roughneck1

So the story goes that one day my 2013 RX350 stop blowing heat from the air vent. I took my car in the dealer to have to take a look. First of all, it took them a WHOLE week to diagnosis the problem, second of all, a consultant told me that he FOUND a pen inside the heater box that caused the gear shaft to break, which is used to control the heater doors...

What is he talking about? More importantly, he's saying I "accidentally dropped a pen" from the passenger side compartment storage and it somehow caused the heater door broke? And now they say I have to spend $3K to fix it. I really do have a strong feeling that this is a scam because I sincerely do NOT believe a $50k luxury car can break like this too... Anyone has any insight? similar experience?

P.S.:
1. I called Lexus corp to file a complain about this and now pending for their responses.
2. That dealer locates in Little Falls, NJ (I am not typing the name, but it's the only dealer in the area).


Thanks,
Kyle

SteveCraig

Sorry to hear about your troubles.
Lexus can break just as quick as any other marque.
The doors are operated by either vacuum diaphragms or electric motors, can't be sure.
The linkages from each actuator to the doors can be quite fragile.

That said, my own gut feeling at a dealer's desk will usually guide me in the right direction.
Your issue sounds not entirely impossible but get them to show you the damage & the pen.
Daughter vacuumed her car out on the weekend with the shop-vac, just after I cleaned our RX.
She came in with a look the cat would wear after getting the mouse.
When she went to attach the hose, out popped a brand new $20.00 bill !
Must have been under the seat & I didn't see it.