prwdmd

I have a 2013 GS 450h. Great car but my steering seems very twitchy and unstable at high speeds. It's difficult and requires constant correction driving on highway in straight line over 80 mph. Seems worse or noticeable when it's windy. The car gets buffeted around really easily by wind. I've had alignment done twice now and not much improvement. Dealer also checked the entire front end and can't find any other problems. Wondering if it could be the new Michelin Primacy MXM4 tires I put on it last fall... anyone else running these tires?

bclexus

I happened to see a 2013 GS 350 'Lemon Law' titled car that was returned back to Lexus (Lexus bought the car back from the original owner/lessee under the Lemon Law) in which they replaced the entire steering rack. By the way, according to the Carfax report this car sat for 4-5 months after it was bought back by Lexus before a Lexus dealership replaced the entire steering rack. Anyway, the original owner/lessee complained multiple times about the car's steering...and the wording I saw sounded much like how you have explained your car's steering. I suspect the steering for the GS 350 and GS 450h are identical. Anyway, a local used car dealer (non-Lexus) bought the car at auction and eventually sold the Lemon Law titled car.

I don't know how you would go about finding out if this steering issue is somewhat common to the GS 350/GS 450h, but I'm guessing there is a database somewhere of all the Lemon Law cars that Lexus has bought back, and why they became Lemon Law vehicles - however, I doubt seriously you could gain access to such information.

Also, I recall that there was a CL member here with a 2013 GS 350 that had to have his entire steering rack replaced under warranty for similar steering problems.

1fuzzybk

Well my car has never felt like that. Sorry I can't be much help either. Maybe take the service advisor for a spin. You might try posting about it in the main GS 350 page and see if any member lives near you and could take your car for a drive and see what they say.

Unless you have a CPO or extended warranty your warranty will run out this spring unless it sat on the lot for a long time (like a lot of these 450h's did). I would try to get it addressed ASAP.

shurik74

iTrader: (5)

like 12 years ago I had a car with Lemon title, it was reported to carfax/autocheck + CA title said "lemon..." as well

bclexus

I personally would never consider buying a Lemon Law vehicle.

shurik74

iTrader: (5)

Yes & No... depends what issue made a car as a Lemon

Im2bz2p345

My thoughts are with 1fuzzybk. Definitely get it checked out under warranty ASAP - hopefully it's something that is covered.

The Lexus warranty for wheel alignment/balance is limited to only 12 months/20K miles (whichever occurs first), so I'm guessing you've already passed that point. Plus, you've mentioned that you've had an alignment done twice already.

Btw, I have the stock tire, Michelin Primacy MXM4, and never had a problem with them. My car drives perfectly in the direction that I'm pointing the steering to.

~ Im2bz2p345

bclexus

For me to even briefly consider buying a Lemon Law vehicle the vehicle would have had to have been fully repaired by the car maker, be in like-new condition and be discounted by a minimum of 35% below wholesale price. In other words, once a lemon - always a lemon...as noted on the title until it is crunched-up. I'll let others deal with the lemon, or benefit from the lemon. I don't want to.

prwdmd

Does the 2013 GS 450h have VGRS? It's supposed to decrease steering sensitivity at higher speeds and more steering with less input at low speeds. A fault in this system could explain my issues... at high speed the smallest movement of the steering wheel initiates a change in direction of the vehicle. It's very frustrating because I'm having to concentrate so much while driving on the highway... especially in windy conditions then I'm having to constantly make corrections in steering. Not fun...

Im2bz2p345

I don't think the 2013 and 2014 GS450h have Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS).

I believe that's only included with the F-Sport package in the 2015+ GS450h models: http://pressroom.lexus.com/releases/...oduct+news.htm

On a side note, it's also included with the F-Sport package on the GS350: http://www.lexus.com/documents/broch...S-Brochure.pdf

~ Im2bz2p345