Hey guys, first time poster, but 4 months on the forum.

My wife and I purchased a 2007 CPO RX 350 AWD on 10.17.09.

Since that time there has been a vibration/shake felt through the steering wheel that worsens with speed and rough roads. This is NOT felt under braking. I brought the vehicle back to the dealer to check it out 2 weeks after purchase and they said they coulnd't find anything wrong after test drives etc.

I replaced the tires with 17in Bridgestone Alenzas, had the alignment checked (no issues) and the new wheels balanced. The vibration persisted so I signed it off to just being the way the vehicle drives as I was not used to an SUV (have a 3-series and is250awd prior).

I brought the car back to the dealer today for the VVTi hose recall repair and was given a 2008 RX 400h to drive, and it feels smooth as silk, no vibration or anything, and frankly what I would have expected from a Lexus SUV. Now I am worried that the dealer blew off my complaint and that the car can DEFINITELY drive better.

Any thoughts or prior experiences?? Tie rod, bushings, steering issue??



Thanks

RTB

 

The steering in the 400h is electric, the 350 hydraulic, so you may find the 400 smoother. Also, the rear wheels are driven by an electric motor in the 400h - there is no driveshaft and the transmission is a CVT. Best to compare it to another 350. That being said, this could be anything - steering, suspension (probably rule out tiressince you just replaced them - are your wheels in good shape), or even something to do with the AWD and/or transmission. Maybe you need to find another dealer?

 

It should be smooth. The problem can be the tires, rims, suspension or in all of therm.

This time make an appointment and ask for the mechanic or the rep to ride with you. You need to demonstrate it. You can try to taking a drive day in advance and select the road where you can demonstrate it.


Salim

 

These are both good suggestions. I will defiitely make an appt with another dealer. I will be taking the vehicle to North Carolina where we are eventually moving and perhaps I could establish a relationship with a dealer in the area.

CPO is transferrable, right??

 

Your 350 should be very smooth. Follow the recommendations above and hopefully the problem will be taken care of.

 

The dealer says they checked out the shocks, ball joints, etc and they all looked OK. I am going to take it back to the tire shop and have them recheck the balance and alignment.

The dealer is going to deliver the car to us today (~30 miles). Maybe the driver will either feel the problem or be able to tell me what it is.

I will keep everyone posted.

 

AS recommended if you are fair and nice with the dealer, they will try to debug your issue. An unhappy customer is the worst that you could have. An unhappy customer will tell everyone they know of the issue. The dealer is working to rectify your issue.

Did you get the tires from Lexus? If you didm that would have been the way to go, now they are fully responsible for the car. And the vibration should be fixed.

Good luck.