NHTSA Complaint #10380153 — 2006 LEXUS IS 250

A YOUNG LADY PARKED HER 2006 IS 250 LEXUS,EQUIPPED WITH A "SMART KEY" SYSTEM, IN HER ATTACHED GARAGE WHICH WAS ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF HER THREE STORY TOWNHOUSE. SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE WITH THE "KEY FOB" ON HER PERSON, BUT EITHER INADVERTENTLY FORGOT TO SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE OR PUSHED THE START BUTTON IN AN EFFORT TO DO SO BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE YOUNG LADY DID NOT REALIZE THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING AND AFTER ENTERING HER TOWNHOUSE FROM THE GARAGE PLACED THE "KEY FOB" ON A TABLE ON THE SECOND FLOOR. THE YOUNG LADY REMAINED IN HER TOWNHOUSE WITH THE VEHICLE RUNNING IN THE GARAGE UNTIL IT RAN OUT OF GASOLINE AND STOPPED. THE YOUNG LADY WAS SUBSEQUENTLY FOUND DEAD IN HER BATHROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR. THE DEATH WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING AS A RESULT OF THE VEHICLE HAVING BEEN LEFT RUNNING IN THE GARAGE. THE VEHICLE LACKED A "SHUT-DOWN" SWITCH TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF WHEN UNOCCUPIED AND INERT FOR AN INTERVAL OF TIME AND/OR LACKED AN ADEQUATE AURAL WARNING THAT THE "KEY FOB" WAS BEING REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS RUNNING OR THE OPERATOR HAD EXITED THE VEHICLE WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. *TR