I've had my 2013 Rx450h for about 3 weeks. I previously had a 2008 Rx 400h on which I had the dealer add Sat radio and antenna. The 2008 antenna is the after-market flat box that installs (typically) on the roof near the rear hatch. The Gen IIIs have the "shark fin" antenna.

Here's my issue: I rarely lost reception on my 2008 XM radio but I frequently lose it on my 2013 in the same spots every day. It seems to be worst when I'm driving down one particular street that is lined with tall trees. Before you say "well, duh!" note that my 2008 after-market antenna never had a problem in any of the locations where my 2013 seems to fail consistently. There's a second of hiss followed by silence and "No Signal" on the screen.

One of my daughters has a 2011 Infiniti G37 with XM and the shark fin antenna and she's had similar issues. I would assume the factory fin antenna is better than the one I had installed in 2009.

Anyone else have reception issues with XM?

 

There are quite a few areas where I live where I lose reception, especially when the leaves are on the trees. There are a ton of reasons why different antennas perform differently, and even why the same type of antenna will perform differently on different vehicles.

If you think you have a problem ask your dealer to take a look at it. My guess is that you are dealing with a low power, high frequency satelitte radio signal that is easily blocked by terrestial things such as trees. As annoying as it may be, I have learned to tolerate it. I feel your frustration.

 

Hi,
I have the fin on a 2012 RX. At this point it works very good. Better then most of the other cars I have driven over the years. I live in south Florida and find there are spots that XM drops. I believe they are dead spots on the transmitter in space. They are the same every time.

I mention this not to tell you how good my unit is working. I am bringing it up because I am in a new CT loaner and I notice that the radio will Static on XM. I find this strange but have not given it much thought as it is not my car. I wonder if there is something going on with the recent cars.

Ed

 

I also had the XM installed on a 2007 RX350 when I first bought it, and rarely had any problems. Then I got my 2010 RX, and the first week or so, it seemed as though it would cut out more than the 2007 one did. But now it's almost two years since I've been driving the 2010 RX, and I hardly ever get lost reception, unless I'm pulling into my own garage at home.

Now, I did drive a 2012 RX loaner for two weeks while warranty repairs were being done on my RX recently, and I did get a few cut outs of reception in the beginning. But once again, I don't recall it being a problem the second week I drove the car.