Hi - I have a platinum lexus warranty (100k/10yrs). The front left suspension recently developed a rattle when driving on bumpy roads. It's a metal to metal sound but not tremendously loud.

I've taken it to two independent shops - they both hear and feel the noise. One says it's bushings and control arms and another says its a strut that is in the process of failing.

One Lexus dealer doesn't hear or feel noise. The other says that it's a loose front grill that's causing it (car makes zero rattling when on smooth roads or on the highway).

Any advice on how to proceed when there's an issue but the dealer is unwilling to acknowledge something is messed up?

Thanks

 

Information on how to proceed with dealer issues are covered in the Lexus "Warranty and Services Guide". Refer to pages 9 - 13.

 

in this situation the dealership wont help you imo. Suspension is a wear item unless its a tsb which i believe was only in the rear suspension of the rx. They wont cover it like when brake rotors warp, even if your car is brand new and you have 1k miles on it, they'll state you over heated the brakes so its not their problem. Or such as your struts are leaking, theyll give you the run around and say you hit a pothole or somthing that damaged the suspension so its your fault and its not a manufacture defect that will be covered. Which is crazy because even in their print out of the warranty it states its covered, but because they cannot prove you didnt or did somthing they'll give you the run around when their warranty clearly states it covered.

Its amazing that they push so hard for this extended warranty when you purchase the car but when you try to use it, they are absent. If I were you id talk to the service manager and threaten to refund the warranty, and if they dont want to help you with your issue, ask for a refund on the warranty, you are generally allowed to and by law they have to unless your in a weird state. Depending on how many miles or months of warranty is remaining depends the % of refund you are entitled to. If they tell you, you cant refund it call cooperate.

I've dont have experience with lexus extended warranties so its best to go over the contract you signed. Some plainly state you are entiled to refunds, some dont allow you, some state if you havent used it and its about to expire you can get a full refund on the amount if contacted within X amount of days at the end of life. Sucks but good luck.

 

IF the front grill is the cause (per the dealer) have them fix the noise, and then when the noise continues, take it back and say try again.

 

Another option is to reach out to Lexus Corp. Explain that you paid a lot of money for your car and that the dealer will not honor the warranty. Typically, Lexus will reach out to the dealer and have them explain. Lexus can make the dealer honor the warranty and fix the car.

 

Thank you all for the really helpful and thoughtful responses. I’ll read the prior posts on this and have them try and fix the bumper noise. I did ask them about why the bumper would be loose and they sort of said well maybe somebody backed into your car or something. But nonetheless, I’ll try again and I will also read the fine print on the contract to see if a refund is allowed.

 

An often misdiagnosed sound is actually coming from the sunroof due to its seal being worn out. Slide back the cover and drive on rough road and see if that's not the source of the noise. It sounds like it's coming from front suspension but it's sunroof. Unlikely you have any worn out suspension at this mileage

 

Knowing the year of the car would help. Some years had a TSB for rear arm causing this arm. Your ECP should cover a TSB item