My 2018 RX 450h (GYL25) makes a sharp, metallic scrape every time I press the brake lightly at the very end of a stop or while inching forward. It’s repeatable below about 5 km/h and gets LOUD whenever the outside temperature is under 5-20 °C; above 20 °C it almost disappears. The sound comes straight from the ABS/ECB modulator (part # 44510-48080) – confirmed with Techstream logs and a chassis-ear mic. The pump/accumulator (# 47070-48080) is fine: 16-17 MPa, 4-5 pedal presses per cycle, zero DTCs.
Lexus issued TSB L-SB-0032-23 Rev 1 for this exact “squawk/knock” noise and quietly replaced the modulator with a redesigned unit (# 44050-48320). In the US this swap is often covered under goodwill or extended warranty. Here in Ireland the dealer quoted me €2,300 parts & labour and flat-out refused goodwill, even though the fault is 100 % acknowledged by Lexus engineering.
A full bleed + Linear Valve Offset Learning only masks the noise for a few weeks; the valve seats are simply worn. Lexus should replace the defective modulator at their expense – it’s their design flaw, not normal wear and tear.
What I want:
Lexus Ireland (or Toyota Europe) to cover the cost of the updated modulator, or issue a formal recall / extended warranty so owners aren’t paying thousands to fix a factory-documented defect.
My 2018 RX 450h (GYL25) makes a sharp, metallic scrape every time I press the brake lightly at the very end of a stop or while inching forward. It’s repeatable below about 5 km/h and gets LOUD whenever the outside temperature is under 5-20 °C; above 20 °C it almost disappears. The sound comes straight from the ABS/ECB modulator (part # 44510-48080) – confirmed with Techstream logs and a chassis-ear mic. The pump/accumulator (# 47070-48080) is fine: 16-17 MPa, 4-5 pedal presses per cycle, zero DTCs.
Lexus issued TSB L-SB-0032-23 Rev 1 for this exact “squawk/knock” noise and quietly replaced the modulator with a redesigned unit (# 44050-48320). In the US this swap is often covered under goodwill or extended warranty. Here in Ireland the dealer quoted me €2,300 parts & labour and flat-out refused goodwill, even though the fault is 100 % acknowledged by Lexus engineering.
A full bleed + Linear Valve Offset Learning only masks the noise for a few weeks; the valve seats are simply worn. Lexus should replace the defective modulator at their expense – it’s their design flaw, not normal wear and tear.
What I want:
Lexus Ireland (or Toyota Europe) to cover the cost of the updated modulator, or issue a formal recall / extended warranty so owners aren’t paying thousands to fix a factory-documented defect.
- George R., Limerick, Ireland