NHTSA Complaint #10864608 — 2007 LEXUS RX350

THE PASSENGER SIDE OUTSIDE MIRROR EXPLODED SENDING GLASS SHARDS AND CAUSTIC LIQUID ON THE SIDE WINDOW AND PAINTED SURFACE OF THE DOOR AND FENDER AREAS. EXPLOSION WAS SPONTANEOUS WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE, AMBIENT TEMP 50'S, NO BIRD STRIKE, THROWN ROCK OR PROJECTILE. EXPLOSION WAS GUN-SHOT LOUD. VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT 10MPH ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREET. NO OTHER MOVING CARS AT THE TIME AND THE MIRROR DID NOT COME IN CONTACT WITH ANYTHING. INTERNET SEARCH OF EXPLODING MIRRORS REVEALED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF MANY BRANDS OF VEHICLES. CAUSE OF THE EXPLOSION HAS TO DO WITH THE DIMMING FUNCTION IN THE MIRRORS OF LATE MODEL VEHICLES. THE EXACT MECHANISM CAN ONLY BE GUESSED. THE CAUSTIC LIQUID MIGHT, UNDER PRESSURE AND ELECTRICAL CHARGE TEND TO BEND THE MIRROR IN SOME WAY, AND AFTER SOME TIME, FAIL CATASTROPHICALLY. THIS THEORY WAS CONFIRMED BY A STATE INSPECTION OFFICER WHO HAS HEARD OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH LATE MODEL YEAR SIDE MIRRORS WITH DIMMER FUNCTION. COST OF REPAIR FROM ONE ESTIMATE WAS $1300 FOR A NEW MIRROR AND REPAINTING OF THE MARRED SURFACES. LEXUS HAS REFUSED OUR REQUEST TO REIMBURSEMENT OR EVEN TO CONSIDER THAT THE MIRROR COULD HAVE EXPLODED. I WOULD ALSO ADD THAT HAD THERE BEEN A PASSENGER SEATED AND THE WINDOW DOWN, GLASS SHARDS AND CAUSTIC LIQUID WOULD SURELY HAVE STRUCK THE PASSENGER IN THE FACE. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE MIRRORS AND A RECALL IS CLEARLY IN ORDER.