2007 Lexus RX350 steering problems

“Electrical system malfunction began (to my best calculation & recollection) in summer 2021 with the first of four battery malfunctions in one year. Each time, AAA discovered low battery response and recommended battery replacement. This time around, battery was replaced about two weeks prior, due to battery failure/AAA reporting would not accept charge. THE NEW BATTERY FAILED (8/3) and the starter broke while attempting to charge. Mechanic repaired starter and battery accepted the charge. No problem, right? Wrong. This driver drove about 30 miles and while driving, the electrical system shut down altogether. With I believe ALL WARNING LIGHTS LIGHTING UP, extremely dangerous situation. NO BREAKING, NO STEERING, NO WARNING. Fortunately, it occurred in a suburban residential area as opposed to the highway. SECOND tow to my mechanic and now, after a full week, no diagnosis, though the car has been running in the shop. This is an intermittent problem. I suspect the alternator.”

“On November 19, 2021, I purchased a vehicle from cars Lane on Hanover Road in Annapolis Maryland. Upon driving back to my residence in Gaithersburg I noticed that there was significant shaking when the vehicle was driven over 60 miles an hour. I notified the dealership and seemed helpful at first. I took the car to a good year facility and pay to have an alignment. That seem to fix one of the issues however there were several more and many more I was later to find out. As well, the vehicle was also hard to steer when it came to trying to back up and turn the steering wheel. It also made a loud whining noise. I contacted the dealership again and told them of this problem. I have been out to the dealership several times upon realizing they do not have a mechanic on duty and whoever passed inspection on this car should be investigated. There is no way that this car should've passed inspection. The last time I went to the dealership upon talking with the owner I was told to bring the car in and they would take a look at it. Looking at it was all they did. I noticed that [XXX] was on the phone with the warranty people trying to determine if the items that I…”

“DURING ROUTINE CAR MAINTENANCE, I WAS NOTIFIED BY THE TOYOTA TECHNICIAN THAT THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY WAS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN SAFETY OPERATION. THE MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF FAILURE WAS 86,817. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ONLY FIX FOR THIS ISSUE WAS TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF $1,700. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED BY TOYOTA, GIVEN THE NUMBER OF FAILURES I HAVE FOUND REPORTED ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH OTHER LEXUS RX350 OWNERS FROM VARIOUS YEARS.”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LEXUS RX350. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AT AN UNKNOWN LOCAL DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT THE RACK AND PINION WAS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.”

“THE RACK AND PINION IS LEAKING FLUID (ATF IS USED FOR POWER STEERING) FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DUST BOOT INDICATING A WORN OUT SEAL AT ONLY 70,000 MILES. THE ONLY FIX IS TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM AT A SUBSTANTIAL COST. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MAJOR DESIGN DEFECT WITH THIS RACK AND PINION SYSTEM BECAUSE I HAVE OTHER VEHICLES WITH WELL OVER 200 K MILES AND NO PROBLEMS.”

“MY RX350 2007 HAS ONLY 35,000 MILES AND THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN CHANGED ONCE AND NOW THE DEALER TOLD ME IT IS BAD AND NEED TO CHANGE IT ONLY AFTER 3 YEARS AFTER THEY CHANGED IT. NO SOUND OR LEAKS.”