2007 Lexus RX Hybrid: Jerky Accelerations, Increased Fuel Consumption, and Out of Nowhere Stalling - Possible Fuel Injection Issue?

Hi there, Oh boy, I had a similar situation with my 2009 Lexus ES. A little bit about me, I'm not a trained mechanic, but I've dealt with a few car issues so I would say I have some experience. After getting this strange error entry after changing my fuel filter, my ride started guzzling gas and belching black smoke out the back too. Took it to my local workshop and after a couple of diagnostic tests, they found out the new fuel filter was faulty. Turns out, there was a problem with the fuel injection pressure regulator which seemed to be related to the filter issue. Cost me about €45.00 to get it fixed once they had the replacement part. After the fix, my car was back to its old self, no more frequent pit stops at the gas station! As for your RX Hybrid, it would be helpful to know if there are any specific symptoms besides the ones you've mentioned, or if you've had any recent repairs done? It might be a similar issue but knowing more details can go a long way in diagnosing.

Yo! That's a good point about the fuel filter. I'll check it out. But no recent repairs done. My Lexus has run 159558 KM and was last serviced about six months ago. No glitches until now, so this is surprising! Just remembered that a couple of weeks back, while driving on the motorway, the car suddenly lost acceleration for a few moments but then it was back to normal. Didn't think much of it then, but now wondering if it's all linked. I'll take your advice and get the fuel injection pressure regulator checked. Appreciate your help! Cheers.

Hey back, Sounds like you're having quite an adventure with your Lexus! That info about your motorway incident could indeed be a major clue. Sometimes, these subtle signs slip our mind until something major like this happens. In my case, the problem originated from the fuel filter, but, given that your last service was just six months ago, and unless it was overlooked, your filter should be in decent condition. However, fuel filters can get clogged prematurely depending on the quality of fuel used. So, no harm in inspecting it. Your check engine light being on and black smoke puffing out, along with the stalling and drop in power, could also indicate an issue with your engine's air-fuel ratio. It might be that the engine is running too rich, i.e., more fuel, less air. This could be due to various reasons like a faulty oxygen sensor, a leak in the intake manifold, or even just a dirty air filter. Your engine might essentially be choking on its own exhaust. You might also want to take a look at the spark plugs. Damaged or worn out spark plugs can cause your engine to misfire, leading to several of the symptoms you described. Just remember, these are just suggestions based on my experience. In the end, a professional diagnosis would be necessary to pinpoint the exact issue. Good luck! And keep us updated. It's all learning for the rest of us too. Cheers!

Hey, thanks for all the suggestions. Super helpful! I didn't really think about the possibility of the engine running too rich, but that makes a lot of sense - given the symptoms. Oxygen sensor, intake manifold leak, and air filter are definitely things I'll have the garage boys inspect. Spark plugs too! It's going to be a thorough check-up once I have time to take my RX Hybrid in. Hopefully, I can get my sedan purring like the luxe beast it's supposed to be. I'll definitely update here once I have more information. You guys are the best, cheers!