Failed Stock Exhaust Tip Diffusers
06-19-12, 01:11 PM
#1
Failed Stock Exhaust Tip Diffusers
I know I'm not the first one on here to experience this, so I thought I'd post this up. My driver's side diffuser exhaust tips were loose. I originally brought this issue to the attention of the dealer I frequent. Basically, I was denied warranty coverage because the shop foreman said through my service adviser:
"The reason the exhaust tip is loose is because it looks like either someone backed up and tapped the tip, bending the clamp that holds it in place. He states Lexus will not allow me to warranty this due to the fact it is not a factory defect."
They offered to replace it for me out of my pocket or sell me the part and do it myself. I just said screw it for now and kept driving around until eventually a few weeks later, the bottom exhaust tip had fallen off somewhere. It was then that I decided, being the do it yourselfer that I am, that I bought the part from Sewell and replaced it myself. A few hours later, I had the new diffuser on.
Now, looking at and comparing the old and new diffuser tips (see pics attached), I firmly believe that the welds had failed and that the shop foreman was wrong. I personally found it hard to believe in the first place that a car would be low enough to hit the exhaust tips. That, and there were no scratches or dents on the tips to begin with. The preexisting damage they had noted to the rear was someone that love tapped my rear bumper in the area right above the exhaust tips.
Last week I sent these pics to my service adviser stating that I believe it was a factory defect that caused the tips to fail and not because someone hit my car. Haven't heard back yet. What do you guys think? I'd like for Lexus to reimburse my cost I paid for the tips and offer something (free services) for the time and effort I put into fixing the problem myself instead of them.
"The reason the exhaust tip is loose is because it looks like either someone backed up and tapped the tip, bending the clamp that holds it in place. He states Lexus will not allow me to warranty this due to the fact it is not a factory defect."
They offered to replace it for me out of my pocket or sell me the part and do it myself. I just said screw it for now and kept driving around until eventually a few weeks later, the bottom exhaust tip had fallen off somewhere. It was then that I decided, being the do it yourselfer that I am, that I bought the part from Sewell and replaced it myself. A few hours later, I had the new diffuser on.
Now, looking at and comparing the old and new diffuser tips (see pics attached), I firmly believe that the welds had failed and that the shop foreman was wrong. I personally found it hard to believe in the first place that a car would be low enough to hit the exhaust tips. That, and there were no scratches or dents on the tips to begin with. The preexisting damage they had noted to the rear was someone that love tapped my rear bumper in the area right above the exhaust tips.
Last week I sent these pics to my service adviser stating that I believe it was a factory defect that caused the tips to fail and not because someone hit my car. Haven't heard back yet. What do you guys think? I'd like for Lexus to reimburse my cost I paid for the tips and offer something (free services) for the time and effort I put into fixing the problem myself instead of them.
06-19-12, 01:56 PM
#4
I feel your pain...my solution as Lexus Canada would under no circumstances honor this as a warranted coverage. I had the tips and never lost them, was constantly welding them back on. They absolutely denied any liability for the bad welds.
Old tips
New Tips
Old tips
New Tips
06-19-12, 03:08 PM
#6
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Yes it’s a known issue...
Some of these weak "Spot Welds" have been known to fail...... Sad to see it happen...
But I would have argued till they fix it.. The proof is there..
At this point, you would have to file a claim with Lexus Customer Service for a possible reimbursement..
The dealership will not do anything for you..
It happens quicker in climates where they use salt on the roads...
~ Joe Z
Some of these weak "Spot Welds" have been known to fail...... Sad to see it happen...
But I would have argued till they fix it.. The proof is there..
At this point, you would have to file a claim with Lexus Customer Service for a possible reimbursement..
The dealership will not do anything for you..
It happens quicker in climates where they use salt on the roads...
~ Joe Z
06-19-12, 05:04 PM
#7
I argued big time with Corporate head office - They even escalated this to the head of the warranty division....all sided at the end of the day to normal wear and tear subjected to exhaust gasses, salt and moisture exposure to the welds based on the Canadian climate, the year of my car and the mileage.
I originally had an issue with what part of the warranty covered it..... as Lexus Canada and the dealer both stated a different component (part of the exhaust system or trim)?
After spending way too much time and effort on a lost cause, that was not being backed by my local dealership or Lexus Canada...I cut my losses and changed the exhaust so I did not have to deal with it anymore.
I also was terrified that I would loose my Joe Z tips along with the diffuser.
Digger08
I originally had an issue with what part of the warranty covered it..... as Lexus Canada and the dealer both stated a different component (part of the exhaust system or trim)?
After spending way too much time and effort on a lost cause, that was not being backed by my local dealership or Lexus Canada...I cut my losses and changed the exhaust so I did not have to deal with it anymore.
I also was terrified that I would loose my Joe Z tips along with the diffuser.
Digger08
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06-19-12, 05:27 PM
#8
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My tip felt off once as well. But dealership near my house replaced them under warranty. I guess it's different at each dealership. If you want, just bring it to a different dealership.
06-19-12, 07:01 PM
#9
Lexus Test Driver
I hope guys that come from tropical weather areas dont see this problem... We dont have salt on the roads, but living on an island our cars are exposed to the salty ocean breeze... Crossing my fingers and knocking on wood now...
Crossing my fingers and knocking on wood now...
