Thanks for all your support. Very frustrating customer experience, independent of the actual problems with the vehicle. Just getting to a point where I talked to my Lexus 'case manager' for the first time took four days and about a dozen phone calls on my end to make happen.

And no LE here, I have an IS 500 Premium ... which should make the replacement process a lot easier. Totally agree though - a vehicle from a different batch would be awesome. I formally asked them by phone today to swap it out (also did it by certified letters last Tuesday). I definitely do want to go down this route but once you start tearing apart the car to replace the exhaust manifold it's apparent that this brand-new car isn't to be trusted and one would think that a company which once touted it's products as being the result of "the relentless pursuit of perfection" would be going out of their way to make things right with a replacement.

Sadly was told that they'll take 30-45 days to reach a decision, and if the answer is 'no' then I'm guessing it'll be 4-6 months to get through the lemon law process, at which point only then will Toyota/Lexus finally be made to do what they should be urgently doing right now by replacing the car. So without a doubt going to try getting an earlier answer through alternative channels.

 

Historically negative media attention is a decent way to try to get manufacturers to elevate and pay attention to problems. I know it doesn't always get a response, but it can't hurt to try.

Anyone know a contact at one of the big auto publications? I mean even a site like the drive is a good option.

SavageGeese (YT) has a good relationship with Lexus and has always touted the brand's positives and currently has a LC500. I can try emailing him and see what he says about reaching out to his Lexus reps.

 

I know you didn’t ask, but mine came on at 100 miles in dry weather.

 

I didn't know you had a CEL too! Sorry I missed you in my question.

I feel like mine is in that VIN trouble zone and I am around 375 miles, but all dry driving. Highest speed around 85, but always under 4.2k rpm.

 

Hope the mods can move the CEL related posts to the dedicated thread…

Hard to keep up with who what where when & why in 2 different threads

Joe Z

 

Funny, my wife just said "isn't this kind of a problem the very reason why we didn't just buy a BMW or Mercedes ?" Frankly a 1988 Yugo would be more far reliable at this point ... at least one of those could crack the 'three drives out of four without breaking down' barrier unlike mine.

The idea to reach out to any auto media outlets might actually see some progress made !!! I'm genuinely scared for some of the other owners on this thread who are in the early stages of this or similar problems, especially those owners who aren't near a Lexus dealership (second closest dealership to me is 350 miles away). Drove mine twice after the exhaust gaskets were replaced, and only the first time was the car able to make it back home. And since then it's spent another week at the dealership with two more parts replaced yet still isn't working with another week or longer wait ahead for the next 'fix' attempt.

This whole matter is far beyond a simple oxygen sensor / general CEL issue that has a known fix. So to intentionally relegate/hide these new IS 500 issues in some easily overlooked subthread so that they are not easily seen by potential IS 500 buyers would be doing our fellow enthusiasts a huge disservice. This is the thread to discuss the generalities of the new IS 500 ownership experience, which is what those of us with these problems are doing. My first month of owning an IS 500 will have ended with it only spending 2-3 nights in my garage, with the rest of the time spent sitting unusable at the dealership. Definitely, once a fix is proven and known, relegate this to a problem-specific subthread, but until Lexus actually proves they can fix this issue let new owners interact with other new/potential owners as to both the good and the bad of owning a new IS 500.

Regardless, my vehicle has shown error codes on both exhaust banks' oxygen sensors, and swapping those out as well as the exhaust gaskets didn't fix it, so wondering - if the next fix 'idea' is to replace the exhaust manifold - why are they planning to just replace one side's manifold rather than both? Also my bad for not getting the actual code values that are being thrown - every time the dealership tech calls the news is worse than the last time, and my mind locks in on trying to find a way to finally get the 'reliable' Lexus that I paid for.

 

@jororo

I understand your frustration wholeheartedly..

This thread is NOT hidden.. it is the #2 most viewed in this main normal section currently..

With the branded thread title.

IS 500 - CEL problem and update

I think having the dedicated thread with ongoing members posting on them actually works in your favor

You’re not alone

Joe Z

 

I emailed SavageGeese. They are top notch technical reviewers and take a lot of interest into the fine print details of cars. They are always objective and I would say they aren't Lexus fanboys, but recognize the brands positives as well as highlight the negatives. I'd be surprised if they don't at least respond back saying they will consider reaching out to their Lexus reps.

 

Well I pick mine up tomorrow. I am really hoping I don’t have the same issues. But it’s not a huge fix if it is. Up in Canada we get loaner car till they fix. So it is what it is Covid gasket. But I feel the frustration on a new Lexus. But up here in Canada le is 80k cad. So the car won’t lose any value here. Ship to USA when our dollar tanks. Lol I’m praying now for no issues. Wonder what numbers are affected? 0-100 or 200-300 or random all. Never had an issues with my rcf.

 

I agree - I created the specific thread to keep all CEL related issue in that one location - I am sure Dave (mod) will move it but to all IS 500 owners experiencing this problem, it would be extremely appreciated if we kept this very important topic in a single location for the benefit of all potential owners having the problem being to easily refer to the info Much appreciated in advance - This may help Lexus folks who occasionally lurk on here to see how widespread the issue truly is

 

Crappy69 - Congrats - I am curious, with all these gasket issues, it would be so nice to know if these are from a different supplier or simply a bad batch or something totally different. Slightly off topic but too bad they don't replace the defective gasket/exhaust with the mod exhaust that was on the black/yellow Lexus that Townsend Bell was driving and doing laps- Didn't I read it was an exhaust that was done by someone who is a Lexus enthusiast Mike Forsythe or something?!

 

 

After driving 35 miles around in the city. I've encountered the famous CEL... last vin is 17XX and got this car from Lexus of Serramonte.

 

^^ I think at this point Lexus should ask all owners of the IS 500 to come in for the repair and put a stop sale to repair this issue. No one should have to drive off teh lot being 95% sure this will happen

 

That's in my VIN range, just waiting for my turn at this point too.