Transmission problem (on a 3-YR OLD CAR?!)
11-19-04, 03:25 PM
#18
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Originally posted by Vic Nyce
hey man good luck with that. $100 seems like a bargain to repair the problems you describe. wish i had a warranty still
hey man good luck with that. $100 seems like a bargain to repair the problems you describe. wish i had a warranty still
As of right now, the car is still at the dealership, with the transmission already removed from the car. A rebuild is out of the question as it is not truly cost-effective from a dealership perspective. The dealership and I have already spoken to the warranty company about this matter, and it looks like a new transmission replacement will be in line (as soon as the work authorization and paperwork b/w the dealership and the warranty company all go through). That may take a few days, hopefully sometime early next week. Turnaround time for this job is N/A at this moment (not worried since I have an ES loaner), but I'll be sure to keep my CL family informed.
11-23-04, 09:53 AM
#22
Lexus Champion
Re: Transmission problem (on a 3-YR OLD CAR?!)
Originally posted by lexusk8
It all started about a few days ago when the outside temps have gotten close to freezing numbers, and I began to hear a faint buzzing sound under the hood in my '01 ES (w/ roughly 98,500 miles right now). This buzzing sound can obviously be heard from even inside the car when started up, and the sound would grow louder when driven upon each gear change shift points (i.e. idle to 1st, 1st to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd, etc.) To be honest, it really sounds like I'm running a supercharger or turbo in my ES
It all started about a few days ago when the outside temps have gotten close to freezing numbers, and I began to hear a faint buzzing sound under the hood in my '01 ES (w/ roughly 98,500 miles right now). This buzzing sound can obviously be heard from even inside the car when started up, and the sound would grow louder when driven upon each gear change shift points (i.e. idle to 1st, 1st to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd, etc.) To be honest, it really sounds like I'm running a supercharger or turbo in my ES
You are really lucked out with extended warranty. Let the dealer worry about it.
11-29-04, 09:50 AM
#23
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Not much to update..
It has been 2 weeks since I left the car in the dealership's hands for diagnosing the transmission problem. I called up the warranty, and they told me that for some odd and unknown reason, the dealership cannot go through a teardown of the transmission in the ES (although the tranny is already removed) 
And they're telling me that they're going to have to bring the car to another shop or repair facility to finish the teardown process. The warranty company has emphasized that they won't go through the warranty claim for the transmission work until the teardown is verified.
As a loyal customer for that dealership, I'm already quite p***ed about the lag in this process. Everyone's telling me things should be OK as long as all the tranny work goes through OK, but waiting for 2 weeks and not hearing any news of work coverage for my car is absolutely ridiculous. I've tried calling the service advisor a dozen times, but he's never at his desk. I'm considering calling up Lexus National about this, but I'm not sure how much assistance they can provide based on a non-Lexus extended warranty matter. So to say the least, I feel like I'm lost in the middle of an island, and not sure what to do
And they're telling me that they're going to have to bring the car to another shop or repair facility to finish the teardown process. The warranty company has emphasized that they won't go through the warranty claim for the transmission work until the teardown is verified.As a loyal customer for that dealership, I'm already quite p***ed about the lag in this process. Everyone's telling me things should be OK as long as all the tranny work goes through OK, but waiting for 2 weeks and not hearing any news of work coverage for my car is absolutely ridiculous. I've tried calling the service advisor a dozen times, but he's never at his desk. I'm considering calling up Lexus National about this, but I'm not sure how much assistance they can provide based on a non-Lexus extended warranty matter. So to say the least, I feel like I'm lost in the middle of an island, and not sure what to do
11-29-04, 09:59 AM
#24
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Damn thats rough...from past experience I know that you have to raise hell to be noticed at the dealerships unless the service manager knows you quite well. I doubt if lexus national will be able to provide much guidance on the non-lexus warranty issue...just hang in there and keep pushing...and please keep us updated. Good luck!
11-29-04, 07:30 PM
#26
Dysfunctional Veteran
Originally posted by steviej
Go stand in the doorway of his office with a complaint form to the BBB and the phone number of your local news station's consumer reporter. That will get you noticed.
Just keep enjoying their loaner vehicle.
steviej
Go stand in the doorway of his office with a complaint form to the BBB and the phone number of your local news station's consumer reporter. That will get you noticed.
Just keep enjoying their loaner vehicle.
steviej
IT will make them move their butts faster at least. 
12-02-04, 05:24 AM
#28
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
My warranty company
BTW for those who are curious, my extended warranty company is called Heritage Warranty (based in Nebraska).
After doing a little detective work, I found out that this warranty company has gotten a bad rap in the past, namely described in this link: http://www.networkdimension.com/heri...tinsurance.htm
After doing a little detective work, I found out that this warranty company has gotten a bad rap in the past, namely described in this link: http://www.networkdimension.com/heri...tinsurance.htm
12-07-04, 07:45 PM
#29
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Good news + bad news
The dealership finally was able to speak with the warranty company today; it has been hell trying to deal with this aftermarket warranty since the start of the tranny issue. Unfortunately the news I received from the dealership was not the greatest : The warranty company won't pay for a brand-new, warranty covered transmission on my ES. Instead, they will pay a certain amount of $$$ towards a Lexus remanufactured transmission, and I will end up covering the difference. I know my dealership tried their hardest to fight for a new transmission in the last 3 weeks, but the reality is that it is generally a hard sell with an aftermarket warranty company. They work almost like an insurance company, one who is willing to lowball the affected item(s).
At any rate, the transmission will be eventually be replaced, but not with a new one like I had hoped for
I may have to suck this one up and let the dealership handle the tranny work 
My dealership and I will come up with a firm plan and figures for the work on my transmission within the next 2 days, so I will keep this posted.
: The warranty company won't pay for a brand-new, warranty covered transmission on my ES. Instead, they will pay a certain amount of $$$ towards a Lexus remanufactured transmission, and I will end up covering the difference. I know my dealership tried their hardest to fight for a new transmission in the last 3 weeks, but the reality is that it is generally a hard sell with an aftermarket warranty company. They work almost like an insurance company, one who is willing to lowball the affected item(s).At any rate, the transmission will be eventually be replaced, but not with a new one like I had hoped for
I may have to suck this one up and let the dealership handle the tranny work My dealership and I will come up with a firm plan and figures for the work on my transmission within the next 2 days, so I will keep this posted.