Rx 450 H Rear Door Warning!

[Dr. smellgood]

A 2" wide, 1/2" thick shoulder bag strap got caught in the back hatch (door) automated closing mechanism of my RX 450h. I really don't think this should have happened because of its size (same width as the locking latch) and thickness (shoulder padding on the strap). Other SUVs I have owned all stop and re-open when even the smallest item was in the door jamb area when operating in the auto closing mode. The door wouldn't close all the way and wouldn't open! Keyes Lexus' (Van Nuys, CA) service department told me to bring it in the next day. Beeping (open door alarm), I traveled 35 miles home. I parked and the interior and exterior access lights wouldn't go out! I called Keys Lexus and they said , if the battery is dead in the morning, call AAA! And yes, the battery was dead and I had to wait for AAA (and then read the manual to help them jump start the vehicle!)! The final kicker, Lexus said it wasn't a defect in the rear hatch locking mechanism and charged me over $1,600.00 for the repair (on a 2 month old vehicle none the less)! This is a defect and safety hazard in my mind (no little camera-type strap here) and the fact that it jams in limbo is a nightmare to deal with! The fact that this door would not stop and reverse if my grandchildren had their fingers (which are no thicker than my shoulder strap) in the way is downright frightening!!! I have had Lexus tell me twice now in writing that there is no defect or safety issue with their automated rear door. Anyone else out there have this problem or get such great service from Lexus or their Lexus dealer?

[BobBass]

I had a similar thing last week. Removed a large box from the cargo area and in order to keep from marring the bumper, slid a furniture pad over the latch mechanism. Later on, I forgot about the pad and just closed the rear hatch with the remote. Didn't notice that it didn't close all the way.

Two days later I open the driver's door and it didn't seem "right." Got in, put the key in the ignition and...DEADER THAN A DOORNAIL. I have to assume the rear cargo light was on the whole time and drained the battery.

I just jumped it like a normal vehicle with a booster battery (already had done this a couple of times previously when the OEM battery gave out) and I was good to go after re-initializing the power windows. Lost all the radio and previous destinations in the NAV.

It is ridiculous that Toyotas don't have an electronic sensing system that shuts down lights like this that are inadvertently left on. This also happened to us in an '04 Sienna when we left a map light on.

As far as the safety issue goes, it would be interesting to test similar mechanisms in other vehicles. I see your point, but a "small" strap like this (I assume it is .5" WIDE) is a Murphy's Law waiting to happen.