Brake Actuator failure

[D Eric]

Curious how many Lexus owners have had a brake actuator failure.  We have a 2013 RX350; we bought a new RX450, and parked the 350 over the holidays planning to sell.  When I started it, numerous warning lights came on: the "Check AWD System" light, the engine light, and the VSC and Traction Control System lights. Upon taking the vehicle to our dealer, were we told that the brake actuator assembly needed to be replaced.  The cost to do so was $3,855.12.  I found there was a NHTSA recall on 2/12/2014 for this issue, requiring a software upgrade to avoid the failure of the brake actuator.  The dealer advises that software was updated in 2015 - which obviously didn't work because the brake actuator still failed.  Lexus is refusing to cover this, even though the predicted failure occurred anyway.  If anyone else has experienced this, please let me know.  I am preparing litigation on this issue.

[Katrinauw]

We have 2013 lexus rx450h. Brakes started making what can be described as a seal barking type of noise we took it to dilorenzo a replace the brakes that did not stop the problem then after several other appointments they narrowed it down to what they think is the brake actuator. A few months afterwards all the warning lights came on and now they're telling me the Hybrid battery is no good. I've read where they are linked I'm not sure shocked that Lexus will not cover this especially after they replaced a cracked dashboard on my 2004 Lexus 350 when it was 10 years old and had more than a hundred thousand miles on it! 

[RX400h]

Are you certain that your 12V battery is fully charged? Sometimes a weak and/or old battery will produce various warning messages/symbols.

[Reynold G]

02/22/21 My 2008 Lexus RX 400h was diagnosed today for the same issue. Brake actuator with accumulator. $3833

[Sabas]

Lexus said they fixed the problem, and refuse to fix it now. All lights are on, and I was told Break actuator is the problem.  

[ashnic424]

I am just now experiencing all this. I bought a used 2006 Lexus RX400H and a few weeks ago, the lights and the sound of "a barking seal" when braking started. From what I am reading... it's going to cost me approximately 3K. This is insane. Just bought the vechile. I'm a single mother of four children and there's no way I can spend another 4K getting it fixed. 

[dcfish]

Well, One could search for a wrecker car with rear end damage and buy a used part and have a local mechanic install it. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/313534702890?hash=item49001fe52a:g:IkoAAOSwegxgpQFh

[glenn s]

I am having a similar problem with a 2006 RX400h, brake actuator

[mmarlo]

I have the same problem with my RX400H 2006 when running almost there's no power and when on stop engine off the actuator/ABS is running on and off and making my battery go dead.

Wants me to check VSC. 

[RX400h]

Side note: Of the thousands of data points from RX owner's surveys, there is no indication of brake or electronics failures related to brakes, as per Consumer Reports. In fact, none of the 17 categories listed show anything below a "better than average" rating. These ratings are pulled from CR's 2021 buying guide.

It seems a bit odd that almost everyone who posted here has never posted anything else. I'm seeing a pattern here that doesn't add up.

 

[Julia Brauneck]

On 3/19/2019 at 12:42 PM, D Eric said:

Curious how many Lexus owners have had a brake actuator failure.  We have a 2013 RX350; we bought a new RX450, and parked the 350 over the holidays planning to sell.  When I started it, numerous warning lights came on: the "Check AWD System" light, the engine light, and the VSC and Traction Control System lights. Upon taking the vehicle to our dealer, were we told that the brake actuator assembly needed to be replaced.  The cost to do so was $3,855.12.  I found there was a NHTSA recall on 2/12/2014 for this issue, requiring a software upgrade to avoid the failure of the brake actuator.  The dealer advises that software was updated in 2015 - which obviously didn't work because the brake actuator still failed.  Lexus is refusing to cover this, even though the predicted failure occurred anyway.  If anyone else has experienced this, please let me know.  I am preparing litigation on this issue.

I have a 2006 with same issue the check VSC, engine and ABS Plus traction lights have come on and won’t go off. It drives abnormal to before the lights came on but I’ve been advised until I can afford the parts & labor that I can carefully

[Julia Brauneck]

I was told the car is drivable but to be very careful. It’s so expensive & the cost is close to the overall value of the car so I may just trade it in. It’s been a great vehicle to drive…well up until now!!

[RX400h]

Believe me, if you instead owned a 2006 BMW, Audi, or Mercedes, you'd have already spent many thousands of dollars. Lexus vehicles are almost always far more reliable.

[Julia Brauneck]

32 minutes ago, RX400h said:

Believe me, if you instead owned a 2006 BMW, Audi, or Mercedes, you'd have already spent many thousands of dollars. Lexus vehicles are almost always far more reliable.

It’s been the best used car I’ve ever owned and to tell the truth this issue with the VSC etc happened at 235,000 miles which is quite the miracle as it still rides smooth. I just don’t want to trade it for something else. Every time I look I pretty much wind up going home in tears because I love my car. This is very unusual for me because I used to trade cars like some men switching girlfriend lol. Just kidding guys…making a bit of a joke but serious about the car. I get 29mpg average fuel economy according to the car. 

[RX400h]

Wow, that's over 100,000 miles more than I have! But yes, with some other vehicles multiple issues make swapping vehicles very easy. With Lexus, Mazda, and Toyotas, there are far fewer reasons to let them go. I picked up one of my sisters and brother-in-law at the airport a few years ago and they thought the RX400h was new. 
I recommend checking your tire pressure and adjusting if necessary, every 2-3 months. It does make a difference with fuel mileage.

[knclevy11]

Hi Yall, I have a 2008 Lexus Rx 400H and I also have an actuator issue. I bought my car in 2019. I took my car to a Lexus dealer for another recall and sure enough they told me that the brake actuator needed to be replaced over 3k. The car will start making a beeping noise and you can not mash the brake. All the lights on the dash that have to do with the braking system are on. I have not gotten to drive my car in 2 years because I can not afford to fix it. They do not have these vehicles in junkyards because this part is highly sought-after. I am at my wit's end. It should be a class action lawsuit for this issue. Lexus sold Lemons to thousands of people across the nation or who knows how many were sold probably in the hundreds of thousands. Lexus should be held responsible. I almost got killed in an accident over this. It is ridiculous. I will never own another Lexus and if all of you people were smart you would boycott them too. or in every single state, we should all pile in and start taking out lawsuits on this car company, There are so many. I have not met a Lexus owner of these models who has NOT dealt with this issue. Some are wealthy enough to fix it. I am not. We should be able to do something about it. Fraud!

[firelust3450]

[Denise Jack]

Having this problem right now! 2014 RX 450h in the shop 3 weeks and still no communication about the problem. I replaced the actuator myself, even got comments from Toyota on “how well it was done” problem still existed and Toyota states they sold me a faulty part and the actuator needs to be replaced again! This was 3 weeks ago! Being a mechanic myself, I know they can’t figure out the problem but can’t release the car back to me because they would be liable if we got in an accident because of the reported problem. !Removed! off and waiting to hear back from them. Glad I found this site. I’m in on whatever we can do!

[SharPrr]

I purchased a 2019 RX450H about a year ago. At the time of test driving, I heard an odd noise upon braking. Being a previous owner of the same model, but different year, for over 10 years, it had no brake related failure and it didn't occur to me thar it was anything but a minor mechanical pedal adjustment..

(Sidenote, the previous model hybrid system started failing at 154,000 miles and I felt time was not on my side to secure another car.)

 Anyway I recognized something was off with the noise upon braking. The super to the sales staff checked the vehicle with their service dept and said, Lexus just sounds like that when braking, the pads and rotors are fine.

I left without the 2019 but it was in my head..it had all the right options.. and after much research,  the price compared to other similar models was already favorable and the deal sweetened with pushing lower and gaining a complimentary security package. Though the mystery brake noise seemed only a mechanical adjustment, I ignored the red flags in my head, the deal was hard to let go. Fortunately, right before signing docs, I had them write into the contract to service follow up to adjust whatever was making the noise.. and they agreed! Two months later, with the noise driving me crazy every time I engaged the brake, I took it in again to try to resolve; they reviewed again that the brakes were fine. 

I ended up with family matters across the country, so I didn't pursue anything for almost 9 months; I've been back for 3 months with added noises.. now hard to describe ..but one like hissing when coming to a full stop. Took it in just today. After several hours they stated it was the brake actuator system. Its been a year later, but I pointed out they tried to service and hadn't found the cause which was actually documented in their computer. I got lucky. Didn't know how expensive this fix could have been until running across this article looking up what I've never heard of. The dealership took responsibility, gave me a rental car for the next 3 days and we will see next week how it performs. Ironic thing is, their Lexus rental car makes similar noises. Overall, still love the integrity of most of the product, especially compared to other brands, just now I know what to watch out for.