I'm in the market for an 01-03 Ls. I'm finding some great low milage cars. The trouble is some have had the Trans replaced and some haven't. I've looked through the boards alot and haven't seen specifics on what cars are affected. (probably missed it.) Some of the cars I'm seeing have been driven so little that it may not have had the time/wear to fail. If anyone can point me in the right direction I would appreciate it.

 

I haven't seen anything about a recall on this but also haven't looked for one. You can run the vin by any Lexus dealership and they will confirm any recall work and open recall work needing do be done. Don't give them like 10 cars though lol just what you are considering to buy.

 

The transmission recall only applies to the earlier models of the 6-speed automatic found on the LS starting in 2004. The earlier 5-speed automatics are generally reliable; mine has 242k miles on it and doesn't show any signs of trouble.

 

Could you link us to some cars with replaced 5 speeds? I don't see many of the 5 speeds broken / replaced. And they were used pretty prolifically - most of the 1998-2003 Lexus sedans had that transmission. Generally they go at least 200k miles. And they seem to go indefinitely with fluid changes.

 

http://www.mentorkia.com/used-invent...anchor-year-13

08/14/2009 Ray Catena Lexus of White Plains 45650 0165505 SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN CUSTOMER STATES VEHICLE WILL NOT GO FOWARD PROPERLY,BINDS AN D BUCKS ,REVERSE SEEMS OK. - TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY INTERNAL FAILURE - REPLACE TRANSMISSION AS PER LEXUS WARRANTY OLD SER#20M270703 NEW SER#07KK3159P

 

Just that one or are there more?

 

There have been more, but not alot, they seem to have been sold. I think that they were all 03 MY.

 

How do I know what 04 cars are affected?

 

I don't think the recall is anything to worry about, it was only early 2004 models and they did the upgrade very early in the life cycle. I believe mine was done with only like 4,000 miles on the car according to the dealer records. I would think 99.9% were addressed as the cars were still really new. Also, it was primarily a safety issue they were addressing.

It should be in the Lexus database if you take the VIN to a dealer.

I found this:


Make: LEXUS
Model: LS 430
Year: 2004
Recall Number: 04V317000
Summary:
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS OPERATED QUICKLY, A SMALL PIECE OF METAL MAY SEPARATE FROM A RETAINING COLLAR LOCATED IN THE INNER PART OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THIS SMALL PIECE OF METAL MAY BECOME CAUGHT IN THE PARKING LOCK MECHANISM.
Consequence:
THIS MAY CAUSE THE PARKING LOCK SYSTEM TO BE INOPERATIVE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, THEREBY INCREASING THE RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
Notes:
TOYOTA (LEXUS) RECALL NO. 4LC. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

 

Thanks everyone, that helps a bunch.