Acceleration complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 4 | 13% | 3,000 miles |
| 2018 | 3 | 17% | 5,000 miles |
| 2017 | 6 | 13% | 9,000 miles |
| 2016 | 5 | 9% | 6,000 miles |
| 2015 | 7 | 17% | 16,000 miles |
| 2013 | 4 | 14% | 68,000 miles |
| 2012 | 10 | 30% | 15,000 miles |
| 2011 | 8 | 27% | 13,000 miles |
| 2010 | 38 | 40% | 25,000 miles |
| 2009 | 6 | 6% | 32,000 miles |
| 2008 | 15 | 12% | 39,000 miles |
| 2007 | 22 | 13% | 56,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2019 Lexus RX350. The contact stated while parking the vehicle in a parking space, as he disengaged the brake pedal to complete the parking, the vehicle accelerated inadvertently and crashed into the pillar of a building. There were no warning lights illuminated. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, then it was towed to an independent mechanic. A police report was filed. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 21,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2019 Lexus RX350. While driving with the adaptive cruise control activated and set at 72 MPH, the driver reduced the speed to approximately 60 MPH when switching lanes. After releasing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle continued to accelerate past the set cruise control speed of 72 MPH and continued to accelerate to approximately 80 MPH. After deactivating the cruise control feature, the vehicle continued to accelerate and the rpms increased before the speed eventually was reduced. The cause of the failure was not determined. Lexus escondido (1205 auto park way, escondido, ca) and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. Prior to the failure, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating and was serviced. The same Lexus dealer reprogrammed/flashed the transmission, but the failures continued. The failure mileage was 2,800.
On April 15 2020, was entering a parking space in front of a sprouts supermarket at 12500 westheimer rd., houston, texas 77077. The Lexus RX350 (2018) failed to stop and crashed into a large building support column which did serious damage to the Lexus and to the column. This is an expensive car and came equipped with the emergency crash system. This feature did not work to stop the car from hitting the building. In the past it has stopped the car but only most often it does not work...no one was injured nor were any people on the parking area affected.
When stepping on the gas petal one of three things happen. 1. Normal acceleration which you expect after 60 years of driving and which we obtain from a 2014 Lexus RX350 that we own. 2. Hesitation of between 1 and 5 seconds before acceleration begins. 3 excessive acceleration ( surg of acceleration much more than expected). This excess acceleration May happen after the hesitation or there could be "normal" acceleration after the hesitation and happens when accelerating after being stopped.. The hesitation and excess acceleration can be from a stopped position ie stop sign or traffic light or while moving and normal speeds. There seems to be a consistent hesitation at the 60 to 65 MPH when attempting to accelerate on highway. At 70 MPH everything seems to work as expected. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2017 Lexus RX350. -the vehicle spontaneously accelerated with the brake pedal depressed. -the vehicle struck a guard rail. -no apparent reason why the vehicle accelerated the contact stated that while the vehicle was idling in a parking lot with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle spontaneously accelerated and struck a guard rail. All the frontal air bags deployed (including curtain air bags). The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed according to the insurance company. The contact was transported by ambulance to the hospital, two fractured ribs and 2 fingers, treated and released. The police was present and report number: 20192380195 was filed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 9,700.
While driving home, I stopped the car at the entrance to the drive way at the mail box by applying brake .the car came to a full stop. I shifted the gear ( automatic ) to park to get out of the car to pick the mail. As soon as the gear was in park, the car accelerated uncontrollably, inspite of hard breaking. I could feel the ABS system being activated by the way it feels on the break pedal. The car hit the side of the house and stopped. This vehicle has built in pre collision system. After notifying the insurance company the car was towed to a body shop where it is being worked on.
My 2016 Lexus 350 rx was in the garage. I needed to move the car forward so I put it in drive. As soon as I released the brake, the car shot forward with great speed (unintended acceleration). The car crashed into some bicycles and shelves as I applied the brakes to stop the vehicle. I immediately called Lexus of tampa bay and they came out to pick it up. That was almost 8 weeks and nothing has been resolved.
When using all of lane keep assist, lane center, and cruise control, the vehicle steers sharply to the right and will pull out of the existing lane into the lane to the right. Most noticeable at speeds above 40mph. Problem has happened since the vehicle was new, but seems more pronounced because I do more highway driving now with cruise control. Dealer and factory reps consider this behavior normal, yet a loaner car of the same model did not exhibit this symptom.
Related recalls (2)
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 Lexus RX350 and RX450h vehicles, manufactured from November 28, 2008, through September 1, 2010, and model year 2008 through 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles manufactured from September 1, 2007, through September 5, 2011.
Remedy: Toyota and Lexus will notify owners of affected vehicles and dealers will modify or replace the accelerator pedal and replace any driver's floor mat not specified for the vehicle.
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 highlander, highlander hybrid, and model year 2004-2007 Lexus rx330, rx350, and rx400h vehicles. If the forward retention clip used to secure the floor carpet cover, which is located in front of the center console, is not installed properly the cover May lean toward the…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the floor carpet cover with a newly designed one free or charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during March 2011. Owners May contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Frequently asked questions
Which Lexus RX350 years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2010 (38), 2007 (22), 2008 (15), 2012 (10) and 2011 (8) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 40% of all complaints for the 2010.
Is there a recall for Lexus RX350 acceleration problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 12V-305 (accelerator pedal, Jun 29, 2012); 11V-112 (accelerator pedal, Feb 24, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Lexus RX350 acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 29,000 miles; 80% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (4 mentions).
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.