Water inside car/drain clogged (merged threads)
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 443
From: CA
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 443
From: CA
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 835
Likes: 408
From: PA
https://www.lieffcabraser.com/defect...-benz-ac-mold/
Driver
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 64
Likes: 19
From: Ny
Nope. No warranty fix for this. There are two TSBs acknowledging the issue (but not accepting responsibility due to manufacturer defect) and installing insect repellent screens/barriers at the end of the drain line to prevent this from happening.
Here's one from 2014-
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...32808-9999.pdf
Here's the updated one from 2021-
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...01401-9999.pdf
They've known about this issue for a very long time, this is absolutely infuriating.
Here's one from 2014-
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...32808-9999.pdf
Here's the updated one from 2021-
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...01401-9999.pdf
They've known about this issue for a very long time, this is absolutely infuriating.
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 6
Likes: 4
From: New Jersey
'22 RX 350 (bought it brand new last year), same issue with mine! They claim insects clogged AC drain. Noticed water in front passenger floor. Entire interior has to come out, carpet and padding/insulation beneath needs to be replaced. Quote-$8,000. Not covered by warranty because it's due to "outside forces" and not manufacturer issue (BS). Have to go through insurance and pay deductible. Super upsetting. Oh and it'll take 3-4 weeks. My first Lexus, disappointed to say the least. I got a Lexus instead of a BMW so I'd have piece of mind. The irony.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,941
Likes: 581
From: New York
My wife insisted on getting this model, as well. I love my Audi. I had no idea, of course, about this water issue before we bought the car, but what I do remember: EVERY time we brought in our sedan for servicing they tried hard-sell for additional [for fee, of course] services. And, I had to fight them, twice, on repairs covered by the extended warranty. Never had these issues with my 2 Audi's. We managed to succeed with insurance claim for this water leak, but I told wife this is our last Lexus.
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 6
Likes: 4
From: New Jersey
By definition each of our stories are anecdotal, but FWIW: My experience described 2 different dealers, one where I bought the sedan back in '13, and now this one. My daughter bought her Lexus from a 3rd local dealership, and has been dealing with similar fights regarding warranty issues. For us, never again for Lexus.
Driver
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 64
Likes: 19
From: Ny
My car has been at the shop for 2.5 weeks and still no word on when it will be fixed because we are going through insurance. I am beyond pissed. Looking to contact a class action lawyer soon, please PM me if you are interested in joining
Driver
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 64
Likes: 19
From: Ny
Has anyone experienced this? My 2017 RX has water accumulating in the passenger side foot well. I live in the northeast and am dealing with a high volume dealership. I brought the vehicle into service and they informed me that there have been multiple issues (3 in the last 5 weeks). The story I was given by my service consultant was that spiders boro into the AC drainage plug causing it to clog and backing water up into the cabin. The accumulating water causes black mold to form with explains the odd odor. Their solution is to pull out all carpeting and padding and perform mold remediation. Now here's where it gets good, after telling me they had between 15 and 20 cases, they inform me that I need to put an insurance claim in to cover the repair which runs between $5K and $6K and that I would be responsible for any deductible. This vehicle is 9 months old with 6K miles on it. I had a 2015 RX that I loved and had no issues with. Any comments or suggestions?
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,941
Likes: 581
From: New York
BTW, my 2017 RX350 never had a problem, with anything.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 835
Likes: 408
From: PA
A clogged evaporator drain line is not unique to a Lexus RX. It can happen to any vehicle that has AC. However, the damage it may cause will vary depending on the design. I would not let the information in this thread keep me from buying an RX.
Last edited by jcg0324; Aug 22, 2023 at 03:38 AM.
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 33
Likes: 14
From: FL
If your RX doesn't have the water issue now, you could prevent the problem by keeping the A/C drain hose clear. I had the same problem with a Toyota RAV4. I caught mine early and had to remove the carpeting and sound deadening materials and let them dry in the sun. I then blew through the drain line and cleared it. I do that every year or two and haven't had a problem since. My RAV4 drain hose was just underneath the passenger footwell. I assume the RX would be similiar.
BTW, my 2017 RX350 never had a problem, with anything.
BTW, my 2017 RX350 never had a problem, with anything.
I've had zero issues with my RXs 2009, 2015, 2018, and now a 2022. Combined mileage all over the US in those cars of over 1/4 million.
