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ENGAGING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. *TR

MY CAR WAS PARKED INSIDE OF THE PARKING STRUCTURE OF MY CONDO. WHEN MY WIFE STARTED THE CAR AND TRIED TO MOVE THE CAR BACKWARD TO LEAVE THE PARKING STRUCTURE, ABOUT A SECOND LATER, WITH HUGE BOOM NOISE, THE CAR JUST COLLAPSED. THE REAR TIRE ON DRIVER SIDE WAS LEANING OUTSIDE AND IT SEEMS EITHER BALL JOINT OR UPPER OR LOWER CONTROL ARM IS BROKEN AND THE CAR IS OFF THE BALANCE WITH REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE BODY FRAME IS LOWERED DUE TO THIS. MY WIFE PANICKED AND WE WERE ALL SHOCKED WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THIS CAR. ESPECIALLY WHEN WE HAVE 18-MONTH OLD DAUGHTER AND IT WAS VERY VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF SHE WAS DRIVING ON A FREEWAY GOING ON 65-70 MILES PER HOUR AND IF THIS HAPPENED, WE WOULD'VE NOT BEEN HERE. I HAVE TAKEN MANY PHOTOS AND VIDEOTAPED IT TO HAVE SOME KIND OF EVIDENCE BEFORE MOVING THE VEHICLE OR TOWING. AFTER THE INCIDENT, I HAVE NOTIFIED THE LOCAL LEXUS DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND EXPLAINED IT TO THE SERVICE DEPT MANAGER WHAT HAS HAPPENED AND ALSO NOTIFIED MY INSURANCE COMPANY ABOUT THIS WHOLE ISSUE. I CANNOT IMAGINE HOW THIS KIND OF INCIDENT CAN HAPPEN TO ME AND THIS IS VERY SERIOUS MATTER AND RARE INCIDENT ESPECIALLY THAT THE CAR IS ONLY 4 1/2 YRS OLD AND WITH ONLY 35,000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR COULD HAVE KILLED MY FAMILY IF WE WERE DRIVING IT ON THE FREEDAY GOING OVER 60-70 MILES PER HOUR. THIS SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN LIGHTLY DUE TO HIGH RISK OF AUTOMOBILE SAFETY ISSUE AND FULL INVESTIGATION IS MANDATORY TO FIND OUT EXACTLY WHETHER THERE WAS ANY MECHANICAL D

CAR: 2007 LEXUS GS450H, FACTORY CERTIFIED. HAD A SERIOUS ISSUE WHICH WARRANTS A RECALL OF ALL AFFECTED CARS, WHICH MAY NOT BE LIMITED TO THE GS HYBRID. THIS HAPPENED ONLY A COUPLE OF WEEKS AFTER BUYING THE CAR. PER LEXUS, IT IS A DEFECT WHICH WILL IMPACT ALL OF THEIR HYBRIDS, AND PROBABLY ALL TOYOTA HYBRIDS AS WELL. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT RUSH HOUR, THE CAR TURNED ITSELF OFF. NO POWER STEERING, NO POWER BRAKES... NO POWER PERIOD. FORTUNATELY, I USED TO DRIVE RACE CARS PROFESSIONALLY AND WAS ABLE TO HANDLE IT, BUT I SUSPECT THAT MOST DRIVERS WOULD HAVE CRASHED. BECAUSE THE PUSH-TO-START BUTTON DOESN'T WORK UNLESS YOU'RE IN PARK, I HAD TO COME TO A FULL AND COMPLETE STOP, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FAST LANE OF THE FREEWAY. NOT SAFE. TO BE CLEAR, THERE WERE NO INJURIES ETC., BUT, SPEAKING AS A PRO DRIVER, THE SITUATION WOULD NORMALLY HAVE RESULTED IN SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH. PER LEXUS, IT APPEARS THAT THE CAR COMPUTER SHUTS OFF THE CAR WHEN THERE IS A FAULT IN A SENSOR WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO MONITOR THE TRANSMISSION. THEY CONSIDER THIS TO BE 'CORRECT' BEHAVIOR AND REFUSE TO FIX IT. MY PERSPECTIVE: YOU SHOULD NOT DESIGN A CAR TO TURN ITSELF OFF WHEN IT'S MOVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED JUST BECAUSE A SENSOR HAS A GLITCH. THE WORST CASE SCENARIO OF DAMAGING THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT NEARLY AS BAD AS THE TYPICAL CASE SCENARIO OF LOSING STEERING AND BRAKES ON THE FREEWAY. RECOMMENDATIONS: (1) COMPEL TOYOTA TO RECALL ALL AFFECTED CARS TO FIX THAT "FEATURE" SO THE CAR DOESN'T SHUT ITS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LEXUS GS450 HYBRID. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN SHE BEGAN TO FEEL AN ABNORMAL TINGLING SENSATION IN HER FEET, FACE AND UPPER TORSO. THE CONTACT BEGAN TO GROW NAUSEOUS WHILE IN THE VEHICLE. SHE RESEARCHED WHAT POTENTIALLY COULD HAVE CAUSED THE INFLUX OF NAUSEA AND FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE MAY EMIT ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION DUE TO THE HYBRID SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR EXAMINATION FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,610.

2007 LEXUS GS450H. CONSUMER STATES BRAKING PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM APPEARED TO BE A CONTROL CONFLICT WHICH HAS MANIFESTED INTO A SERIOUS JERKING WHILE SLOWING TO A STOP.

I OWN A 2007 LEXUS GS450 HYBRID. LAST WEEK WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY I DROVE OVER SOME BUMPS IN THE ROAD & APPLIED THE BRAKES. NOTHING HAPPENED FOR A SECOND OR TWO & THEN THE BRAKES WORKED AS ALWAYS. THIS WAS DEFINITELY A BRAKE FAILURE & THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. *TR

2007 LEXUS GS450H WITH HYBRID ELECTRONICS LOCATED NEXT TO THE TRANSMISSION. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO HAVE FURTHER STUDY DONE ON BECAUSE OF THE HYBRID ELECTRONICS BEING NEXT TO THE TRANSMISSION. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED A VARIETY OF NEUROLOGICAL SYMPTOMS THAT PROHIBIT HIM FROM DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR NO MORE THAN 20 MINUTES OR SO AT A TIME AND FURTHER STATING THAT POSSIBLY SOMETHING IN THE DESIGN MIGHT BE THE CAUSE OF THE TINGLING/NUMBNESS HE EXPERIENCED. THE CONSUMER USED A DIGITAL GAUSS METER, WHICH INDICATE HIGH LEVELS OF ELECTRO-MAGNETIC FIELD RADIATION IN PROXIMITY TO THE DRIVER, EMANATING FROM THE MOTOR AND/OR GENERATOR. *TR

SINCE PURCHASE (2/1/07), I HAVE HAD NEUROLOGICAL SYMPTOMS WHILE DRIVING THE LEXUS GS450H. THESE INCLUDE, AT DIFFERENT TIMES, TINGLING IN THE HANDS AND FEET, NUMBNESS IN THE FACE, STINGING SENSATION IN THE EYES AND DULL HEADACHES. THESE SYMPTOMS OCCUR ONLY WHEN DRIVING THE LEXUS GS450H, AND AT NO OTHER TIME IN NO OTHER CAR. THE DEALER AND I WORKED MONTHS TO RULE OUT A NUMBER OF POSSIBLE CAUSES WITHOUT SUCCESS. FINALITY, WITHOUT ANOTHER WORKING THEORY ABOUT WHAT THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE, I BEGAN TO INVESTIGATE ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD RADIATION (EMF) COMING FROM SOME PART OF THE HYBRID SYSTEM AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE. AS THE ONLY REAR WHEEL DRIVE HYBRID, THE MOTOR AND GENERATOR ARE CLOSER TO THE DRIVER THAN ANY HYBRID IN PRODUCTION---IN FACT, RIGHT NEXT TO THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER IN THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING AREA. CORRELATE THIS WITH POWER OF GS450H'S HYBRID MOTOR AND GENERATOR AND EMF HAS TO BE A CONSIDERED AS A CAUSE. LEXUS MADE NO SERIOUS EFFORT TO TEST THIS CAR FOR EMF. (FOR EXAMPLE, THEIR TECH ASKED TO USE MY HANDHELD GAUSS METER TO TAKE MEASUREMENTS). SUBSEQUENTLY, I HAN ENGINEERING FIRM SPECIALIZING IN EMF MEASUREMENT AND SHIELDING CONDUCTED A 30-MINUTE STUDY OF EMF EMISSIONS IN THE FRONT SEAT AREA. THEIR INSTRUMENTS MEASURED A SUSTAINED EXPOSURE OF 100MG IN THE AREA OF THE DRIVER?S AND FRONT PASSENGER?S LEGS. THESE FINDINGS SHOULD CONFIRM, AT THE VERY LEAST, THE NEED FOR FURTHER STUDY OF THIS VEHICLE FOR POTENTIAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES. ALTHOUGH THERE IS NOT YET SCIENTIFIC