Peter P. Geremia

Thank you so much for making the recording. I really appreciate it. So it pretty much sounds like my car. I guess that is just how the Lexus Rx450h sounds. I think the sound from your car is more consistent than mine, but it is the same. I am really surprised the engine sounds like this. You would think that it would be quiet as this is a Lexus! Thanks again! -Pete

Do you have access to the RX450H TSBs? Or can you point me to the location so that I can download? Thank You, -Pete

Wow.. Now this is very upsetting to hear. One of my reasons for going to the RX450h was because I was worried the "clatter" noise on the Rx400h was a serious problem. Thank you very much for this info. Hopefully a RX450h owner out there will have more info on the buzzing/whining noise I am hearing at idle.

Does anyone on this list own an RX450h? I am going to the dealer on Wed or Friday to compare the sound between my vehicle and another RX450h. I will report the results.

I brought it in to my Lexus dealer and they said the car is fine. They checked everything. They said the noise is normal for a hybrid. The funny thing is that my 2007 RX400h was making this weird metal to metal clanging noise when the car was idling. They said that was normal for a hybrid. It even got louder over time and they said the same thing. So that is why I just dont believe them on this issue. I called Lexus and they are going to investigate. I just am trying to find another RX450h owner and see if they hear the same thing. I have had the car for only about a month! :(

The noise is always there. But it is loudest when first starting the car. You have the standard engine noise that everyone expects. This noise is above and beyond standard engine noise. I use the remote starter in the morning and I can hear that buzzing/whining noise from inside the house. It is not a deafening noise, but it just is not what I expect from a Lexus. The sound sort of sounds like a car that is low on power steering fluid. It is really annoying...... The noise is loudest in the area of the oil pan on the passenger side of the vehicle. If anyone else has a RX450H and can listen to my recording, I would be interested if they hear the same type of noise. Also, this noise is only present when the engine is running. When the engine shuts off the car is very quiet as expected.

The noise is always there. But it is loudest when first starting the car. You have the standard engine noise that everyone expects. This noise is above and beyond standard engine noise. I use the remote starter in the morning and I can hear that buzzing/whining noise from inside the house. It is not a deafening noise, but it just is not what I expect from a Lexus. The sound sort of sounds like a car that is low on power steering fluid. It is really annoying...... The noise is loudest in the area of the oil pan on the passenger side of the vehicle. If anyone else has a RX450H and can listen to my recording, I would be interested if they hear the same type of noise.

Hello, I just recently purchased a new 2011 Lexus RX450h. I am now getting a pretty loud buzzing noise when the car is at idle. (especially just after starting up) I attached a sound file. Is this normal? The dealer says it is normal. They said because it is a Hybrid. I find that very hard to believe. It sounds like a car with a bad bearing or something. After spending the amount of money I spent on this car I would not expect it to make any "odd" noises. Any help would be appreciated. The noise was recorded next to the passenger side wheel well. At the end I placed the recorder near the oil pan. It seems like this noise is coming from the area near the oil pan. Thank You, Peter Geremia rx450-2011-engine-noise.wav

I had that issue with my '08. The dealer did a software update or something and it's been fine ever since. Thank for the info. I will talk to them about that tomorrow. Do you have any thoughts on that whining noise that is very loud near the oil pan?

Check with your dealer, there may be a technical service bulletin for this issue. Although the iPhone may not be official supported by Lexus. Only the iPod. I am bringing in the car tomorrow for my list of issues. My biggest concern is the whining from the oil pan. For now I revived an old iPod I was not using and that works fine. Ps. I cannot send or receive personal messages on here. Do you know why and how I can have that fixed?

Hello, I just purchased a 2011 RX450h. So far not so good. 1. There is a very loud whining noise coming from the engine at idle. It sounds like a power steering pump that does not have enough fluid. I pinpointed it to the oil pan. I am not sure what is going on. 2. My iPhone will not work properly with the iPod connector. When I connect it the audio has glitches in it. If I try to control the music it eventually locks up and I have to disconnect my iPhone. 3. Tonight I got in my car and something weird happened. When I press the start button normally the seat would reset to the correct position. Instead it was too far back. To add to that the side mirrors were pointed down and the steering wheel was too far down. Software glitch?????? 4. When putting the car in reverse the side mirrors do not point down far enough to see the curb. Seems like something is wrong with the mirror control? I am scared to death that I have a lemon. I do not want to have to deal with this. :( -Pete Ps. I previously owned a 2007 Rx400h and it was great. I had no problems with it.