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

Garret of Jupiter, FL December 14, 2009

A while back I noticed water on the back floor of my 2006 Lexus IS 250. I assumed my wife left a window open. I dried it thoroughly. I noticed it again a while later and dried it again. I finally realized the water was coming from somewhere else after it accumulated again after a period of no rain.

I realized it was coming from the AC system that has a clogged drain. I don't park under trees or drive on dirty roads. Lexus confirmed this and because my car now has 2,200 miles past the 50k mile warranty they refuse to cover the repair except for 50% of a 830 repair to remove the dash and install larger drains.

This is a clear design flaw that they will not stand up for because I'm slightly out of warranty. The problem was first detected but the cause not identified during warranty coverage so they refuse to back up their product. They know they have a design problem with these drains. I have to pay 415 to have the dash removed, larger drains installed and the carpet removed and cleaned.

BJ of Shoreview, MN December 5, 2009

On September 19, 2009, I was turning into a parking space in a pharmacy parking lot when the engine revved up and there was an accident. I had been going slow and as I turned into the parking space, I didn't have my foot on the gas as with most automatic, the car will creep enough to move the car into place with no further application of gas. My foot was just on the brake lightly, ready to completely apply it when I was in the parking space.

However, all of a sudden, the engine revved up and raced like I've never heard. Have no idea how many RPMs were turning but it must have been a lot to have the engine rev that high. Well, since it was in drive (even though my foot was not on the gas)it ran into the sign at the front of the parking space which immediately caused the air bags to deploy. This causes complete inability of to respond and think for a time. (Try it if you don't believe me.) Thus the car went over a concrete barrier, flattened the sign, and stopped in the side of the pharmacy. I was the only one involved and to date, the injuries were minor.

The car was actually drivable afterwards, but was still towed away due to the inflated air bags. I have a police report, photos, etc. The pharmacy claims I went through the brick facade and hit the inside wall of their building. Not true or even possible as the pictures will verify. Bricks would have had to be gone for the front of my car to penetrate the width of the front end of my car. The photos it just didn't happen. It only damaged (not crushed) one headlight. The other was fine. Hard to do if you penetrate a brick wall. The cement barrior helped keep the car from going in further.

My injuries were minor initially but am still being tested for some complications. Slamming me back into the seat by the seat belt and air bags puts a lot of force on one's body. The big expense in the repairs was the air bag replacemnt. The front bumper, front grille, hood painting, as well as fixing a small problem with the air conditioner line that received a hole when I went over the sign.

So there was the cost of repairs form the accident, my deductible, the need to repair this revving engine problems, and the strain on myself, both physical and mentally. I'm always nervous driving that car now. Lexus has been hiding this problem for years and people have died. That is not excusable. I've also contacted the Attorney General of MN and the MN Department of Commerce. Will look for others for help, too.

JOSEPH of EVERETT, MA November 9, 2009

I had less than 100 miles on my rx350 and the tire came off the rim. It was not covered. it cost me 450

Jaimee of Cincinnati, OH November 6, 2009

My car has had 4 recalls and 3 of the times that I have had my car serviced was dealing with the brakes. I have been given the runaround via the Lexus Dealership and Headquarters. My car only has 21K miles on it and the brakes are messed up again. I am furious that my car sounds like I put my brakes on myself. I am being told to deal with it. I would love to be contacted by a lawyer in this matter.

Maria of Buffalo, NY November 3, 2009

My Lexus 2001 RX 300 was recently serviced for an oil change at Bison Automotive in Buffalo NY. A week after the oil light went on while driving out of town. I pulled over on the interstate and called the mechanics. They said to have my car towed to their shop. I had the car towed costing 127.00. After inspecting the car, the mechanic told me that I had sludge which damaged my engine and I will need to replace the engine. I called the Lexus customer service and told me I would have to bring my car to the dealer ship and have them assess it before they can out of "good will" determine if they can help me with any type of assistance. I also need to bring proof of my oil changes to ensure that i did properly maintained my vehicle. There was no guarantee given to me about at least not charging me for another diagonsitc done on my car to tell me what I already know. I was not prepared to have an engine replaced on my Lexus. I still have to decide if I am going to tow my car to the dealership to pay more money out than I would if my mechanic did the work.

diana of Crowley, TX October 30, 2009

We have a Lexus 2000 RX300 someone told us of this motor slodge and it was confirmed when we had our oil changed it was sludge We had a transmission pot in 2 moths ago not it died and the shop confirmed the motror was bad. 3500 for a used one!! we still owe 3000 on the transmission. Where can I get some help with this??

Tammy of Dacula, GA October 21, 2009

I have a huge crack down the base of my dashboard on the passenger side airbag just about the glove compartment. Car is in excellent condition and it kept in a garage. Researching the internet... seems to be VERY common. Lexus GX 470. "2003" model to "2005" models. Lexus says they will not replace even though they have replaced many already.

Nellie of Ottawa, ON October 18, 2009

My problems with Lexus started less than 6 months after I bought my 2006 Lexus RX330. Within those 6 months my transmission was completely shot. With this car, Lexus was actually cooperative- because my car was still under a one year warranty, I was allowed to reselect a new car. By the time this happened though, the dealer had already sold off all of their 2006 model vehicles and were now selling 2007s (however they had stopped selling the RX330 altogether, go figure.)

I chose to replace my 330 with the RX 400H. From the get-go, that car burned oil like it was nobody's business, and I had to keep getting it serviced. In spite of that, I still kept the car for a couple of years. It was the next problem that did me in. I was driving down the freeway doing about 80 kph/50 mph, and I hit a pothole. Next thing I know, my driver's side airbag deploys, and I'm swerving all over the place because I never expected it to happen. Somehow I managed to pull over to the side of the road to see what happened. I get out of my car (in agony, as I'd later learn that the airbag fractured my vertebrae), and I can't find any external damage to the car.

So anyways, I bring my car to the Lexus service centre, and the tech says it'll cost me 3273 and change to replace the airbag and fix parts of my dashboard that were damaged as a result of the deployment. I tell him that my car should still be covered under the 5 year extended warranty, and that Lexus should have to pick up part of the tab because the air bag deployed FOR NO REASON. He tells me to take it up with the head office- which is what I do. And you know what that a*hole manager says to me, "We've never had an issue with our airbags before- you probably just don't know how to drive an SUV like this", and he pretty much tells me to stop being such a pain! He fails to realize that I COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE because of something that was entirely out of my control (I had my car serviced more than routinely, so I'm kind of astounded no one ever told me about the potential risk of a faulty air bag.)

In the end I managed to get the car fixed- a colleague of mine had a relative who was a licensed mechanic/body shop tech who had extensive experience servicing Lexus cars, and he offered to fix my car for less than half the price Lexus quoted. The car was restored to immaculate condition (even better than when I purchased it from the dealer when it was brand spankin' new), and I was able to re-sell it. I am now the proud owner of a BMW, and I haven't had any car problems since.

Les of Farmington, MN October 13, 2009

My problem is similar to Iana in Boise and Margret in Downingtown PA. I purchased a 2002 Lexus ES300 used with 104000 miles on the car. After a couple of weeks I noticed puffs of smoke and low oil level on the dip stick. During a 1500 mile road trip I was adding a quart of oil every time I filled in gas. When I called the Lexus dealer they told me the previous owner had brought it in for oil consumption. They had pulled the valve covers and determined it was not a sludge problem. I went back to the used car dealer from whom I had purchased the car. So far I have not had any success in getting them to return my money or fix the car. I have also come across the lawsuit about oil sludge/ oil consumption. It seems Lexus can easily deny that it is their problem. My question is what else could be causing these expensive engines to fail if it is not a bad design. I think Lexus/Toyota is not living up to their responsibilities.

Frank of Rosemere, QC October 5, 2009

Signed 48 month lease with Lexus Financial Services dated 2 June 2006.I signed because they offered 39 month return of vehicle no charge if mileage pro rate(2000 per month) and car not accidented.Clause added to contract by hand and signed by and in presence of sales director. Upon competion of 39 months went to return vehicle and pick up new one and was told that they are not respecting contract. Upon further prodding was threatened that if i complained they would say contract was forged. I contacted my lawyer and sent lawyers letter which up to now has gone unanswered.

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