I own a 2007 RX400h with 160K miles on it. Recently, I have to put a lot of pressure when moving the gear shifter between gears. Is the shifter assembly as a whole bad or shifter cable binding. If someone here had a similar issue and knows a fix. I am also looking for instructions on how to remove the shifter assembly.

There was few folks in Highlander Hybrid forum with similar issue. Ended being shifter lubrication issue down in the console. Some plastic bushing....

well i guess as they say timing is everything. Just returned from a 4k miles trip with wife's Rx350 and jumped back into my hybrid and the first thing i noticed was how 'stiff' the shifter was. I attributed it to her's just being 'looser' than mine and maybe the fact that mine had been just sitting in the cold for two weeks but i figured it would work itself out. After three days it still feels 'stiff'. I can't remember if this seemed normal to me prior to me taking her car for the vacation. Now you have piqued my interest , i'll check the HL forums. Thanks

your shifter cable is likely getting old and frayed - first easy fix solution is to use wd40 or white grease under the car exactly where the shifter cable and the metal linkage point is to the transmission - that should do the trick.... and i would continue doing that every-time the car is on a hoist (ie. every oil change). eventually the shifter cable itself may need replacement.

Fixed. hopefully this thread will continue to help others.

2nd rx400h with this same issue - i had to deal with this issue almost 9-10 years ago with my first rx400h.

Just got it fixed and working back to new in 5 mins. Spray the lube on the shifter linkage (at bottom of the very front of the front bumper under the black protective panel). The transmission shifting will work as good as new & to keep it from acting up, continue to spray lube this area every time the car is up on a hoist (oil changes and/or any maintenance).

This issue is common when the cars are older / higher in milage ... but will really show up when the weather gets winter C O L D. But it is a VERY quick, easy and CHEAP fix vs the official lexus-fix will be a 4 figure 'frayedshiftercable replacement' .