NHTSA Complaint #11451061 — 2016 LEXUS RX

Around the middle of the month of January of 2022, I discovered that my 2016 Lexus RX350 has massive oil leak from timing chain cover. Thompson Lexus dealership confirmed this oil leak. This leak not just happened, but it has happened long ago at least 6 months prior to the time that I discovered based on old oil dirty debris deposits and paints popped out and rusted caused by prolong oil on the frame. The reason that did not detect the oil leak right away was that I have almost not used the car at all for the past two years due to Covid situation. Second, I have parked my car on my lawn, so that could not see oil drops. Third, I put my trust on Lexus and Toyota products, so I have not inspected for oil leak periodically. This oil leak has soaked many parts of the engine, frame, electrical connections, and possibly other moving parts such pulleys and belts. This can potentially create smoke or fire hazard and belt and pulley slippery which can lead to accidents. At the time of the oil leak, my car was under 54,000 miles and under 6 years, so it was still under powertrain warranty with is 6 years and 70,000 miles. I have contacted Lexus several times regarding this matter. I told them about location of the oil leak and when oil started leaking, my car was still under powertrain warranty but Lexus refused to pay for the timing cover repair. After doing research on RX350 from timing chain cover, I have found out that a lot of Lexus RX350 has developed oil leak from timing chain cover since year 2009 or 2010 model to 2016 year model. Some RX350 developed timing chain cover oil leak from a few thousand miles of first use to 38,000 miles. Lexus was aware of the problem, but completely ignored and failed address the problem and issue a recall.