We took our 2010 Lexus RX450H (with 119,000 miles on it) into the dealer because it was making a loud noise. Six (6) months ago we lost 6 quarts of oil when the oil cooler line developed a leak. Car was towed into the dealer at that time and the cooler line was replaced with the metal version (old version was rubber), but we did not receive any extended warranty at that time. Dealer said there was no damage to the engine, at that time. Now, 6 months later, my car is sitting at the dealer with a total catastrophic engine failure. Metal shavings in the engine oil. Lexus headquarters authorized the dealership to investigate and find out what the problem was. But, now they are declining any assistance with repairs, and do not know what caused the engine failure. Well, I can tell you what caused it! We are told a used engine, installed, will be $9,500 - which makes the value of the car pretty much totaled.

Has anyone else had to deal with this? I'm going to talk to a supervisor at Lexus headquarters in the next day or two; but is there any recourse? This car has 119,000 miles, and has been serviced at the dealership since we bought it. Regular maintenance done, oil changes done routinely. An engine with that few miles just doesn't disintegrate for no reason. The reason is lack of oil, oil starvation, caused by the failure of the oil cooler line. There is no way the dealership could have known the extent of the internal damage to the engine, without tearing it apart (and they did not do that until this failure happened).

What recourse do we consumers have? Is this the tip of the iceberg to another major recall? Anyone suggest a good attorney to talk to?

Any help is appreciated.

 

Do a Google search for Lemon Law attorneys in your state. They are the guys who deal with car warranty issues all the time and usually know the attorneys that represent the different car companies. They usually offer free initial consultation because most states award attorneys fees in such cases.

 

You should ask a layer in your state, but in my opinion you do not have a case.

We got used to the cars lasting a long time, but yours is way out of warranty, the manufacturer is not obligated to fix it.

Just my opinion.

 

You may not have a case with that many miles and the time difference between the line failure and engine failure.
However, your best bet to prove a connection is to get a used oil analysis by consulting tribologist Terry Dyson. He may be able to determine the cause of your engine failure from an analysis of the oil in your engine. Maybe then you could at least get Lexus to pay for part of a replacement engine.
https://www.dysonanalysis.com/

At least you should email him about your situation.

 

If anyone other than the dealer installs a used engine your price will probably be about half of what the dealer quoted.

 

loud noise sounds like it was too late to save the engine internals. when the oil light came on, how long was the engine ran? if shut off immediately the engine shouldn't suffer too much damage. if ran for a while the bearings get toasted. independent shops are probably a lot cheaper for engine replacements.

 

but why would you even want to replace the engine in an RX?????- lexus dealer or independent shop you will have issues for years to come after replacement - also good luck finding an independent shop willing to swap out a HYBRID engine.

Lexus should not blow up at 119,000 miles. Find a way to figure out what happened - get to the bottom of it. That sort of thing does not happen unless the car has not had an oil change at all in it's lifetime. Even then... someone has been messing with your car bro due diligence major red flags here.

 

You do have a case here. However the problem is the elapsed time between oil cooler pipe and engine failure.

The oil oil cooler pipe is a known problem even with the 2nd gen RX.

It doesnt take a rocket scientist to figure out if you loose oil all of a sudden and you do not shut your engine off immediately, irreversible damage will occur.

 

Hi - perhaps the attached will help you -- if your car is less than 10 years old (or perhaps was there at the time of the referred to service) and less than 150,000 miles (which you are under) you are within the extended (enhanced) warranty for the oil cooler problem -- take a look! Good luck!

 

How many miles did you drive the vehicle after the oil line was repaired?

 

Just to add, I have a 2011 RX450h that the same thing happened. I got the oil line repaired. Have driven vehicle for approx 6000mi since with no issues.

For anyone, am I out in the clear or could the engine still develop issues?

 

You are probably going to be fine but get your used oil analyzed by Blackstone or Dyson at the next oil change and I would do it very soon since you put 6000 miles on since the repair and I assume the oil was changed then.