Rack and Pinion Unit Leaking Oil
Pit Crew
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 116
Likes: 1
From: MA
I have read here that some have used additives to stop the leaking. Any thoughts on that? Thanks
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 38
From: Bethlehem Twsp. Pennsylvania
Thanks, lexus114. Just got a 2nd opinion on the rack and was told is a very tiny leak. I bought some oil and overfilled it a bit Saturday and it hasn't gone done a millimeter. This mechanic (trained by BMW) said 'only replace it when it is very bad'....
I have read here that some have used additives to stop the leaking. Any thoughts on that? Thanks
I have read here that some have used additives to stop the leaking. Any thoughts on that? Thanks
Just keep an eye on it. Btw, that stupid cover that was on their over the power steering unit, I took off and discarded never to be put back on.
Pit Crew
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 116
Likes: 1
From: MA
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: NV
I just took in my 2007 RX350 for it's 40,000 mile service and was told the rack and pinion assembly needed to be replaced to the tune of $1,500. After only 40,000 miles???? Sounds like a defect in the model. I am NOT happy about it and will question buying Lexus again in the future..
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,999
Likes: 37
From: FL
I just took in my 2007 RX350 for it's 40,000 mile service and was told the rack and pinion assembly needed to be replaced to the tune of $1,500. After only 40,000 miles???? Sounds like a defect in the model. I am NOT happy about it and will question buying Lexus again in the future..
Sorry to hear about your problems. This is not too common a problem. Wondering if something else was not amiss to cause the failure. You should take your RX to an independent shop or a Toyota dealership to get additional quotes. The price should come down quite a bit.
Also, be sure to call Lexus Customer Service and let them know of your discontent. The phone number is in your Owner's Manual. If you purchased this RX350 new you may be eligible for some dealership "good will" where Lexus will pickup 50% of the costs. No guarantees and it varies between dealerships and specific problems noted.
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 83
Likes: 1
From: CA
Yelling at a Lexus dealership, long enough and hard enough, gets you free stuff. This is a fact. They'll do anything to get you to continue to buy the brand. It's good business. They won't goodwill brakes, clutches, or tires, but anything else is fair game. I saw a transmission on an RX300 at 220k get goodwilled because the person just bought the car and Lexus didn't want to lose them forever.
edit:
In response to all of the above "I'll never buy a Lexus again, etc. this is awful how dare they, they should recall this..." Don't buy a German car. Never seen an Audi/BMW/Mercedes that was traded in that didn't have a severe oil leak. Lexus is, by far, the most reliable luxury manufacturer out there. By far. Never seen a Mercedes without an oil leak, including an SL550 with 7500 on the odo.
Last edited by RandomTech; Feb 23, 2012 at 07:50 PM.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: NV
Thanks RX330inFL and RandomTech...
It's the 40,000 odo that irks me more than the repair itself. If I had 60 or 70,000 it would be a lot more palatable. Plus, before I took it in for the service I asked for the total cost including tax via email - quoted $161. When I got there, the service guy was charing $175 and would not budge when I told him that I was confirmed a price of $161. It wasn't the $15, it was the principle. These customer service people need to be re-trained on what "customer service" actually means. When he came back with the $1,500 rack & pinion item and I refused stating I needed to get other opinions/bids, THEN he took the $15 off. What an idiot.
I originally bought a new '05 330. I was t-boned in September and it was totalled. Got this '07 350 to replace it and did not buy it from the dealership so I don't have much "power" in their eyes.
Once again, thanks for the advice. I found an independent shop nearby who quoted $1,080 but I'm still looking...
It's the 40,000 odo that irks me more than the repair itself. If I had 60 or 70,000 it would be a lot more palatable. Plus, before I took it in for the service I asked for the total cost including tax via email - quoted $161. When I got there, the service guy was charing $175 and would not budge when I told him that I was confirmed a price of $161. It wasn't the $15, it was the principle. These customer service people need to be re-trained on what "customer service" actually means. When he came back with the $1,500 rack & pinion item and I refused stating I needed to get other opinions/bids, THEN he took the $15 off. What an idiot.
I originally bought a new '05 330. I was t-boned in September and it was totalled. Got this '07 350 to replace it and did not buy it from the dealership so I don't have much "power" in their eyes.
Once again, thanks for the advice. I found an independent shop nearby who quoted $1,080 but I'm still looking...
Rookie
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: NV
Just got my '05 330 back from dealer after an oil change. Service guy said steering rack assembly was leaking and needed replacement. Quoted $1600 for repairs. I told him I was leaving and would be getting a second opinion and he offered me a non-oem part installed for $1100. I checked with Sewell Lexus parts and I can have the oem assembly shipped to me for $715. I figure $400 or so for labor at a decent shop, so I have a decision to make, after getting a few more opinions/estimates. My RX has 116,000 miles.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: GA
Warranty?
Ok, now this has me just a little worried. Is this not covered by the original manuf warranty? Or are you outside of the 5 year window?
Was this part updated/changed in my '09 RX350, or do I have this to look forward to? I've got 2k miles left to buy the extended warranty…one rack replacement and it's almost paid for itself, assuming it covers that repair.
I realize boards like this are basically all bad news where people come when they have problems, but even my VW boards didn't scare me like some of the threads I'm reading on here.
Even with all of the American junk I've owned (and junk is being polite in some cases), I've never had rack and pinion issues.
-- Dave
Was this part updated/changed in my '09 RX350, or do I have this to look forward to? I've got 2k miles left to buy the extended warranty…one rack replacement and it's almost paid for itself, assuming it covers that repair.
I realize boards like this are basically all bad news where people come when they have problems, but even my VW boards didn't scare me like some of the threads I'm reading on here.
Even with all of the American junk I've owned (and junk is being polite in some cases), I've never had rack and pinion issues.-- Dave
I just took in my 2007 RX350 for it's 40,000 mile service and was told the rack and pinion assembly needed to be replaced to the tune of $1,500. After only 40,000 miles???? Sounds like a defect in the model. I am NOT happy about it and will question buying Lexus again in the future..
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,717
Likes: 11
From: Dallas, Texas
When I had mine done (73K) I found a rack on eBay for a couple of hundred but my mechanic refused to install it and insisted on a reman of a factory rack which cost a little over 300 as I recall.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: CA
My 2008 RX350 was just diagnosed yesterday with a r & p boot leak on the right side. 5 1/2 years old car, 47.5K miles. No excuse from the Lexus service writer. $1800 to replace r & p, with alignment.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
I have to say as a RX330 owner (2005 with 121,000) I could not have been happier with this car. Even though now I am seeing a leak in my rack and pinion steering I can tell others it depends on how severe the leak is whether or not to replace. Small leaks will not present a major problem just check your fluid and determine how much and how quickly you are losing it. If it is a lot then contrary to what others have said Lexus can rebuild this unit for $195.00 for parts and around $400.00 labor not $1400.00. That is only if the whole unit is replace with new one. I have friends who have 199,000 miles on their Lexus and I still stand behind how good our car has been compared to other makes.
