My RX450h lease expires this summer. I won't be buying the car. I installed an E-Trailer hitch when new, with no alterations to the underside or fascia. Do I need to remove it prior to return? Pluses and minuses? TIA.

 

As long as they installed it properly they won’t mind. If it wasn’t installed correctly they will potentially charge you to remove it / replace whatever is missing. There not going to give you a credit for it if that’s what you meant by plus. I’m on the same boat I put one on my wife’s RDX to carry bikes, and her lease is up in a few months. It was only about $120 and I installed it myself. I know I did everything the right way so I’m just going to leave it on there. To me it’s not worth the hassle to put it on Craigslist for $50/$60 and get offered $25.

 

You’re better off just taking it off yourself. They have the option to charge you for them to take it off and then bill you for any damage they may find! The vehicle is supposed to be returned to them the way it was delivered minus normal wear and tear.

 

As another poster wrote, remove the hitch for unless you stated in the lease that you were towing which causes more wear & tear on the engine transmission, you are bound to unpleasantly surprised at what the penalty will be. Even with it removed if they find that you had a towing set up and you are not leasing another Lexus you may be penalized.

 

Cocal is on the right track. Hitches and elaborate rack mounts show use beyond normal and may
trigger extra scrutiny. Exceptions of coarse for OEM hitches on capable vehicles such as GX/LX.

Pre-Owned manager often drops poorly configured hitches from marginal tow vehicles to avoid any
discussion at time of sale regarding past use.