More bad news. I got a call from my service manager last week telling me that the new/improved brackets were now in and to bring my car into to be fixed (for the third time). Took the car down and left it for the day. When I returned I was told that it was not repaired because when the technician went to pull out the parts he discovered that they had been recalled by Lexus! While I was waiting I also noticed another RX with the "bumper gap". Turns out that they had repaired that car last week with the new parts and then a week latter the gap re-appeared. My service manager has tried to do his best but without parts that solve the problem he and I are SOL. He said all that is left is to continue to wait for a TSB and new parts.

 

!%#@!

 

That's pretty much the take I got, as well. Apologetic, but neither he (nor I) see any point in replacing parts that won't fix the problem.

 

I almost read this whole thread, but I could have missed this question. Do all of your bumper covers with gaps have the intuitive park sensors? I'm wondering if ALL of them do, or ALL of them don't might give a clue as to the cause of the problem. For instance, are the bumper covers installed and painted prior to the installation of the sensors, then removed to install the sensors, then replaced using the same, but weakened clips?

The only reason this might not make sense is because I'm sure your dealers have attempted to fix the problem using new clips and they didn't hold.

I'm a little nervous because I will probably be buying an '10RX this week.

Mike

 

Ours does NOT have the sensors. The only common theme is that the 450h does NOT have the problem, only certain 350's, whether from Canada or Japan. It seems the newer vehicles are not as problematic (my impression from following the thread...could be wrong). Still, it has not detracted from performance and it is still a great daily driver. Just doesn't reflect Lexus quality image.

 

The parking assist option was a good guess but your catch the the (h) models don't have the problem could be one of two reasons. The bumper has the extra horizontal slot (not sure why that could make a difference) + it's assembled in the Kyushu (not sure of spelling) plant in Japan. Only Hybrids come from there.

Glad mine is an (h) for many reasons not to mention the increase in the price of gas now.

 

Mine does not have the park sensors.

 

At this point, I dont consider it quality issue anymore. It is more of a poor engineering issue or retro engineering. We are taling about a few $5 fasteners here, not rocket science. The Lexus of old would have never let this problem get by initial design QC stage and if they did, they would have fix the problem very quickly.

 

I agree. But I have yet to see one at my dealership with the gap and they're not aware of this problem. All of their 350s are from Canada.

I recall years back, soon after I got my 04 and the RX moved from primarily being built in Japan to Canada, there was an issue with the brakes. The dealer told me, don't worry, it only exists on the Canadian RXs. I was happy since mine was from Japan. But lo and behold, the brake pads and rotors had to be replaced.

For those who have the problem, and I know I've said it before, make sure you log your complaint with Lexus and NHTSA.

 

I agree. This has not happened YET with our Japan built RX. I don't understand posting by others who say their dealership is not aware of this problem.

 

Understand this. I checked over 30 RX 350s at random, in different parts of both New York and New Jersey, along the routes I commute, and NONE had anything wrong with the bumper, including mine - 7-month old and Canadian-built.

Maybe its the climate. Maybe its South vs North. Maybe its just a co-incidence, but its fair to assume some dealerships at least in my region may not be aware of this problem, or do not admit its a problem until Lexus issues a TSB.

 

Yes, we have a difference in what we have oberved. It's funny you should mention this as I saw one at Wrightsville beach with New York tags two months ago with the bumper issue. A dealership not knowing about this is a bad sign. I don't see how they could have missed it.

 

There seems to be so many variables, this dealer has cars with problems, this one doesn't. Some from Japan, some from Canada, none (that I know of from the Hybrid plant. Maybe because it's bumper cover is different). Is it possible that other options such as head light washers that pop up and down or the parking sensors could aggravate the problem? Just looking for a common denominator. Maybe it's a bad run of bumper covers themselves. Has anyone seen the clips on the inside of the covers and how they fasten? Glad I don't have the issue.

 

Good thoughts Cruiter. Just to reiterate, the RX350 I have is from Japan, born 4/09, has no sensors or light washer nozzles. Indeed, so far no pattern to the madness except that 450h's don't have the issue.

 

Just brought my 2010 rx in for its 5k service and the front bumper problem. They did not fix it, Lexus is working on a permanent fix . The dealer said...we will notify you soon. Just keep pushing the bumper back on.