Poor Quality
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: RI
Poor Quality
I have a 2008 RX purchased about 5 months ago and what a piece of junk. The engine was pulled with less than 5000 miles for a timing chain seal, the transfer case was leaking before that and the driver side leather seat was replaced for pealing. The car pulled to the right. The sun roof rattled, white dust from the AC system, on and on it goes. I have been to 3 dealers. I traded my X3 BMW due to transmission problems. What a mistake. The car just does not seem like a luxury car. More cheap like a Toyota, Honda (economy car). Is Lexus just badge engineering like General Motors and Ford with the RX,GX,ES,LX etc. I am not impressed with Lexus. My coworker has problems with his 2007 GX too. Drive shaft joints and transfer case problems. I contacted Lexus in CA and they tell me I have a warranty. I would for go the 4 season treatment at the dealer for a car built better than a Kia. I can not and feel I should not have to trade it and loose more money as I just went through this with my BMW. My wifes TL (Yea, a Honda) has been only back for normal service in 25,000 miles. Maybe I should have bought a MDX.
I have a 2008 RX purchased about 5 months ago and what a piece of junk. The engine was pulled with less than 5000 miles for a timing chain seal, the transfer case was leaking before that and the driver side leather seat was replaced for pealing. The car pulled to the right. The sun roof rattled, white dust from the AC system, on and on it goes. I have been to 3 dealers. I traded my X3 BMW due to transmission problems. What a mistake. The car just does not seem like a luxury car. More cheap like a Toyota, Honda (economy car). Is Lexus just badge engineering like General Motors and Ford with the RX,GX,ES,LX etc. I am not impressed with Lexus. My coworker has problems with his 2007 GX too. Drive shaft joints and transfer case problems. I contacted Lexus in CA and they tell me I have a warranty. I would for go the 4 season treatment at the dealer for a car built better than a Kia. I can not and feel I should not have to trade it and loose more money as I just went through this with my BMW. My wifes TL (Yea, a Honda) has been only back for normal service in 25,000 miles. Maybe I should have bought a MDX.
More like a Yugo.
Yep,looks like you should have bought a MDX.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,283
Likes: 63
From: FL
Doesn't RI have a lemon law? I'd ask Lexus to replace the vehicle. This is not the norm for Lexus vehicles.
I have a 2008 RX purchased about 5 months ago and what a piece of junk. The engine was pulled with less than 5000 miles for a timing chain seal, the transfer case was leaking before that and the driver side leather seat was replaced for pealing. The car pulled to the right. The sun roof rattled, white dust from the AC system, on and on it goes. I have been to 3 dealers. I traded my X3 BMW due to transmission problems. What a mistake. The car just does not seem like a luxury car. More cheap like a Toyota, Honda (economy car). Is Lexus just badge engineering like General Motors and Ford with the RX,GX,ES,LX etc. I am not impressed with Lexus. My coworker has problems with his 2007 GX too. Drive shaft joints and transfer case problems. I contacted Lexus in CA and they tell me I have a warranty. I would for go the 4 season treatment at the dealer for a car built better than a Kia. I can not and feel I should not have to trade it and loose more money as I just went through this with my BMW. My wifes TL (Yea, a Honda) has been only back for normal service in 25,000 miles. Maybe I should have bought a MDX.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 895
Likes: 406
From: Ontario
I went through a similar albeit less mechanically induced stress with the '08 I bought last year. Just be calm, factual, persistent and patient with the dealer principle and Lexus; they came through for me and will likely for you as well. I was very impressed with the fact that they do stand behind their product. Now am a happy owner of an '09 PB in Truffle. Just hope the euphoria persists.
Pole Position
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
From: Lone Star
I have a 2008 RX purchased about 5 months ago and what a piece of junk. The engine was pulled with less than 5000 miles for a timing chain seal, the transfer case was leaking before that and the driver side leather seat was replaced for pealing. The car pulled to the right. The sun roof rattled, white dust from the AC system, on and on it goes. I have been to 3 dealers. I traded my X3 BMW due to transmission problems. What a mistake. The car just does not seem like a luxury car. More cheap like a Toyota, Honda (economy car). Is Lexus just badge engineering like General Motors and Ford with the RX,GX,ES,LX etc. I am not impressed with Lexus. My coworker has problems with his 2007 GX too. Drive shaft joints and transfer case problems. I contacted Lexus in CA and they tell me I have a warranty. I would for go the 4 season treatment at the dealer for a car built better than a Kia. I can not and feel I should not have to trade it and loose more money as I just went through this with my BMW. My wifes TL (Yea, a Honda) has been only back for normal service in 25,000 miles. Maybe I should have bought a MDX.
RX350 uses the same V6 and I suspect the engine was manufactured at the new production line in West Virginia starting 2008. Prior to that there were no know issues atleast on the RX350/330 for timing chain seal, the transfer case leaking .
There were known standard issues related to dash rattling/pulling to the right etc.
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Lead Lap
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 513
Likes: 3
From: QLD, Australia
On my 2nd RX and 3rd Lexus overall.
I relatively minor issue over 3 vehicles but then all Aussie Lexus are made in Japan.
From what I've seen, you guys in NA have a fair share of problems with NA made vehicles across the board. Both the Alabama BMW's and Tuscaloosa Merc have their share of problems as well.
I relatively minor issue over 3 vehicles but then all Aussie Lexus are made in Japan.
From what I've seen, you guys in NA have a fair share of problems with NA made vehicles across the board. Both the Alabama BMW's and Tuscaloosa Merc have their share of problems as well.
Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: OR
Let's see what will you do if your $40 K brand new Lexus comes up with the same problems and do not know what to do. First thing is you will be frustrated, then accept the fact there is a problem with the vehicle and try to get it fixed.
It is easy to say that People are whiners , until you become one.
No vehicle is perfect including Lexus, the vehicle reliability in terms of build quality is not the same that it used to be. Toyota even accepted that because of the growth rate in the past few years.
This article sums it up:
Mighty Toyota's Growing Pains
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/13/t...growing-pains/
The best approach for this owner would be to contact Lexus and see if they will replace the vehicle.
I remember they have done this to one CL memeber couple of months ago.
It is easy to say that People are whiners , until you become one.
No vehicle is perfect including Lexus, the vehicle reliability in terms of build quality is not the same that it used to be. Toyota even accepted that because of the growth rate in the past few years.
This article sums it up:
Mighty Toyota's Growing Pains
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/13/t...growing-pains/
The best approach for this owner would be to contact Lexus and see if they will replace the vehicle.
I remember they have done this to one CL memeber couple of months ago.
Last edited by tjain; Sep 2, 2008 at 03:08 PM.
how come i am the only rx owner who is happy with teir car/ i mean it isn"t as well built as our 2001 es, but i mean if all of you rx owners who hate your cars, dump them and please dont moan about them her and ruin the worry the experience for those of us who enjpy them or plan to buy one
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: RI
I feel other members should be aware of the issues. I hope some Lexus employees read this forum. I have contacted the RI AG's office regarding the lemon law, the RI lemon law has no provisions for multiple problems that have been repaired. (just things that are not corrected). The woman in the AG's office said since 2004 1163 (different people) calls have been placed to their office regarding lemon law action for the Lexus RX. Lexus just wants to keep repairing the car! Today the passenger side window went down fine and only went up 2/3 of the way. It only closed after 10 minutes of playing with the switch. Does any one know what the Lexus RX defects per unit are now vs prior years? Is the oil leak and jerky, slow down shift transmission problems common?
I found a post where a member got his RX exchanged, but then in future posts he said that he had major problems with the new one.
I found a post where a member got his RX exchanged, but then in future posts he said that he had major problems with the new one.
Last edited by leonrx350; Sep 2, 2008 at 05:06 PM.
Pole Position
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: CA
Let's see what will you do if your $40 K brand new Lexus comes up with the same problems and do not know what to do. First thing is you will be frustrated, then accept the fact there is a problem with the vehicle and try to get it fixed.
It is easy to say that People are whiners , until you become one.
No vehicle is perfect including Lexus, the vehicle reliability in terms of build quality is not the same that it used to be. Toyota even accepted that because of the growth rate in the past few years.
This article sums it up:
Mighty Toyota's Growing Pains
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/13/t...growing-pains/
The best approach for this owner would be to contact Lexus and see if they will replace the vehicle.
I remember they have done this to one CL memeber couple of months ago.
It is easy to say that People are whiners , until you become one.
No vehicle is perfect including Lexus, the vehicle reliability in terms of build quality is not the same that it used to be. Toyota even accepted that because of the growth rate in the past few years.
This article sums it up:
Mighty Toyota's Growing Pains
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/13/t...growing-pains/
The best approach for this owner would be to contact Lexus and see if they will replace the vehicle.
I remember they have done this to one CL memeber couple of months ago.
Now when the post is written in more a constructive fashion and asking for some feedback, then sure you'll receive more serious answers in return. Until then, do something about the issue on hand instead of whining like a baby on this forum. That's the least I can expect with owners of a "$40k car."
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 14
From: California
You need to be in contact with Lexus Corporate. Look at the thread reference below. He got his problem Lexus RX350 REPLACED with a new vehicle.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=354505
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=354505