JP56

New NX350 owner. Picked up this lovely car on Tuesday (3rd). All good. Next couple of days took the car out – all good.Thursday (5th) went to the car, with key fob. Grasped door handle to open door as usual but door didn’t open. Got in car by using the button on the key fob, sat down. The car dash welcomed me “Welcome <MY NAME>” (which I hadn’t seen before (???)), I put seatbelt on, the seat & steering wheel swung automatically into my preferred position.

I pressed power button, but the car didn’t start. It displayed “press brake, and press power button to start” message but no start!

After a few seconds, the dash went blank.

I could use other electronics (seat position, electronic door open, interior lights etc) but other than that the car is not doing anything.

I got out (seat & steering wheel auto retracted as expected) and had to again use the fob buttons to lock the car.

Same experience over the next hour.

Eventually, I got in, sat down, HELD the keyfob up against the Power button, held the brake pedal down and then pressed power.

The car started normally.

I drove it and was able to lock it, unlock it, open the boot with foot gesture etc etc – all normal. Next day journeys all normal still...

Any thoughts about what was/is going on?

I rang the dealership & the service manager reported he thought some problems with Lexus Link and advised me to remove my vehicle from the Lexus app.

(Note, I only have one key fob as per other reports of keyfob shortage or I would have immediately tested a second keyfob)

nx450plus

Check voltage of 12v battery /charge 12v battery if needed.

JP56

But the car is only 2 days old. All other functions work...

Droid13

If holding the key to the power button works, then the problem is simply a dead battery in the key fob, or the fob itself has a defect. You did mention the fob buttons work to lock the car, so its more likely a partially defective fob. The fob has multiple modes of operation. Hands free usage (automatic), button usage (manual), and start by holding to power button (manual, when battery inside is dead). Perhaps the hands free function is problematic. I suppose this could be an internal issue with the onboard radios for the hands free function as well.

JP56

A faulty fob is certainly possible. Since Lexus can't yet supply a 2nd fob, it's difficult to test that... :-(
Weird behaviour though.... ever since I started the car with holding the fob to the power button, I've had zero problems...

nx450plus

The 12v battery may not be fully charged as the car has not been used too much. It is fortunately easy and cheap to do.

Freds430

When you first tried to start and had the problem was you key FOB in your pocket? I have had this happen a few times over the years with different Lexus's. Your solution worked. Only thing I can come up with is sometimes the FOB signal is blocked in the pocket by a phone etc and throws off the signal until you hold it up to the start button.

weaver483

Same thing happened to me about a month after I brought the car home. I called the dealer and they had me try several different things that didn't help so while I was talking to them I locked and unlocked the doors using the key FOB and the car started. It has not happened since in a little over a year. You might try that if it happens again.