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Steering Defect - Increased Steering Effort or Sticky Steering
sticky steering; steering wheel feels stuck; increased steering effort; steering recall
Safety2023
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2023-2026 Lexus RX 350: turbo faults, 12V battery drain, e-latch entrapment, phantom braking. One recall. California lemon law may help — free case review.
You paid $55,000 or more for a completely redesigned Lexus RX 350. The badge promises Lexus reliability — built over decades on engines that ran forever and interiors that stayed quiet. The 2023 fifth-generation RX is a genuine departure: new 2.4-liter turbo engine, new eight-speed transmission, new electronic door handles, new infotainment platform, new ADAS suite. New, everywhere you look. And some of that newness is already showing cracks.
Owners across 2023, 2024, and 2025 model years have filed more than 120 complaints with NHTSA covering issues that go well beyond luxury inconveniences. The T24A-FTS turbo engine produced fault code P25B372 (wastegate actuator) in enough cars that Toyota issued bulletin T-SB-0084-23 — and one owner reported 800+ replacement parts nationally backordered. The eight-speed automatic has shuddered and jerked, and in one case left a father and son crawling at 4,000 RPM on the highway on Christmas Eve with no open dealerships.
The 12-volt auxiliary battery is failing at a rate Consumer Reports calls out as its top concern for 2023 and 2024. That matters more on this generation because Lexus replaced mechanical door handles with electronic e-latches that require battery power. When the battery fails — sometimes within weeks of delivery — the doors stop opening. At least one family with infants in car seats was physically trapped inside their RX 350 (NHTSA ODI 11722677). If your RX has returned to the dealer repeatedly without a real fix, California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act may give you options your dealer has not mentioned.
The issues owners report most, ranked by severity — each one verified against a cited NHTSA source.
sticky steering; steering wheel feels stuck; increased steering effort; steering recall
check engine light comes on; Drive-Start Control Malfunction warning; car won't accelerate above 1 MPH; limp mode; engine revs but vehicle barely moves; fault code P25B372; sudden loss of power on highway; car restarts normally after shutoff
harsh jerking when accelerating from stop; transmission hesitation off a full stop; abnormal shuddering in reverse; car feels like it's stalling when pressing gas; transmission won't catch 2nd or 3rd gear; RPMs shooting up to 4000 at low speed; violent shuddering at traffic signal; rough downshifting; lurching in cold weather
screen goes blank and won't come back; infotainment freezes and requires reboot; backup camera disappears while screen is frozen; wireless CarPlay disconnects; Android Auto screen won't return after phone call ends; forward collision warning light comes on with no warning from software freeze; Bluetooth disconnects repeatedly while driving
car suddenly slams on brakes for no reason; automatic emergency braking activates on highway with no car in front; sudden hard stop at freeway speeds; AEB triggered by shadows, leaves, rain, or overhead bridges; pre-collision warning lights up with no obstacle; car slows from 40 mph to 12 mph unexpectedly with traffic behind; lane-keep assist veers car toward shoulder unexpectedly
car won't start after sitting a few days; 12 volt battery dead repeatedly; all electronics go dead; doors won't open; windows won't roll down; battery light on; jump start required after short parking period; battery replaced but fails again within weeks; battery drains overnight; multiple system malfunction warnings when battery voltage drops
A settled Margarian Law case on this exact model, published with the actual settlement math.
Open any defect for the symptoms and why it matters for a California lemon-law claim. Each is tied to a cited NHTSA source.
sticky steering; steering wheel feels stuck; increased steering effort; steering recall
NHTSA recall 23V480000 addresses a steering column spiral cable assembly weld defect that can deactivate the driver's airbag, leaving the occupant unprotected in a crash. Under California Song-Beverly, a safety recall — particularly one involving airbag non-deployment — is strong evidence that the vehicle has a substantial defect. If the dealer's recall remedy (spiral cable inspection and replacement) fails to permanently resolve the issue, or if the owner's vehicle required multiple dealer visits related to the steering column, the repair history supports a lemon-law claim. Recall 23V480000 covers 152,927 vehicles across Toyota and Lexus platforms, indicating a systemic manufacturing defect rather than an isolated failure.
Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TA08. Lexus' number for this recall is 23LA02.
check engine light comes on; Drive-Start Control Malfunction warning; car won't accelerate above 1 MPH; limp mode; engine revs but vehicle barely moves; fault code P25B372; sudden loss of power on highway; car restarts normally after shutoff
A limp-mode event that leaves the vehicle unable to accelerate on a highway is a safety defect under California's Song-Beverly Act (Cal. Civ. Code §1793.2(d)). If the dealer fails to repair the wastegate actuator or associated calibration defect within a reasonable number of attempts — or keeps the vehicle out of service for 30+ cumulative days — the owner may be entitled to a replacement vehicle or refund. The documented dealer dispute over warranty coverage (ODI 11740958) is a common friction pattern that supports a Song-Beverly claim when the defect recurs.
Replace turbocharger wastegate actuator assembly (covered under Federal Emissions Warranty 8 yr/80k mi per TSB T-SB-0084-23). Apply ECU calibration update 24LC03 if limp-mode events occur without P25B372. Escalate to Lexus corporate if dealer declines warranty coverage citing absence of a Lexus-branded bulletin.
harsh jerking when accelerating from stop; transmission hesitation off a full stop; abnormal shuddering in reverse; car feels like it's stalling when pressing gas; transmission won't catch 2nd or 3rd gear; RPMs shooting up to 4000 at low speed; violent shuddering at traffic signal; rough downshifting; lurching in cold weather
Transmission hesitation that creates a safety hazard during left turns and freeway merges — and that recurs despite multiple dealer software recalibrations — fits the Song-Beverly 'reasonable number of repair attempts' pattern. California law does not require the defect to be safety-critical; a recurring drivability defect that impairs the vehicle's use is sufficient. Owners who have returned to the dealer 2+ times for the same shift complaint without resolution may have a viable claim.
TCM/ECM software recalibration (partial mitigation). If symptoms persist after software update, dealer may inspect and replace torque converter or valve body components. Some owners report no fix available after multiple dealer visits.
screen goes blank and won't come back; infotainment freezes and requires reboot; backup camera disappears while screen is frozen; wireless CarPlay disconnects; Android Auto screen won't return after phone call ends; forward collision warning light comes on with no warning from software freeze; Bluetooth disconnects repeatedly while driving
A backup camera that regularly goes offline due to infotainment freeze is not just inconvenient — it disables a federally mandated safety feature. Under Song-Beverly, an infotainment defect that disables safety-adjacent systems (backup camera, collision warnings) and that recurs after dealer software updates constitutes an 'unsuccessful repair attempt.' Owners with 2+ dealer visits for the same screen-freeze issue, especially where the backup camera was unavailable, have a legitimate basis for a California lemon-law inquiry.
Software updates via dealer or over-the-air (where available). Some owners report partial improvement after updates; wireless CarPlay and Android Auto integration issues may require factory reset or hardware module replacement. No permanent fix confirmed as of mid-2026.
car suddenly slams on brakes for no reason; automatic emergency braking activates on highway with no car in front; sudden hard stop at freeway speeds; AEB triggered by shadows, leaves, rain, or overhead bridges; pre-collision warning lights up with no obstacle; car slows from 40 mph to 12 mph unexpectedly with traffic behind; lane-keep assist veers car toward shoulder unexpectedly
An ADAS system that applies full emergency braking at highway speed without cause creates a rear-end collision risk more dangerous than the hazard it is designed to prevent. Under Song-Beverly, a safety defect that cannot be reproduced by the dealer does not negate the owner's legal rights — the 'cannot duplicate' outcome counts as a repair attempt. Owners with 2+ dealer visits for phantom braking, or who have been out of service for 30+ cumulative days while the dealer attempts diagnosis, may qualify for a buyback or replacement under California lemon law.
ADAS sensor/camera recalibration and software update. If phantom braking recurs after update, the Pre-Collision System camera module may require replacement. Multiple owners report dealers unable to replicate or resolve despite extended shop time (up to 16 days in one documented case).
car won't start after sitting a few days; 12 volt battery dead repeatedly; all electronics go dead; doors won't open; windows won't roll down; battery light on; jump start required after short parking period; battery replaced but fails again within weeks; battery drains overnight; multiple system malfunction warnings when battery voltage drops
A vehicle stranded by repeated 12V battery failure — especially one that has had the battery replaced 2+ times within the warranty period — presents strong Song-Beverly grounds. California's lemon law counts each unsuccessful repair attempt, including replacements that do not solve the underlying parasitic drain. A vehicle out of service for 30+ cumulative days across all repair visits (combined) also triggers the presumption of a lemon under Cal. Civ. Code §1793.22, regardless of whether any single incident was 'fixed.' Owners should document every jump-start, roadside assistance call, and repair order.
Dealer replaces 12V battery (temporary fix). Some owners report third or fourth battery replacement within 15 months. Parasitic draw diagnosis; potential software update to reduce standby current. No permanent OEM fix confirmed as of mid-2026.
door handles don't work; doors won't open from inside or outside; trapped inside the car when battery dies; electronic door latches unresponsive; manual override unreachable or ineffective; door handles fail in cold weather or frost; children or infants unable to exit when power fails; door requires jumpstart to open
Occupant entrapment caused by an electronic door system that fails when the battery fails is a serious safety defect. Under Song-Beverly, a defect that prevents safe exit from the vehicle — regardless of whether it is the result of a single component failure or the interaction of two defective systems (battery + e-latch) — is a safety concern that qualifies for accelerated lemon-law consideration. Owners who have been entrapped even once, or whose door handles have failed in cold weather repeatedly, should preserve all repair orders and file an NHTSA complaint.
Restore 12V power (jump-start) to release doors. Replace failing 12V battery. Cold-weather failures (ODI 11703223) may require temperature-rated battery upgrade. Lexus has not issued a recall or design change as of mid-2026. Owners should be informed of manual override locations before encountering an emergency.
sunroof explodes with a loud bang; panoramic glass shatters while driving on highway; moonroof cracks and collapses inward; glass falls on rear passengers; no visible external impact; glass shatters while parked in heat; sounded like a gunshot; glass flying into passenger cabin
Spontaneous sunroof glass failure that rains shards on occupants at highway speeds is a safety defect. If the manufacturer disputes warranty coverage and the dealer cannot prevent recurrence, the owner is left with an unresolved safety condition. California Song-Beverly does not require multiple repair attempts if the defect presents an imminent safety risk; a single serious event may be sufficient. Owners should document denial of warranty coverage in writing and preserve the original repair order as evidence for a Song-Beverly claim.
Dealer or aftermarket glass replacement (cost: $1,600-$4,000). Warranty coverage disputed — some dealers deny coverage attributing failure to external impact despite no evidence of strike. Insurance coverage varies. No preventive fix available.
steering recall notice; loss of steering control; abnormal steering feel, noise, or pull after a pothole or curb impact; repeated dealer repair
Recall 26V598000 documents a manufacturing error in the front steering knuckles of certain 2026 vehicles that can cause the knuckle to crack and break, resulting in a loss of steering control. Toyota's remedy is inspection and replacement of the front steering knuckles, but owner letters are not expected until November 2, 2026. A steering component that can fracture is a safety-critical defect under Song-Beverly. A California owner who reported steering noise, abnormal steering feel, or a knuckle concern before the remedy is available, or whose dealer cannot complete the inspection and replacement within a reasonable time, should keep every repair order; each unsuccessful visit for the same steering condition counts toward the repair-attempt threshold, and cumulative days out of service also matter.
Dealers will inspect and replace the front steering knuckles, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TA19 and 26LA09.
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Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2026 Lexus TX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX350, RX500 Hybrid, TX500 Hybrid, Toyota Grand Highlander, and Grand Highlander Hybrid vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the front steering knuckles may crack and break, which can result in a loss of vehicle steering control.
remedy available
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, 2023 Lexus RX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX500 Hybrid, 2023-2024 Lexus NX250, NX350, and NX350 Hybrid vehicles. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Every item below comes from this vehicle's documented defects. The more you recognize, the more a free case review is worth your time.
California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §1790 et seq.) may apply to your Lexus RX 350 if the dealer has been unable to fix a defect after a reasonable number of attempts within the warranty period.
You may qualify for a refund or replacement if the vehicle has a defect that substantially impairs its use, value, or safety, and the manufacturer has had a reasonable opportunity to repair it. California law presumes a lemon if: (a) the same defect has required 4+ repair attempts, or (b) the vehicle has been out of service 30+ cumulative calendar days.
For RX 350 owners, the defects most likely to support a claim include turbo wastegate failure (P25B372) recurring after dealer replacement; 12-volt battery replaced 2+ times within the warranty period; phantom AEB that has sent you to the dealer multiple times without resolution; e-latch entrapment events; and infotainment freeze that disables the backup camera after repeated software updates.
If you qualify, you may be entitled to a replacement vehicle or a full refund including taxes, registration, and finance charges, minus a reasonable use offset. The manufacturer typically pays your attorney fees if you prevail.
This summary reflects California law as of June 2026. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Eligibility depends on the facts of your case.
“Could not duplicate” doesn't mean the defect isn't real. Here's exactly what to do to protect a potential California lemon-law claim.
Document the moment it happens. Photos, video, and screenshots of any warning lights — with the date and the mileage.
Get a repair order every visit — even “found nothing.” That paperwork is the foundation of a claim.
Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Note any recall that has no available remedy yet.
Track your out-of-service days. California law counts the cumulative days your vehicle spends in the shop.
Keep loaner & rental records. Alternate-transport paperwork during long repairs matters.
Save everything in one place. Symptoms, dates, repair orders, and every repeat visit — the intermittent ones especially.
The most frustrating dealer response: 'We drove it for three days and couldn't make it happen.' Here is how to build a documented repair trail that matters under California law.
1. LOG EVERY INCIDENT. Date, time, ambient temperature, mileage, speed, and exactly what happened. If the turbo limp mode triggered at 70 mph on I-10 on a hot afternoon, say so. Specifics help technicians reproduce conditions and become evidence in your paper trail.
2. FILM IT. Keep your phone rolling on the dash when a symptom might recur. A 20-second clip of the tachometer at 4,000 RPM while barely moving — or the screen frozen with no backup camera — is evidence no repair order can erase.
3. DEMAND DOCUMENTATION EVEN IF THEY CAN'T REPLICATE. Ask the service advisor to write in the repair order: 'Customer reports [exact symptom]; unable to duplicate at this visit.' That wording counts as a repair attempt under California law.
4. TAKE YOUR REPAIR ORDER BEFORE YOU LEAVE. The RO must state what symptom you reported, not just what the technician checked. If it says 'no fault found' without your complaint, ask them to correct it before you sign.
5. TRACK CUMULATIVE SHOP DAYS. Song-Beverly counts total calendar days at the dealer across all visits. Keep a log — 30 or more cumulative days triggers the lemon presumption under Cal. Civ. Code §1793.22.
6. REFERENCE THE TOYOTA BULLETIN. For turbo issues, cite T-SB-0084-23 and fault code P25B372. For phantom braking, ask whether the ADAS camera was recalibrated and request the procedure number on the repair order. Specific bulletin references put the dealer on notice that you know the documented defect record.
The 2023 RX 350 is a genuine ground-up redesign — which is exactly the problem. First-year engines and transmissions have learning curves. First-year infotainment platforms have bugs. First-year e-latches apparently have a fundamental vulnerability when the 12-volt battery — itself a recurring failure point — dies. These problems are not unusual for a redesign. What is unusual is that they are happening in a vehicle wearing the Lexus badge, at Lexus prices.
The turbo wastegate actuator is covered under Federal Emission Warranty, and software can help the infotainment. The harder problem is the 12V battery and e-latch combination, which Lexus has not recalled, and which poses a genuine occupant safety risk. If your RX has returned to the dealer repeatedly without a real fix, the California lemon law exists precisely for this situation.
— The Margarian Law team
If your 2023-2026 Lexus RX 350 has been to the dealer multiple times for a turbo engine fault, battery failures, phantom braking, a freezing infotainment system, or doors that won't open — and the problem keeps coming back — you may have options under California's lemon law. Margarian Law offers a free case review with no upfront cost.
The 'Drive-Start Control Malfunction' warning combined with a check engine light on the 2023-2026 Lexus RX 350 often points to fault code P25B372 — a stuck turbocharger wastegate actuator on the T24A-FTS 2.4L turbo engine. Toyota issued Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0084-23 covering this defect; the repair is covered under the Federal Emissions Warranty for 8 years or 80,000 miles. Ask your dealer to check for P25B372 specifically and reference the Toyota bulletin if they are unfamiliar with it (ODI 11740958). If the dealer declines warranty coverage, escalate to Lexus corporate and consult a California lemon-law attorney if the problem recurs.
The 2023-2025 Lexus RX 350 is the first generation to use electronic door latches (e-latches), shift-by-wire, and always-on connectivity modules — all of which draw continuous current from the 12-volt auxiliary battery, even when the car is parked. Consumer Reports flags battery drain as a primary trouble spot for 2023 and 2024 RX models, and NHTSA has received 20+ complaints about rapid battery failure across the first three model years. Owners report batteries failing as early as five weeks from delivery, with some dealers unable to resolve the issue after 3.5 months and multiple battery replacements (ODI 11671336). If your battery has failed twice, document every repair order — repeated battery failure within the warranty period supports a California Song-Beverly lemon-law claim.
The 2023 Lexus RX 350 replaced mechanical door handles with electronic e-latches that require 12-volt battery power to operate. When the 12V battery fails — which happens frequently on this generation — the e-latches lose power and the doors become inoperable. Multiple owners have reported being trapped inside their vehicles, including a 2024 RX 350 case where infants in car seats could not reach the interior manual override (NHTSA complaint ODI 11722677). Cold weather also causes e-latch failures independently of battery state (ODI 11703223). As of mid-2026, Lexus has not issued a recall for the e-latch system. Owners who have been entrapped or whose handles have failed repeatedly should file an NHTSA complaint at nhtsa.gov and consult a lemon-law attorney, as occupant entrapment is a serious safety defect under Song-Beverly.
The Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (LSS+ 3.0) automatic emergency braking system on the 2023+ RX 350 has produced documented false activations across multiple model years. NHTSA complaints describe full emergency braking at highway speed on the I-405 with no obstacle present (ODI 11717700, 2024 RX 350), phantom activations triggered by a leaf or rain in a parking lot (ODI 11708478), and one 2025 owner who experienced 5 false AEB events in 2.5 months — spending 24 combined days at two dealerships without a fix (ODI 11694165). If your dealer cannot reproduce or resolve the problem, request a ADAS camera recalibration and ask that the recalibration procedure number appear on the repair order. Two or more unresolved dealer visits for phantom braking may support a California lemon-law claim.
More than 11 owners have filed NHTSA complaints describing the panoramic moonroof on 2023-2025 Lexus RX 350 vehicles shattering without warning — while driving at highway speed and while parked, with no external impact. A glass repair technician noted they replace 5-6 Lexus sunroofs per week, suggesting the real incidence is far higher than NHTSA complaint data reflects (ODI 11683009). The failure pattern is consistent with spontaneous tempered glass fracture caused by thermal stress or manufacturing inclusion defects. As of mid-2026, Lexus has not issued a recall, and dealers routinely dispute warranty coverage. If your sunroof shattered and the dealer denied warranty coverage in writing, that denial — combined with the documented pattern of identical failures — may support a Song-Beverly claim for an unresolved safety defect.
The 2023-2026 Lexus RX 350 carries one NHTSA recall (23V480000 — driver airbag deactivation risk) and has accumulated 120+ owner complaints spanning turbo engine faults, battery drain, phantom braking, infotainment freezes, and spontaneous sunroof shattering. Any one of these defects may qualify for a California Song-Beverly claim if it has not been fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (typically 2 for safety defects, 4 for others) or if the vehicle has been out of service 30+ cumulative days. You do not need to have every problem on this list — even a single recurring defect the dealer cannot fix may be enough. California law as of June 2026 allows recovery including a full refund or replacement vehicle. Margarian Law offers a free case review with no upfront cost.
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