joako

I am sure some of you have owned a few Lexus automobiles -- and noticed the older style (before the newer electronic ones) keys are a bad design and always break. I've had 3x RX and all of them have had to have keys replaced. For the first car, a 2000 RX300 they had to order the keys and I took them and programmed them myself. For the 2004 RX330 they got key cutting equipment (Wonder why?) and cut it themselves and programmed it (the entire key including transponder was new. Now I go to get the 2007 RX350 key replaced because, surprise surprise, the plastic casing broke. JUST the plastic casing. I go to the dealer and talk to the front desk, they send me to parts and there is noone there. After waiting for 20 minutes I assume it is self service and I go to the computer and find the part in the parts catalog and print it out... can't find the printer so I find a paper and write down the part # and try to look it up in their parts inventory, I have no idea so I call the operator she has no idea and transfers me to Toyota parts who puts me on old. The Lexus parts guy shows up confirms its in stock but sends me back to service because of course I don't want to pay out of pocket.

I got back to the service department and the lady at the front desk says I have to pay for the part until I tell her 2 other cars = 4 keys total that same dealer has replaced under warranty. She gets the service adviser and he tells me he is getting the key cut at this point I assume they know what they are doing and let them do their job... why should I have to tell them how to do it. It takes them an hour to cut the key. This time they transferred the transponder. While he is swapping it he asks if I want to keep the old shell and remembering a bad experiance with a BMW key not too long ago I tell him I will take it.

When I get home the key only works in the door lock in one orientation. The factory cut key worked either way. On top of that the key didn't even turn the ignition in any orientation!

I took the key, removed the back plastic with the Lexus logo and put that along with the transponder back into my old key blade. That's all I needed to begin with the plastic back cover of the key replaced. They wasted two hours of my time, and made me fix it myself.

Thank you Mr. Gerald F. Bean and thank you Toyota.

With warmest regards,

Joako

mandyfig

What is the dealership name and location?

davesmith

i'm sure their service managers would love to hear your story to improve that situation better for the next customers.

mmlex1987

I agree..."The Upper Level Management" should be informed of your frusterations. Hopefully that way in the future they will remember you, and maybe you will get the treatment you deserve! On another note, I know things like you experienced can be very frusterating and time consuming, however, don't take it personally.

arnieosp

iTrader: (1)

I've never heard of a "key problem" before. Has anybody ever had any keys issues?

Lexmex

I know the dealer he is referring to and I'm not going to personally mention it by name (that's up to joako), but as with all things, not just car dealers, if you have a problem and you've tried to speak to dealer management about it and have gotten nowhere, fire off a message to Lexus corporate as well. I know Lexus reads postings here but you make it official by sending something to them, too.

jgr7

iTrader: (1)

So just how are all these keys breaking? Got any pictures so we all can watch out for the problem starting?

xfirechief

Sure would like to see pic of broken key.

shikbas

i had my rx 330 key shell broken and i replaced it,bought the part from ebay,it was only the cover with lexus logo,coast 12 bucks,,,so it can happen with mine very mild use

xfirechief

Thats what I thought, could not see the key itself breaking.

kitlz

The plastic case broke on one of my keys too. The dealer replaced for free in two minutes while I was talking to my service advisor. Find a better dealer. They do exist.

mandyfig

I have trained my wife on how to turn the key to prevent future failure. Grab the key near the base so the torque is less. Turning the key near the end of the key holder is applying a larger torque to the plastic case. And unfortunately the design of the case is weak.

mandyfig

It will be worthwhile to purchase a spare shell.

joako

Broken key on the right, sample properly designed key on the left (it is 12 years old).

mmlex1987

Pertectly stated. One of my key housings cracked in the smae screw location as shown in previous post. I have been using your idea of turning key close to base with no problems. Also as previously posted, its not the key, just the plastic shell.