I have a Rx350 (09) - I was rear ended on Friday and lost all power and BRAKES to my car. From being rear ended I was propelled forward and since I had no brakes the only option to stop was navigating through parked cars to the end of a parking lot and ultimately stopping when I hit a fence and tree. I’ve read the inertia switch is to prevent fires, but I’m concerned why I lost braking options as well. I haven’t slept at night since thinking of the possibilities of running into a playground, oncoming traffic, a storefront etc. has anyone had this experience or is this “normal“? Waiting for a call from the insurance adjuster. This is my third RX but this is a huge concern Thx!

 

Did you pump the brakes? They will not have power to the booster and will require more force, but should work ultimately.

 

I don’t know that I would’ve “pumped” the brakes but I was definitely hitting the brakes (hard; but also aware that the pavement was slick due to rain) to stop & to stop from hitting the fence/tree.

 

Inertia switch? I didn't know there was one of these on the car. Could someone tell me what it does and where it is located?

 

Can't say for sure if these vehicle's have one or where it is (OP states there is one), but they are a sensor/switch to detect a collision and shut off the fuel supply in that case.

 

you pump the pedal to build up pressure, as in press and release the pedal multiple times until it is hard to press and brakes are engaging. Normally the brake booster builds the pressure for you.