greenway

Like many 2007 RX 400h vehicle owners, I got my IPM replaced in November 2013 after the recall. Had not previously had any problems like this, but I was accelerating onto the highway after filling up my gas tank on Monday when both the "Check Hybrid System" and "Check VSC System" messages started flashing on the display. Check Engine light also came on. The car struggled to get up to about 50 MPH as I merged into traffic - I checked to confirm that I was in Drive (I was), shifted into Neutral and then back into Drive just to be sure - and pressing on the accelerator pedal was getting me no additional power at all. Pulled over into the breakdown lane and basically coasted with the emergency lights on... made it to the next off-ramp and into an office park (the terrain was all downhill, fortunately). Stopped, called AAA, and I noticed sort of a burnt rubber smell.

About an hour later, AAA arrived and they were able to drive the car up onto the flat bed (we didn't try to go any further, given all the warnings in the Owners Manual about driving the car once warnings like Check Hybrid System have come on). The dealer, Lexus of Sharon (Massachusetts), could find NOTHING in the car's diagnostic system the next day, nor were they able to recreate any of the same conditions in 25 miles or so of driving. So they shrugged and gave me back the car, which I drove home an hour ago... she's running like a top.

Here's my question: how worried should I be about this recurring? Anyone else experience a similar mystery or problem like this with their car? Thanks in advance for advice!

Carver

Don't know about the hybrid but a loose gas cap can throw a code on the gas model. It doesn't cause the car to misbehave like your car but again, I have no idea how a hybrid would respond.

Rainbird

You should really post this question in the hybrid technology forum (RX 400h). Maybe a moderator would move it for you.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/hybrid-technology-187/

greenway

Thanks, Carver... Didn't know that about a gas cap on the RX... would love that if it's the solution!

Rainbird - Thanks for the tip on moving this post to the hybrid technology... Will try to repost there now.

nlayla

hi Greenway,
I got my IPM replaced in my 400h 2008 too. Some technicians/mechanics at Lexus shops don't know how to work on our hybrids. Did they do the ISC reset? Here's a link with a PDF too: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums...nostic-tester/

I see that this post is in August, hope you got this figured out already. If not, check out the http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums...nostic-tester/ not sure if it will help.
Good Luck.