gadgetman1

I'm trying to rule out a possible brake problem with my 2016 RX 450H. Sometimes when I back out of my driveway, the front brakes make a clacking noise. Its fairly loud, but I only hear it while applying the brakes while in reverse.

The 2nd thing I'm noticing is pulsating brakes. I don't get this all the time. If I have to make a fairly hard stop, I sometimes get a very noticeable pulsing that feels like the brakes grab & then release several times in a 5 second period. The car stops fine & it doesn't have a sound or feel like the ABS being activated. This has become more pronounced as I've driven the car more. I'm now up to almost 10,000 miles. Anyone else notice this with their 450H?

ggebhardt

Warped rotor? Pulsing is a usual indicator but only way to know is get it looked at.

NateJG

I dismiss that brake clack when backing to the brake pads slapping the opposite side of the brake caliper with the first application of brakes for the day in reverse - as the normal direction is forward. I presume that the noise (which I only notice after the car sits overnight) is due to it breaking free of the minute rust that likely formed from the evening's moisture.

Until someone points to a repair necessitated by such a noise, I'm just ignoring it.

gadgetman1

I thought that at first, but it doesn't feel the same as a warped rotor. It also doesn't do it all the time, and a warped rotor would pulse each time the brakes are engaged.

Nogee

My 450h has 36,000 miles and I noticed a very slight pulsating when going down hill and braking. After today's service it was noted that the rotors were slightly out-of-round. They were turned during the service. This seemed to have started after getting new tires. On our other Chevy, I had issues with rotors and learned that having the wheels torqued incorrectly could have attributed to the issue. So I don't know if that was the case here after I got the new tires.

This is our third 450h and first time that I have had this issue. I will monitor going forward. I did a search for "rotors" on the forum and this was the only thread I found concerning warped rotors.

UPDATE: The other day I was coming down a slight downgrade and slowing to a stop. I noticed pulsating as I came to a stop. It was weird as I thought the engine seemed to be loping. I thought this to be strange since the rotors, according to the service writer, were turned. Still monitoring.

UPDATE June 2019: I now believe that this "feeling" is caused by the engine "missing" or stumbling at very low speeds, like slowing coming to a stop sign. I first thought that the rotors were warped. Dealer turn the rotors which they said were slightly out of round. I have now experienced noticeable stumbling upon initial start up in the morning and once with that "clacking" sound. The car seems to stumble while coming up to speed. Once the car has warmed up, it all seems fine. I live in So Cal and do not experience severe cold temperatures.

viperr

iTrader: (1)

Yup same here. I've had the 2016 RX450h Fsport for a month and assumed the same probable cause. Happened twice in the past week and a half when in started raining here in SoCal...

yamaturkey

gadgetman1

xcinlb

I have the same thing on our Prius. When backing up the brakes make the clacking noise. When having to stop more suddenly, the brakes grab and release a bit and sometimes just grab more than you were anticipating and then release. It's not very reassuring at all. As I am about to pull the trigger on either a 450H or 300H NX, this is disappointing to hear. I guess its the way the regenerative braking works for Toyota/Lexus.

JSracer

zero issues with grabbing and releasing in my 450, so please don't assume that a couple here with issues and yours makes the entire hybrid line have the issue.
i tow in the mountains my motorcycle as well, no issues there either, very smooth and predictable and consistent. No grab and release like you describe as i would suspect your rotors are warped,
Also keep in mind, that a fraction of the rx owners are here and the rest aren't weighing in on if they have issues. Forums are an extremely small sample.

Test drive the vehicle you are looking to purchase and all will be well. No worries. Enjoy your new ride when you get it.

xcinlb

JSracer

Sounds like it's very easy for you to diagnose what the issue is
had them checked out by who, what did they say that issue was in the pulsing and grabbing?? They checked the rear as well??

xcinlb

gadgetman1