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

lana of boise, ID September 24, 2009

My circumstances are very similar to Margaret in PA's experience. We bought our 2001 Lexus after much research. Shortly afterwards (two months) without any warning, the oil was gone, and then the car started smoking. Our mechanic said it needed a new motor. I accidentally found out about the class-action lawsuit and called Lexus. They instructed us to go to our local dealer and said we needed to prove that the oil had been changed regularly. We did not own the car so we have no proof and does not show up on car fax. Our local Lexus dealer inspected the car and said it is not sludge. I was told it most likely is a failed ring, but am having an independent expert looking at it tomorrow. I feel the same as Margaret, as I was told by another mechanic that the dealership mechanics do not want this work, as they get nothing for it, like they do for work brought in and paid for by customers. Seems like the engine may not only have sludge - but other problems as well.

Margaret of Downingtown, PA September 10, 2009

My 2002 Lexus RX 300 has 100k miles on it and has never given me any problems. However, in the past month, I have had to add 6 quarts of oil (2 at a time) to my car. There is no leak and I had just had my oil changed 10 days prior to this 1st incident. I have documentation proving that I have my oil changed, etc. well within the Lexus guidelines. Concerned about the need to add oil, I took my car in to my mechanic. They said that there was evidence of sludge build up which was causing the oil to leak into the gas tank. There was nothing they could do to fix my motor, I needed a new engine at a cost of 8700!

So, my husband looked this oil problem up online and found this consumer affairs website documenting a class action lawsuit against Toyota for similar circumstances. We then called Lexus of Chester Springs and asked them about the law suit...they said they had never heard of this before. (really?) They directed me to Lexus corp. who were all very pleasant and cooperative. They asked me to provide proof of ownership and maintenance, vin #, registration...which I did.

I asked Ritchie at Lexus corp, assuming they would replace my engine, would they replace it with the same motor (in which case I would have to deal with this problem again). He said "no" we have identified and corrected the problem, and unless I was to purchase a used motor from someone, I would not have this problem again. I then asked him HOW a motor defect can cause sludge build up. He told me that it was a maintenance issue...some people don't change their oil until it's been 10-20k miles. I asked him how it happened to me, then, since I have been properly maintaining my engine. He said he didn't know.

But my question is...why would Toyota agree to give a new engine to people that just didn't bother to get their oil changed? AND why would they re-design the motor if what he was saying...that it was a maintainence issue...was true? I dropped my car off at Lexus of Chester Springs last night...I just got the call...there is no sludge problem in my car. In fact, my engine is so clean, it looks like someone wiped it clean.

The car is still in the shop and they are not closing it up until we say so...we are paying our mechanic to deal with them now...since he understands what they are saying and we don't. Everyone (on this website and the sites my mechanic read) says the dealers deny it...I don't want to assume they are lying to me...but I don't want to walk away b/c they tell me to only to find out I was duped. Not sure what to do next! My car, with 100k miles on it is worth nothing unless I spend 9000 for a new motor. My mechanic says it appears to be related to the Toyota defect, Lexus denies the problem.

robert of rochester hills, MI September 3, 2009

We have had our Lexus GX-470 for 6 years (2003) and have been generally happy with its performance. Yesterday, as my wife was driving down the road with our 6 year old twins, the car veered sharply to the right and she lost control. Fortunately she was not on the expressway and simply stopped in her lane. The problem was a broken tie rod. The dealer said that this failure occurred because of Michigan's poor roads. Keep in mind that this vehicle is equipped with a 'downhill' feature and has been rated higher than the Land Rover for cross country travel. If that's the case, why would it be so sensitive to paved road conditions? It should have been able to withstand the 'abuses' in Michigan. It is a heavy, strong vehicle. I've had approximately 30 cars in my lifetime and this is the first one that had a broken tie rod. Go figure!

ryan of geneva, NY August 29, 2009

Just bought an rx 350 (6-30-2009). NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER buy any lexus. An advise for those who are still debating. It's a franchise that won't stand behind their products. An corporation that wil to lie ( straight up lies)to you to trick you in buying their cars. An irresresponsible service department system

ernest of murrells inlet, SC August 16, 2009

Our 2005 Lexus RX330, manufactured in Canada, has a problem with the front passenger headlight assembly - anytime it rains, water gets into the light assembly and fills with condensation - i understand that there is a tsb about this but it needs to be a recall - lexus should stand behind these headlight assemblies that evidently, allow moisture to get into the fixture - it stands to reason that the risk of blowing out the expensive xenon bulbs is pretty high, too, from all of the water & moisture

Arpineh of Glendale, CA August 11, 2009

The rear view mirror fell off the windshield on my brand new 2009 RX350 and the Lexus engineer decided it was my fault. They refuse to pay for it and refuse to even tell me how they concluded that I broke off the mirror. They wouldn't give me a report. They kept saying they are not in the business of deciding how it fell off. Only that it is not a "warrantable" repair....

Frank of Sun Praire, WI August 2, 2009

About two weeks ago I was driving down the road in a 2001 Lexus Rx300 that was newly purchased less than 2200 miles prior. I heard a noise coming from inside the engine compartment, so I shifted into nuetral and as I was coasting off the road the engine died. I had it towed to a local independent right next door to Lexus. I checked the oil level and it was barely reading at the bottom of the dipstick(when I purchased the vehicle they did an oil change and I inspected the level at that point which was completely full) No leaks, it was obviously burning oil.

I went to Lexus and explained what had happened and they offered me a repair bill of 10,000+. Upon further research I found my vehicle to be involved in the "sludge" (Lexus won't use that word) "gelling" lawsuit which they never mentioned. I had them inspect it and they denied any sludge in the engine.

I proceeded to take the vehicle home and perform my own inspection. (Lexus only pulls front valve cover) I pulled the rear valve cover. Noticeable sludge, not to mention I opened up the front valve cover they already inspected and there was sludge there too!! Pulled oil pan and big surprise walls coated in oil sludge. And oil pick up was coated in sludge(that is what caused engine failure, starved engine for oil). So I take several pictures and the rear valve cover back to the dealership to the service manager and state my case. He denies it is sludge and states that is quote "normal buildup" I know this is more likely "normal they tell everyone"

So called Lexus corporate and was contacted after a day, they said the dealer was "their eyes", I said I have pics etc. They encouraged me to pursue the dealer I purchased from (an independent dealer). I replied with the fact that there is a class action for a reason, it's obvious there is a manufacturer defect. I have elected to get a third party mediator (allowed under the class action settlement) but now I need to jump through hoops. I need to get a new inspection by a mechanic(which I will pay for in the mean time) to state there is sludge in the engine and I have to track down all the service records(Even though vehicle was inspected @ Lexus in IL and offered for sale with less than 8,000 miles in between that and my engine failure.) I can't believe they won't even admit my engine has sludge in it!!!!

Jaimie of Marion, IN July 27, 2009

Fans that vent the hybrid moter (which vent into the car) shorted out causing motor to die. Dealer says that warranty will not cover.

ed of oceanside, CA July 20, 2009

2007 Lexus GS350 sudden acceleration without pressing on gas pedal. There are hundreds of report like this concerning ES350. This is dangerous. I am highly disappointed of Lexus and this is my last one, prior to this 2006 ES350 my wife used engine went out at 3500 miles.

Bernie of Granger, IN July 9, 2009

I purchased a 2000 Lexus RX300 several years ago. I purchased it from the local Lexus Dealership. Lexus of Mishawaka. Since that time, the vehicle has performed quite well, but last week, the transmission went out completely. I felt that with only 127,000 miles, it should not have happened. Since that time though, I have looked into this and it seems that this is very common. From the different forums, list servers and discussion groups, the 1999 through 2003 AWD transmission will nearly always fail early. I feel that Lexus should pony up and get this taken care of.

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