Hey Folks,

I bought my '13 GS350 F Sport in December of 2016. When I took delivery, I had checked out all the features to make sure they were functioning. My car has the cold weather package and when I tried to test the headlamp washers nothing happened when I pressed the button to activate them. Later, I read that you have to have a combination of the headlamps on along with the wipers. Well, I figure I won't use them very often at all anyway, so I never bothered to check them out, my bad. Fast forward to December 2017, I am driving in bad weather and notice the headlight aren't really doing much so I attempt to wash the headlights, it was at night, but I didn't notice and spray or any difference. I discover later that they are not working. I take my car in for the 65K maintenance to my local Lexus dealership (not the one I purchased the vehicle from) and they advised that it appears that there was front end damage and the headlight washer control module was missing and there was corrosion in the wire harness connector. I sent an email to the dealership's General Manager, Sales Director and Customer Relationship Manager - the email goes unanswered, I send a 2nd email, no response. I didn't call yet, but I am curious what others think about this. The headlamp washers are not a huge deal, obviously I never checked them out or even attempted t use them for a year! I am a little irritated to hear about previous front end damage, but I do understand that doesn't always get reported to Carfax and does not prevent a vehicle from being a CPO Lexus. Do you guys think I should fight the fight and try to get them to resolve this, or leave it? I haven't checked the cost of the module online, but the dealership that had done the service quoted me $355, incl part and 1hr labor. I could probably do it myself pretty easily, assuming all else is OK (hoses, washer jets, etc) Thoughts?

Here is the email I sent the dealership I purchased the vehicle from for reference:It has been a little over a year since I took delivery of my certified 2013 GS 350 that I purchased from Lexus of ***. I haven't had any major issues with the car, but a few weeks ago, I was driving in some bad weather and attempted to use the headlamp washers, I noticed they didn't seem to be working at all. I had not needed to use them and had not tested them previously. I had the 65K maintenance scheduled at Lexus of *** and mentioned it to the service advisor. They checked it out and said that the car had some front end damage that had been repaired and the headlight washer control module was missing and the wiring harness was corroded. Since I had not purchased the vehicle from them, they were not going to correct it. I would like your dealership to resolve this issue. I am more concerned to hear the car had been damaged and nothing appeared on the Carfax report. I understand that not all damage is reported to Carfax, however, my car was a 'certified' Lexus and I would have thought that all mechanical systems would have been checked out and found in normal working condition to be a certified Lexus vehicle. For reference, attached is the invoice from Lexus of *** stating the issues they discovered with the headlamp washers. I look forward to hearing from you and resolving this issue.

 

After a year, I'm afraid you may be on your own. I bought a 13 GS350 AWD and haven't tested the headlight washers yet and I know mine was tapped in the front before I got it.

You might luck out if the dealer is a standup operation but after a year I still feel the window has closed.

 

The car is 5 years old, been in acvident, and purchased used, so IMHO not reasonable to ask Lexus to repair FOC.

Warranty is more for manufacturer's fault.

I've had a 3GS for 12 years & never bothered to use headlight washers.

 

I really dislike hearing that a car was sold as CPO and it has such an obvious problem...a problem that definitely should have been caught by the tech who was checking that things were working and up to standard. If you still have any remaining time life on your CPO warranty, I would certainly continue to pursue the fix from the dealership that sold you the car. If they are unresponsive, you can always call Lexus corporate and hear what they have to say.

The biggest claim you have is that the car was checked by another Lexus dealership that found the problem and the module isn't even there. The biggest problem you have with getting it fixed under warranty is that they can say you had the car for the last two years and can claim you are trying to get something fixed that they have no way of telling whether it was damaged by you or prior to your ownership period.

This is why its super important to have everything checked before committing to the purchase. I was saddened to learn that my brakes, rotors and tires were at the minimum levels to be certified and I didn't pay closer attention to force them into addressing at least the rusted/pitted rotors before buying. I've learned my lesson: always check everything, never be in a rush to buy and always bring someone with you that can help critique the car. We always assume that since its CPO, someone else has done the due diligence but thats not always the case...

 

Thanks for the replies. I probably won't pursue it, if I do, I will post my outcome. I may try to work through Lexus, if they'd ship me the part, I can install it - I don't like the dealership I purchased the vehicle from, but they had the car I wanted at the time.

 

 

I say if you're still under the CPO warranty, its worth stopping by in person and make your case (in a calm and polite manner of course ).

 

Yes, I am still under the CPO warranty, been a little over a year since I purchased it. I had an issue with marginal battery the day I took delivery, failed to start later. It was a royal PITA to get that dealership to step up and replace the battery, but they eventually did. I think I will try working with Lexus directly as you suggested.

 

Yes talk to the head (Corporate) and not the butt (Dealer), Tell them just what happened and this being a CPO vehicle you were under the assumption that everything worked.

 

Under CPO should make your case easier. I would definitely fight it.
Aren't CPO warranty better than new? At least that what they were advertising at the dealership?

 

There is specific criteria otherwise known the "fine print" that tells you exactly what CPO coverages you have.

 

Update: So, I call Lexus corporate and explain the issue with my headlight washers. I agree that I should have tested it upon purchase, but I explain the situation and my dissatisfaction with the dealer I purchased it from (had battery issue where car didn't' start literally the day I bought it) Anyway, I gave all the details later one afternoon and the first thing the next morning a case Manager called me and verified all the information. I asked that if Lexus corporate was willing to make the repair, that I would like to go to my local dealer. A few days pass and I get a call from the case Manager. She spoke with the dealer who sold me the car and they said they would have fixed it if it was brought to their attention shortly after purchase, not over a year later...I get that. But she said as a goodwill gesture hoping I stay loyal to the brand that I continue to use Lexus for maintenance and future vehicle purchases. I was impressed, I really didn't think they would step up. The car is still at my local dealership, they had to order some extra stuff (I think for the corroded connector) but I have a loaner and am very happy that they are taking care of this.

In the near future, my wife is looking for a new car to replace her 2011 RX350. We will probably stay with Lexus, but lesson learned, NOT ALL LEXUS DEALERS ARE IDENTICAL! I know after typing that, you say well, that is obvious, but I figured when dealing with a 'lux' brand, they would all have the same standards, not the case. I will be dealing with my local dealer going forward.