Hey Guys

I have a SC 430 and thinking of purchasing a
IS C 350 . Looking at the C forum. I gather
the top “ microswitch” is the weak link in the
IS c 350 and when it goes out, it is a $2,500-$3,000
repair. Yikes

How widespread of a problem is this on the IS C ?
The SC 430 top rarely has problems so this is
The only concern I have.

Can you guys who owned the ISC for a few years chime in?

The IS C is such a unique looking C and hope your feedback
is not a widespread issue.

thx

 

I’ve had my 2010 IS350C for five years now with frequent top use and have yet to encounter the microswitch problem.

While that is the most commonly reported problem I would like to see more data correlation with regard to temperatures, precipitation, and use to see if that factors into the failure of the switch.

I wouldn’t let it put you off the purchase, but if you are worried you could buy an extended warranty... Cheers ~Tom

 

My IS250-C here in the UK is now 10 years old and has never encountered this.

Certainly the issue was been well-aired on this forum and I urge you to take a look at http://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-c...p-problem.html.

In summary, it would seem that the switch is part of a circuit board (PCB) within the roof assembly, Should the switch fail, Lexus' solution is to replace the PCB at an eye-watering cost. In reality the switch has been identified as a Panasonic ultra-miniature microswitch ABJ 39375, costing a few dollars or a couple of our British pounds. This is a semi-standard part but with a custom actuator; the actuator can be taken from the offending part and the new switch soldered in its place.

If you are thinking of buying an IS-C, don't let this put you off. I took mine out for a drive today - even by Lexus standards it is a first-class car to drive and a remarkable piece of engineering. Here in the UK we only had the 250 which is really quick off the mark and only around 300 were sold.

 

I had mine go out under warrantee.. The dealership kept the car for 3 weeks trying to figure out what it was.

 

Tomdac, what were the details surrounding your top failure?
-how many miles on the car?
-what year car?
-when was the failure? Summer/winter? Extreme temps or conditions?
-what did they find was the cause/solution? And what would have been the real cost to fix if not under warranty?

 

2014 IS350C. About 27K miles on the car at the time. I live in the desert, so extreme heat, but normally the car is in the garage in the heart of the summer and we don't drive it. This happened in the offseason (not super hot).. i'd say it was prolly 75 degrees at the time.

I went to open the top and got some error message.. The dealership here is lame, so they told me they've never had an issue with tops malfunctioning, which is why it took them 3 weeks to fix. It ended up being a faulty microswitch, but they had to order an entire package tray assembly just for the switch... Not sure how pricey it would've been since it was covered under warrantee..

there are some other posts on here about top issues. It happens, for sure....

 

If you can get the VIN for the car, go to drivers.lexus.com to see the service history as reported by Lexus dealers. You will have to create an account, but it is free.

 

Hi,want get a SC430 for this summer but test drve and found in love with a 2010 Lexus IS250C. Want to get it but think about the top with issues above. Any body have anyway to fix it w/o expend 2-3K repair mentioned above? Thanks a lot. i'm in Atlanta, weather is'nt big deal here.

 

IMHO, the IS C is not plagued with problems. Yes, there have been problems, but not of any epidemic proportions. Could one of these $2000 problems happen to the car you are planning on buying? Anything is possible. It is also possible that the engine could blow up and that would be even more expensive than the convertible top.

You have to take a more optimistic outlook instead of worrying about if the sky is going to fall.

 

Dennis is right. Absolutely spot-on.

The reason the roof failure has been highlighted is because it's a Lexus and nothing else goes wrong so without this, there would be nothing to talk about.

Jonas - buy one if you fancy. It's a delightful car to own, top up or down. For peace of mind see my earlier post re the offending microswitch.

 

Agree with @Mike246

We have had 13 Lexus. ISC and RCF are my favorites. LS600hL which used to be my favorite, (I fell out of love with it)

 

thank you so much for your advises. im driving a ls460 aw and previously es350, ls400-90. ls400-94, ls400-98, ls430-02 and always love lexus. Owned a solara convertible for leasure in spring, summer, and fall. #1 for me is lex 400-94 and ls430-02 luxuary package. So lexus always my prefered car maker (460 -2013 up till now, really been cut a lot of lexus goodies), and tested drive the Is250C, love it and will get one for come up spring, no matter top problem, Thanx Den M and your guys.