So driver' door lock stoped working. Lexus dealer quoted $1200 to replace actuator. Decided to wait. Found part on line for a couple hundred dollars less. Then front passenger door stoped working. Have to get fixed. Thought I'd try something that worked on GS that I had. In those cars it was the Mabuchi DC motor in the actuator that failed. Ordered two from ebay for $6 each and brought to a buddy who does work on the side. He tore door apart and took off actuator. There is a raised area where the motor sits. He pried open the actuator a little and removed the motor. The old motor had a flat shaft where as the replacement had a round shaft. He was able to flatten the new motor shaft with a grinder. There is a plastic gear that easily fits over the shaft. Replaced actuator. Everything works great. He was going to charge $200 for both doors (4 hours labor); gave him extra $100 for the big bucks he saved me.

Here is the link to the motor I found on Ebay:

hthttp://www.ebay.com/itm/FC-280PC-22125-Mabuchi-Door-Lock-Actuator-Repair-Motor-Lexus-Honda-Toyota-/110948395800?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item19d50a2b18&vxp=mtr

It has a link to the original thread discussing fix for GS.

Here is a link to a flat shaft motor found on Amazon:


Has same number, so assume same motor.

Feel good.

Thanks for this info. I never cease to be amazed what we can accomplish using the internet as a resource.

I'm going to take a run at doing this repair on my 2013 Lexus LS 460. I shall report back.

Does anyone know if this fix will work for the rear doors too?

wes61: Nice info! Infinitis have similar issues but there are kits available to fix them. A thought- perhaps your friend might be interested in doing more "fixes" like this? I have no idea how wide reaching this problem might be, but I've got a feeling.....

It does seem a little far fetched for this to be a common problem since I’ve never had a power lock fail in many years and many models of Toyota and Lexus ownership. However, my experience is from the golden era (80s to mid 90s Toyota and Lexus) so there is no telling what the cost reduction engineers compromised in the 2k7+ models.

I’ve had multiple door actuator failures on Lexus and Toyota products, pre 07 ones too.

I had to change the driver door actuator on my 98.

Then I feel bad for u son
i got 99 problems but a door lock ain’t one

3 actuators went bad on my 1998 LS after 20 years.
3 actuators went bad on my 2015 LS after 4 years.

I highly suspect something wrong with the new design.

Don't feel bad for me, that car never gave me ANY unforseen problems but that one.

I've done this on my '01 (actually my passenger front one just died) so it's good to know it's still doable on the '07+.

You can buy the flat shaft ones on EBay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/111593275419

I've done this for 2 of my 4 lock actuators and like the poster said it's a drop in repair once you get the actuator out of the car. The UL versions for the LS 430 have the housing screwed together whereas the standard (non easy-close doors) have it glued together; curious what the story is on the 4LS.

Supposedly these motors are also the ones used for the power folding mirrors on the outside; I suspect they do other things as well.

I replaced 3 bad actuators when I purchased my used LS460 a few months ago because I got it from an Autonation dealer. The had to cover it. Cost them just over $3k. I don't know how long they last but it's a common problem. Glad you found a cheap(ish) way to do it. Might have to come back for this info later!

The default behavior on my 600 is that all the doors unlock when the car is put in Park. On my LS430 nothing happens; the driver's door unlocks when you pull the handle but everybody else has to manually unlock their doors. My driver's side motor died about 4 years ago; the other ones are just now starting to go (the car is almost 20 years old).

Anybody know what the default behavior for the 4LS is? I keep forgetting to ask them to turn this off (it's not configurable on the menus in my '08).

The more you use them the quicker they die.

You probably missed the old school Jay Z reference meant as a joke. It is a rap song.