We've brought the car in for this particular reason and Lexus was unable to find any problem--figures its problem free at the shop. The car 1/5 times when put in reverse makes a lot of rumbling noise and the car heavily vibrates. Literally feels like the engine is going to fall out. When the shifter is placed into drive the problem resolves. This obviously can't be good for the car and I wanted to know if anyone else has experienced this problem. I could not find a relevant TSIB, but if there is one I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.

 

YES!!! I just got my car back from the dealership where I mentioned this and they said that they found nothing out of the ordinary, but I still feel the problem. Not sure how to explain it to them.

 

to tell the truth, I have the same problem like you, mine was a jug and a loud noise. . I will tell the service writer this weekend.

 

I know this isn't the same car, but when we had our Corolla it did the same thing. Really loud in reverse (almost sounded like a diesel) and nothing unusual in drive. Does the vibration and noise continue after the car has reached operating temperature?

 

Yes! Sounds like a diesel in reverse that is highly noticeable in and out of the car. I don't think it's an issue with heating engine up. We live in FL and it does this when I turn it off and then on in as short a time period as refueling...any diagnosis?

 

When I took the Corolla over to a friend's house to change the spark plugs, he heard the noise when I was backing out. He said it was probably a loose heat shield. Not a big deal, but annoying. It would go away after the engine reached operating temperature. The engine ran very smoothly, no hesitation or anything to indicate an issue.

The car was recently at Toyota for some fluid flushes and an oil change. I took it in for an evening appointment and they kept it overnight. Never brought up anything about the noise when we picked up the car the next morning. Even though it was a Corolla, we babied it and treated it just like the LS.

We recently sold it to my wife's co-worker and told her about the noise so it wouldn't be a surprise.

So far, haven't heard this on the LS.

 

^Hmm...so we're thinking loose heat shield as a potential culprit?

Where are the other LS gurus with answers ...

 

^ Hopefully that's all it is. There are a lot of very well versed people on the LS on this forum. Obviously, it's a lot more complicated than a Corolla.

I'll show this thread to my friend when I get into the office tomorrow. He's our resident car guru.

 

Still no definite answers ...it makes me grimace every time we hear it ...

 

I asked my friend at work, he still thinks it could be a loose heat shield. I know exactly what you mean by the noise. It made me grimace every time I heard in the Corolla, too.

Do you think it might help to take it in to the shop and leave it there overnight? Maybe the tech could hear the noise when it goes into reverse following a cold start in the morning.

There is a poster on the LS 400 forum named Pure Drifter who is very well versed on the 400, he might be of some help.