NHTSA Complaint #10318935 — 2007 LEXUS RX350

THIS COMPLAINT IS REGARDING THE VVT-I OIL HOSE ON A 2007 LEXUS RX350. EITHER THE CURRENT RUBBER HOSE OR THE "IMPROVED" RUBBER HOSE WITH LEXUS' SERVICE CAMPAIGN (9LH) DOESN'T ADDRESS THE SAFETY CONCERN ABOUT THIS HOSE. THIS HOSE ROUTES A HIGH PRESSURE FLOW OF HOT ENGINE OIL OUTSIDE THE ENGINE BLOCK. RUBBER DETERIORATES OVER TIME AND MILES AND CAN UNEXPECTEDLY BREAK OR RUPTURE CAUSING ENGINE OIL TO RAPIDLY DRAIN FROM THE ENGINE. DESPITE DENIALS BY TOYOTA/LEXUS, THIS IS IN FACT A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE RUPTURED OIL LINES CAN AND HAVE CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND FIRES WHEN SEIZED ENGINES AND/OR OIL SOAKED TIRES AND/OR BRAKE PADS CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND/OR MOTORISTS TO BECOME STRANDED (POSSIBLY OUT OF CELL PHONE RANGE). I HAVE CONTACTED LEXUS TO PUT THE CORRECT FIX OF ALL METAL OIL LINE WHICH IT BEGAN INSTALLING IN TOYOTA/LEXUS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED DURING APRIL 2008 AND LEXUS REFUSED TO DO SO. I STRONG URGE NHTSA TO INITIATE AN INVESTIGATION ON THIS ISSUE DUE TO THE SAFETY CONCERN. *TR