sprat

2012 Lexus 450h with 35,000 miles properly serviced. Am told by dealer that "both front wishbones have bushes starting to deteriorate" and "both rear radius arm bushes are starting to deteriorate". Leaking shock has already been replaced. Is this problem reasonable to expect on a vehicle (Lexus) with this mileage, used mainly for city driving and well maintained? The vehicle may fail next inspection and the price from the dealer is extremely expensive to repair. Is this the reliability I should expect from a 3rd Gen RX? Other people seem to have similar problems here. Could this be inferior parts? Is this a concern for Lexus? Should I try independent mechanic? Would appreciate any suggestions of how to get this FIXED.

salimshah

There are tings that get worn down due to usage (typically milage) and then there are rubber bushings which get worn by stress and temperature. Although 35,000 is not high milage but 6 yrs exposed to extremes can take a toll.

Salim

Clutchless

Get a second opinion from an independent as in my 5 years on this forum, this is type of wear has rarely, if ever been mentioned. I would not be surprised if the dealer was greatly exaggerating the extent of the wear in order to make their monthly repair sales quota. Did you notice any difference in how it drove? There is a difference between "starting to deteriorate" and "has deteriorated to the point replacement is needed". You may be just fine and not need any repairs. You could safely say that everything on a 6 year old car is starting to deteriorate. The phrase has no meaning.
See what another shop thinks of your vehicle. If it was really bad it would probably be out of alignment.

I have sat in my local Lexus dealer lounge getting warranty work done and overheard the blatant bordering on fraudulent exaggerations made by service writers to other owners to convince them to get repairs when they could easily have waited 6 months to a year. This is especially prevalent in the brake repair area, where half worn pads are described as at the point of failure and the service writer advised they had better do it now while they have the car in the shop and then says something about protecting the family.

sprat

Thank you both. The vehicle was in very moderate temperature all this time with no extremes so don't think that should have been the issue. I suppose then these should be replaced every 35,000 miles. As an aside I was told the spark plugs needed replacement at this mileage as well. I'll do that at 60,000. The real issue here is the high cost of ownership.

salimshah

Argh!
Who is feeding you all this ..

Spark plugs 110k miles.
Bushings are only replaced once the rip or there is a play.
Just ask your service writer to print out Lexus recommended service items and dealer recommended service items, [dealer tries to push extra service items and there base it on climate/driving-conditions.
Dealer is supposed to examine and yes drive the vehicle and bring their findings to the owner. You are well within your rights to ask that the mechanic demonstrate the problem or show you the torn bushings.

Salim

Clutchless

If your local Lexus dealer is giving this advice, I would report them to Lexus corporate, the state consumer protection department and never return there again. They may even warrant a nasty Yelp review.

Use this site to find an honest, competent local mechanic who works on Toyota/Lexus vehicles (If they work on Toyota they can handle your Lexus as it is 90% Toyota Highlander)
https://www.cartalk.com/mechanics-files

fastnoypi

what dealership is this in NJ so that they never service my vehicle?

RickC5

My $.02. The term "starting to deteriorate" is about as ambiguous a statement as I have ever seen. I can't help but wonder what is trying to be conveyed to the OP. Have the bushings cracked slightly--or at all--or what? It's the word "starting" that really bugs me. ALL rubber components in a vehicle's suspension "start" to deteriorate the day after the car is assembled. I would have made SOMEONE at that dealership show me specifically what they are referring to, as minor cracks WILL appear in rubber bushings after a few years. This slight cracking does NOT warrant replacement in most--if not all-- cases. I recently replaced a few sway bar bushings in my Toyota Pickup, but it's 35 years old, and the bushing were actually falling apart.

Sounds like a total scam to me. Find another dealer. But, take your car to a reputable suspension shop & see what they say--just in case.

takeshi74

Your maintenance schedule covers when items should be replaced and it indicates time or mileage, whichever comes first, for routine maintenance. If you don't have a copy of your maintenance schedule you can find it on the Lexus owner's site:
https://drivers.lexus.com/t3Portal/d...SG%20FINAL.pdf

It is possible that the parts you mentioned have started to deteriorate over time. It's also possible that your dealer is overstating their condition to get you to pay for service. If in doubt, get a second opinion from a reputable source whether another dealer, a good independent, someone who know what they're looking at, etc.

I'm not sure I'd consider NJ to be moderate but I'm from TX. It gets a lot colder up there. Do they salt your roads?

In any case, spark plugs are covered in your maintenance schedule. They are a 144 month/120K mile item.

A Lexus is going to cost a bit more than some other brands (and less than others). However a good independent or even a Toyota dealer can help with that.

We had a dealer tell us our tires were "shredding" when we just had new ones put on an a precision alignment done. Took it back to our independent and the alignment was still perfect with no unusual wear signs on the tires.

lexusrus

WHAT!!! PLUGS needing replacement at 35K miles? Really? We are taking about a 2012 vehicle, a Lexus, no less???? Maybe a Ford Model T may need plug change this soon, but a modern car?
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Islandguy

I have a 2013 with high mileage. I am in sales and the vehicle never stops moving. I follow the regular scheduled maintenance with a private well respected mechanic and have saved thousands in unneeded repairs. Stay away from the dealership as much as possible. Since I am from New Jersey I am curious as to what dealership is trying to up sell you? It's a shame, as this practice is an on going problem at most luxury car dealerships.

MellonC00

It looks like they have pretty good reviews, unlike that of the Los Angeles based dealers. Check it out.

https://www.bbb.org/new-jersey/busin...ey-nj-26002379

https://www.bbb.org/new-jersey/busin...st-nj-90091092

https://www.bbb.org/new-jersey/busin...od-nj-10002667

https://www.bbb.org/new-jersey/busin...wp-nj-80003436

https://www.bbb.org/new-jersey/busin...le-nj-16006154

https://www.bbb.org/new-jersey/busin...ook-nj-1000132

https://www.bbb.org/new-jersey/busin...ny-nj-90158080

https://www.bbb.org/new-jersey/busin...on-nj-90035611

https://www.bbb.org/new-jersey/busin...el-nj-80003181

https://www.bbb.org/new-jersey/busin...ls-nj-30000068