2010 RX 350 design flaw

[pulp]

head gasket damage? i feel your pain, that is an insane amount of damage for whats supposed to be a minor incident. was that caused by the rock itself or by overheating?

i was on a mountain road trip a month ago and noticed that the heat indicator went up a little from where it usually sits during steep climbs, i thought it was weird at the time since my experience with other cars is that the heat indicator never moves once it reaches its operating position.

if that damage was caused by overheating then its much more worrisome.

[The G Man]

Joe, sorry to hear about your misfortune. All that damage could have been cause by the engine over heating. You did shut off the engine when you got the high temp alarm right?

Anyway, since your RX is still new, I would ask for a new engine instead of a remanufacture on and ask for a extended power train warranty as well. Since it is your insurance company paying for this, it might be tough to get the above items.

[Joe G]

Update – received word today the engine needs to be replaced on our 2010 RX350.
Bad enough, a new engine will not be available until November, yes November.
Where does that leave us? Sick to our stomachs and out of a brand new vehicle.
Again, all we did was drive this SUV on the road, what is was meant to do.
If some road debris can take this vehicle out and do so much damage, something is wrong, VERY wrong. Lexus RX owners beware, this nightmare can happened to you.
We will not name dealers YET, but John, Service Manager from N.J., you know who you are, and we cannot thank you enough for all your efforts. You are a stand up guy and we appreciate all you have done to try and accommodate us.
Due to the rules of the club we cannot adequately put into words the “assistance” or should we say “customer care” we have received from the dealership on L.I. whom we purchased our RX from, but will when the time is right.
We will not rest until we feel the right thing is done.
By the way, we did hear from Lexus Corporate regarding “the coupon.” It can now be redeemed at any Lexus dealership. We have let them know, that we feel, this is not enough. And yes, they have been informed every step of way regarding this repair and how it had been elevated. Truth be told, the coupon was an offer made to us when they thought is was just the radiator that needed to be replaced.
We all are aware of the price of this SUV with options and extras.
For the RX350 owner to be responsible for this easy fix is absurd.
Please any club member who disagrees with us, do not respond to this blog.
We have been through ENOUGH. We respectively agree to disagree.
Thank you.

[tazdevl]

Joe... check your PM.

[Joe G]

Originally Posted by tazdevl

Joe... check your PM.

explain please.

[tazdevl]

Originally Posted by Joe G

explain please.

Should be self explanatory.

[4482]

Originally Posted by Joe G

Update – received word today the engine needs to be replaced on our 2010 RX350.
Bad enough, a new engine will not be available until November, yes November.
Where does that leave us? Sick to our stomachs and out of a brand new vehicle.
Again, all we did was drive this SUV on the road, what is was meant to do.
If some road debris can take this vehicle out and do so much damage, something is wrong, VERY wrong. Lexus RX owners beware, this nightmare can happened to you.
We will not name dealers YET, but John, Service Manager from N.J., you know who you are, and we cannot thank you enough for all your efforts. You are a stand up guy and we appreciate all you have done to try and accommodate us.
Due to the rules of the club we cannot adequately put into words the “assistance” or should we say “customer care” we have received from the dealership on L.I. whom we purchased our RX from, but will when the time is right.
We will not rest until we feel the right thing is done.
By the way, we did hear from Lexus Corporate regarding “the coupon.” It can now be redeemed at any Lexus dealership. We have let them know, that we feel, this is not enough. And yes, they have been informed every step of way regarding this repair and how it had been elevated. Truth be told, the coupon was an offer made to us when they thought is was just the radiator that needed to be replaced.
We all are aware of the price of this SUV with options and extras.
For the RX350 owner to be responsible for this easy fix is absurd.
Please any club member who disagrees with us, do not respond to this blog.
We have been through ENOUGH. We respectively agree to disagree.
Thank you.

I'm not an auto mechanic, but for the life of me I can't understand how a damaged condenser can do damage to the engine. I fail to see the connection between the condenser and the engine blowing based on the facts you've told us. I'm beginning to wonder from what you've told us Joe, if the engine did not just BLOW, and the condenser, if damaged, is a secondary problem. It appears clear to me from what you've told us that Lexus should be responsible for the new engine.

Maybe if there's a mechanic on this forum he can shed some light on this?

[ExileLakai]

Originally Posted by 4482

I'm not an auto mechanic, but for the life of me I can't understand how a damaged condenser can do damage to the engine. I fail to see the connection between the condenser and the engine blowing based on the facts you've told us. I'm beginning to wonder from what you've told us Joe, if the engine did not just BLOW, and the condenser, if damaged, is a secondary problem. It appears clear to me from what you've told us that Lexus should be responsible for the new engine.

Maybe if there's a mechanic on this forum he can shed some light on this?

Thats b/c thats the radiator... the rock did not hit the A/C. the radiator got hit, leaked out the coolant, argo the engine overheated and blew the head gasket. case done end of story.

really sucks it happened to a brand new car

[Joe G]

Originally Posted by ExileLakai

Thats b/c thats the radiator... the rock did not hit the A/C. the radiator got hit, leaked out the coolant, argo the engine overheated and blew the head gasket. case done end of story.

really sucks it happened to a brand new car

and thank you again.

[rcy]

Originally Posted by 4482

I'm not an auto mechanic, but for the life of me I can't understand how a damaged condenser can do damage to the engine. I fail to see the connection between the condenser and the engine blowing based on the facts you've told us. I'm beginning to wonder from what you've told us Joe, if the engine did not just BLOW, and the condenser, if damaged, is a secondary problem. It appears clear to me from what you've told us that Lexus should be responsible for the new engine.

Maybe if there's a mechanic on this forum he can shed some light on this?

No need for a mechanic - all you need to do is read the original post properly. He said RADIATOR, not CONDENSER. Blown radiator, engine overheats, head gasket and cylinder damage. 1+1=2.

[4482]

Originally Posted by rcy

No need for a mechanic - all you need to do is read the original post properly. He said RADIATOR, not CONDENSER. Blown radiator, engine overheats, head gasket and cylinder damage. 1+1=2.

RCY: I stand corrected on the condenser/radiator problem. By the same token it's hard to understand how the radiator could be damaged without the condenser being involved being 99% of it sits in front of the radiator. I did see in checking my RX this afternoon, a very small part of the radiator does extend below the condenser at the very bottom. At the same time I noticed the main grill itself has wide openings for debris to enter.

Stormforge: After removing the plastic cover over the radiator area, I was able to get to the bottom to install the gutter guard pretty easy. As the pieces I had were rather short, and left over from my 05 RX install, I pulled them out. I'll go to Home Depot and get a full piece of the gutter guard and cut and install it in the near future. At least now I know it can be done, and rather easy.

[ExileLakai]

Sorry I can believe a engine won't be available until November. I hope your RX will give you years of great service after this debacle. Good luck and keep your wits about your. I would right a letter to Lexus corporate about this situation. You might be able to get someone there that way.

[Joe G]

Originally Posted by ExileLakai

Sorry I can believe a engine won't be available until November. I hope your RX will give you years of great service after this debacle. Good luck and keep your wits about your. I would right a letter to Lexus corporate about this situation. You might be able to get someone where that way.

thank you.

[kitlz]

Joe G, I'm shocked.

If you can, please register a complaint with NHTSA. It sounds like a defect. You said it yourself, "If some road debris can take this vehicle out and do so much damage, something is wrong, VERY wrong." You might also want to keep a detailed chronology of events. I can't say "been there, done that" exactly but I have gone through the lemon law. There is nothing worse than your dream car turning into a nightmare.

Sorry this whole experience has been and continues to be so overwhelming. Please know I wish you the best of luck and hope you can get resolution/restitution soon.

[Joe G]

Originally Posted by kitlz

Joe G, I'm shocked.

If you can, please register a complaint with NHTSA. It sounds like a defect. You said it yourself, "If some road debris can take this vehicle out and do so much damage, something is wrong, VERY wrong." You might also want to keep a detailed chronology of events. I can't say "been there, done that" exactly but I have gone through the lemon law. There is nothing worse than your dream car turning into a nightmare.

Sorry this whole experience has been and continues to be so overwhelming. Please know I wish you the best of luck and hope you can get resolution/restitution soon.

Hey Anita - thank you for the great advice. Consider it done!
We will keep you posted.