CriticalCommonFluid Leaks

Lexus RX: 2GR-FE VVT-i rubber oil line failure — sudden major oil leak (RX350)

2GR-FE VVT-i rubber oil line failure — sudden major oil leak (RX350) is a common fluid leaks fault on the Lexus RX on the 2007–2011 cars, and we rate it critical. Putting it right costs $400 to $900 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 21 documented faults on the Lexus RX.

Vehicle: Lexus RX
Engine: 2GR-FE
Years: 2007–2011
Fuel: petrol
System: Fluid Leaks

This page covers the Lexus RX as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Lexus RX faults21 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph for this fault yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of something else.

What goes wrong

The 3.5 2GR-FE V6 in 2007-2011 RX350s used a VVT-i oil supply line with a short rubber hose section that can split without warning and dump engine oil rapidly — capable of destroying the engine if driven on. Toyota ran a customer support campaign replacing the hose with an all-metal pipe, but coverage has expired and imports may never have had it done. Any 2GR-FE of this era should be confirmed as having the updated metal line.

What you would notice

Sudden large oil puddle under the car
Oil pressure warning light
Burning oil smell from hot oil hitting the exhaust
Low oil level between services

How to check it

Where to look. VVT-i oil supply line on the front of the 3.5 V6, near the top of the engine

Look at the front of the engine (top, driver's side of the V) for the VVT-i oil line — the updated part is all metal; an original will have a short rubber hose section.
Check for fresh oil residue around it and on the undertray.
Ask for evidence the updated pipe was fitted.

What it costs to put right

$400 to $900 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Has the VVT-i oil line been replaced with the updated metal pipe?”
“Any history of sudden oil leaks?”

Now check the Lexus RX you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in the sources below. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them.

Toyota Limited Service Campaign / TSB for 2GR-FE VVT-i oil hose
ClubLexus RX 3rd-gen VVT-i oil line failure threads

Lexus RX buyer questions

Is 2gr-fe vvt-i rubber oil line failure — sudden major oil leak (rx350) serious on a Lexus RX?

We rate it critical and common on the Lexus RX. The 3.5 2GR-FE V6 in 2007-2011 RX350s used a VVT-i oil supply line with a short rubber hose section that can split without warning and dump engine oil rapidly — capable of destroying the engine if driven on. Toyota ran a customer support campaign replacing the hose with an all-metal pipe, but coverage has expired and imports may never have had it done. Any 2GR-FE of this era should be confirmed as having the updated metal line.

How much does it cost to fix on a Lexus RX?

$400 to $900 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Lexus RX years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2007–2011 Lexus RX. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Look at the front of the engine (top, driver's side of the V) for the VVT-i oil line — the updated part is all metal; an original will have a short rubber hose section. Check for fresh oil residue around it and on the undertray. Ask for evidence the updated pipe was fitted. Look here: VVT-i oil supply line on the front of the 3.5 V6, near the top of the engine