a310pilot

You know whats sad? . I clicked on the link you posted, read you review and saw 15 thumbs down. This doesn't help the cause. WHO are these people giving it thumbs down???

Music4ever

I have also notice a few website with bad review about the mark Levenison system in the 2013 Lexus ES as well as bad Customer service.

Music4ever

I have asked our company lawyer to look at the fine print and Lexus claim and he indicated if there was a law suit or class action against Lexus, Lexus would lose as the wording is very clear in their statement of what the output is and performance of the ML system.

It is unfortunate that Lexus and Harman have been choosing the band aid method instead of doing it right. Like a wise man once said...Do it right or do not do it at all

ElliotB

There is no doubt that the ML system is not as good as it could/should be. But there is also no doubt that is the better of the two options available for the ES 300h.

"a law suit or class action against Lexus, Lexus would lose' While you are possibly correct, the time and cost involved in doing this makes the task not worth the effort (at least to me). I had a similar situation with my Honda vehicle a few years ago. There was a defect in the hybrid system and Honda refused to fix it under warranty. My attorney strongly recommended that I just trade the vehicle in for another one, which I ultimately did.

While I am hopeful that Lexus will fix this, there is no guarantee. At this point, I am just waiting to see what happens. I am sure they have had their lawyers look at the situation and given them a recommendation. It just doesn't make sense that they won't correct this problem, or at least commit to fixing it in the future. While this is a major disappointment, the car is still an exceptional vehicle otherwise.

Mike728

^^ Totally agree with this statement.

I think it still sounds excellent, as long as you don't try to blow out your windows by cranking it up too much. The overall music clarity is phenomenal for a factory installed system, at reasonable levels. If you just listen to XM, though, you're SOL. Nothing you can do to fix that.

calm

IMHO, "cranking it up" to a volume of 35-40, ASL and DSP enabled, "0" settings for Bass/Mid/Treble with the windows open doing 65-70 on the highway using FM/XM/CD/Pandora isn't abnormal. Wanting to pay real money ($8,700 or $9,150 pre-bundled option package) for a defective option seems abnormal.

Why would you think about or actuall compromise on this?

Don't you want a vehicle that zooms and booms as advertised?

calm

If you get any traction from your company attorney, please let the group know. I would be interested.

My dealer from whom I leased this luxury vehicle with the premium options (lets leave them nameless but they are the only one in Northwest Indiana and also have a second location in South Chicagoland) has:

• Absolved themselves of any responsability in the matter: They claim it is a Lexus Customer Service issue only - go deal with "California". The salesperson was at least kind enough to offer to call on my behalf (not the service manager or general manager).
• Will not provide any write-ups beyond what they have done to document the issue further (I need multiple write ups to get a Lemon law case going in Indiana).
• Will not provide a service loaner for this issue until it is resolved (I should have done that from day 1).
• Will not take any further initiative to get this expedited.
• Unwilling to discuss ideas of trade assist, outright buy back / break the lease, any credit for the option package or any other financial remedy.

Any thoughts as to what can be done? The next dealer is 50 miles further away.

I even thought about hiring a "protester" to place out in front of the dealership with signage on Saturdays that Lexus isn't supporting me post sale with brochures to back that claim up. If I could leave the vehicle there and not get towed I would probably offer demonstrations. . .

ElliotB

"I think it still sounds excellent"

I agree. While, there is without a doubt a sub-woofer issue, it is controllable (for the most part) through adjustments of the bass, mid tone and treble settings. I have experimented with the settings and have found some that work for me, and the system. I am generally able to listen at higher volume settings without the sub-woofer distortion. I get best results with quality (uncompressed) music CDs - the sound is much better than XM. Some of the XM bass is not the best and boosting poor quality audio only exacerbates the issue. Quality audio, whatever the source, delivers, cleaner, crisper sound.

" They claim it is a Lexus Customer Service issue only" They are correct. At this point in time, there is no 'fix' so there is nothing they can do.

Calm, how do you have all your audio settings set? What is your music source?

Music4ever

Hi Calm, As for a sign on your vehicle great idea just make sure your not on their property.
They have to give you a rental to check the issue with the vehicle and give you a report, Have you made a claim to lexus yet in writting if so continue and keep the paper trace as this is how you build a solid case and can make a claim with the Lemon law office.

As for a class action suit I am actually waiting for Lexus to get back to the Lemon Law office on my claim, beleive it or not I put papers on my windows of my vehicle with my concern and have gotten 27 people to call me interested in a class action suit on this same issue. I hope not to take this route but if I have to I will post it on the forum.

Good luck to all of us that Lexus and Harman can fix the issue properly not a short cut, by reducing wattage

LisaES350

I had a very negative conversation with the Lexus Customer Service department, where I called to report this problem. The lady assigned to my case was rude. Basically the sub issue is a "non warrantable concern" and they will not replace it again. End of story, no offer to do anything additional. When I asked to get this in writing the answer was... No. I am still I shock about the lack of courtesy for a customer who just purchased a 50k vehicle. I was so angry with the way she talked to me, I said I will call back after I have had a chance to digest the phone call.

I am interested in a class action suit. Paid too much for this ML system to have it sound worse than the Ford Escort that I had as a teenager.

Mike728

Have you tried it with DSP turned off? That was the single most improvement to sound quality I've made. The DSP makes the music sound boomy and just plain bad. If the source is good, all a signal processor will do is make it worse. DSP's were mainly introduced to add "matrix" surround to stereo music back in the early days of surround, like Dolby Pro-Logic did to stereo movies. Music should be heard in the manner it was intended for the best quality playback. If you can get your hands on a DVD-A recorded in multi-ch, give it a listen. Just make sure you turn the DSP mode off.

I agree the ML sub is not on par with the rest of the system, and I'm hoping a fix can be implemented, soon. I just don't see it as being so consuming as some of you seem to be making it. Life is far more important than having the ability to knock the mirror off of my windshield.

calm

What other media outlets are there to express our dissatisfaction with the ML issue?

This distortion issue (now coupled with a Lexus not responding / customer service issue) needs more energy to get a positive reaction from Lexus.

To get this reaction, this has to become economic to them. The easiest way to do that in today's electronic world IMHO is to generate a lot of noise (unwanted publicity) about an issue Lexus would like to remain hidden in the fringes. Lexus isn't going to want every ES300h/350 forum, online report, or outlet available tarred and feathered with unfavorable comments like the one posted on Edmunds earlier in this thread.

Who is up for getting a list put together and participating?

Does someone with this issue have a Twitter account with followers that can help? Same question for users with Facebook and Reddit access?

Is anyone friends with authors of any automotive press to get online articles about this out in the wild?

What should the truthful/factual general message be: e.g. "Address the ML issue now for 2013 vehicles and properly in the ES300h/350. Address the ML issue right and don't fake it by tuning the amp down."

Thoughts?

LisaES350

It's not that it is a huge deal, I still love the car, she is mechanically sound. What gets me is the lack of respect that corporate customer service showed me. Didn't even acknowledge there was an issue and told me to keep my bass at 0 (on a top end audio system?) I was in no way rude, just wanted it reported to help escalate so that we could have a real fix.

I love my music and spend a lot of time in my car and I paid a hefty up charge for the ML system. Now I have to pay even more to have a decent sub put in aftermarket and will have my warranty voided. I just isn't fair to the consumer and that is what I take issue with.

LexBob2

It seems like most people aren't satisfied with the response from customer service.

Not just on the ML issue but others as well.

It might just be a feel good 800 number when purchasing a car.

bc6152

Check out www.pissedconsumer.com