I posted a thread several months ago about me buying a beautiful CPO red mica 2013 LS460 with 18K miles or so on it. CPO with extended warranty would get me to 2025. Can you say worry free....maybe not. Took into service for the first time (on schedule) and pointed out to the adviser that the rear passenger door panel was pulling away from the door frame. Yes there is space - kids can stick their fingers, for that matter adults can as well - between to interior door panel and the frame. I know CPO says no trim and finish, but in my mind this not trim and finish, clearly something broke. I pushed the panel and frame back together, but it quickly popped back out. CPO turned it down and said not their issue as it is trim. Dealer quoted me $3K, which is absurd. Called Lexus corporate and they will have an adviser review. This is nuts. Anyone have any advice? I cannot believe they can sell me a cpo car and 4 months later say it's your issue that the door panel is pulling away from the frame. They can see the part that is broken, but supposedly have to replace the whole door panel to resolve. I am quite frustrated to say the least. The dealer servicing in TX servicing the vehicle is different from where I purchased (out of state). Thoughts?

 

 

Trim is not magically transformed into a covered item just because "something broke." It sounds like a non-covered item. You might have better luck in trying for a goodwill repair.

That said, it seems odd indeed for such a problem to develop given the low mileage. Is there any indication that the door was previously damaged in a crash?

 

Post pictures. Inquiring minds. Did you have the windows tinted? Perhaps the door panel was pulled for that and clips broken?? $3K sounds ridiculous. Good luck.

 

i bet u they do what every dealership does look at the part and just quote you a new one, not one second was taken to take the door apart, try.. ask them what the problem or issue is... if they think it needs replacing there has to be a reason... i suspect this can all be done with removing the panel replacing clips

 

Not everything can be rigged to work but I would try and come up with a solution if it was me.

 

Best advice is stay away from dealerships when you are out of the general warranty, this is exactly what happens, they gouge you for just about every repair no matter how small. You can try a goodwill, probably won't work. This is also why I don't think CPO's are really worth paying extra for, they often find ways of denying a repair or they don't pay for themselves except the few times a dealership gouges up the repairs to where it does. It is better to negotiate the lowest price possible and save the money for a repair down the road over spending a extra couple thousand on a car with CPO/warranty. Only LS I would get a warranty for is the hybrid as that can be a money pit and has too many expensive things that can and will fail especially under the extra weight of the hybrid system. With expensive unreliable European cars a extended warranty is also a good idea.

I would just try to fix it yourself, look at it with a flashlight, see what is going on, maybe just something not snapped in correctly or something you can repair yourself, whatever you do don't pay 3K for a interior panel. Might be able to get a panel online or from a salvage yard.

 

First I urge you to simply remove the panel entirely and try to re-fasten all of the clips. When I had my windows tinted the installers pulled my panel away from the top of the rear door panels in the same way you describe. There was no way to push the panels back on as the clips at the top "hang" over, meaning I had to remove the panel and hook it back over the top and then snap the remaining clips back. There are vids on you tube showing you how to remove the panels. I really doubt you need new panels, worst case the clips are broken and you can replace them.

I don't follow being upset about the CPO warranty, I wish you the best of luck in getting it resolved, but you said yourself, the warranty clearly states trim isn't covered yet you think your case is special? Hopefully they do a good will repair for you if you're not willing to attempt the repair yourself, but I'd understand it's completely in good faith and not required.

 

I have an 07 LS460. Is there a way I can verify my VIN or should I just go to a dealership?

 

​​​​​​https://drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers
Create a free account and then input your VIN.

 

for the recall? I did that before I bought the car.

 

What recall are you talking about?

 

So sounds like the clips for the door panel trim broke. So not covered. These do not just break. Maybe person before you or someone tried to pull off panel. Either way most are pretty easy to take off. May need to look at a service manual.
Take it off and look what is broken. usually there is a way to fit it. Not something dealer would do.
Take it to an upholstery shop and see what they can do. Maybe plastic welding or some other way to reattach to make it just as strong as new.
For 3K I would find another way that is not noticeable and just as strong attachment.
Plan B would go here and find one off a wrecked car that the panel is still like new.
http://www.car-part.com/

 

I had a brake actuator and left front control arms replaced under the CPO warranty (would have cost ~$6400 if it had been on my dime). I also got the CPO extension for an additional 5 years (through 2025). You trim was definitely a non-covered item and sounds like it was just a trim clip ($0.25 on ebay, $10.00 from Lexus).

In any event, it sounds, like me, you have a crappy dealer.

 

I can’t think of even one other example of any manufacturer stepping up, funding the costly replacement of parts on cars 13+ years old, well out of warranty. This action did not require class action litigation, Lexus simply did the right thing, invested in long term customer satisfaction and brand equity. Unparalelled, very big deal, thank you Lexus!