2015 Lexus Rx450h problems
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Common 2015 Lexus Rx450h problems
The Lexus RX450h, a hybrid luxury crossover SUV, is known for its low emissions and excellent fuel economy. However, like any vehicle, it can encounter specific issues. This article will discuss common problems with the 2015 Lexus RX450h based on complaints from owners.
1. Shock Absorber Failure:
The 2015 Lexus RX450h is a heavy car, which puts a lot of pressure on the suspension, particularly the shock absorbers. Drivers may notice their vehicle dipping at one side, and the ride may not feel as smooth as it once did. Worn shock absorbers need to be replaced, and any loose parts should be tightened if there is a leak in the air suspension system. The average cost of shock absorber replacement for the RX450h is £458.21.
2. ABS Actuator Issues:
The Lexus RX450h has unreliable anti-lock braking systems, and the actuator is often to blame. The actuator needs to be replaced for the system to function correctly. While we don't have data on the price of replacing this specific component, on average, ABS repairs cost £53.03 when booked through WhoCanFixMyCar.
3. Non-Engine Electrical Faults:
Non-engine electrics, such as the media system and windows, may become faulty. Many 450h drivers have complained about problems like this, but Lexus has never issued a recall. The specific repair required will depend on which part of the electrical system has gone wrong. An auto electrician can identify your problem and advise you on the appropriate solution. On average, electrical faults cost £67.38 to diagnose.
4. Flat Battery:
Some drivers report the battery of their RX450h goes flat after two to three weeks of not being used, which is especially inconvenient in a hybrid car because the battery can’t be jump-started. Instead, it has to be trickle charged, or the circuits in the hybrid system will be damaged. This usually means you have to call out a breakdown service.
5. Suspension Problems:
RX 450h models are fairly heavy and often develop suspension problems. Some owners report leaks in the system, while others report the compressor wears out quickly and has to be replaced.
It is important to note that the Lexus RX450h has a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 1st out of 14 for luxury midsize SUVs. The average annual repair cost is $540, indicating lower than average ownership costs. The severity of repairs is low while frequency of those issues is average, so major issues are uncommon for the RX450h.
In summary, the 2015 Lexus RX450h is a reliable vehicle with some common issues, including shock absorber failure, ABS actuator problems, non-engine electrical faults, flat batteries, and suspension problems. Regular maintenance and addressing issues promptly can help ensure the longevity and smooth operation of the vehicle.
What are the common faults on a Lexus RX450h?
The following problems are often reported by owners.
- Broken fuel pump. The fuel pump impeller may crack, causing the low-pressure fuel pump located in the fuel tank to stop working. ...
- Scuffed alloys and bodywork. This is less to do with the car itself and more to do with the driver.
What are the best years for Lexus RX 450h?
The Best Model Years to Buy a Lexus RX 450h
With the 2020, you would only pay, on average, 72% of the price as new, with 83% of the vehicle's useful life remaining. The 2021 and 2019 model years are also attractive years for the RX 450h, and provide a relatively good value.
Is the Lexus RX450h reliable?
RX owners were generally satisfied with their cars according to our most recent What Car? Reliability Survey, which found it finishing second out of 24 cars in the large SUV class. This was backed up by the Lexus brand being the top-scoring manufacturer in our survey of 32 car manufacturers, with a score of 98.3%.
Is Lexus RX 450h expensive to maintain?
Typically, hybrid vehicles like the RX450h can be a tad pricier to maintain than their non-hybrid counterparts due to their advanced technology. On average, you might be looking at around $550 to $700 annually for regular maintenance tasks.
2015 Lexus Rx450h car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Lexus Rx450h problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Steering problems
- Electrical system problems
- Service brakes problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2015 Lexus Rx450h vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2015 Lexus Rx450h complaints
The NHTSA has received 18 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2015 Lexus Rx450h.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-07
- VIN: 2T2BK1BA7FC
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Engine cut out suddenly while driving 45 MPH, followed by Battery Light, Check Engine Light, and Power Steering Light forcing hazardous emergency stop. Engine would no longer crank, and car had to be towed to nearest Lexus Certified Repair Facility. Technician scanned the system and found four Codes: P0335, P1603, P1604, P1605. After bore-scoping front three cylinders, technician tried to turn motor by hand and was unable to. The motor turned in reverse, but not forward. Technician removed oil pan to find pieces of valve spring broken and pieces of the piston rings and piston fragments from one of the rear three cylinders. Motor will need to be replaced or completely rebuilt after only 133,458 miles and regular servicing.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-05
- VIN: 2T2BC1BA3FC
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 2015 Lexus RX450H with less than 60,000 miles Electronic Power Steering Motor needs repair or replacement. The Electronic Steering Motor has an internal 3 piece star-shaped green plastic gear in between two metal pieces used as a bushing/damper. That green plastic gear has become dry, hard, dehydrated, and has crumbled inside the electronic power steering motor. Diagnostic indicators include rattling and vibrations emanating from the steering column that sounds like something is broken inside the steering assembly. Which it apparently is. Moreover, I am particularly concerned about the implications of this denial. The faulty component in the electronic power steering system poses a significant risk, including the potential for complete loss of steering control. This not only jeopardizes my safety but could also lead to further damage to my vehicle or even bodily injury. Given these circumstances, I believe it is imperative that this matter be addressed with urgency.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-13
- VIN: 2T2BK1BA8FC
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: It has the same engine failure problem as the recall for 2022 and 2023 vehicles. The engine just stalls when it wants with no check engine light or error codes. Then restarts just fine when put in park. Lexus repair could not even find a issue. Have documents to prove it.
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,LANE DEPARTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-02
- VIN: 2T2ZK1BA8FC
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,LANE DEPARTURE
- Summary: Safety concern: Engine timing cover oil leak. blind spot warning malfunction.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-01
- VIN: 2T2ZK1BA9FC
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2015 Lexus RX350. The contact stated that while driving over bumps on the roadway, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact would lose slight control of the vehicle while turning the steering wheel to the left as the power steering became loose without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was acknowledged that the power steering had failed, and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-17
- VIN: 2T2ZK1BA5FC
- Components: ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: While driving car came to an abrupt stop and stalled. (ABS) Had to engage brake to restart car. Noticed abnormal shifting while driving in NC mountains.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-15
- VIN: JTJBK1BA2F2
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: One early morning in November, I opened the rear door on my RX to remove my rollator walker. I am handicapped. I opened the door using the switch under the door handle. The door opened normally, and I reached in to remove the rollator and the door jerked down about a foot then continued to close with several jerking drops. It scared me, but I was able to jump out of the way of the door as it dropped. The temperature that morning was in the lower 40’s which was perhaps the lowest early morning temperature we had seen this fall. I feel that the low temperature may have contributed to the problem. I opened the door again with the switch. The door opened fully but closed again in a similar manner as described above. I was able to hold the door up with one hand and removed my rollator with the other, which was rather difficult due to my limited strength. Later in the day, after the temperature rose, the door opened and stayed open as it should. I discussed the problem with my local Lexus dealer, and they felt that the problem was most likely due to worn shocks which are used to hold the door open. I am familiar with this problem. I owned a 2002 Lexus RX and had a similar rear door shock problem after about 175,000 miles on the car. The rear door on that car was manually operated. If the door didn’t stay up on a manually operated door it was more of a poor-quality issue than a safety issue since it was readily apparent if the door was not going to stay open. The situation with an electrically operated door is quite different. The person opening the door completely relies on the door to stay up when it is opened. In addition, the door could be operated by a child who may not be able to react to the falling door. I had the shocks on the door replaced by the dealer at a cost to me of slightly more than $400. I discussed the safety issue with the dealer and followed up with a reply on a satisfaction survey they had sent. In the repair writeup the dealer
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-06-08
- VIN: 2T2ZK1BA5FC
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: 225/60R18 100H Mileage on car when tires purchased 33,410(11/4/2021 mileage when tire failed 40,702.(6/8/2023) These tires have a 50K warranty. At 40,846 (6/26/2023) two more tires failed. I was told tread separation was issue. This dealer put my family at Risk! When the car went in for shaking they said the tire was defective. They replaced it and charged me $214, the tire only cost $150 new. I asked if the other tires were OK, the girl I paid said "the bad tire was from a different batch than the three remaining tires and they were OK." 2 weeks later 2 more tires go bad, putting us back in the car with defective tires put my family at risk. This dealer is dishonest and Dangerous. They charged me for 4 new tires total cost $492.35 when the set only cost $600 new and we only received 15% of the use of the tire, before they went bad. 1 tire going bad is unfortunate, 3 tires same problem is a Defect and they should have been replaced NO Charge. Anyway you need to get these tires off the road before someone has a serious accident or possibly already has.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-10-09
- VIN: 2T2ZK1BA0FC
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Sun Roof shattered while driving, a potentially dangerous situation.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-09-17
- VIN: 2t2bk1ba6fc
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Heat appears to come from under the passenger side floor boards.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-06-12
- VIN: 2T2ZB1BA9FC
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: HELLO , the steering has excess freeplay ,wanders at most speeds , unsafe condition , have tried 3 sets of tires - and 2 alignment check --- help
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-01-14
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- VIN: 2T2ZK1BA8FC
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: The contact owns a 2015 Lexus RX. The contact stated that while opening the hood to check the oil, the hood failed to stay open, fell, and struck the contact on the head. The contact sustained injuries to his head and headaches but, medical attention was not provided. The local dealer was contacted and informed the parts were not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified but no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 41,000.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-10-10
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 2T2BC1BA4FC
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Our car never had any issues, and unexpectedly on Sunday October 10th while my husband was driving it - he heard a loud explosion underneath the car. Immediately there was smoke and then in matter a minutes the car was in flames. My husband had enough time to remove our daughter and the car seat but the car was completely destroyed. We want to know what happened- our car was in incredible condition, low mileage and always kept up on all the maintenance
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-06-20
- VIN: 2T2ZB1BA0FC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 LEXUS RX450H. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK MANUALLY OR WITH THE VEHICLE REMOTE. THE DOORS WOULD ALSO NOT LOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-09-09
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 2T2BC1BA8FC
- Components: AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
- Summary: UPON ENTERING MY GARAGE, THE CAR SURGED FORWARD WHEN I SLIGHTLY APPLIED A LITTLE PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDAL. I TURNED THE WHEEL TO AVOID A STRAIGHT ON COLLISION, BUT STILL SUSTAINED MUCH DAMAGE TO BOTH CAR AND HOME. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME IT SURGED, BUT WAS CERTAINLY THE MOST SEVERE SINCE THERE WAS NOWHERE TO GO. THE SURGE OCCURRED AFTER APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDAL AFTER A STOP IN FRONT OF THE GARAGE TO OPEN THE DOOR. IN THE PAST, THE SURGE HAS ALWAYS OCCURRED (WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN) AFTER A STOP IN TRYING TO PROCEED FORWARD. THE CAR WOULD 'JUMP'. NO AIRBAG DEPLOYED.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-08-07
- VIN: 2T2BC1BA9FC
- Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
- Summary: BRAKING SYSTEM OF THE CAR FAILED. I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS, ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS, CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM, AND VEHICLE WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE CAR. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW WITH 71 MILES, THE CAR WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT, THE CAR HAD NOTHING INSTALLED TO IT, THE CAR WAS SERVICED BY LEXUS FOR 10,000 MILE OIL CHANGE, AND THE CAR HAD 14693 MILES WHEN THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED ON AUGUST 7, 2017. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN ON A SUNNY DAY ON DRY FLAT ASPHALT ROAD IN CHICAGO ILLINOIS. THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE OCCURRED AT FOSTER AVENUE AND CALIFORNIA AVENUE. ONCE ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AS LISTED ABOVE, THE BRAKES IN THE CAR STARTED TO PUMP UP AND DOWN EVERY SECOND BY ITSELF. THE CAR WAS UNABLE TO STOP AS I FORCEFULLY STEPPED ON THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES CONTINUE TO PUMP UP AND DOWN SO I HAD TO VEER THE CAR TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE STREET WHILE PRESSING ON THE PARKING BRAKES OF THE CAR TO STOP THE CAR. THE BRAKES CONTINUE TO PUMP UP AND DOWN FOR 10 MINUTES UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO FORCEFULLY STEP ON THE BRAKES AGAIN TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO PARK TO TURN OFF THE CAR. ONCE THE CAR WAS TURNED ON AFTER 20 MINUTES THE CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM AND A YELLOW TRIANGLE WITH AN EXCLAMATION MARK LIGHTS APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD OF THE CAR. I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENT IF THE BRAKING SYSTEM HAD FAILED SINCE I WAS 2MILES FROM ENTERING THE HIGHWAY TO GO TO WORK. THE CAR WAS DRIVEN TO LEXUS DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS IDENTIFIED THAT A MAJOR INTERNAL BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE OCCURRED BETWEEN THE SKID CONTROL ECU AND CAR'S ENGINE. IF THE CAR DID NOT HAVE MANUAL PARKING BRAKES TO SLOWLY APPLY AND STOP THE CAR, I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENT ON FOSTER AVENUE IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. IF THE BRAKING FAILURE HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS OF 55MILES, I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR IN A MULTICAR FATAL ACCIDENT.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-06-02
- VIN: 2T2ZB1BA5FC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: ABOUT 15 MILES INTO MY DRIVE TO WORK IN MY 2015 LEXUS RX 450H WITH ONLY 6,300 MILES, MY DASH PANEL INDICATED THE FOLLOWING ERRORS: CHECK ABS, CHECK BSM SYSTEM, CHECK HEADLIGHT LEVELING SYSTEM, BRAKE MALFUNCTION, CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM, CHECK POWER STEERING SYSTEM, SPEEDOMETER AT 0 MPH AND EVERY POSSIBLE ERROR LIGHT POSSIBLE. AS I ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN FROM 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE 5, I NOTICED I WAS EXPERIENCING COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE AND WERE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. WITH AGGRESSIVE FORCE, I WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BUT NOTICED AN EXTREMELY LOUD METAL ON METAL SOUND WHEN DOING SO. IN ORDER TO COME TO A STOP, I EXITED AT THE FIRST OFF-RAMP POSSIBLE, AND POPPED THE CURVE SO I COULD PARK THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEXUS OF GLENDALE WHERE THEY WERE ABLE TO SEE ALL THE ERROR CODES BUT WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE ISSUE SINCE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE IT. MY VEHICLE WAS BORROWED FOR 4 DAYS WITH THE TECHNICIAN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES BEFORE RETURNING THE VEHICLE BACK TO ME WITH NO REPAIRS MADE. I FEAR THIS IS AN SEVERE SAFETY RISK THAT CAN LEAD TO A POTENTIALLY FATAL OUTCOME. PLEASE NOTE, I ALSO HAVE A 18 SECOND VIDEO OF THE ERRORS OCCURRING WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN THE FIRST LANE PRIOR TO MY ATTEMPT TO STOP THE VEHICLE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-03-27
- VIN: JTJBC1BA3F2
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: OPERATING VEHICLE 50 MPH SLIGHT DOWNHILL ABS WARNING BRAKE WARNING HYBRID WARNING ALL CAME ON WITH AUDIBLE ALARM. VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO STOP. *TR
Negative 2015 Lexus Rx450h car reviews
Positive 2015 Lexus Rx450h car reviews
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Hi there! I noticed that you're interested in a rare car that's in demand.
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Hey there! Have you noticed that your car is accelerating slowly?
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If you're looking to save on gas, I would recommend considering a different version than the Hybrid. The Hybrid version requires Premium gas, which can be more expensive at the pump. The tank holds about 14 gallons and gets about 22 mpg, resulting in around 300 miles per tank. While some people believe that Hybrid cars are just a trend that does little or nothing for the environment, there are benefits such as not having to do a smog check. However, constantly checking the dashboard to see if you're saving gas can be distracting. Overall, I would suggest exploring other options instead of the Hybrid version.
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Hi there! Have you considered trying our premium fuel?
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Hi there! While it may seem expensive at first, hopefully it evens out in the long run.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2015 Lexus Rx450h problems:
Lexus RX 450h Problems: Common Issues and Repair Costs ...
Lexus RX 450h 2009-2015 faults · 1. Shock absorber failure · 2. ABS actuator failure · 3. Faulty electrics.
2015 RX 450h - longevity before problems start - time to update? : r ...
Jan 2, 2023 ... 2015 RX 450h - longevity before problems start - time to update? ... I have a 2015 rx450h with about 85K km (53K miles) and am reading about how ...
Rx 450h known problems? - RX 300 / RX 350 / RX 400h / RX 200t ...
Jun 11, 2023 ... Don't dismiss a late example of the 3rd gen RX, up to 2015/16. I find mine to be very capabale and competent, and I don't believe they suffer ...
2015 Lexus RX450h Repair: Service and Maintenance Cost
Get 2015 Lexus RX450h repair and maintenance costs, common problems, recalls, and more. Find certified Lexus mechanics near you.
Considering a Used Rx450h - Regrets? - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum ...
Sep 15, 2018 ... I like the solidity of the Lexus - so I'm considering an RX450h ... 2015 model year with lower miles. Does ... Going hybrid, the most common ...
Other years of Lexus Rx450h
Are you having problems with your 2015 Lexus Rx450h?
Gregg Metz 2024-03-11
Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share an experience I had with my new Lexus rx450h 2016. Unfortunately, after only one week of driving it, the engine and master warning lights came on and I had to have it towed to the dealership for a check-up. It was definitely a disappointment, especially since my old rx2004 served my family well for over 12 years with only routine maintenance. Do you happen to have any advice on what I should do next? I'm curious if I have any legal options to ask for a replacement car. Thanks for your help!
Johathan Kassulke 2024-01-04
The 2015 Lexus RX450H has not met my expectations. Despite putting approximately 12k miles on the vehicle, the average mpg of 25-27 is disappointing. The electric hybrid feature is not effective at speeds exceeding 30 mph. Additionally, the positioning of the emergency brake at the left leg shin is inconvenient. It is worth noting that the vehicle I purchased had been sitting on the lot for over 150 days. It is advisable to avoid vehicles that have been sitting for extended periods of time. Overall, I cannot recommend this vehicle.