Today my ES350 encountered a new problem:-

Pressing the Fuel flap button at the dashboard, does not release the flap and hence you cannot put gas in the car.

It does trigger the release since I hear the action happening near the gas tank, but it stays shut.
I opened the trunk and the small access to that switch. I can see it trying to release but of no avail.
Since I had run out of gas, I used a small plastic to pry open the flap.

This is such a basic item in the car and I cant believe, that this went wrong!!
My old corolla with 150K + miles has never had any problems while this car has gone only 35K miles, but has had factory installed battery replaced in the first year due to cell failure, front windows replaced due to (motor) failures, creaking noises near the dashboard and had to add insulation.

Has anyone had this fuel flap issue? I am sure it can be fixed by tinkering with the bent metal supposed to hold it.

 

I remember having that happen once on my 2007 but seem to remember that it had something to do with the doors being locked in a certain sequence.

 

Did you actually attempt to use the manual release by pulling it?

 

It happens sometime, you can smply use a credit card and ply it open and not damage the paint..

 

Yes. I did try the manual release, but it did not work.

I used something similar to the credit card.

I finally took it to the dealer to show it to them. They came back and said the spring had broken off. I am not sure if it was that, since the flap door showed no indication of being loose even when I manually released it.

The dealer mentioned that they fixed it even though it is not covered under warranty (I have the 8yr 70 odd K warranty). I was surprised to know that these things are not covered by it!!

 

This was exactly the same problem I had with my ES for the first couple of months. The spring would fall off after replacing the fuel cap. Badly designed system. Took it to the dealer several times. They eventually did something with the spring and it stopped happening. So far 3 yrs later no problems.

 

I recently had the spring retainer break on my '09. The replacement part was in stock at my Lexus dealer for $4. Very easy to do yourself, my service writer even offered to replace it for me at no charge. No big deal at all.