With 23k miles on the car, the rotors have warped. I took it to a local dealer & ther service manager said "tough-luck" (Lexus of Pleasanton, CA).

I opened a case with Lexus Customer Care & they told me the warranty on brake components is 12k; no assistance would be offered.

I asked to have the local rep involved, though I doubt anything will come of it.

I am pissed and disappointed in Lexus.

I had the same think happen to my 98 4Runner not once, but twice with TRD pads & they were turned/replaced both times under warranty.

What the F(*K is Lexus thinking?

 

I am not sure of your exact driving style, however warped rotors will occur on ANY car if the brakes are used beyond the normal daily routine. Rotors warp because of heat. That is only reason they would warp. Normal driving would not generate that amount of heat, even in LA stop and go traffic. Now if the brakes are used at the last moment (aggressive driving) continuously then the rotors will get very hot and warp. One thing that can really contribute to this issue are lug nuts that are not torqued. ALL lug nuts should be torqued down with a torque wrench. Ever go into a Winston or other tire shop and see what they use. The good ol bam bam thank you maame impact wrench. It's ok to use them when installing the wheel. Just not at a high torque. After using the impact wrench, the wheels should be properly torqued down which I believe (double check) on a Lexus is 92 foot pounds. The reason for this is that once metal is heated it can more easily be mended or bent in different ways. If your pounding on your brakes and generating a lot of heat, and you have some wheel lugs tighter then others on the same wheel then the rotor will be more prone to warp. Thus the warped rotors. Fords/Lincolns are notorious for warped rotors and Ford required that they be torqued as many others recommend. Most shops can turn(cut) your rotors for about 7.50 each if you bring them in or around 20.00 each if they have to do it. Keep in mind however that one should ALWAYS put new pads on cut or new rotors as your old pads have already "blended" into the old rotors. By not doing so your old pads will create more heat and once again, warped rotors and or glazed pads. I am probably the hardest person on brakes and warped my GS rotors within 300 miles. I am in the fortunate situation of owning a lathe, so I popped them off ,turned them,installed pads, and TORQUED the wheels. 600 miles later, still no problems. Also keep in mind that turning warped rotors removes ALOT of meat since the rotor must be cut "true", so if they are really bad, you wouldbe better off getting new rotors. More meat =more heat dissipation.
I would not fault Lexus for not honoring the rotors. I would think however that they would just turn them and install new pads. It takes about 1.5 hours to do a complete front end brake job on a GS including the time for machining. 30 minutes if installing new pads and rotors.

 

You know, it might be a sign...maybe it's time to upgrade your brake system. Steve (SupraTRD) can get you some Supra Brakes for cheap (like $800 or so I think) or you can get some of Rod Millens brakes for like $1100 or something...you'll get better braking, less likely to warp and they look better...

Or instead of paying top dollar for Lexus rotors, you could always go with aftermarket rotors that are slotted (or drilled)...I think Stillen sells replacements (www.stillen.com)

 

I could understand rotor warpage if the vehicles was driving outside of what is considered normal. I do not feel I fall into that catagory. The GS4 is used primarily for commuting & my wife drives it 50% of the time (I know she doesn't drive it agrresively).

The same deal for the 4Runner plus it doesn't tow.

I feel given these circumstances, Lexus stating that this is normal wear is crap. None of my rotor should have warped & the fact the Toyota has a TSB out on the problem and an updated rotor part number indicates that there was some sort of problem.

The fact that Totoya did the right thing and corrected the problem free of charge, but Lexus will not is infuriating.

 

What does your Toyota ForeRunner have to do with a GS400??????

Were you aware that Ford had continual problems with their Taurus,Sables, Crown Vics,and so forth with their rotors? Really bad problems, but what would that have to do with Toyota or Lexus? Just because Toyota took care of your problem does does mean someone else should or will! Fact is that yes, the 4Runner had rotors issues, thus the TSB. The GS DOES NOT. Some have warped the rotors,myself included, but a great deal many others have not. Mine warped because of my driving style and the wheels were not properly installed. If I asked my fiance if she drove aggressively, her response would be no. Yet she burns up pads and warps her Accord rotors like nothing else. I have been in the business for most of my life, and I find it very difficult to believe that Lexus will not do something for you, unless there is something your not telling us. Lexus wil invariably take care of an issue this small just to appease a customer. Something else has to be going on. No flame or attack, but maybe it is your approach to the matter. I find that a direct "professional" approach gets more accomplished that simple ranting and raving. Not saying that you are doing this mind you. If all is what you have told and you would like to pursue the matter, then contact your local BAR (Bureau of Automotive Repair). I guarantee that someone will take notice after that. Otherwisw take your car to a local shop and pay the 50.00 for them to turn the rotors. Also have them inspect your rear brakes. If your driving properly and the rotors are being warped then maybe the fronts are working too hard because the rears are not working like they should.

 

I must disagree with WhiteDiamond on this thread. I recently purchased a 2000 GS300 from a private party...and guess what? The rotors on my car warped as well at the 20K mile mark so I guess I don't have an isolated condition. It makes me nervous that others are reporting the same problem. Good thing the dealer took care of the previous owner and replaced them for free (Scottsdale Lexus). I have the paperwork that demonstrated this "good will" in my file. I will certainly be using Scottsdale Lexus for all my service in the future.

While driving style does play a part in how brake rotors last, I don't think that any brake rotor should warp under the use that even more aggressive drivers put their cars through. Auto manufacturers should never design their braking systems to function properly only under "normal" operating conditions -- they need to work under all kinds of conditions considered "extreme".
Brakes are a critical safety component so I would hope the automakers over-engineer these parts.

Can you imagine the public outcry if the belts on a certain manufacturer's tire routinely warped because of "extreme heat"? I can guarantee that the excuse of "extreme heat" would not hold, especially for such a critical component on the car. That manufacturer would be sued (geez...does this sound familiar?).

Let's get real -- we live in a county that has a lot of hot areas. Brake warping is extremely common where I live and I fault any manufacturer that builds a car that cannot take the desert heat. If a rotor warps during the warranty period, I expect the manufacturer to be responsible. Brake pads may wear out as they are considered a "wear" item (that's how they are supposed to work!), but the rotors should not wear out in any non-abusive condition for the duration of any factory warranty.

Advsystems -- I hope you get Lexus to honor your claim. If not, you can always go to arbitration with your attorney general. And always remember that Lexus has a reputation to uphold and angry customers do a lot of harm to that reputation. I think you are dealing with a poor dealership.

Good luck.

Thx...Doug