Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||||
| SB-0001-11 REV1 | 01/06/2011 | 10037625 | Ready | 05/31/2011 | |
| SB-0001-11 REV1 | 01/06/2011 | 10037625 | Lexus: information on an improved transmission fluid. *rm | 05/31/2011 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN - TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE) | |||
| 12/10/2009 | 5000 | 1 | |
| The rx450h is downright dangerous. the 4 wheel drive does not switch on demand as the advertising says. i live in snowy massachusetts and do not need permanent 4 wheel drive, but it is essential when the roads are full of snow or ice. i was puzzled at first that the 4 wheel drive only actuated under 25 mph. i tested it on sharp corners in the snow: the back slid out; and on faster, gradual corners: the car side slipped. never did the 4 wheel drive switch on and correct the slide. i looked in the manual for the method to manually activate 4 wheel drive but couldn't find it. i contacted lexus. they said that i should use the snow switch. this is a menu item which annoyingly must be switched on every time you drive. it didn't work as it only changes the gear and acceleration characteristics like any other winter/summer switch. they also said that it should work at high speeds when more power is needed. i tried that and found that at 60 mph if i absolutely floored the accelerator on a steep hill the 4 wheel drive would switch on briefly. that's hybrid technology being used to reduce consumption?! i went back to my dealer: what was i doing wrong? after two months of phone tag with the dealer and lexus, the dealer promised to pick up the car and test it. after a week of telephone calls they said there was no point in testing the car as it was working as designed. however it wasn't working as advertised which is that the 4 wheel drive will come on as needed. i'd say that a broad skid in snow is as needed. lexus does not intend to do anything about this complaint. they put me onto a business development specialist who tried to upsell me on a non-hybrid 4x4 which he said had a non slip differential and would therefore have better handling. i consider it very dangerous that a driver thinks they will have control because of lexus advertising and salesman claims but will likely loose control in snow or ice and cause a serious accident. *tr | |||