Hey everyone,

I just got back from a long road trip and am really pissed off. Why? I have two new rattles in my car, and they're massive.

One coming from the front center of the dash, around where the radio unit is. This one is unbelievably annoying and is non-stop. No clue what is causing it. The second coming from the back of the moonroof, sounds like someone is slapping it. Just as ridiculous.

It really pisses me off that Lexus cheaped out on the quality of these parts. I'm thinking about de-badging my car and placing "Rattle 400" on the back.

I guess this is what I get for trusting Lexus on a 2nd year model.

 

Lexus did not cheaped out on the quality of the parts. They're just assembly problems. If they cheaped out on the parts then ALL the GSs would have the same problem. Lexuses are not Nissans.

Did you take it to the dealer? What did they say?

It's weird hearing all these rattle problems on the GS. I haven't had a single rattle problem. Maybe Mine was built real well?

have you tried taking to the dealer?

 

Globe's right...I've heard several '98-'99 GS owners complaining about rattles...Maybe it's just a problem with those model year cars. Then again, the newer ones may start developing these rattles as time progresses. Hopefully not. The GS has recently been top-rated in several quality studies, most notably J.D. Powers. Like Globe said, take it to a dealer.

 

Today I just took my SC4 into the dealer for them to fix rattles on the glove box and the passenger door. They give me a 01 GS300 as a loaner and after a ride in it I can't really complain the rattle I have on the SC. The one in the center console is really annoying. You can still hear it even when you turn up the radio.

I agree that rattles are not part quality problems bur design and assembly problems. However one need to have good QC in assembly to build a great car.

My SC was rattle free for the first 2 years and then it starts to rattle a bit. The dealer is very helpful and is able to fix the bigger rattles but it is just too troublesome to go into the dealer 3 times to fix a glove box rattle.

I still remember how rattle free my dad's 560SEL when it is 10 years old. I can't say so for his 2 year old S500 now. Maybe it is the built quality and maybe it is the quietness of the modern cars that spoil us.

James

 

Could be that our interior is so quiet that every little noise is prominent. I got the one from the sunroof slider. Some velcro fixed it. Not another rattle from anywhere and I have the Ltune suspension with TRD sways with over 75k miles. I consider myself lucky.

 

That's definitely true. I like your subject (try a jeep) - you won't worry about tiny rattles in that! You're also likely to hear your teeth rattling too.

Seems like Lexus has improved the newer GS with each year. The 98s having the most rattles, then the 99s, etc. My 2000 has had a couple (door creak, inside sunroof cover would slip back by itself) which were fixed by the dealer, but not bad at all.

 

I see the point regarding the jeep, but the GS 400 is a $50,000 Luxury Sports Sedan - the Jeep is a $25,000 SUV.

I'm not trying to complain or be bitter here; I just think we should hold Lexus to some kind of standard. If the company is not held accountable for poor assembly/parts/etc. then it won't remain a good company in the long run.

I've tried taking rattles into the dealership before, and I've come away feeling unsatisfied. That being said, I'm going to try one last time and see if they can resolve this. If not, I will probably avoid buying Lexus in the future.

Regards,