2010 RX 350 design flaw

[4482]

Originally Posted by Stormforge

4482, what size of gutter grill did you use on your RX? obviously, if the holes are large enough, road debris (eg: small rocks) could still get through. on the flip side, if the gutter holes are too small, i wonder if that would restrict air flow?

Stormforge: I went to Home Depot and bought just one 6"x3' gutter guard model 122-225 (SKU #808857) and cut it as needed. ($1.94) There are two hinges on it that come right off. I cut it in half for ease of installation. You sure won't need all of it. If you check it out you'll see the holes are about perfect for catching debris, but big enough to let the air flow through. I drove from Ohio to Seattle and back after installing it, with no problems. After I cut it to fit, I painted it with black rustoleum before installing it.

Again, this was done on my 05 RX, and was very easy to do. It looks like I just may have enough guard remaining to do my new 10 RX, once I figure out how to do it. As it's very strong, convex, and galvanized, I hope I can use it without the need to go to a more flexible weaker material.

[The G Man]

Joe, driving a quarter mile with the temp light on is certainly normal. I have driven further than that on overheated engines before. It sure sounds like the temp sensor pick up the overheating too late.
Lexus as a company use to be very proactive when it comes to modifications stemming from customer's complains. Now a days, with their bean counters running the company, they would rather replace a few engines than to retro fit their assembly line. This is evident in the whole Lexus line up, the GS350 had dash rattle problems since 2006 and they are rolling out 2010 GS350 with the same problems. Unfortunately, it all about money, Lexus will not fix this problem until there is enough incident and it starts to cost them more to fix than to re-tool.

[Joe G]

Originally Posted by The G Man

Joe, driving a quarter mile with the temp light on is certainly normal. I have driven further than that on overheated engines before. It sure sounds like the temp sensor pick up the overheating too late.
Lexus as a company use to be very proactive when it comes to modifications stemming from customer's complains. Now a days, with their bean counters running the company, they would rather replace a few engines than to retro fit their assembly line. This is evident in the whole Lexus line up, the GS350 had dash rattle problems since 2006 and they are rolling out 2010 GS350 with the same problems. Unfortunately, it all about money, Lexus will not fix this problem until there is enough incident and it starts to cost them more to fix than to re-tool.

Hey all - we want to thank all the club members for thier input (positive and negative.)
When we get our RX back we will install the mesh ourselves.
Truth be told, we will be anxious to get back on the N.J. turnpike to get our RX home, sure hope lighten does not strike twice.
We just wanted to alert other RX owners of the potential of this incident happening to their vehicle.
Still hurts to be out of our brand new RX, but we will deal with it.
Thanks again for all the great input.
Will keep you posted.

[klegrow]

Joe G.....in case you didn't see this, check out the thread below. It seems you aren't the only one with this issue.

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-t...ot-better.html

[Joe G]

Originally Posted by klegrow

Joe G.....in case you didn't see this, check out the thread below. It seems you aren't the only one with this issue.

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-t...ot-better.html

Wow.

Hey if some good can come from our misfortune, like Lexus making this modification to a future RX350 down the road so be it.
thanks.

[kitlz]

Joe G, you bet your a$$ my dealer is going to hear about what happened to you. And the bumper too.

[Joe G]

Originally Posted by kitlz

Joe G, you bet your a$$ my dealer is going to hear about what happened to you. And the bumper too.

Thanks. When the time is right my dealership will receive a letter for their lack of customer care..The N.J. dealership will also receive a letter, as I have mentioned they have a service manager who is top notch.
To keep it positive, Monday will be 1 month we are without our RX
(hopefully!) 2 more months to go.
I am thinking about getting in touch with President Obama to see if any "clunkers" remain for me to use over the next two months since my wife and I both work full time.
thanks again for the support.

[data2009]

Originally Posted by Joe G

Thanks. When the time is right my dealership will receive a letter for their lack of customer care..The N.J. dealership will also receive a letter, as I have mentioned they have a service manager who is top notch.
To keep it positive, Monday will be 1 month we are without our RX
(hopefully!) 2 more months to go.
I am thinking about getting in touch with President Obama to see if any "clunkers" remain for me to use over the next two months since my wife and I both work full time.
thanks again for the support.

Joe,
please forgive my ignorance, but so far I do not see that legendary Lexus service everyone is raving about. Or does it only come because of higher premiums charged for maintenance visits. So far, the treatment you received, from both customer service and the dealers is subpar at best. Given, of course, blown engine replacement is not an oil change, I would expect at least a loaner for some time. 3 months is propably unrealistic, although it seems the other are getting loaners for extensive periods (or perhaps there are always details that are skipped). At least your insurance should have a rental coverage. It may not cover 100%, but it did cover 50% for me over a monthly rental a couple of years back. There I learned that Corolla SE could be a fun ride and family hauler.
Anyway, best of luck in getting your RX back and 'as good as new'.
I'd still be trying with Toyota to admit a faulty design, but I understand it's easier said than done...

[klegrow]

Storm, is this the same for us with the 450h, or is it just an issue on the 350? I know there have been some design and quality control differences between the two models.

[Stormforge]

Originally Posted by klegrow

Storm, is this the same for us with the 450h, or is it just an issue on the 350? I know there have been some design and quality control differences between the two models.

good question. the front bumper on the 450h is slightly different, but i haven't had a chance to examine closely if the lower air dam is the same as the regular 350. even if the 450h is not affected, it would still be a good idea to do this mod, if only to give you a piece of mind.

[Joe G]

You are not ignorant, right on as we see it but to explain a little more
at least the New Jersey dealership service advisor kept us informed every step of the way returned phone calls, ECT. Car is 130 miles away from where we live. Even went so far as trying to get us a loaner car once it was determined we needed a new engine. Since this is a not warranted repair loaner car is out of the question. Since the beginning of this incident the dealership we purchased the car from has said, “we cannot help you call 1800Lexus.”
Again due to the fact that this hit is a not warranted repair.
We also just found out, maybe some of you realized this, but we did not, our car is now blackballed since there is now a carfax on it stating insurance paid repair. It cannot be sold through a dealership as a used car once repairs are made.
Man are we taking a hit on this brand new 6-month-old 3000 original mile SUV. All due to some road debris and a possible mesh screen the might of helped eliminate it.
Thank you.

[kitlz]

My impression is Lexus customer service is the bad guy, not the NJ dealer. And the LI dealer doesn't want to get involved, sad to say.

I visited my dealer today. They never heard about this or the loose bumper. Well, now they know. I checked over the 350s (Canada) and 450hs (Japan) they had. I am definitely going to do something about the air vent when mine comes in. There were no loose bumpers.

[jacksonlui]

any pictures of the installation and SKU number for the parts at Home Depot?
this might save a lot of people here on the forum
thanks in advance
Jack

[Joe G]

Originally Posted by jacksonlui

any pictures of the installation and SKU number for the parts at Home Depot?
this might save a lot of people here on the forum
thanks in advance
Jack

check out the new thread entitled RX350 Air Dam Modification by AA40D
Great info and pictures of the instal.

[herbvdh]

Joe G:

From what you said about the dealership I have a good idea who it is. We bought four vehicles from them. Service and sales all are treated very properly. I do 90% of service at a dealer near where I work for convenience.
I have sent people to see this dealer also and would not hesitate to do it again and again.They will even deliver/ship your car nationwide. They have there own in house driver with truck and trailer.