10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 3,047 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
While applying the brakes, nearly 100% of the time when I hit a bump of any sort (small, medium or large), there is an apparent loss of breaking and the car actually lunges forward -- feels like acceleration -- and even pressing firmly on the break does not slow down the vehicle. This has occurred on several (probably about 10) occasions since I first got this car. Fortunately, it has never resulted in an accident, but I have come extremely close a few times. I do not feel safe in this car when it comes to braking. I never experienced anything like this on any vehicle. Especially with Lexus.
- Clifton, NJ, USA
While braking there is a sudden loss of brakes and simultaneous lurching or lunging forward of the car as if it is accelerating. It happens for a split second but it is very dangerous since something can be hit and/or it creates a very unsettling and unpredictable reaction from the driver and passengers. It is very unusual and I have never experienced anything like it. It has happened many times over the last two years, the last two times in Feb. 2012. It happens during slippery conditions or when going over a bump.
- Chicago, IL, USA
The car had a recall to correct the problem of brake failure on uneven, bumpy pavement. Had problem at least half dozen times before the recall repair was made. It did not solve the problem. I have had the problem several times since, usually in monmouth county, most times near my home, but last time in long island freeway. The brakes do not slow down/stop vehicle for approximately 1 second, and then start to work. It is intermittent problem. I had Lexus rep come to test my car yesterday, November 9, 2010. They were not able to simulate problem, but have advised they have been able to simulate problem on other vehicles of this model since the recall repair. They advised that even if they simulate the non-braking, this is considered "normal" based on the Lexus engineers. I want a car that brakes every time. It is not safe vehicle.
- Belmar, NJ, USA
The contact owns a 2010 Lexus HS250. While driving approximately 65 mph, the driver applied the brakes. The vehicle began to brake as normal before the brakes felt tighter and the vehicle suddenly lost control. When the vehicle lost control it began to slide and then began braking as normal again. The failure occurred whenever heavy pressure was applied to the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was told the vehicle was functioning properly. The failure continued. The failure mileage was 3,000 and the current mileage was 9,500.
- Corona, CA, USA
I was driving my Lexus HS250 hybrid on a highway access road traveling about 30 miles per hour when a vehicle moved in front of me slammed on their brakes. When I fully engaged my brakes the car ahead of me was about 40 yards away. When I slammed on the brakes, the ABS system activated and began slowly trying to stop the vehicle. It did not matter how hard I pressed the brake pedal the ABS kept a gradual slowing. I missed the car in front of me by two inches. I took my car into the Lexus dealer and they ran a full check of the ABS and indicated its working how its supposed to. The reported software fix had been accomplished on my vehicle a few months ago. I've read a lot of information since the incident regarding the HS250/prius brake problems and the reported software fix and can assure you that did not address the problem. No brake system should take that long to stop at that low of speed. The road surface was not highway smooth, but it was not bumpy nor was there excessive moisture on the road, whey Toyota claims is a cause. Since the dealer service department could not duplicate the problem I was sent on my way.
- San Antonio, TX, USA
Entering a freeway from a downgrade cloverleaf entrance ramp. Dealer used new car, $7,000 miles. Driving home from dealership after purchase. Weather was mixed rain and freezing rain. I applied the brakes to complete the last segment of the clockwise cloverleaf turn. Brakes locked. No anti-lock action occurred. Car slid into the left curb and bounced off to hit the right curb. Total front end undercarriage damage. Cost to repair, $14,000+. more than a month to get parts and repair at dealer preferred repair shop.
- Marlboro, NJ, USA
This is to report a problem with braking system in Lexus 250H 2010 model car. When I drive over a bump the car loses a braking power and it causes what seems like an acceleration forward. Luckily there were not any accidents yet as I keep sufficient distance, but it could lead to severe consequences.
- Chestnut Hill, MA, USA
I purchased a new 2010 Lexus hs250H on October 31, 2009. I commute approximately 20 miles each way to my office in downtown denver, co. Approximately 2 months ago while traveling North on Lincoln street and braking hard to slow for a left turn onto colfax with a green light, I experienced momentary brake failure and went into the intersection unable to slow or stop. The street in the far left turn lane has several large bumps and I initially attributed the problem to the car's suspension when I filled out a survey for Lexus. Since that event, I have had two more similar problems at the same intersection. On February 5, I reported the issue to the Lexus dealership where I purchased the car and provided them imformation similar to the above details. They are looking into the issue at this time. I believe that this is similar to the issues reported with the 2010 prius and should be included with that research.
- Lone Tree, CO, USA
Lexis hs250H 2010.....on 4 different ocasions the brakes fade and almost caused me to have a rear end accident. I informed Lexus and they said there was nothing wrong. I have owned a hybrid car in the past and the brakes on that car worked as they should. This vehicle you can not tell if it will stop in time.
- Perrineville, NJ, USA
We own a Lexus Hs-250H that seems to have a problem with the braking system. On uneven or bumpy road surfaces when the brakes are applied they do not initially respond. It takes a second braking application for the stopping process to begin. This defect has occurred approximately 4 times since we purchased the car in September, 2009.
- Bloomfield Hills, MI, USA
Approaching intersection using brake car accelerated on three separate incidences. 3,000 miles on car. All three incidences in last 500 miles.
- N. Dartmouth, MA, USA
When at a mid-speeds (typically 35 to 50 mph) and one tries to brake on a rough, uneven or loose gravel surface, the car accelerates against the driver's braking. This is particularly problematic when making a turn from a bumpy or uneven road. The acceleration force overpowers the driver's braking and makes the turn difficult causing the driver potentially to overshoot the turn. This acceleration against braking has also occurred on straight road driving when one brakes from mid-speeds on uneven, bumpy or loose gravel roads. This event has occurred repeatedly in similar circumstances.
- Houston, TX, USA
Brakes momentarily don't function as I drive over uneven road. It feels like you are hydro-planning(skidding) even though road is not wet.
- Dallas, TX, USA
- Harrisburg, PA, USA