AWD system Malfunction 2WD Mode Engaged

58083 Views 13 Replies 9 Participants Last post by palisadesp, 3 mo ago

Ragnar

Discussion Starter · Jan 7, 2017

Hi,

We just took our 2015 NX200t AWD to Tahoe over the break and as soon as we encountered a little bit snow and the slightest ice a message appeared:

"AWD system has overheated - switching to 2WD"

Continued to drive in 2WD up until we reached the cabin.
Parked the car in the garage over night.

Backed out of garage in morning on to the main road, the temp was about 5 F. After 10s a new message appeared:

"AWD system Malfunction - 2wd mode engaged"

Then we got stuck on the road - only front wheels spinning. Then we started sliding backward into ditch.

Very disappointed.

Dealer took a look at it after we got back to the Bay Area. Cleared the codes and said it passed all tests. I.e. no repair. Sigh.

Don't want to take it up in the snow anymore. Useless.

Still working with the dealer for some sort of resolution.

R.

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gjane2002

· #2 · Oct 1, 2017

We have some problem. We just bought a week. When I start the car in the morning, it was warning AWD system Malfunction 2WD Mode Engaged, visit your dealer?

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Maggie2017

· #3 · Nov 15, 2017

I just encountered the same problem with my 2015 NX200t AWD last night. There was a bad traffic on the high way last night. When I almost passed the traffic jam, the engine check light suddenly went on. It gave me an error message as "AWD system Malfunction - 2wd mode engaged". So I drove my car off the high way and parked it in front of a store. I turned the engine off and back on. The message did not go away. Then I drove it in a low speed back to home. I felt there was something wrong with the drive train or transmission or differential because the acceleration does not function well. I could not accelerate it up to 50 miles. I will drive my car to the dealer to check it out. Very frustrated.................

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Maggie2017

· #4 · Nov 15, 2017

Hi

Did the dealer fix the problem?

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[email protected]

· #5 · Nov 21, 2017

AWD system malfunction

Why all the AWD system malfunctions? I was leaving for a doctors appointment and my 2016 Lexus won't start. Same message. AWD system malfunction and 2WD engaged. Car won't start. I'm curious if this is a system error due to a problem beyond our control. Seems like it might be a factory issue. Anyone else? I have Lexus roadside assistance on their way now. They think its a battery problem. Everything lights up, radio works, all lights are bright and not flickering or dimming. I'll be shocked if that's the problem.

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[email protected]

· #6 · Nov 22, 2017

So I will answer my own question above. It was the battery. Even though nothing was left running the battery was low enough that it would not start the car. All those messages and malfunctions were due to the battery. Lexus Road Service brought a new battery and said this is very common with factory batteries. I think they should do something about that then, don't you? I was so glad I was home and not on the road.

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fourfive1

· #7 · Sep 29, 2018

As soon as you hit any snow or ice the awd system overheats and switches to 2wd. Totally useless on any snow or ice IMO.

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iLovePie

· #8 · Apr 27, 2019

fourfive1 said:
As soon as you hit any snow or ice the awd system overheats and switches to 2wd. Totally useless on any snow or ice IMO.

I’m unsure about others, but I go off road quite often with my nx200, usually 10-15km at a time or more, and double round trip. Never had a problem. These are high angle Rocky Mountains.

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Jthoma

· #9 · Jan 8, 2022

Maggie2017 said:
I just encountered the same problem with my 2015 NX200t AWD last night. There was a bad traffic on the high way last night. When I almost passed the traffic jam, the engine check light suddenly went on. It gave me an error message as "AWD system Malfunction - 2wd mode engaged". So I drove my car off the high way and parked it in front of a store. I turned the engine off and back on. The message did not go away. Then I drove it in a low speed back to home. I felt there was something wrong with the drive train or transmission or differential because the acceleration does not function well. I could not accelerate it up to 50 miles. I will drive my car to the dealer to check it out. Very frustrated.................

Hi was your problem fixed ?

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iLovePie

· #10 · 12 mo ago

My nx200t died when approaching my house. The engine showed AWD malfunction, engine performance has been reduced, visit dealer. The engine light was on. Car would start but with no power.... It stalled 4 times before j got home.

Plugged in my OBD Scanner and it seems to be fuel pump failure. Did a quick Google search and Toyota recalled over 3 million cars including some Lexus NX for fuel pump failure which would either, not start the car at all, stall the car while in motion, reduce engine power, any issue the vehicle will disable AWD. I'm surprised my 2016 nx was never recalled... Towed it to Lexus dealer yesterday and waiting to see the outcome.

Quite dangerous as I just came off a 50km highway drive....in the middle of the night in bloody South Africa.... If the car stalled I would have been robbed.... Or killed....

So much so for Lexus reliability.... But then again I've never experienced a single issue with this car for the past 6 years almost at 150k km,only had 2 battery replacement. My 2016 Volvo xc90 D5 on the other hand had replacement on.... Alternator, engine mount, both twin turbo, EGR, torque rod.... List so long... I think almost Half the engine compartment was replaced under warranty...

Anyways, all my dudes with NX , watch out for that fuel pump issue....I would change it out in next big service....

Sent from my SM-F926B using Tapatalk

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palisadesp

· #11 · 4 mo ago

My NX200t just got services a month ago with the battery, spark plugs replaced. I had the 95000K service done at the same time. The light just came on yesterday morning. My care is drivable, I plan to go to the dealer in the morning to get this resolved by get them to provide new battery on their dime and to ask why there is no engineering notice issued by Lexus about the recurring issue for drivers globally.
Keep you posted on my adventures to the "DEALERSHIP".

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palisadesp

· #12 · 4 mo ago

palisadesp said:
My NX200t just got services a month ago with the battery, and spark plugs replaced. I had the 95000K service done at the same time. The light just came on yesterday morning. My care is drivable, I plan to go to the dealer in the morning to get this resolved by getting them to provide a new battery on their dime and to ask why there is no engineering notice issued by Lexus about the recurring issue for drivers globally.
Keep you posted on my adventures in the "DEALERSHIP".

Why hasn't anyone stated if the dealer fixed it and estimated costs?

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Sororalter

· #13 · 3 mo ago

We have some problem. We just bought a week. When I start the car in the morning, it was warning AWD system Malfunction 2WD Mode Engaged, visit your dealer?

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palisadesp

· #14 · 3 mo ago

palisadesp said:
Why hasn't anyone stated if the dealer fixed it and estimated costs?

I got a Diagnostics Reader, plugged it in, and got the codes. Shut the car off, disconnected the battery for 2.5 hours, reconnected the battery. Started the car, and the problem was solved. It cost me 2.5 miles to the Auto Parts store to purchase a 183.00 diagnostics tool, and 2.5 hours of waiting after disconnecting the battery. I did not need to go to the dealer. There is an online YouTube that walks you through the process for Toyota RAVA with the same display messages as Lexus.

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