Recall 12V373 covers 780,584 2006-2011 Lexus Hs 250 Hybrid and RAV4 vehicles for rear tie-rod failure. Repair is free at a franchised Lexus dealer.
Lexus is recalling 780,584 vehicles under recall 12V373, including 2006-2011 RAV4 models and the 2010 Hs 250 Hybrid, because an improperly tightened rear alignment nut can damage the rear tie rod. If the rear tie rod fails, vehicle alignment can change abruptly and cause loss of control; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The rear suspension arm, also called the rear tie rod, helps hold the rear wheels at the correct angle on 2006-2011 Lexus Hs 250 Hybrid and RAV4 vehicles. During an alignment, a technician adjusts nuts on this arm so the rear wheels track straight and the tires stay planted. The arm needs those nuts tightened correctly so the setting does not shift.
If the adjustment nuts are tightened the wrong way during service, the rear tie rod can move when it should stay fixed. That movement lets rust form in the threaded area, and the damaged threads weaken the joint. Once the tie rod fails, the rear wheel alignment changes abruptly.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner is unlikely to get a clear dashboard alert or noise that points to this tie rod problem before the alignment changes.
Who's affected?
Covers the Hs 250 Hybrid and RAV4 across the 2006-2011 model years, both tied to the rear suspension.
| 2010 Lexus Hs 250 Hybrid | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| 2006 Toyota RAV4 | rear suspension |
| 2007 Toyota RAV4 | rear suspension |
| 2008 Toyota RAV4 | rear suspension |
| 2009 Toyota RAV4 | rear suspension |
| 2010 Toyota RAV4 | rear suspension |
| 2011 Toyota RAV4 | rear suspension |
| Units affected | 780,584 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
A failed rear tie rod can cause loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before failure, so schedule the repair soon if your VIN is included. Repair will be free at any franchised Lexus dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2006-2011 Lexus Hs 250 Hybrid or RAV4 is included in this recall.
- Contact Lexus customer service at 1-800-331-4331 before scheduling dealer work, and reference recall number 12V373 when you call.
- Ask a franchised Lexus dealer about the rear tie-rod inspection and repair that fixes looseness in the rear suspension arm.
- Bring the recall notice if Lexus mailed one, along with any service records for rear wheel alignment work.
- Drive carefully until the inspection is complete. Avoid hard cornering and leave extra space if the vehicle feels out of alignment.
What happens at the repair
The known dealer process is inspection of the rear tie rod nut for looseness. When the remedy is open, a Lexus technician checks the rear suspension arm, replaces any suspect tie rod found loose, and adds service instructions in several locations to prevent improper alignment work later. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall.
Timeline
| August 2, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 30, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V373?
Recall 12V373 covers 780,584 2006-2011 Lexus Hs 250 Hybrid and RAV4 vehicles with rear tie-rod nuts that can be tightened improperly during service. That can damage the rear suspension arm threads and cause an abrupt alignment change. Lexus dealers inspect and repair the rear tie rod for free.
What should I do if my 2006-2011 Lexus Hs 250 Hybrid or RAV4 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 12V373. If it is, contact a franchised Lexus dealer and ask for the rear tie-rod inspection and repair. Reference recall number 12V373 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 12V373, Lexus dealers inspect the rear tie-rod nut, replace a suspect loose tie rod, and add service instructions to prevent improper future adjustment for free.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of vehicle control. If the rear tie rod fails, the vehicle's rear alignment can change abruptly, increasing crash risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the free dealer inspection and repair before further service work changes the rear alignment.
What if I bought this vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. If you never received the original owner letter, check your VIN, then call a franchised Lexus dealer with recall number 12V373 and ask for the rear tie-rod inspection.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V373000 |
|---|---|
| Lexus customer service | 1-800-331-4331 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V373 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V373000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →