Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 9% | — |
| 2025 | 3 | 14% | 0 miles |
| 2024 | 6 | 10% | — |
| 2023 | 1 | 2% | 18,000 miles |
| 2022 | 5 | 17% | 32,000 miles |
| 2021 | 4 | 6% | — |
| 2020 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2019 | 9 | 26% | 30,000 miles |
| 2018 | 6 | 23% | — |
| 2017 | 9 | 19% | 59,000 miles |
| 2016 | 4 | 14% | 98,000 miles |
| 2015 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2014 | 3 | 25% | 141,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 11% | — |
| 2012 | 2 | 17% | — |
| 2011 | 4 | 14% | 168,000 miles |
| 2010 | 18 | 23% | 4,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 3% | 190,000 miles |
| 2008 | 16 | 23% | 138,000 miles |
| 2007 | 13 | 22% | 161,000 miles |
| 2006 | 7 | 22% | 160,000 miles |
| 2005 | 5 | 19% | 210,000 miles |
| 2004 | 3 | 8% | 64,000 miles |
| 2000 | 1 | 3% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2025 Lexus RX 350. The contact stated that while driving into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and drove forward at a high rate of speed before crashing into the brick wall of an office building. During the crash, no air bags deployed, and the brake pedal was hard when pressed and did not stop the vehicle. Also, the manufacturer's APP indicated a malfunction in the engine and engine throttle during the incident. The driver sustained injuries to the knees, arms, and hips, which required medical treatment. An incident report was filed by the facility Patrol Officer, and the vehicle was towed to the collision center. The cause of the failures was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the incident. An engineer from the manufacturer was sent to examine the vehicle and reported no trouble found. …
On April 1, 2026, while pulling into a parking space at our church, I was applying the brake when the vehicle suddenly and forcefully surged forward without warning. The unintended acceleration was intense and unexpected, occurring despite continuous braking input. This resulted in the vehicle striking the building and causing significant damage to both the vehicle and the structure. This incident has occurred twice within a 10 day period, both times during low-speed parking/stopping maneuvers. There were no warning lights, alerts, no automatic emergency braking engagement, no air bag deployment, or prior indications of malfunction. I did report this to the police and they filed an Incident Report. Lexus was notified and an independent analysis engineer examined the data from the vehicle's CDR System. This report was sent to me and to Lexus.
When I start to coast to come to a stop the engine will rev, even though the Energy Flow screen shows the gas engine is disengaged and running only on EV. The engine will rev, even with me using the brake. But the EV light is off and the rpms are rising. Eventually the EV light will come on and the gas engine will cut off and the vehicle will switch to EV mode. My mpg has dropped to 36.2, so something is not right. When I was at the dealer for my 10K service, they told me this was the car "shedding" the extra energy, but the battery was not fully charged, so I'm perplexed and frustrated.
Heard clicking noise coming from steering wheel. Car shimmied when breaking off of freeway. Newish car, only 20,611 miles. Took into dealership before anything went awry. Dealership said never heard of the steering problem before. Turned out it was a tie rod going bad and repair was covered by warranty. Break issue was also covered by warranty.
The accident happened when I was using the "BRAKE HOLD SYSTEM". It is designed to use when the needs to stop briefly. When the Brake Hold button is touched while the driver's foot is on the brake pedal, the driver do not need to step on the brake even though the shift lever is in D. After I finished paying for a car wash, I touched the Brake Hold button. Then the vehicle suddenly accelerated forward and ran at a high speed. I was pushing the brake pedal, when I touched the button. I was startled and attempted to stop the vehicle with all my strength by braking the brake pedal. It didn't stop and went over the cub and accelerated even more and it crossed the both lanes and hit the cub on the other side. It climbed up the bank wall and it finally stopped. The police and the ambulance came and took me a hospital. I later found out the vehicle was towed to a nearby junk yard. …
The contact owns a 2022 Lexus RX450H. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH on a rainy day, the brake pedal was depressed; however, there was an abnormal squishing sound coming from the brake pedal, and the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated the vehicle went through the stop light and up onto a curb before the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure had occurred previously. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer confirmed the abnormal squishing sound when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the manufacturer had declined to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed that both actuators had been replaced previously. …
I was at the gas station, in line waiting for one of the three gas pumps to be available. I put my car in reverse to back up and pull around another car in order to go to the open pump in front. When my car was in reverse motion, I stepped on the brake pedal, but the car did not stop. I stepped on the brake pedal numerous times, but the brake did not function. My car backed into the front of the car in line behind me damaging both vehicles. The automatic emergency braking system did not activate, and there was no rear collision warning sound or message. I switched my car from Reverse into Park to stop its movement, but it was too late to avoid the collision. I had a passenger in my car who corroborates this description. Fortunately there were no pedestrians behind my car, so the only damage was to the vehicles. …
The sole occupant driver drove into a slightly elevated driveway and stopped. The driveway is maybe 5 degree incline. The shift select lever was placed in Park and the Driver visually confirmed it was in park. Driver sat in the car for 12 seconds before exiting the vehicle with the engine running and AC on. The driver exited and was standing outside of the vehicle with both feet on the ground for 6 seconds reaching back inside at which time the vehicle began to suddenly roll down the driveway causing injury to the driver. This seems to be a failure of the parking system of the vehicle causing serious injury to the driver. The vehicle has not been inspected yet and investigation is ongoing. It is unknown if there were any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, but there was no prior service work performed on the near new vehicle. …
Related recalls (1)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 avalon, model year 2004-2006 highlander, model year 2004-2006 Lexus rx, and model year 2006 Lexus gs and is vehicles. Brake fluid containing polymers is used that acts as lubricants for certain brake system components.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the seal with a newly designed one. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on November 15, 2010.
Frequently asked questions
Which Lexus RX years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2010 (18), 2008 (16), 2007 (13), 2017 (9) and 2019 (9) model years. Brake complaints make up 23% of all complaints for the 2010.
Is there a recall for Lexus RX brake problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 10V-499 (master cylinder, Oct 21, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Lexus RX brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 94,000 miles; 42% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the foundation components › master cylinder (2 mentions), followed by the antilock › abs warning light (1).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.