Hello everyone! Crossposting a thread I made on Reddit at the suggestion of someone there:

I thought I'd share some info here on some issues and fixes since it might help others lurking around. For context, I'm the second owner of a 2017 LC500 (Philippine spec), which I think is equivalent to the US performance package, minus the radar cruise control and app suite/enform stuff.

1. Clicking noise during low speed turning

This bugged me for a while. I initially thought it was the whole two piece caliper explanation, but it kept happening whether it was cold or hot. I took the brakes apart and found that it was the anti-squeal shim (which wasn't doing its job at all, lmao). It was covered in some black elastic thing which may have been grease at some point. Anyway, I removed it (NOT the brake pad shim. The anti-squeal shim is a separate shim on top of that). Bam, clicking noise gone. Hilariously, it didn't increase squealing. I eventually switched out the pads to Powerstop Z26s for the brake dust issue.

2. Firm ride

I attributed the firm ride to the factory runflats, but changing the tires to PS4s had no effect. I dug deeper and scanned Techstream, which showed a DTC for the front right acceleration sensor, which is connected to the AVS system. The sensor read -16m/s regardless of replacement with a new sensor or even removing the sensor, which pointed to either a wiring issue or suspension ECU problem. I took a gamble with replacing the suspension Ecu (89243-11010) with a used ebay one ($80). After installing it and programming with techstream, the DTC disappeared, and the entire driving experience changed. With the error in the ECU, the AVS apparently defaulted to a "safe" mode and kept the car on maximum hardness. Now, it rides comfortably like a Lexus GT should.

3. Quiet exhaust

Change it, haha. But if you want a preview, you can either unplug the exhaust valve harnesses under the car or pull a fuse from the trunk fusebox. The fuse location I think varies depending on the year model. For mine, it was just one fuse. It'll output 2 DTCs, but no CEL. Not so loud, but it interestingly has occasional pops during downshifts. Fun fact, the car has no issues with O2 sensor spacers.

4. Fuel lid occasionally doesn't want to pop open

The real fix is replacing the assembly, but the quick fix is just sticking some closed cell foam in there to help push the lid open.

5. Audio quality

Bluetooth sucks, it uses SBC. The ML comes alive when the aux input is used with a DAC, and FLAC files sound glorious.

6. Occasional clunk from right rear

Yeah, I got nothing for this. Tried some stuff from here (https://www.clublexus.com/forums/lc-...hing-else.html), but no dice.

That's it I think. I also have the complete repair manual, and I'd be happy help anyone here look something up.

Edit to add a comment for things I missed:

Ahhh good catch I knew I forgot something!

7. AC servo issues

Yeah I have a B144A code, which basically means that the vent direction is partially stuck. My guess is the teeth on the gears are partially, but not completely, stripped. The last time the vents got stuck in a bad position (blowing air to the windshield only, because I disconnected the battery), I had to do a number of servo reinitializations (almost a dozen) on Techstream to get them pointed back the right way. Each time a reinitialization happens, you're rolling the dice on whether the good teeth on the gears bite. Now, I just don't touch the vents and avoid disconnecting the battery, because dcing automatically results in an initialization.

Not ideal, but also not urgent. The repair process in the repair manual calls for a massive disassembly job on the dash, so having it done is expensive due to the labor, not the servos themselves. I've been personally weighing whether it's worth it to DIY. But again, not urgent as long as I don't touch it.

8. Door handle issues

No issues on mine so far. But when I opened the door up, I did see some corrosion on the motors, because for some reason the drain for the door handles is right above em, lol. Water literally drips down on the mechanism. I just hit it with the contact cleaner, then basically glued on a small rubber pipe/tube to direct the drainage safely away.

 

There is a TSB on the Servo issue. They either degrease the servos or replace under the TSB.

I had that issue. First they tried regressing as the TSB said. It worked temporarily. Then it failed and they replaced the servos.

The recurrent issue I have is intermittent fogging of the rear camera. Already had the camera replaced. Turns out moisture is getting between the trunk lid and camera assembly by way of the airflow down the back window.

They are working with Lexus Corporate for a fix.

 

Thanks for sharing this, really helpful post. I’ve actually had most of the same issues on my car, so it was great to read through your experience and fixes. It also makes me feel like our cars might be very similar in terms of spec/build.

Was your car originally from North America, or from the Gulf region?

For 1. Clicking noise during low speed turning, do you happen to have a picture of the exact shim/part you removed? Also, did you remove it only on the side where the noise was coming from, or on all four corners?

For 2. Firm ride, unfortunately I seem to have the same issue. Honestly, I wish I had seen your post before changing the tires, but I’ll probably try the same route next. I may go with a new part instead of a used one just to be safe.

For 7. AC servo issues, it looks like there may actually be a lower-cost fix for it. Mine cost me around $400. In my case, every time I reset the error, the problem came back again pretty quickly, so I had to get it fixed properly. It seems there’s a way to replace the servo without removing the whole dashboard, which is what made the cost much more reasonable.

I think it depends on where you are and whether you can find a shop familiar with this type of repair. As far as I understand, a similar workaround exists on other Lexus models too. If you can’t find anything locally, I can also go back to the shop that fixed mine and ask them how they managed to reach the servo without removing the dashboard and in such a short time.

 

I must say that I am unpleasantly surprised by the several seemingly often occurrung issues on the top model car from Lexus which is supposed to be the best quality manufacturer there is..

I have owned a 2020 RX450h for 2 Y and had a few issues with that too, totally unexpected.
Having owned many other brand Japanese cars (Mazda/Suzuki/Honda/Toyota) before I am used to Japanese cars to be bullitproof, almost never having problems...
Very dissapointing, it seems that Lexus is dropping the ball on build quality with cars built during the last 6-8Y

I really hope that my 2021 Convertible that is coming soon, will be a better experience than above mentioned..

Also because in my country it is almost double the price of the US and repairs/ parts are so too..

 

I have a 2021 convertible with 15K miles and I do not have any of the above issues.

 

Car is a local Philippine spec, not imported.

For the brake shim, it's #7 in the image. I took out all four corners because... I don't remember why, haha. But it didn't affect squealing at all.

For your firm ride, I suppose a quick scan (Techstream, Toyota/Lexus specific, not a generic one) would quickly show if our issues are similar.

On the AC servo, lucky! The dealer here gave me that quote with the "might as well" mentality - like since we're opening the car up, might as well do literally all of the servos, not just the problematic one. I guess it makes sense since AC servo issues are pretty common throughout Toyota/Lexus.

 

I mean to be fair, they're comparatively minor and easy to fix (except for the AC, lol). Plus, it doesn't look like it, but it's a 9 year old luxury GT. It's bound to have something go wrong

 

no such thing as a 2017 LC. it’s 2018 and up

 

For some reason in Asia at least there is 2017 ( Mine is Saudi Spec )

 

We got MY2017s here in the Philippines. Mine's an example of one!

 

Please elaborate more on the servo fix.

 

For a DIY dash removal. Here is a full disassembly by the Beatsonic guys as a install of the wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto kit.
I was thinking about doing it but just watching the work that has to be done gives me anxiety. I'll just keep using the aux in with my my iPhone. Fortunately my 2018 LC had the Carplay upgrade done.

 

You don't need to do any of that. It is just a doungle make it wirless ( links the posts )

 

I am not sure how exactly they did it, tryied to search for someone to explain it and found this which may be the closest.
I contacted the shop for detailed explanation and will revert back when they answer.

 

Ok, Tks