2008 LS600hL Transmission failure
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,648
Likes: 426
From: ON/NY
Well, they didn't answer on my last mail so I just called them instead, they would not cover the cost of the diagnostic and they pretty much confirmed that they wouldn't pay for anything, they just hoped that it could be something else that doesn't cost as much, figures.
The cost of a new transmission is 10k without the labor, the part alone is worth as much as the car, so yeah, not going to bother bringing them the car, it will be sold for export and probably gutted for parts. Sad, but honestly at this point even a Fiat has been more reliable than this car, that will be my last Lexus for a while as I'm seeing more and more recalls in the news, I'm done.
The cost of a new transmission is 10k without the labor, the part alone is worth as much as the car, so yeah, not going to bother bringing them the car, it will be sold for export and probably gutted for parts. Sad, but honestly at this point even a Fiat has been more reliable than this car, that will be my last Lexus for a while as I'm seeing more and more recalls in the news, I'm done.
Driver
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 88
Likes: 24
From: Scandinavia
dont worry, my LS600HL 2013 has been bulletproof with zero problems. Talked with a Toyota mechanic who has been working on Toyota/lexus hybrids in Norway since 2003. Over 99% of all Toyota/Lexus vehicles in Norway are Hybrid cars, and only 3 hybrid battery packs has been replaced since 2003. He had in fact never worked on any hybrid systems in Toyota/lexus products. He did know about one prius with almost 800.000 miles with same battery.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 14
Likes: 2
From: Vaud
Of course I'm not going to buy a Fiat that would be just asking for trouble, but given the failures of this car I'm quite pissed at Lexus, even if I just got the worst possible kind of unicorn, but with the repairs that had to be done on it, I could easily have bought a second car for that. I'm not talking 2k or 3k repairs either, while the rotted mufflers can be expected with our salted streets, that's 4-5k already, add the AC compressor and computer, that's another 9k-10k, I was able to avoid a lot of costs changing the brake pads and rotors myself importing parts from outside Switzerland (for some reason we have ridiculously jacked up prices, 5 times more than Europe, yikes) as well as doing the engine oil and filter change, but all in all for a bit more than 5 years and 50k miles, the car cost way over 50k by itself (35k buy price), it's a bit ridiculous by any stretch of the imagination.
Driver
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 88
Likes: 24
From: Scandinavia
Of course I'm not going to buy a Fiat that would be just asking for trouble, but given the failures of this car I'm quite pissed at Lexus, even if I just got the worst possible kind of unicorn, but with the repairs that had to be done on it, I could easily have bought a second car for that. I'm not talking 2k or 3k repairs either, while the rotted mufflers can be expected with our salted streets, that's 4-5k already, add the AC compressor and computer, that's another 9k-10k, I was able to avoid a lot of costs changing the brake pads and rotors myself importing parts from outside Switzerland (for some reason we have ridiculously jacked up prices, 5 times more than Europe, yikes) as well as doing the engine oil and filter change, but all in all for a bit more than 5 years and 50k miles, the car cost way over 50k by itself (35k buy price), it's a bit ridiculous by any stretch of the imagination.
Last edited by TANORWAY; Apr 20, 2020 at 09:34 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 397
Likes: 60
From: QC
Seems like the coupling/clutch is a likely culprit for that type of transmission failure:
Probably cheaper than replacing the transmission. Challenge is to diagnose it since nobody work on those car and expertise is scarce even at the dealership. Everybody just gonna say you probably need a new transmission and everyone gonna decline the outrageous repair cost so those car are not getting repaired and thus no expertise is gained on repairing them.
Those hybrid are gonna get even more rare on the road
Probably cheaper than replacing the transmission. Challenge is to diagnose it since nobody work on those car and expertise is scarce even at the dealership. Everybody just gonna say you probably need a new transmission and everyone gonna decline the outrageous repair cost so those car are not getting repaired and thus no expertise is gained on repairing them.
Those hybrid are gonna get even more rare on the road
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,648
Likes: 426
From: ON/NY
Of course I'm not going to buy a Fiat that would be just asking for trouble, but given the failures of this car I'm quite pissed at Lexus, even if I just got the worst possible kind of unicorn, but with the repairs that had to be done on it, I could easily have bought a second car for that. I'm not talking 2k or 3k repairs either, while the rotted mufflers can be expected with our salted streets, that's 4-5k already, add the AC compressor and computer, that's another 9k-10k, I was able to avoid a lot of costs changing the brake pads and rotors myself importing parts from outside Switzerland (for some reason we have ridiculously jacked up prices, 5 times more than Europe, yikes) as well as doing the engine oil and filter change, but all in all for a bit more than 5 years and 50k miles, the car cost way over 50k by itself (35k buy price), it's a bit ridiculous by any stretch of the imagination.
I really don’t expect Lexus to step up and help any used buyer with the repair, maybe, just maybe they would help the original buyer.
Driver
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 88
Likes: 24
From: Scandinavia
It is unfortunate. That is a lot of money for a used car. I think the 600h was about $140K, you’d have to have some seriously cake to play around with repairs and maintenance and that price point....and that point, it should be a hobby and leisure to own one of those models... For example, we have older body on frame SUVs from Toyota, they cost a fortune or maintain, repair, and fuel. But they are hobbies for both of us.
I really don’t expect Lexus to step up and help any used buyer with the repair, maybe, just maybe they would help the original buyer.
I really don’t expect Lexus to step up and help any used buyer with the repair, maybe, just maybe they would help the original buyer.
Last edited by TANORWAY; Apr 20, 2020 at 09:32 AM.
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Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,648
Likes: 426
From: ON/NY
Yes and no. My 2013 600HL is a daily driver and I drive it 18 miles everyday with zero problems , now with 101.000 miles. My Land Cruiser 200 Diesel 2012 with 400.000 miles has only had a rear height level regulator sensor replaced.. I should be more afraid to own a normaly priced BMW,AUDI ect then a Lexus flagship.
Driver
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 88
Likes: 24
From: Scandinavia
I just think people overreact how technical the car is, how even Lexus dealers are scared to touch the car. My car is serviced by a small local Toyota dealer without any problems. The only huge problem you can run into is the air suspension and the 4000$ battery, if they brake, something that is extremely rare. Maybe people in US are more scared about hybrids, but in EU Toyota hybrids are everywhere and we know they are bulletproof.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 69,222
Likes: 4,220
From: Maryland
I just think people overreact how technical the car is, how even Lexus dealers are scared to touch the car. My car is serviced by a small local Toyota dealer without any problems. The only huge problem you can run into is the air suspension and the 4000$ battery, if they brake, something that is extremely rare. Maybe people in US are more scared about hybrids, but in EU Toyota hybrids are everywhere and we know they are bulletproof.
Toyota hybrids are everywhere too, but the LS600h is not just another Toyota hybrid.
Driver
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 88
Likes: 24
From: Scandinavia
The car is very technical, thats not a disputable fact. There are other problems than just that, hybrid battery is a huge potential cost, inverters, we have a member here who is paying $2,500 to replace an 02 sensor because of the design of the exhaust manifold. It's just something you have to be prepared for, there are many more potential huge repair bills in an LS600 than in an LS460.
Toyota hybrids are everywhere too, but the LS600h is not just another Toyota hybrid.
Toyota hybrids are everywhere too, but the LS600h is not just another Toyota hybrid.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 69,222
Likes: 4,220
From: Maryland
if I can get 10 years/ 150.000 problem free miles, heeey I will be happy. I have no problem to pay to hold this car on the road, because the new LS is ugly and without a V8. Money pits exist everywhere from cheap to expensive cars. If the engine ect blows up in a VW golf, it will also hurt he owner hard. But anyway, if you can afford a 600H, they are the king of all LS.
Driver
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 88
Likes: 24
From: Scandinavia
Of course, but $5k isn't that bad, it almost cost $4000-6000 to change two turbos in a budget car, the last bill I got on my 2015 Tesla Model S was $13735
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,612
Likes: 1,852
From: Ohio