Hi all can someone please help? In September of 2021 I got a certified 2018 es350 with panoramic sunroof with 23,000 miles on it.about one months ago while driving my radio suddenly got lower and lower.I could not control the volume.when I got home and parked the car shut it off and restarted it everything was fine.it has not happened since.I just recently went to the dealer to do my 30,000 service and mentioned this radio problem to the dealer.he said after checking the radio 4 codes came up that I need it replaced.I questioned what the codes were he said “ off hand I don’t know but it needs to be replaced”since i’am under warranty he ordered a New radio.he called me this morning after further questions about the radio I then asked if it was a refurbished radio he responded “ let me check” sure enough it is a refurbished radio.my question to you all should I let them replace the radio or keep my original I know that it’s a big job to replace it.once again this problem happened once ,and since i’am a female I need some advice on what to do.I also have 1 and a half years left under warranty.much thanks all

 

Unfortunately in your case (without spending a ton of money on brand new unit) which is a warranty, you will have to work with a refurbished unit. I will have a warranty in case it fails. If it happened (radio acting), it will happen again, get it replaced under warranty. Good luck.

 

I would ask what part they are replacing. If it's just the amp, which is under the seat, I would probably let them do it. See if you can get a part number.

 

Hi mike728 the dealer said the whole radio needs to be replaced.he claims he has to give me a loner car because it’s a big job.since i’am a female that is why I posted on this forum.I know how notorious the car dealers are,I just hope i’am making the right decision on a refurbished one.thanks for answering?

 

Mandyfig,thanks for your reply how do you feel about a refurbished radio? And i’am under the assumption it’s a big job to replace the radio am I correct?

 

My 2010 ES 350 (I purchased new) the radio got screwy and needed to be replaced with the first couple of years.

I was not aware but they can under warranty replace thing with refurbished parts. I became aware of the fact that the replacement radio was refurbished when the phone numbers stored were from someone else!

So I called one of the numbers and a man answered and said his mothers Avalon had had the radio replaced.

I called the dealer, strange that during the refurbishment they did not clear the prior owners phone numbers.

I believe they will use refurbished parts if available.

Do I like it? No. But it was covered under warranty.

 

is it Mark Levinson radio.

 

Unlikely. Would be the base Pioneer Amp.

 

Edited for PC

 

If the radio is fine and the trouble code was one time only. The troubleshooting procedure is not to fix it, but to keep an eye on any future codes.

Swapping out the entire audio and infotainment unit is a long procedure and they could scratch parts of your trims or if not secured back can have cabin rattles.

 

Thanks RFk350 ...yes it will be a refurbished radio I hope that i’am making the right choice.the dealer is not charging me since it’s under warranty.but you know how these things go IF I do not change it i’am afraid that when my warranty ends once again it will start to act up again.thanks for your response.

 

Hi YESKAY no I do not think so. I’am so confused as to what to do.since i’am under warranty the last think I need is the problem to happen again when the warranty ends.as stated it only happened once. I also had them check the battery they claimed that it was fine.thanks for responding.

 

So they replaced your Lexus radio with a Avalon radio? I known Lexus/ Toyota is the same company does your radio say Lexus on it or Avalon? The dealer “ claims” it will be the exact same radio. I sure hope so ....once again thank you so much for answering my questions.

 

They are not charging me for the radio,but once again this only happened once. I know it will be a refurbished one because I asked( he never said anything) until I questioned if it was new. I really do not want a refurbishment one ...but I do not want to spend a lot of $$$$ either.this is why I’am so confused as to what to do.as someone stated on here he had a problem with his radio and they replaced with an Avalon radio.I know it’s the same company but I do not want it to say Avalon on it when i’am driving a Lexus....once again thanks for your reply.

 

Hope you find the help that you need.