Just purchased our 2021 ES 300h from Lexus San Diego last week. The vehicle is L certified with clean history. During the test drive, i noticed a vibration. They said its likely a tire balance issue and they'll fix it. So we went ahead and negotiated on the vehicle. Service department came back said everything was good to go and was fixed/rebalanced. Bought the car with L certified peace of mind. Came home and noticed a bunch of suspicious things.

1. 3 out of the 4 wheels are bent
2. Brakes are making a buzzing sound every stop and without pressing the brake pedal at times
3. There is overspray all over the car in random various areas
4. The engine oil was overfilled by at least a quart
5. Car pulls to the right

Ive already contacted Lexus corporate within the same week of purchase and dropped off the vehicle at another dealership Lexus Escondido. I told corporate I have lost any trust/faith with Lexus of San Diego service department since this experience.

Anyone out there have an experience like this before? Hoping for the best here, but im feeling pretty bummed out. What else would you do if in my shoes?

Overfilled engine oil

Overspray, this is after a car wash

 

I would give it back

 

wow sorry to hear this! i know dealerships turn around cars quickly and usually they respray the front and rear bumpers (or even other body panels) at times to get it looking better. this still meets L-cert but the body shop failed to mask/clean up. i've seen this practice done many times at different dealerships across socal, orange and LA counties. SD should be no different.

as for the wheels and alignment, they should be able to remedy this under warranty...unacceptable! brakes and overfilled oil is also a sign that the particular dealership is to be avoided. hoping the one in esco will fair better.

 

None of this is major, it can all be easily solved. I wouldn't worry about it. Take it to the other dealer and let them take care of it.

 

Yea, I'm upset that they lied to me and said it was fixed. I don't understand how this vehicle even passed L certified with 3 out of 4 wheels being bent like that along with the other issues. This is our 4th Lexus purchase and this has been quite an experience so far.

 

Used cars are always a crapshoot, and the CPO program isn't worth much at all.

 

Yeah, CPO is pretty meaningless. Every brand dealership I've been to has said that they can CPO just about any recent used car from their brand if we pay them for it. The only benefit to CPO is the extended CPO warranty, which by that point you're better off getting the actual extended warranty.

 

I believe Lexus allows 4 panels to be repainted before a car can't be CPO? I sure don't want to buy a car that has been damaged in 4 panels!

 

Hoping for corporate to step in and remedy the concerns. Will keep you updated 🙏

 

Um, so three damaged panels are hunky-dory?

 

CPO is just a way for the dealer to sell cars back form lease that have been flogged to hell for a big price under the pretense they have "certified them"

Any car should always be bought on its actual condition and merits, even new should be checked. In your case give it back and make them fix it to the standard that CPO says it should be. It's their problem

 

Maybe a bumper at max for me.....

 

According to Lexus CPO program, yup.

 

Sounds like CPO program = Marketing Ploy to make you pay more

 

Oh. Well damn that's not very quality of them!