Inner area that covers the Rear hatch handle/openener has completely melted, it has turned into a supper sticky and stainy black gu.

has this occured to anyone else here;

Can one replace that plastic cover or do I have to buy the entire opening mechanism? (THank God for the automatic boot opener!)

Thanks

 

You mean the outside handle? The rubber covering over the handle/switch has melted? Weird. Any pics? You sure it's not some form of rust inhibitor that has leaked out of the hatch or something?

 

Its the rubber that covers the inside of the handle in the rear hatch.

 

Care to post a picture?

 

Same thing happened to me on my 2007 RX-350. It started a few months ago, it was just a little sticky at first, then the black rubber started coming off on my fingers when I opened the hatch manually.
The dealer told me that there is a service advisory out about this and that it is only happening in Florida. Also it is not covered under warranty
(why not, I ask ??)
Only in Florida ? come on, I know its hot here but really !!
Then they hosed me for $110 for a whole new handle assembly, they said it was all bad.

 

It gets hotter in TX & AZ, no?

 

Hotter, yes. But it is that infamous dry heat. Might have something to do with humidity levels rotting the materials.

 

That's a joke...really, just covered in Fla? Guess they can blame global warming so that it's not covered under warranty.

 

Please take a moment to reread the post. They stated that the problem was only occurring in FL and that it was not covered under warranty.

 

Looks like Lexus should add Florida as a environmental testing ground to see if their vehicles can handle it?

 

does anyone ohave the part number; also here is the pic of what I am talking about, finally had a chance to upload it.

 

WTF, take it to lexus, and ask politely, if and only if they choose not to help or rectify the situation, I would then threaten and pursue.

So I would claim its a safety hazard cause it could catch fire and in turn cost a serious damage to the car, or worse a life of someone in the car, and you do not want to get legal and news agencies involved cause it would look bad on the dealerships behalf as well as Lexus.

 

Just had mine replaced under factory warranty a few days ago. Service writer said it was not included in CPO warranty so I was lucky that it had not kicked in yet. I was 600 miles shy. 49,400 miles.

But I agree that it is a serious issue and ridiculous that trim would melt off a car. I would raise hell before paying $110 to fix it.

 

Well, I live in GA, so the problem is not restricted to FL. I may just wait and see if the sticky latch gets worse. I may go to Lexus and see how much the part is if you install it yourself.

 

same thing happened to me. purchased used from FL owner. I live in NC. local lexus dealer in NC replaced free of charge...no hassle. I figured just the rubber piece. they said they replaced the whole assy.