Ok, so I just picked up a '05 RX330 AWD Pearl White with Light Grey interior, however all three of the RX330's that I test drove today had a steering wheel that was not centered, it was off to the right about 5 degrees. I don't know if it is an alignment issue or if the steering wheel simply needs to be repositioned, my RX had 8 miles on the odometer when purchased. Kind of disturbing that the factory did not catch this. Or could it be that they screwed up during transport? Anyways gonna make an appointment to have it addressed. Other than that love the Lexus. I now have in the garage: '02 IS300, '05 350Z, and a '04 VTX1300. I think I will sell the Z.

 

Lexus will probably fix that for your. It is definately not normal. Surprising all 3 of them had the problem though.

 

Mine seems off just a little too, but I'm not sure if it's just the way it's positioned ... my last new car felt like that too ... doesn't bother me and the alignment isn't off so oh well.

 

I had an '01 RAV4 that was seriously off center, but my '01 Highlander and '04 RX 330 were fine. I picked up my '05 RX 330 Jan. 4, and need to take a closer look at it. Sometimes it seems like the Lexus logo droops to the right just a bit.

 

So I put 400 miles on the car in 3 days and have confirmed that the alignment is off too and the steering wheel is not centered. I wonder if the vehicle was somehow damaged during transport?

 

Discuss it with your dealer. It is a minor issue related to position of the steering wheel and or actual alignment of the wheels. It should have been addressed during dealer prep before delivery.

I would not put it off as the alignment problem can influence tire wear.


Salim

 

FWIW, my 2002 RX300 was also shipped with whacky alignment and off-center steering wheel. It only had one mile on it. Guess the new RX330 inherited the genes.

For some unknown reason, many Japanese cars need alignment every 3 years or they'll drive right into the ditch. None of my old Ford, Dodge, and GM ever needed alignment (though they had tons of other problems.)

 

Ok, so I have an appointment this Thursday to have issue addressed. Wish me luck. Almost all the Jap vehicles I have had have needed alignments almost once every 6-12 months. I drive aggressively, though, and I am sure the beautiful streets of L.A. do not help either.

However, in this circumstance, the steering was screwed up from day one.