Lexus Auto Recalls and Defects
Lexus is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese auto manufacturer Toyota. Toyota is currently the world’s largest automaker, with sales of 10.5 million vehicles in 2021 alone. Lexus vehicles are Japan’s largest-selling premium cars worldwide, and Lexus is one of the top 20 largest Japanese global brands in terms of market value. Lexus targets luxury consumers with their marketing, promising superiority in precision, comfort, and interior quiet.
While Lexus touts its “relentless pursuit of perfection” and claims to be “amazing in motion,” Lexus vehicles are far from perfect. Lexus sedans, coupés, convertibles and SUVs have been subject to a number of recalls over the years for a variety of damaging, dangerous defects. Drivers of Lexus vehicles containing hazardous defects are at risk of serious injury and deserve Lemon Law compensation for their hardships.
Below, we’ve compiled details on several Lexus recalls issued over the last few years. If you own any of the affected models or suspect your Lexus might be subject to a recall, check your vehicle identification number on the Lexus website or the NHTSA database. If you bought or leased a Lexus and discovered a significant defect, if your Lexus is subject to a recall, or if you were injured due to a defective Lexus, you have important legal rights. The Lemon Law attorney at Nita Lemon Law Firm is ready to help.
Massive Recall of More than Two Million Toyota and Lexus Vehicles for Dangerous Fuel Pump Defect
In early 2020, Toyota announced a massive recall of close to 700,000 Toyota and Lexus brand vehicles. At the time of the original announcement, affected vehicles included 2018-2019 model years of the following Lexus vehicles, in addition to many Toyota brands: Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350, NX 300, ES 350, and GS 200T.
Subsequently, Toyota announced an expansion of the original recall. The expanded list covered more than 1.5 million vehicles under the Lexus and Toyota names. Lexus vehicles covered by the expanded recall notice include the following:
- 2018-2020 Lexus ES350
- 2017 Lexus GS200t
- 2017-2019 Lexus GS350
- 2019 Lexus GS300
- 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h
- 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460
- 2017 Lexus IS200t
- 2019 Lexus IS300
- 2019 Lexus IS350
- 2018-2020 Lexus LC500
- 2018 Lexus LS500
- 2019 Lexus LS500h
- 2018-2019 Lexus LX570
- 2017 Lexus RC200t
- 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350
- 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350
- 2018-2020 RX350L
- 2019 Lexus UX200
- 2018-2019 Lexus NX300
The huge recall was based on a problem with the fuel pump assembly in the covered vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank is prone to failure, which can cause the engine to stall while in motion. An engine still in the middle of a drive, especially on a freeway or highway, has the potential to lead to a catastrophic accident.
Ultimately, more than 2.7 million Lexus and Toyota vehicles were recalled, covering just about every single model sold by the two brands. Consumers brought several legal actions against the automakers, including allegations that Toyota botched the recall. The plaintiffs and the automakers eventually reached a settlement, including at least $28.5 million in settlement funds. The final approval hearing for the Lexus and Toyota fuel pump settlement was set for December 14, 2022.
2022 Lexus NX250 and NX350: Parking Brake Failure
Toyota issued a recall of certain Lexus NX line vehicles as well as certain Toyota Tundras. The recall concerns a defect with the Skid Control ECU software within the Brake Actuator Assembly. The software may malfunction and prevent the Electronic Parking Brake from engaging. A vehicle without a working parking brake is subject to an accidental rollaway, which can then crash into objects, people, or vehicles in the road. Owners of the more than 83,000 affected vehicles should have been mailed notice of the defect and their options by October 31, 2022.
2022 Lexus LX, Lexus NX HEV, Lexus NX PHEV, 2021-2022 Lexus LS HEV: Skid Control Recall
Toyota recently issued a recall of more than 450,000 Toyota and Lexus vehicles due to an issue with the skid control software. The recall included model year 2022 of the Lexus LX, Lexus NX HEV, and Lexus NX PHEV vehicles, as well as model years 2021 and 2022 of the Lexus LS HEV hybrid sedan.
According to the recall notice, the Skid Control ECU software installed in affected vehicles may not activate the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system in certain circumstances. The defect violates certain Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and increases the risk of a crash due to the lack of a stability control system.
If You Bought or Leased a Defective Lexus, Nita Lemon Law Is Here for You
If your Lexus is defective, whether luxury or standard, you have the right to get the product you paid for or get your money back. If you or someone you care about was harmed because of a defective vehicle, you have the right to seek compensation, and the power to seek justice. The California Lemon Law team at Nita Lemon Law Firm is ready to help.
