Feb 10, 2022 In bumper to bumper traffic for 45 minutes. Brakes failed completely, pushed brake pedal to floor. ABS did not show BRAKE notification and rolled into car in front. Very slow impact, no damage. 4 people in our car witnessed the incident and freaked that the car would not stop. Brakes worked after hitting car. Had our suicide car towed to Lexus. Case turned over to product liability. On Feb 28 engineers sent but we’re told they have 30 days to review data and event log. Anyone else had this issue and how was it resolved? Thanks

 

Feb 10, 2022 In bumper to bumper traffic for 45 minutes. Brakes failed completely, pushed brake pedal to floor. ABS did not show BRAKE notification and rolled into car in front. Very slow impact, no damage. 4 people in our car witnessed the incident and freaked that the car would not stop. Brakes worked after hitting car. Had our suicide car towed to Lexus. Case turned over to product liability. On Feb 28 engineers sent but we’re told they have 30 days to review data and event log. Anyone else had this issue and how was it resolved? Thanks

 

I’ve heard trucks, buses, big rigs having brake failures but personally not on an NX.

Super curious what the culprit is or was…

 

When Lexus informs us I will update you

 

That’s horrific.

 

Just out of curiosity, what year NX? Were the brakes ever changed or are they original?

 

Year 2018. Brakes are the original ones

 

I’m at a loss, as are the witnesses that were passengers in are our car when the incident occurred. Corporate Lexus said engineers found no evidence that brakes failed.

 

Wow, that’s mind boggling! Mmmm so what’s next? Lawsuit?

 

Unknown at this time. Fighting Lexus is unlikely unless I was a lawyer.

 

Never buying a Lexus again. Disgusting corporate response. Beware, Lexus doesn’t listen to customer only a computer.

 

As much as I believe this happened to you, you must realize the big car companies have to deal with tons of scammers, ambulance chasers, and lawsuit junkies that make a living of trying to extort money for claims of negligence and product liability.

As with most insurance accident cases, witnesses “in the car” usually don’t count for anything due to the obvious conflict of interest.

Hopefully for everyone owning the same car, they don’t find any ongoing defect.

 

You’re right Roscol. It’s definitely insane to fight a giant. It really was a no brainer, pressing on brakes and car did not respond. All in the car were screaming STOP. We just count our blessings it didn’t happen the week prior when my kids and grandkids were coming down a mountain covered in snow.

 

I think there are 2 important clues in your original post:
(1) ~45 minutes in traffic before the incident;
(2) Pedal made a complete stroke ("to the floor") without any braking.

My theory is based on three assumptions.
(assumption 1) The engine was idling for most of the ~45 minutes;
(assumption 2) There was little airflow under the vehicle during the~ 45 minutes;
(assumption 3) The brake fluid in this vehicle has never been replaced.
If any of these is not true, then no need to read any further .

Refer to the image attached below. The upper half shows the location of the brake master cylinder. The ABS actuator module is located directly below the master cylinder. Below the ABS actuator module is a 3-way catalytic converter (lower half of image). Brake fluid flows from the master cylinder, through the ABS actuator module, and then to the individual wheel cylinders, when the brakes are applied.

The theory:
A prolonged duration of idle and/or low steed operation heated the catalytic converter to a high temperature. With little or no airflow, the heat could only rise, heating the brake fluid within the ABS actuator module. Brake fluid absorbs moisture as it ages, resulting in a reduced boiling temperature. The moisture trapped in the brake fluid becomes a gas, which is compressible. The first stroke of the brake pedal mainly compressed the gas, rather than pushing fluid into the brake cylinders.

Immediately releasing the brake pedal and reapplying it probably would have stopped the vehicle, but this is not an instinctive reaction to this situation for most.
Later, a mechanic would have found the brakes to be operating properly.

To prevent a recurrence, have the brake fluid replaced.

 

Thank you to everyone who replied. Since Lexus corporate says car preforms as expected when tested they won’t own what happened. Typically big corporations against the little person. Lexus brand will never be in our driveway again. Be well all.