After owning 6 Lexus's fear they are losing what made them special.

I'd like to post a recent letter to Lexus.

Has anyone else had this issue?

To whom it may concern,

Please forward this if you don't feel you are the appropriate party.


After a total of 6 Lexus's that my family has owned, I am baffled by a retrenchment from the practices that have made me so loyal. Your backing of your cars has set you apart and been the primary reason for my decade of loyalty.

You will understand then why I am just not willing to accept the answers I have received from Lexus of Kendall, Tom Wood Lexus or Lexus Customer service on the following issue.

In the inclusionary warranty policy covering my recently purchased 2005 certified ES 330, wheels are clearly listed as included in he coverage for issues related to workmanship. Additionally , rust is also clearly covered. The 2005 ES 330 was the first model year to to be equipped with this particular 6 spoke alloy wheel. On this car, all four ARE COMPLETELY RUSTING OUT. I have included pictures of the wheels. You will also find a work order and estimate for repair at Tom Wood Lexus with (his name), one of the service managers there ( a fine one, I might add). I'm sorry, but to see this kind of rust out on all four tires is not the result of "salt air" as the northern Lexus dealer might claim or "salted roads" as the southern Lexus dealer might claim. It is the result of poor pre alloy prepping of the wheels. It is occuring at all points on the wheels simulataneously , only 7 months after I purchased it .

I purchased this car for my mother in law after her previous Lexus was totaled in a crash. You will find it registered with Lexus as a recently purchased certified Lexus out of Lexus of Kendall under the name of my mother in law, . (her name)

I would respectfully ask that this issue be reconsidered. I feel that I am completely justified in this position and am not inclined to simply lie down on it.

Very respectfully,
Dan

 

This happens all the time. And it's not 'rust' its corrosion that seeps beneath the paint finish.

Its an aluminum wheel. No manufacturer is 'safe' from this occuring.

My dad's old van had alloy's and they corroded. My 2001 ES300 has this on the alloys as I use the OEM ones for the winter season here in Canada.
My dad's 2004 RX330, shows a couple of spots on his OEM wheels.... etc.

This is nothing new, sorry to break it to you.

Also, look around on the forums, these kinds of pictures emerge often as some climates will ruin wheels quicker than others.

 

My car has the same problem. The paint/coating is inferior, I plan on taking them to a wheel specialist when I have some extra cash.

IMO this type of issue should be covered under warranty.

 

my 2000 es has this same issue on all 4 wheels, i was going to sand them down and respray them myself as i have done it before on a couple pairs of wheels with good results

 

So you're going to stop buying Lexus's because of this little problem, meanwhile a bunch of other cars do the same? I have seen 07 TL's that have the same problem. Why don't you stop complaining and put 22's on that
b1tch. ahahaha

Just kidding - I'd be pissed too. Hope it works out for you.

 

There is no perfect product in the market. Even diamonds have flaws. Remember that

 

Yep, all four rims on my '01 ES have this to a degree, although very slight at the most. I was jogging downtown and saw a 3ES for sale, holy **** the rims were covered in those bumps almost like it was a style from the late '90's. Surprisingly our '03 ES isn't showing any signs of this on any rims with more miles and nearly it's entire life outdoors than my '01 ES

 

i guess this only happens with the alloy wheels, the chrome ones on the GS are so tough they have been thru some tough winters here in michigan and are perfect with no pitting or stripping of the chrome.

 

My 04 es did the same thing, just in the center of the rims. Had them replaced for free, now the second set doing the same. Out of warranty, just keep them clean and hope they don't get any worse.

 

I don't know where you live, but if it's back East, chances are they use salt on the roads during the winter. And as we all know, salt is a corrosive and, if present all winter, can eat through paint and corrode aluminum. I haven't seen too much on wheels in California but it still happens here as well. We have salt air from the ocean that also eats into the finish and engine bays. I wouldn't worry about it too much. If it bothers you, just get the wheels refinished and you will be fine.

 

I just inherited my father's '07 ES350 with under 25,000 on it. It has been religiously garage kept since the day he got it. Now I notice that the paint on the wheels are bubbling with rust and in one spot, a large patch of paint has already fallen off.

If this is supposed to be the best of the best in automobile engineering, why can't they do something as simple as wheels?

Somewhat disappointing to see on a car that is not very old and has not been driven very much.

 

You can buy diamonds that are flawless to the naked eye.... only flaws visible under microscope. Or man made diamonds which can be made flawless. But you def make a good point things have flaws and are made to break basically. Just a matter of time.