Hello,

I just put a down payment on a 2006 RX400h, it has 138,000 on the dash, I'm going to pick it up over the weekend, but I'm now little bit concerned with the hybrid system...
I just wanted some advice from some experience owners as I've never owed a hybrid before, and with such a high mileage maybe I should stay away from it?

My question are as follow:

How reliable are these cars? the car I'm trying to purchase looks pretty clean and all, and its even a one owner
How can I tell is the hybrid battery is failing?
Can the car still be driven even if the battery is going bad?
I know its a Toyota, and I read a lot about how reliable they are but is hybrid system concerns me?

Thanks

 

I don't have one, but I looked & researched rx400's & figured a 330/350 would be more cost effective for our needs. Same for same I find I'd be paying more vs the mileage a 400 gets. It'd take me awhile to recoup the $ difference back. Battery & inverter are the main things I found. The 400's also use a cvt which I don't care for, but it helps w/ mileage. Not trying to talk you out of a 400, just pointing out why I went w/ a 350, I went back & forth for for a bit & figured a 330/350 would be a better fit for us. I sure w/ those miles the t/b,w/p has already been done.

 

I guess I would be an example of how good the car is. I have a 2008 which I bought with 89k miles. We now have 249k miles. The only issue has been a radiator leak ( replaced for $100) from Rockauto and the usual such as timing belt, spark plugs, and shocks. I did also replaced the lower control arms on the front suspension. The car is by far one of the best I have ever owned in 50 plus years of driving. The batteries have been very reliable on these cars. If they do start failing they can be replaced with aftermarket for a lot cheaper than the dealer with a better warranty. Yes the car can be driven with them degrading. The other plus is brakes last forever. Typically they go way further than 90k miles. Suggest you have the Transmission fluid drain and filled (Toyota WS only) and make sure the spark plugs were changed at 125k miles. The timing belt is due every 90 to 100k miles. When you get car follow the hybrid 400h forum on this site for any questions or concerns. You live in NY so in winter time the engine (gas) runs more to warm things up. The 12 volt battery (not the hybrid) does fail like other cars. I hope you got a good price. Being were you are located there may be rust on the undercarriage. With some tender care these cars are awesome.

 

I have been dong some research, most seem pretty positive, I registered at Lexus Drive and check the repair history via VIN, looks like the car has be services at Lexus from the very start, oil change etc... I was looking for any notes on Battery issues, didn't come across anything, I've uploaded a photo of the repair history, anything alerting I should look into? Thanks

or https://imgur.com/a/bw3XFIH

 

Your plugs were already done at your 90k service on the doc you attached. Nice!!!

 

I believe your Hybrid Battery lasts a long time. So that's the only thing you might be concerned about. Did you actually plan on getting a Hybrid? I have not read of premature failures of the Hybrid batteries Toyota's and Lexus'. The regular 12V battery will have the typical life and should not be a big deal to replace.

 

I found a youtube video on replacing the hybrid battery in a Toyota Highlander. The Highlander is essentially the RX equivalent. I don't know if you work on your car or not, but if nothing else it is informational. I did find it somewhat difficult to understand the the person speaking as this video was not made in the USA.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bie6dbpk_xA

 

The transmission on the 400H is a CVT, need to use a CTV fluid- Not the wf fluid.

 

I have changed plugs on a highlander, the rear 3 was pretty hard to get to,took me almost 2 days, and from the service history, it looks like it was done 120K. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

It's a 14 year old Lexus with 138K miles. Toyota/Lexus has been producing hybrid cars since 1997, while the mechanical parts of the car have many decades of refinement and a dependable reputation. The repair record looks good. When hybrid batteries start going bad, you can usually replace sections/cells of the battery to PATCH it up and keep driving. If you've had a mechanic check over the car and test the hybrid battery(yes it can be tested), I'd say you're OK for a few years with the understanding that the potential for bad cells increases each year. If you're hoping to buy a Lexus luxury vehicle and keep it for several years with minimal repairs, a non hybrid is the way to go at this age. As mentioned, you may negate any fuel savings with a single battery repair. If you really want a hybrid, I'd go with 2010-12 as that's the next generation and more refined. You didn't mention agreed upon price for your 2006.

 

I have a 2006 rx400h; has about 135,000 miles on it - have never had an issue with the hybrid system. i purchased the car in 2011 with 35,000 miles on it and it runs great.

 

You are correct it uses a CVT trans.
But it also uses WS fluid and not a propriotery CVT fluid you mentioned.
WS is also used in the rear diff for Hybrids.

 

USE Toyota Type WS fluid only.....I have changed mine at least 8 times. All of the research I did was use only what is recommended.

 

My family had a 2003 Highlander and then got a 2006 400h. Both have the same engine, but the 400h felt a lot better IMO. Obviously it's probably not worth it to get a 400h unless it's not too much more expensive than a 350/330 but the ride quality/increased power help make up for it.

 

Canadian here, found a very low mileage '06 400H in Florida a decade ago, grabbed it when the dollar was more amenable to doing this. Now approaching 200,000 MILES. We've since got a new NX (too small) and now just picked up a new 450H (which I will rant about soon), but STILL HAVE have the 400H and I like it much better... simpler, faster, more nimble. And I can't believe how long it goes without brake service. Haven't done anything major except the timing belt. Don't be concerned, it should be a good purchase.