Lexus RX350 Airbag Problems

Airbag complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Side/window
  4
• Frontal
  3
• Sensor › Occupant classification
  1

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  2032%
• 25k–50k
  1422%
• 50k–75k
  1117%
• 75k–100k
  914%
• 100k–150k
  711%
• 150k+
  23%

What owners report

Pulled into hotel parking lot at 11:05 am (perfect weather - parking lot empty) and ,after turning into the parking spot at a slow speed, the car suddenly accelerated and hit the side of the hotel. The building wasn't damaged, but the car had serious frontal damage. The hotel manager didn't call the police so there isn't a police report. The air bags did not go off. I feel there were several possible Lexus problems with this incident: the air bags did not go off even though there was over $17,000 in repairs (even the engine had to be removed),; the automatic braking system didn't engage; and the sudden acceleration of the car from a slow entry into the parking space. Currently the car is at a Lexus dealer waiting for the Lexus hired inspector to examine it. We have pictures and a complete list of repairs if requested. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Lexus RX350. While driving 140 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to stop the vehicle. In addition, the pre-collision warning indicator illuminated. As a result, the contact rear ended another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to a collision repair facility where the body damage was repaired. The vehicle was also taken to westside Lexus sales (12000 katy fwy, houston, tx 77079, [phone]) where the contact was informed that the vehicle did not have a failure and the crash was his fault. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 17,000.

Was making a left turn on to a bridge, the car pulled the right a little, I pulled to the left a little to straightened it back up applying the brakes, the car would not stop. There was a line of cars at the red light, I continued applying the brakes, the car would not stop and was picking up speed. I pulled to the left to avoid all the cars. Car still would not stop inspite of pressing my foot hard on the brake. The car continued moving went across a large street, still turning the car to the left to avoid other cars. The car went on to a gas station lot. I continued turning to avoid the gas pumps, still my foot on the brake. The car kept going and stopped when it hit a pole on the gas station lot. The air bags never deployed. The brakes would not work. The car went out of control. The consumer stated the power steering failed while driving. …

Tl* the contact owned a 2016 Lexus RX350. While accelerating from a stop sign at approximately 10 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the driver's side of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was transported to the emergency room where a cat scan was completed, which showed a large hematoma on the contact's head. The contact also mentioned that he took blood thinner medication and later his entire face turned black and blue. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a body shop where it was diagnosed as a total loss by the insurance company. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. Through research, the contact found NHTSA campaign number: 18V085000 (air bags); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.

Takata recall while stopped at red light. My car was hit head-on by another vehicle. My car was totaled. No airbags deployed in my car. Myself and my daughter seated on pax seat were injured. I was thrown into steering wheel which resulted in broken sternum. Police were surprised the bags did not deploy. I contacted Lexus, they said attorneys would discuss it with me. I said I just wanted them to look at the car and explain why the bags did not deploy this was in mid nov. They said engineering would go look at auto. [redacted] engineering was to coordinate the event. They kept putting it off and obvious to me they just want to bury the incident. The car is at auction block and will be sold within the next month and cut up. I think there could be a safety issue and it needs to be looked at. [redacted]

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Lexus RX350. While making a left turn, the contact crashed into the front driver side of another vehicle. The vehicle accelerated extremely fast. The brake pedal was depressed, but failed to stop the vehicle. The contact had to shift the vehicle into the park position in order for the vehicle to stop. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000. Updated 05/03/16

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Lexus RX350. While driving at a low speed, another vehicle crashed into the driver side of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained head, neck, back, and shoulder injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an auto body repair center. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 13,305. Updated 4/20/15 updated 9/28/2017

Tl * the contact owns a 2014 Lexus RX350. While driving 5 MPH, the vehicle failed to stop when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact crashed into a light pole, which then fell onto the windshield and the hood of the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was destroyed, but the contact was uninjured. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 3,500. Updated 08/19/14 the light pole bounced off the vehicle, and fell in the street. Updated 08/21/14

Related recalls (2)