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After reading some condenser issues with alleged road debris and such, looking at the current design, it appears the condenser is a prime target for garbage off the road - straight shot in. A quick trip to Home Depot for some replacement screen and black zip ties. Looking at the selections of screen I opted for the "pet resistant" as it is a heavier weave but a coarser mesh theoretically allowing more air through. Cut a piece 36"X8" to allow for 1" double fold on top and bottom, used my soldering iron to pierce holes for the zip ties and put it in place. The screen is essentially invisible behind the grill work. Tests are ongoing but initial results are very positive. $18 for the screen (36"X84"), $11 for the zip ties (100 count - replenish my stock), 4 mosquito bites, 15 minutes install time. Heck of a lot cheaper than $2k and battling with Lexus Corporate. That's my 8% of two bits on the subject, your results may vary.
I bought my can in Jacksonville, but was in the Clearwater when I turned the air on for the first time. Lexus corporate office had it towed to Clearwater.
I contacted Lexus corporate multiple times, as well as my sales representative and the service managers at both the dealership where I purchased my car and the one where it was serviced, I sent pictures as well as a slide show. Begrudgingly I agreed to pay their $2,000 repair cost but insisted on receiving the damaged part. I would have paid an additional $2,000+ for an independent analysis to determine whether the damage was caused by road debris, as they claimed, or an internal defect, as I suspect. On the pickup day, expecting to pay $2,000, the service manager informed me they would split the cost at $1,000 but still refused to provide the part. I rejected the offer, reiterating my willingness to pay the full $2,000 to obtain the part. While standing at his desk I contacted corporate again, the sales manager reached out to a regional representative, possibly in Atlanta. Fifteen minutes later, the repair was free—but I still couldn’t have the part. This experience raises serious concerns about potentially defective parts.
Good luck with your repair. As corporate told me, I should take your car for service to the dealer where you bought it. I was over 200 miles from my home, when I told them that they said should have had it towed.
We’ve got about 12,000 miles on our 2024 luxury and just picked up the car from the dealership for standard maintenance. Now when we cut the air on it’s only blowing hot.
Lexus screwed up on this vehicle. I’ve had a LX570, 2 GX460s, an RCF, an RX350, a GS350, and an IS350, plus this one.
The build quality on the TX is subpar. The 3rd row power seats wouldn’t power to sitting position, the ML stereo not working, the AC now only blowing hot, the lack of any high quality interior finishes.
We’ve got about 12,000 miles on our 2024 luxury and just picked up the car from the dealership for standard maintenance. Now when we cut the air on it’s only blowing hot.
Lexus screwed up on this vehicle. I’ve had a LX570, 2 GX460s, an RCF, an RX350, a GS350, and an IS350, plus this one.
The build quality on the TX is subpar. The 3rd row power seats wouldn’t power to sitting position, the ML stereo not working, the AC now only blowing hot, the lack of any high quality interior finishes.
Update: I send my TX to dealer for inspection. The dealer first checked the onboard computer and said that there is a AC refrigerant leak, and told me exactly what date and time it happened.
He also said that I was driving 71mph when it happened. (Does he implies that Lexus can go above 70mph? I will go buy a BMW if that’s true). He said that there must be a small rock hitting the AC pipes causing the leak.
After two days of inspection, they cant really find where the leak is, nor any evidence of rock hitting the AC pipes. So they just refilled refrigerant. After that the hissing sound is gone and AC resumes working.
No matter what the case is, this is a major design flaw for TX. 1) if this is really caused by a small rock hitting the AC pipes, then I am surprised to see TX is designed a a way that it allows a rock hitting a AC pipe during regular driving. Is the AC pipe exposed outside of the engine bay so it is easy to be hit? 2) if this isn’t caused by a rock hitting the AC pipe, then I am surprised to see a refrigerant leak only 2 month after I purchasing a car. I choose Lexus instead of BMW because it is reliable so I dont need to visit the dealer only after two months of purchase.
Originally Posted by petergao
I have the exact same issue. New 2025 TX350 and when AC is on, only pumps hot air and there is a hissing noise
Last edited by petergao; Jun 11, 2025 at 07:36 PM.
Took the TX in and they found a rock that busted through the plastic fascia and destroyed the condenser. I called Lexus and asked for a goodwill repair and they denied it. Clear design flaw
"A rock went through the grill and damaged the A/C compressor." Our dealership originally quoted $3300 to fix/replace it. I showed them this thread and they agreed to fix it for $2000.
Something is going on with this. Either a major design flaw or a racket. We live down a long gravel driveway...if this happens again, this TX is going bye-bye.
the same thing happened to me. my lexus tx350 luxury had 900 miles on it when I noticed the ac was not cold. living in the south we rely on air conditioning. took it to lexus, they called to say exactly what I read and learned about on this forum. (before taking it in I googled the issue-road debris caused the condenser to leak. (see attached) my dealership said they have two more in the shop with same issue. they asked me if I would agree to being a guinea pig and allow them to add a screen behind the grill. lexus said it would be $2500 to repair my car and I nicely let them know this sounds like a products liability case and i’d be happy to be the first named plaintiff. sadly I think it will happen again.
Can you post photo of your finished mesh protection? Thanks in advance, as it will help many)
I have almost 5,000 miles on the car now and so far so good you can see blue tape inside. it looks like basic screen. they told me at my first service they will remove the tape. if this happens again i will be out of pocket but if it happens a 3rd time lemon law kicks in
I just filed a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
"This email is to confirm we received your vehicle complaint submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Thank you for this public service as it is through actions like yours that together we can save lives on America's roadways.
Your tracking number assigned by NHTSA for this issue is 11669467. Please keep this number for your records and for future reference. Once your complaint has been processed, you will be able to view it online and find any related documents. Please allow two business days for NHTSA to review your complaint.
What happens next?
Your complaint will be reviewed by NHTSA technical staff and entered into our database. If any additional information is needed, a NHTSA investigator will contact you.
Every complaint is taken seriously, reviewed in detail and analyzed for defects trends. Your complaint is important because it helps to inform NHTSA, other vehicle owners and manufacturers about potential safety concerns. Such information helps save lives, and we encourage you to share the resources available at NHTSA.gov with your family, friends and others in your community.
Will my vehicle be recalled?
When a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a car or item of motor vehicle equipment creates an unreasonable risk to safety or fails to meet minimum safety standards, the manufacturer is required to fix that car or equipment. That can be done by repairing it, replacing it, offering a refund (for equipment) or, in rare cases, repurchasing the car.
Nicely done!!! I have Zunsport grills on my 911 that do the job. I had a small quarter dollar sized rock hit my radiator but no piercing damage. Too bad there is not an aftermarket protection grill available for our TX cars....really inexpensive insurance against the $2000 fix.....Lexus should devise for their cars....
I have almost 5,000 miles on the car now and so far so good you can see blue tape inside. it looks like basic screen. they told me at my first service they will remove the tape. if this happens again i will be out of pocket but if it happens a 3rd time lemon law kicks in
Nicely done!!! I have Zunsport grills on my 911 that do the job. I had a small quarter dollar sized rock hit my radiator but no piercing damage. Too bad there is not an aftermarket protection grill available for our TX cars....really inexpensive insurance against the $2000 fix.....Lexus should devise for their cars....
I bought my new TX350 AWD Luxury on 7/23/25. Yesterday the AC stopped working at 800 miles. It's currently at the dealership (where I bought it) awaiting a diagnosis. rlumpkinjr: I was glad to hear you have a favorable outcome and Lexus covered it under warranty, can you share any insights that might help? Who at Lexus corporate did you contact?
This is my 6th new Lexus in 12 yrs. I've never had any issues in the past with quality or reliability. I hope they don't play any games with me.
I bought my can in Jacksonville, but was in the Clearwater when I turned the air on for the first time. Lexus corporate office had it towed to Clearwater.
I contacted Lexus corporate multiple times, as well as my sales representative and the service managers at both the dealership where I purchased my car and the one where it was serviced, I sent pictures as well as a slide show. Begrudgingly I agreed to pay their $2,000 repair cost but insisted on receiving the damaged part. I would have paid an additional $2,000+ for an independent analysis to determine whether the damage was caused by road debris, as they claimed, or an internal defect, as I suspect. On the pickup day, expecting to pay $2,000, the service manager informed me they would split the cost at $1,000 but still refused to provide the part. I rejected the offer, reiterating my willingness to pay the full $2,000 to obtain the part. While standing at his desk I contacted corporate again, the sales manager reached out to a regional representative, possibly in Atlanta. Fifteen minutes later, the repair was free—but I still couldn’t have the part. This experience raises serious concerns about potentially defective parts.
Good luck with your repair. As corporate told me, I should take your car for service to the dealer where you bought it. I was over 200 miles from my home, when I told them that they said should have had it towed.
I bought my new TX350 AWD Luxury on 7/23/25. Yesterday the AC stopped working at 800 miles. It's currently at the dealership (where I bought it) awaiting a diagnosis.
I was glad to hear you have a favorable outcome and Lexus covered it under warranty, can you share any insights that might help? Who at Lexus corporate did you contact?
This is my 6th new Lexus in 12 yrs. I've never had any issues in the past with quality or reliability. I hope they don't play any games with me.
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