divkar1221

I recently had an accident which was absolutely scary. I was driving on a residential block and my steering became loose and started spinning. It was continuously spinning towards the right and my car scratched up a parked car until I finally was able to press the brakes and put it in park. After keeping it in park the steering wheel kept spinning out of control and didn't stop until the car was powered off.
The car is with the dealership right now. It hasn't been inspected to my knowledge. They are waiting for a specialist to come and view it. Please give me some advice on what I should do next. So far no one believes me at the dealership.

divkar1221

My car model is a RX 350 2013

Allen K

iTrader: (4)

What were the road conditions like? Last few days have been icy

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

yes sounds like you hit black ice

chikoo

Kept spinning even after he put it in park. Black ice? How?

corradoMR2

I'd have to agree with the icy roads idea even while parking. The steering wheel is physically connected to the rack and pinion such that if it came loose or broke, it would remain that way. If this was the Q50S drive-by-wire steering... maybe a different story.

PS. This should go in the 3RX Forum if a Car Chat Mod can move it there... the OP can get additional owner opinions.

divkar1221

It was two days before the storm came to NY. The road s were clear and no black ice.

Cruiter

I've not heard of anything this crazy before. I understand there were no storms at the time but even a busted hydrant or pipe can create conditions such as you described. If not ice, than no idea. Please update us when you hear from dealer.
Thanks

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

broken steering linkage?

Mors

do you have any aftermarket electronics added? headlights, taillights, led lights, aftermarket remote start? Or something that's not original?

vlad_a

It is electrically-assisted steering, so it is entirely possible for it to turn the steering wheel by itself.
That's what made self-parking possible, as well as lane assist.
Keep us posted on what the dealer finds.

Meanwhile, maybe a dashcam is in order, to prove you are not crazy.

jgr7

iTrader: (1)

There was some talk awhile back in the IS fourm about some crashes where the guys were turning and then the car decided to go straight right in the middle of the turn and the steering wheel was still turning round and round like it wasn't connected to anything.

vlad_a

If the steering wheel is turned, the vehicle can still go straight.
There are many forces in play that the turning wheels have to overcome to make the direction change. If front wheels don't have enough traction, the vehicle will keep moving in its original path regardless of the driver input. Just like on old cars, when you lock the brakes, the steering no longer works.
AWD and 4WD vehicles are more prone to understeer because all 4 wheels are trying to move the car forward. A 4WD vehicle with its differentials locked will only go forward.

This appears to be different from OP's situation. His car unintentionally changed the direction on him and yanked the steering wheel at the same time. The steering wheel is directly connected to the steering rack, so it is possible to hold it in place. However, if it happens unexpectedly, one could certainly loose control of the vehicle.

divkar1221

I just received a call from a specialist that reviewed my car and the computer report in my car. Sorry I'm not technically savy, I can't remember the lingo he used. He wouldn't discuss anything with me and told me to wait for a report for 3 to 4 weeks. Mean While He Will Email me the computer report via email and they are fixing my car already? I'm totally confused and irritated. Hopefully someone from lexus will explain to me finally what happen to my car. I feel unsafe and confused.

divkar1221

There was no black ice, bad roads, and no accidental acceleration. I'm totally upset now because my car insurance took back my car rental because lexus is liable. I am without a car or help.