Problems · NHTSA complaints

2007 Lexus RX400H problems

Owners filed 117 complaints about the 2007 Lexus RX400H with NHTSA between Aug 2007 and Apr 2026. The most-cited component is service brakes (23).

Complaints
117
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
11
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Service brakes23
  2. Structure18
  3. Electrical system17
  4. Engine12
  5. Vehicle speed control12
  6. Steering11
  7. Air bags8
  8. Fuel/propulsion system6
  9. Exterior lighting5
  10. Service brakes, hydraulic5
  11. Electronic stability control (esc)4
  12. Power train4
  13. Service brakes, electric4
  14. Suspension3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20074
20080
20090
201020
20112
20122
20137
201414
20157
20169
20176
20187
20198
202010
20217
20224
20233
20243
20253
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Service brakes

23 reports2 crashes
“I am reporting a serious and potentially dangerous braking issue with my 2007 Lexus RX400h. The vehicle currently has approximately 126,296 miles. While driving, the vehicle emits a continuous and intermittent warning beeping sound. At the same time, the braking system becomes unreliable. The brake pedal becomes extremely difficult to press, requiring excessive force, and the vehicle does not respond consistently when braking. In addition, there are instances where the vehicle appears to brake unpredictably or inconsistently, which creates a significant safety hazard for myself, passengers, and other drivers on the road. Based on my research, this issue appears to be related to a known defect involving the ABS brake actuator assembly. Lexus previously issued a warranty enhancement program for this component due to internal malfunctions that affect brake pressure and system performance. However, this issue was not issued as a formal recall tied to VIN eligibility. Despite my vehicle being under 150,000 miles, I have been informed that I may be outside the time-based warranty window, and no active recall is listed for my VIN. This defect directly impacts the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 20, 2026Service brakesODI 11732484

Structure

18 reports1 crash
“I saw on the internet while I was looking for new mats this year my Lexus RX 350, 2007, vin [XXX] was recalled for the dashboard until May 2017. During 2013 through 2018; my husband left me for my friend; both my sons were shot in different cities; one in Nashville, and one in Denver Colorado. The one in Nashville, was shot 10 times by his roommate who forgot he had a roommate. Fortunately, he turned around so his laptop in his backpack got the bullet which would have killed him. He was left with a dominant disabled arm. He had just come back from Las Vegas working with Jason Aldean as a cameraman and saw the bloody massacre from the shooters. My oldest lives in Denver. He was shot and killed by the police on a domestic call. They overreacted. My ex-husband would not let me come to the funeral or visit the son in Nashville when he was hurt. I was not able to focus on anything else during that time. When I saw the recall on the Internet this year, I called and requested a reprieve. I was turned down. I wrote a letter to Lexus. Again I was turned down. I am [XXX] and [XXX]. I’m still driving my Lexus 2007 and plan to the rest of my life. I didn’t see the mail…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 2, 2025Structure, Visibility/wiperODI 11633730

Electrical system

17 reports1 related recall
“Put key into ignition port and heard and felt a klunk. Key was then freely moving and connecting to nothing inside the ignition chamber. So vehicle would not turn over at all. Had towed to town closer to home. And Currently having towed to mechanic shop for further evaluation. The only symptom the car was having previously was a mysterious scratching sound coming from what sounded like the right side of the hood near the firewall. Took to mechanic and he drove the car and heard the sound but could not pin point it, said nothing was scrubbing the fan or anything else he could see. And to bring it back if it got worse. Never did we think it was the starter nor the ignition chamber. The only way to know now....is to replace it and see if that noise is still there. There were no other warnings. The danger in this is being stranded. Still needs to be evaluated by mechanic.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 18, 2025Electrical systemODI 11648978

Engine

12 reports1 fire
“I PURCHASED A USED 2007 LEXUS RX350 FOR MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. IT HAD A LITTLE OVER 100K MILES. EVERYTHING WORKED PERFECTLY, NO COMPLAINTS WHATSOEVER. UNTIL, MY SON BORROWED IT, AND WHILE HE WAS DRIVING IT, HE SAID IT QUIT. HE LOST ALL POWER STEERING, SO HE PULLED OVER. WE CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO TOW IT TO A MECHANIC. WHEN THE MECHANIC CALLED ME, HE SAID THE OIL COOLING LINE BUSTED, WHICH MADE THE OIL PUMP EMPTY THE ENGINE'S OIL. HE SAID IT WOULD NEED A WHOLE NEW ENGINE. HE SAID THE CAR IS WORTH NOTHING. I PAID $9K FOR THIS CAR A YEAR AGO, AND NOW IT IS NOT WORTH $100. THE MECHANIC SAID THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR TOYOTA/LEXUS, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL. TO ME - THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. IN MY OPINION, SINCE TOYOTA KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT DIDN'T RECALL IT, THEY EITHER NEED TO COVER THE COST OF A NEW ENGINE, OR BUY THE CAR BACK FROM ME. I AM VERY UPSET OVER THIS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2020EngineODI 11360610

Vehicle speed control

12 reports6 crashes1 related recall
“ON SEPTEMBER 18,2019 @~12PM WHILE PARKING MY 2007 LEXUS RX 350 DRIVING AT VERY LOW SPEED <5 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED HOPPED A CURB AND I WENT INTO THE ROAD. THANKFULLY I DIDN'T CRASH OR HIT ANYONE. MILEAGE AT TIME WAS 52549. I READ ON HERE OTHER PEOPLE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES. I DIDN'T SEE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM ON MY VEHICLE. MY FLOOR MATS ARE NO WHERE NEED THE GAS PEDAL. THE MATS ARE LOCKED IN PLACE BY THE PIN. THEY DON'T MOVE. I PLAN TO TAKE THE CAR TO LEXUS DEALERSHIP. THEY MUST BE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2019Vehicle speed controlODI 11256540

Steering

11 reports1 crash
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 13, 2022Steering, Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11479110
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.