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Toyota Sludge • Toyota Agrees to Oil-Sludge Settlement • Toyota Coughs Up • Toyota Sludge Complaints • Lexus Complaints

Dawn of Sacramento, CA November 1, 2007

Dawn of Sacramento CA (11/01/07)
After the transmission in my 2000 Lexus rx300 malfunctioned, I contact Lexus corporation and request them to pay for a new transmission. I have regularly maintenanced my vehicle and there should have been no reason for the transmission to fail. After some research via the internet I found out that this very common with 1999 & 2000 RX300's and yet no recall... why? Jennifer left me a message indicating they would pay 25%. I left a message indicating the transmission should be recalled (it's defective) and therefore they should pay 100% of the replacement. However, I would be willing to settle for 50% to resolve the matter. Now I'm being asked for receipts. The owners manual does not indicate having to replace the fluid only to check. However, my mechanic did replace the fluid at 60,000 mile check.

James of Portland, OR October 31, 2007

James of Portland OR (10/31/07)
i have a 2000 lexus rx 300.engine is full of sludge, it smokes,burns a lot of oil,has engine noise. lexus dealer refuses to cover it. this car was included in oil sludge settlement.they told me it would cost me 3000 to fix it

Diane of Richmond, VA September 12, 2007

Diane of Richmond VA (09/12/07)
I accessed your website on Sept. 9, for information related to the engine oil sludge problems experienced by some Lexus RX 300 vehicle owners. I had received a letter re the class action lawsuit several years ago and filed it away for future reference. When I read the letters from dissatisfied Lexus/Toyota owners who described the terrible treatment and service from their particular dealers and service departments, I decided to tell you about a positive experience. My father, who lived in South Carolina, died on Sept. 2.

I left Richmond that morning to be with my family and was nearing Roanoke Rapids in North Carolina when my engine began to make a loud banging noise and the car began to lose power. At that point the oil light illuminated on the dash and I pulled to the side of I-95, shaken. Two hours later a tow-truck arrived and towed the car to Roanoke Rapids. At my request, he checked the oil and said there was none in the car. I asked if he would put oil in and test the engine because I was anxious to reach S.C.

The added oil made no difference and my car was then towed to Rocky Mount, N.C. and left at the Toyota dealership there. Of course, this took place on a holiday weekend and I was unable to rent a car or find a garage open to look at the vehicle. My husband drove from Richmond to pick me up and then drive the remaining distance to S.C. This was not the best time to deal with automobile difficulties, but Larry, the service manager in Rocky Mount, was very patient with me. He let me know that the engine would have to be replaced. I told him that the tow driver said there was no oil in the car and to please check for leaks, etc. The inspection revealed that the car was a quart low.

I thought, How could the tow driver have made such a mistake?, totally forgetting that we had added oil to the car. We had the car towed to Richmond Lexus where Dale Farley, Service Manager, had the engine looked at by his mechanics and agreed that the engine needed to be replaced. I had called ahead to let him know that the car was a quart low and I couldn't understand what had happened. Mr. Farley looked at the service record of the car, and in support of me, talked to the powers that be to have the engine replacement approved at no cost.

They agreed. I was so relieved to have this settled and was able to focus on my family. The following Saturday, my husband drove home to Richmond and stopped in Rocky Mount to pay the tow driver for the Richmond trip. I told him how happy I was that Lexus of Richmond had agreed to replace the engine at no cost. He then reminded me that we had put oil in the car, and my heart nearly stopped. I'd forgotten about it in the confusion of the funeral services for my father. The following Monday I went to Lexus to pick up a loaner car while mine was being repaired and I told Mr. Farley about the oil, dreading that he would think I had deliberately deceived him.

He was very kind and said that they would replace the engine at no cost, anyway. I was very embarressed and very impressed with him and the Lexus dealership. Please let your readers know that there are honest and kind automobile dealers who want to do the right thing and who go the extra mile to provide exceptional customer service. Needless to say, I am now a life-long Lexus of Richmond customer.

Glenda of Melbourne, FL August 23, 2007

Glenda Broderick of Melbourne FL (08/23/07)
I* was hit from behind by a Dodge Ram truck and my seat snapped and broke. I was thrown into the steering wheel. My 1999 Lexus RX300 held up well in the rear but was injured due to the seat breaking and no air bag deployed. The Ram truck hit me at a pretty high rate of speed as he was fleeing the scene of another accident.

I have 2 bulging disks and 2 herniated disks in my neck and upper back. Going thru medical treatments.

Reginald of Hoover, AL August 22, 2007

Reginald of Hoover AL (08/22/07)
Purchased a 2003 Lexus ES300 with 37,000 miles. The vehicle was purchased because it was covered by a 72 month, 70,000 mile warranty. Three months after purchasing the vehicle it was discovered that vehicle had oil sludge and the engine requires replacement. Lexus refused to repair because the oil sludge lawsuit only covered 1997-2002 models. I have all the receipts for maintenance that I did during the short time I've had the car, but I don't have the maintenance records of the previous owners. Now I am stuck with a 2003 Lexus with 43,000 miles that needs a new engine

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