Deal Or No Deal
Thread Starter
10th Gear
Joined: May 2026
Posts: 10
Likes: 3
From: California
Deal Or No Deal
Ok... I know that that is a multi page thread going on for years regarding the 12v battery issue that is occurring with the RX 350/450 Hybrid models. My question is simple is anyone NOT having this issue?
The fact that many owners have resigned themselves to buy a portable jumper box and or trickle charger has resulted in Lexus semi ignoring the symptom in my opinion.
So DEAL or No Deal - .. i would like to consider this vehicle but for gods sake it cant even keep a charge and leaves owners stranded ?
Please help convince me why I should move from my 2020 Porsche Macan ( No issues what so ever in 6 plus years) -- Yes standard maintenance is super expensive
The fact that many owners have resigned themselves to buy a portable jumper box and or trickle charger has resulted in Lexus semi ignoring the symptom in my opinion.
So DEAL or No Deal - .. i would like to consider this vehicle but for gods sake it cant even keep a charge and leaves owners stranded ?
Please help convince me why I should move from my 2020 Porsche Macan ( No issues what so ever in 6 plus years) -- Yes standard maintenance is super expensive
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 980
Likes: 647
From: California
Before I bought my Lexus RX450H+ - I tried to research about the 12 V battery and reliability in general, from November 2023:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/hyb...l#post11611355
You can see those posts in posterity, and judge against now - based on the 12 V battery thread you referenced. Yes, it happened to me in April 2024. Yes, I was prepared for it due to that thread, and it hasn't to me since, as I've taken precautions (and also because my driving of the car has increased) - and then insured against it with the Ionic, as Lexus will never fix it unless a Class Action forces them to. Right now, I consider my risk of being stranded is 0 % - due to the Ionic. Those are the facts from my perspective.
But overall, you shouldn't really be asking random, anonymous forum-members online to convince you of anything - you can do way better for your own sake, by flipping a coin instead ;-)
Last edited by wrinkle; Jun 2, 2026 at 10:30 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 285
Likes: 223
From: FL
One thing you should keep in mind regarding how heavily you weigh the information you get here is that forums like Club Lexus tend to have a form of self-selection bias. People whose vehicle is working perfectly and have no issues usually drive it, enjoy it, and never post on a forum. People who have a problem, concern, or question are much more motivated to create an account and start a thread. People such as yourself come and ask questions because they are considering a purchase and are wondering about potential problems. This further concentrates discussions around negatives. The key here is to recognize this and use the information to identify things that CAN go wrong, not HOW OFTEN they happen or don't happen. If you get 50 responses from members who've had the battery issue, you really don't know if that's 50 out of 200 or 50 out of 200,000.
This is a great forum for learnings about technical information, DIY procedures, discussions about recalls or TSBs, and learning about known issues (like the hybrid 12v battery). It's a poor tool for estimating the probability of that problem happening to you should you decide to buy one.
This is a great forum for learnings about technical information, DIY procedures, discussions about recalls or TSBs, and learning about known issues (like the hybrid 12v battery). It's a poor tool for estimating the probability of that problem happening to you should you decide to buy one.
Last edited by PortStLucieRX350; Jun 3, 2026 at 05:07 AM.
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Thread Starter
10th Gear
Joined: May 2026
Posts: 10
Likes: 3
From: California
One thing you should keep in mind regarding how heavily you weigh the information you get here is that forums like Club Lexus tend to have a form of self-selection bias. People whose vehicle is working perfectly and have no issues usually drive it, enjoy it, and never post on a forum. People who have a problem, concern, or question are much more motivated to create an account and start a thread. People such as yourself come and ask questions because they are considering a purchase and are wondering about potential problems. This further concentrates discussions around negatives. The key here is to recognize this and use the information to identify things that CAN go wrong, not HOW OFTEN they happen or don't happen. If you get 50 responses from members who've had the battery issue, you really don't know if that's 50 out of 200 or 50 out of 200,000.
This is a great forum for learnings about technical information, DIY procedures, discussions about recalls or TSBs, and learning about known issues (like the hybrid 12v battery). It's a poor tool for estimating the probability of that problem happening to you should you decide to buy one.
This is a great forum for learnings about technical information, DIY procedures, discussions about recalls or TSBs, and learning about known issues (like the hybrid 12v battery). It's a poor tool for estimating the probability of that problem happening to you should you decide to buy one.
Last edited by Fiat88; Jun 3, 2026 at 07:11 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 359
Likes: 149
From: Texas
We have about 11.5k miles on our 2025 RX350h. 13 months old. No issues whatsoever.
For a data point, my bride drives it four times a week- 36 miles round trip. Half of that is on the highway at 70 mph. The other half is through town at about 35-40mph.
We have taken five 250 mile RT day trips to see my elderly Mom. That trip is 95% highway 70-75mph.
Many of the battery issues come from people who rarely drive the car except maybe a couple of miles to the grocery store. Then they spend an hour or so outside cleaning up the car with all the doors open and the car in ACC mode while they listened to the radio.
I’m not saying that’s the issue with all complainants. But those who actually drive the car and not keep it as a garage trophy are much less likely to have a problem.
STILL… it never hurts to carry a wireless jumper box— just in case. And that applies to every vehicle.
For a data point, my bride drives it four times a week- 36 miles round trip. Half of that is on the highway at 70 mph. The other half is through town at about 35-40mph.
We have taken five 250 mile RT day trips to see my elderly Mom. That trip is 95% highway 70-75mph.
Many of the battery issues come from people who rarely drive the car except maybe a couple of miles to the grocery store. Then they spend an hour or so outside cleaning up the car with all the doors open and the car in ACC mode while they listened to the radio.
I’m not saying that’s the issue with all complainants. But those who actually drive the car and not keep it as a garage trophy are much less likely to have a problem.
STILL… it never hurts to carry a wireless jumper box— just in case. And that applies to every vehicle.
Driver
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 96
Likes: 40
From: PA
2023 RX500H, 45,000 miles. Original 12V battery. I had 2 initial problems with a discharged 12V battery, but it was my fault. I was exiting the car without hitting park; just the Start/Stop button. I now also make sure to hold the button in firmly for at least a second.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 264
Likes: 173
From: PA
Shutting the car off by pushing the Start/Stop button instead of pushing Park first should have no effect at all on the 12V battery. It's just one less step to take. Pushing the Start/Stop button at shutdown then automatically engages the parking brake too. Also not sure how pressing the button firmly for at least a full second comes into play either.
Last edited by Sonny3621; Jun 3, 2026 at 11:46 PM.
Pit Crew
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 103
Likes: 34
Let's see.....First, my '25 RX 350H is just a really nice car to drive. It's so quiet and easy to handle. I rate it as one of the top cars I've ever had. And my first car was a '67 Ford Fairlane XLT.
But....there's always a but, in the 7,000 miles we have put on the car (or averaging just under 1,000-mile\Mo) the battery completely discharged at 6,000 miles, and at 6,500 miles a rear A frame bushing separated causing a major squeak and throwing the tire alignment out of whack. (Yes..."Whack" is a technical term).
While the battery thing made me buy a portable jump start, I attribute the bushing separation as simply a defective part. Hey, if man made the part....they can't get 'em all perfect.
So, for me the "jury" is still out as to my rating of the car. And it is a very nice car to drive and ride in.
But....there's always a but, in the 7,000 miles we have put on the car (or averaging just under 1,000-mile\Mo) the battery completely discharged at 6,000 miles, and at 6,500 miles a rear A frame bushing separated causing a major squeak and throwing the tire alignment out of whack. (Yes..."Whack" is a technical term).
While the battery thing made me buy a portable jump start, I attribute the bushing separation as simply a defective part. Hey, if man made the part....they can't get 'em all perfect.
So, for me the "jury" is still out as to my rating of the car. And it is a very nice car to drive and ride in.
Rookie
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: TX Texas
I have owned RX350 and ES300h.
I am leaning into either RX350H or NX350H. However, I prefer a gas powered SUV though.
Which model do you recommend?
What will the OTD price I am expecting to pay to be considered as a good deal?
Thank you all in advance.
I am leaning into either RX350H or NX350H. However, I prefer a gas powered SUV though.
Which model do you recommend?
What will the OTD price I am expecting to pay to be considered as a good deal?
Thank you all in advance.