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The RX's brakes, however, are horrendous. Just as in the first hybrid I ever tested, the RX's brakes engage when you push down on the pedal, then release briefly and engage again.

I'm having this problem with my 450h

 

This is simply a technological issue here of a regenerative braking system with a mechanical system. If you want a more seamless feel, you will have to give up hybrid performance and run both braking systems simultaneously. But the minor blip should not cause safety problems. If your jarring on the brakes in the first place, the mechanical brake is doing all the work from the get go.

 

Before buying a 450h, I read everything I could and read about the difference you would feel in the braking system. When test driving, I asked about it. Sales people said, "what??".

After purchasing, I still haven't felt the variation in braking. Today I went out on a empty four lane highway. I gently applied brakes from 80 and heavily applied brakes from 80.

I could not feel a difference. Smooth, no transitions.

Can the computer be adjusted to smooth this out? I don't need it, perhaps others do.

 

If it happened all the time I could plan for it and it wouldn't bother me. One it happens once in a while it can be unnerving. It hasn't happened to my wife yet but one it does something will have to be done about it or she wont drive it anymore.

 

A little update ....... I was coming to a stop yesterday and ran over a little bump and when the rear tire hit it the breaks quit then came back on. This was the longest period of lost braking I've experienced. I'm going back out to the same spot today to see if I can duplicate the experience before I take it to the dealer. I will make sure there aren't any cars in front of me this time to be safe.