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Comments
There is a TSB for the rear end clunk, which usually happens when decelerating from 3rd to 2nd gear. I can find the number for you if necessary. Has something to do with the transmission cooler lines, all they do is put some insulating material around the lines and clunk goes away. I had the fix done about six months ago and I haven't heard the clunk since.
COTMC, I've read previously that OEM tires are only last 20K miles. I could be wrong but I know I changed out the OEM tires on my 4runner at about 30K and the current tires have 60K now and plenty of tread still left.
Cole
Thanks for getting us back on track with those interesting facts. My RX just went over 12,000 mi. but the tread on the tires seems to be 75% still there and wearing evenly. They are the Michelin MXV4's . Just as your research indicated, they seem to wear much longer. I sure hope mine will go at least another 20,000. Please keep us posted if you hear about new RX tires and pricing. Just keep remembering how much better the 18 inchers look than the 17 inchers.
I also replaced them with the the Michelin MXV4s.
I'm still incredulous. It's disconcerting - to say the least - and now has me thinking about whether I want to keep the vehicle once I get it back. The possibility of brake failure happening - suddenly, without any warning - is just mind-blowing.
The only good thing is that the dealer was obviously aware of the problem and they've been checking every RX that comes in for it. Better to learn about it now than the hard way.
The emergency brake is on the floor. So would you be standing on your head, steering with your feet?
of course i may be just a statistical anomaly on the road of the relentless pursuit of perfection, but even so as a paying customer it is true that i did expect more, nonetheless, if all is well with the brake booster assembly, my new one and all of yours, i will be relieved, as that is the real issue here
still the brake booster assembly remains a ? in my mind; i talked with the towing services used by lexus and asked them whether they had transported other rx330s with similar complaints, got more from them than from lexus, and indeed it has apparently happened on other rx330s in this region
Lexus dealers wouldn't be detaining RXs that come in for service if there wasn't a significant problem. Lexus corporate may be denying there's an issue here, but the local dealers (at least the ones in the NY metro area) are well aware of it. They've got at least 10 percent of their loaner fleet out on "extended leave" to cover the delays in getting the new brake boosters in stock to do the repairs.
I am using michelin alpin pilot snow tires and am very pleased with them.
Is anyone experiencing a weirdness in the shifting of the car? There is a lurching that Lexus has 'repaired' twice now and I have had it in the shop a total of 3 times for the same problem. They say it is a software issue, but have also said that they can not find it this go around.
There is also excessive rattling from the front console and rear of the vehicle, and it slips a lot for a all wheel drive in the wet and snowy weather.
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You say you think it slips a lot for and AWD vehicle, but I have noticed just the opposite. Last night my area got 14 inches of snow. I was parked outside, and this morning I had no problem getting my RX out of my unplowed driveway. I have the original Goodyear tires, which others have been complaining about, and I still did not have a problem. As always, AWD does not help slipping when braking or turning, so this would be the same as any vehicle.
Is this what most folks paid for their RX330 15K service?
I suspect all it will indicate is an oil and filter change.
Due to the few premature failures of the RX300 transmissions it appears that Lexus is giving the dealers leeway to charge (GOUGE??)their customers for transmission fluid flushes that will maybe prevent the premature failures and thereby save Lexus a huge bundle.
brake booster assembly on 2004 lexus rx330 apparently is subject to failure if installed prior to sept. 2004, after that an upgraded part was used
lexus decided to handle this problem by replacing those that failed but not by warning letters to owners or recalls
that policy upset many local dealers who thought for safety and customer relations reasons, lexus should have a more forthcoming policy, some dealers are handling it themselves by replacing the assembly when vehicles came in for service, sometimes by test driving the vehicle and noting brake inconsistency, even when there is none
in my case, apparently some folks at the dealership had wanted to replace the part when it was for 5000 mile service, as a precaution, leading to some embarrassment when it failed a couple weeks later
bottom line, i think the picture is clear enough now with two loose ends
first, i believe in tort reform, but maybe not until the corporate geniuses at lexus who approved this version of "don't ask, don't tell" for a dangerous problem have been held accountable for any damages from their policy
and, more importantly, to prevent any damages from occurring, rx330 owners affected by the sept. 2004 date may wish to have a serious talk with their local dealer about the problem, risks and solution
again thanks to fleetfoot70
I believe that taylor5 has summarized the problem nicely. I got my RX in March, prior to the time that upgarded brake booster was used in production.
It's also worth noting that the RXs in question here are only the CANADIAN built version - not those that shipped from Japan before production in Canada was ramped up in early '04. The Japanese versions seem to be unaffected. The reason for delays on those RXs being detained by dealerships is that the new booster assembly is coming from Japan, and as I stated earlier there's a backlog of vehicles waiting for the same parts.
Two weeks ago, when I took the vehicle to the dealer for the (brake light)recall, I asked again for this problem. This time, the advisor quickly pointed out that it's the ACTIVE TRANSMISSION LEARNING MEMORY problem. He reset the memory, and WOW, I have totally different experience now. It's smooth and predicable. Anyone having same problem, should try this fix!
however i wished i had bought a MDX not as many issues.
happy driving!
"Do not exceed 75 kg (165 lb.) cargo weight on the roof luggage carrier." p. 138 Owners Manual
One must wonder why they didn't cover "regular operation with a driver and three 200lb passengers."
Taylor5 "believes in tort reform" but only after the people who have done him wrong have been held accountable? That's one of the problems with this wrongheaded political sloganeering. It lets off the truly criminal along with the "merely negligent".
Also, any news on the annoying ticking noise from the dash when the temperature is also 50 degrees or less?? Thanks
We also have elected to keep the higher tire pressure (35 psi as delivered vs. 30 psi from manual) even though it has a negative impact on ride quality.
I have AWD and keep the tires at 30psi now.
Regards
Also gotta say my wife LOVES it and way better than her old sedan. BTW, I don't mention my issues to her or that I don't think it's the buttery smooth, ultra quiet, Lexus her old sedan was. To each his (or her) own.
What is even more bothersome is the increasing level of squeaks and rattles. Given the level of vibration that is being translated to the cabin, it is no surprise the car is developing rattles. At times, the unoccupied passenger seat can be seen vibrating back and forth as much as an inch. One possible source is the wheels. At least in California, Lexus insist on selling all the RX330 with the larger 18-inch wheels instead of the standard 17-inch. We, like most people, really never gave it much thought. Unfortunately, that one-inch makes a big difference in terms of ride quality and noise levels. The 18-inch wheels have a shorter sidewall, which leads to a much stiffer ride and as a result more rattles. Obviously, the suspension also is a factor in this equation but the tires are something we can control. Why is Lexus selling all the RX330 with the bigger tires? Besides the increase profit associated with the 18-inch tires, it all cosmetic to many people the car looks better with bigger wheels. The trend is almost an epidemic within the car industry. Lexus, a company that was built on a reputation of quiet cabins and smooth rides, should be ashamed of buying into this trend.
I strongly suggest that anyone considering a Lexus and whom rates ride quality and interior noise high on their priority list, to only purchase a vehicle with the base tire size. Given that RX330 is essentially a tall wagon, why not use a suspension more in line with the LS430? What is the advantage of having such a stiff ride?
tire rotation? Is there something I'm missing or?
So there--I've offered a solution to an annoying problem to thousands of RX 330 owners. Can I help it if it's a solution to a problem no one else has ever reported? ;-)
P.S The RX330 is wonderful and fun to drive!!!
Timing is everything! ;-)
tidester, host
The dealer told me that Lexus actually has identified a batch of RX330(traceable by the VIN number) with noise problem due to bad weather strip design and has posted a TSB.
The dealer replaced the front door weather strips for me (though my car is not from the problematic batch) and told me that the noise is now “ at the level it is designed”. But little has improved. I am going to write to Lexus about the problem.
Thank you.