bagwell

I know Lexus reliability kills MB reliability - I have an 01 MB C320 and I've had numerous probs with...please vote here....only 2001 and up owners please.

Kaban

I have:
01 gs430

Moon roof rattles, I fixed it myself. Dealer was usless.

Glove box rattle, still not fixed again dealer was not able to fix.

1 rattle coming from front passenger door somewhere, could not locate it.

Stock sway bar came loose, dealer fixed it under warrenty. (This one is actually a dangerous problem and can cause injury)

Rough low idle.

That's about it. Besides the suspension component that came loose there was no other serious problems.

IS2000

Kaban,

I have the moonroof rattle as well, how were you able to fix it? Also, where is the sway bar located? I better check mine as well.

01 GS430

Kaban

I tighten all the bolts that connect to the roof and apply some wd-40 with a damp paper towel around the roof and the rattle noise disappeared.

The sway bar is under the engine bay so you should take it to a shop and put it on a lift and check for any loose bolts and nuts.

ChuH

Kaban:

To fix the glove box rattle simply get some 1/8" thick felt adhesive and place it opposite of the small rubber bumpers. Also put one on opposite of the light switch.

Chu...

GunnerMac

'02 GS430, had it for 1 year this weekend, 18k and not a single problem

link13

Nice ride, GunnerMac.

RON430

01 GS430 for sixteen months now. Support frame for drivers seat came loose. Lexus replaced the whole seat. Around 15K miles, no other service or issues other than oil changes, everything has worked since day one with no failures. After my bimmer experiences, the reliability of this car is plain boring. Everything those high reliability marks represent. Fill it with gas, turn the key, and be on your way. If you want to meet tow truck drivers, stick with MB and BMW. That will likely inflame somebody and I admit there have to be some reliable MBs and BMWs, I just didn't own them. Got to know the service people very well.

mooretorque

01 GS430.

Moon roof shade moves back very slightly, starts to rattle softly.

Slightly rough low speed idle in cooler weather; dealer service says this is common problem with the 4.3L V8 (iow, in both the LS and the GS). Haven't checked recently re fix, since Arkansas stays pretty warm. But winter's coming and so is a service, so I'll see if there's a new ECU or other fix soon.

Glove box rattle early; dealer felted it, no prob since.

Sway bar mounting bolts backed out twice; contrary to Peter's assertion, this is not a dangerous problem (unless yoiu ignored noises like your front end is falling apart AND were driving really hard) since the bolts back out slowly and the splash pan underneath the motor will actually hold it off the ground were it to completely drop. It makes enough noise that you CAN'T ignore it!!

All problems above have been relatively common to the GS line, with possible exception of the rough idle.

Major mechanicals as reliable as an anvil. The V8s can easily go 300k miles with routine maintainence.

Kaban

ChuH,

Thanks, I'll try felt tape it some more...my inside of glove box looks like a patch job went wrong with all that tape and insulation foam everywhere. hehe

I've thought of one more problem:

Steering wheel turns to the left about 1" while the car is going straight. It happens on and off and I can't figure what's wrong with it, I know it's not the wheels since the problem is still there when I switched to 18" wheels from stock 16".

ChuH

Kaban:

If steering wheel turns to the left while going straight then it is alignment problem. You need to get a 4 wheel alignment and make sure they lock and center your steering wheel. When I get my aligned I saw that they used a tool that hook to my brake pedal and seat to hold/lock the steering wheel from moving. Then they perform the alignment.

Also, have them check for any bent suspension parts.

Chu...

VVT-i

I have a lot of problems with my GS.
First, I have to change the exhausts and suspensions from factory to L-Tuned.
Second, I have to put on a set of 18'.
Third, I have to put an intake.
Fourth, I have to put front and rear TRD sway bar and STB.
Then, I have to put DVD player, 2 headrest monitors and a TV antenna in the car.
Next, I want to put cross drill/slot rotor and bigger brake set up
I think these are most of the GS' owners run into, but not the reliabity issue. Just my 0.02 cents.
I'm happy with mine.

Kaban

Chu,

Thanks for the pointer on the alignment, last time I did an alignment they didn't use anything to lock the steering wheel. I'll watch out for that next time.

oldguy

My 98 400 was a real early one, and I got to know the service folks really well. A few recalls, and then the steering problems. The vibration issue.
My 01 430 has about 28000 miles and has had the strut tower bolts come loose. And the moonroof open slightly and then rattle. And the ignition switch; I'd take out the key and no retraction of the wheel, and the buzzer would buzz if the door was open. A rattle in the seat belt height adjuster (passenger side). Driver side mirror distortion.

All fixed except the mirror. They replaced it , but still only fair.

newyorker

I picked my car about 3 weeks ago and
wow....
problems...

moonroof ....rattle...dealer fixed it....no rubber and seal...

rattle from the instrument....they couldn't find...I found it...
made second appointment next week...

obiously...there is rattle when I go really rough pavement...
but not in regular road...

I have question...

how you feel the swaybar problem? why is it important?
I have allignment problem since the car picked up and
it's little left inorder to drive straing but it is very liitle left....
not sure about allignment....and it's been only 3 weeks so...
I have to get used to this car more....
I had BMW and it's little different...BMW is very quick responsebut this lexus feels like little understeer than BMW.....
well it;s ok.....I have better smooth ride by losing perpect steering.



please let me know about swaybar....I just want to make sure mine is ok...