Am I expecting too much from Lexus?
11-29-17, 03:10 PM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Am I expecting too much from Lexus?
My mother bought a brand new Lexus 350 about 10 years ago from Hendrick's Lexus of Charleston and has been nothing but thrilled with it, UNTIL NOW. It has only 41k miles on it. The airbag sensor is broken and Lexus no longer makes the part. They told us (in writing) that the vehicle is not safe to drive, and suggested we donate it to charity or trade it in (what do they do with an unsafe trade-in?). Unhappy with that response I went to their corporate office who spent a month trying to locate the part - unsuccessfully. They said I could get it fixed by a 3rd party but when I tried, nobody will touch it because of liability. Lexus is not willing to fix it with a used part. I would expect Lexus to make this right - provide another vehicle or some sort of compensation, but I was told because the car is no longer under warranty they will not. Really? isn't this Lexus we're talking about? I would expect them to stand behind their name. Am I expecting too much?
11-29-17, 03:25 PM
#2
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
sorry to hear/read, but car makers have no obligation outside warranty and certainly not to "provide another vehicle or some sort of compensation" (dream on 
), so yes, you're expecting too much. i'd suggest finding the sensor on a junk yard car?
), so yes, you're expecting too much. i'd suggest finding the sensor on a junk yard car?
Last edited by bitkahuna; 11-29-17 at 03:34 PM.
11-29-17, 03:39 PM
#3
Lexus Fanatic
Welcome to CL. 
Check your Owners' Manual (I couldn't check it for you, because you did not say what specific model of Lexus she owns). Back then, a number of air-bag, hybrid, and emission components, by Federal Law, had warranties of up to ten years or even more in some cases....regardless of the manufacturer's warranty on the rest of the vehicle. Of course, since we are around ten years from the original purchase date, her car may or may not still be covered, depending on the specific date of sale. Also, if my memory is correct, the law at that time required that replacement-parts for those components (if still applicable) be available for the 10 years.
Of course, the law may have been changed since then....but if so, I'm not aware of it.
Check your Owners' Manual (I couldn't check it for you, because you did not say what specific model of Lexus she owns). Back then, a number of air-bag, hybrid, and emission components, by Federal Law, had warranties of up to ten years or even more in some cases....regardless of the manufacturer's warranty on the rest of the vehicle. Of course, since we are around ten years from the original purchase date, her car may or may not still be covered, depending on the specific date of sale. Also, if my memory is correct, the law at that time required that replacement-parts for those components (if still applicable) be available for the 10 years.
Of course, the law may have been changed since then....but if so, I'm not aware of it.
11-29-17, 03:48 PM
#4
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks. It's a 2007 ES 350.
Welcome to CL.
Check your Owners' Manual (I couldn't check it for you, because you did not say what specific model of Lexus she owns). Back then, a number of air-bag, hybrid, and emission components, by Federal Law, had warranties of up to ten years or even more in some cases....regardless of the manufacturer's warranty on the rest of the vehicle. Of course, since we are around ten years from the original purchase date, her car may or may not still be covered, depending on the specific date of sale. Also, if my memory is correct, the law at that time required that replacement-parts for those components (if still applicable) be available for the 10 years.
Of course, the law may have been changed since then....but if so, I'm not aware of it.
Check your Owners' Manual (I couldn't check it for you, because you did not say what specific model of Lexus she owns). Back then, a number of air-bag, hybrid, and emission components, by Federal Law, had warranties of up to ten years or even more in some cases....regardless of the manufacturer's warranty on the rest of the vehicle. Of course, since we are around ten years from the original purchase date, her car may or may not still be covered, depending on the specific date of sale. Also, if my memory is correct, the law at that time required that replacement-parts for those components (if still applicable) be available for the 10 years.
Of course, the law may have been changed since then....but if so, I'm not aware of it.
Last edited by lobuxracer; 11-30-17 at 07:14 PM.
11-29-17, 04:15 PM
#7
Lexus Fanatic
Not expecting too much. The car is ten years old.
Trending Topics
11-29-17, 04:16 PM
#8
Lexus Fanatic
My mother bought a brand new Lexus 350 about 10 years ago from Hendrick's Lexus of Charleston and has been nothing but thrilled with it, UNTIL NOW. It has only 41k miles on it. The airbag sensor is broken and Lexus no longer makes the part. They told us (in writing) that the vehicle is not safe to drive, and suggested we donate it to charity or trade it in (what do they do with an unsafe trade-in?). Unhappy with that response I went to their corporate office who spent a month trying to locate the part - unsuccessfully. They said I could get it fixed by a 3rd party but when I tried, nobody will touch it because of liability. Lexus is not willing to fix it with a used part. I would expect Lexus to make this right - provide another vehicle or some sort of compensation, but I was told because the car is no longer under warranty they will not. Really? isn't this Lexus we're talking about? I would expect them to stand behind their name. Am I expecting too much?
Hows does one know it is the sensor?
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 11-29-17 at 04:20 PM.
11-29-17, 04:19 PM
#9
Might try approaching an independent body shop as they are routinely challenged to find not easy to get parts.... They typically have a network of sources when OEM or new parts are not available.
11-29-17, 04:32 PM
#10
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
11-29-17, 04:37 PM
#11
It seems to be a pretty common problem with the 07 es350. There's tsb's on it, and many complaints to the NHTSA. I'm surprised three hasn't been a recall with the amount of information about this on the web.
11-29-17, 04:46 PM
#12
Lexus Test Driver
Get rid of it and get something else and chalk it up as hard lesson learned.
Frankly, if this happened to me, I would be infuriated never consider Lexus ever again.
I've never heard of anything like this before, not least of which for a car that isn't even that old and from a brand that is supposedly steeped in "reliability" and prides itself in "quality."
Frankly, if this happened to me, I would be infuriated never consider Lexus ever again.
I've never heard of anything like this before, not least of which for a car that isn't even that old and from a brand that is supposedly steeped in "reliability" and prides itself in "quality."
11-29-17, 04:55 PM
#13
Lexus Fanatic
11-29-17, 05:36 PM
#14
Lexus Fanatic
10 years old, Lexus isn't going to be fixing anything for free nor should they.
HOWEVER, I highly doubt this part is no longer made. I would take it to another dealer. I have no problem getting parts for our much older 2003 ES300.
Have they told you specifically what part is the issue?
That particular car is involved in the Takata airbag fiasco I believe...might explain why nobody wants to touch it.
HOWEVER, I highly doubt this part is no longer made. I would take it to another dealer. I have no problem getting parts for our much older 2003 ES300.
Have they told you specifically what part is the issue?
That particular car is involved in the Takata airbag fiasco I believe...might explain why nobody wants to touch it.
11-29-17, 05:57 PM
#15
Lexus Champion
What part exactly does the car need? Got a part number?