I have a 2004 LS 430 and last year I had to replace the front passenger Door Lock Actuator.

Today there was and article in the Chicago Tribune by Brad Bergholdt from McClatchy Newspapers about this problem and it got me to thinking about how common this problem might be.

I was wondering if anyone contacted Lexus even though our cars are out of warranty and if Lexus acknowledged the problem and offered any assistance.

 

There have been several threads posted on this forum via members with the same, very common, problem. We had to have the front passenger door actuator replaced on our 2005 LS. Thankfully, it was covered under the extended warranty.

 

It's certainly not just a Lexus problem. Many if not most if not all electric door lock actuators use small DC motors. These motors eventually fail. Perhaps Lexus has a bigger problem because the cars are programmed to lock and unlock the doors whenever they are put into gear and into park. In addition, it takes two button presses to unlock all four doors. The drivers door then gets two actuation's for the other doors one. All this takes its toll. I changed my CBEST settings to stop all this automatic stuff so mine will last longer. If you're handy, and brave, you can replace the actuators for a few bucks each.

 

I have an 02, same issue. Mine makes no noise at all, absolutely no attempt to lock or unlock. The only way to open the door is from the inside handle, even then, the outside handle is still locked. Is this the solenoid or "no-connect" on the solenoid?
Anyone have a link to the door interior panel removal?

 

I have just noticed, when I use the outside door latch feature to UNLOCK the doors (by running my fingers over the sensor inside the latch), that the rear passenger door does not unlock. The 3 other doors unlock fine. Of course, if I use the portable Smartkey unlock button all doors open, or if I use the key itself all is fine. But what would cause 1 door not to unlock using the touch feature?

Is this a door actuator problem?

 

Sounds like a different problem than mine because no matter how I tried to lock\unlock the doors the problem was the same.