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Lexus GS Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • memreomemreo Member Posts: 2
    The dealer is not charging me for anything at this point and all receipts show as warranty. They are telling me (as of yesterday) that the trips I make in the car are too short and the engine never really gets a chance to warm up. I live at least 15 miles from my office and drive the car quite a bit during the day in town. I think they are trying to cover themselves at this point. With only 59,000 miles, I hate to get rid of the car, but I also hate to think that I will need to carry a couple of quarts of oil in the trunk. I also know that this is going to get worse.
  • billyperks2billyperks2 Member Posts: 378
    Do you mean 5,900 miles?
  • geungergeunger Member Posts: 3
    I have a 2001 GS 300. My wife had a VW Beetle that got water in the carpet and started smelling bad. The other day she told me that the Lexus was starting to smell the same. We checked, and the carpet on the passenger side (front) was wet. I had my son remove the mat, which was also wet, and soak up as much water as possible.

    Today I asked my wife if the carpet was dry, and she did not know, so I checked. It was very wet! However, only the carpet directly on the floor is wet. If you check the front of that carpet, either side, or the part under the seat, those sections are all dry. All of the other carpet in the car is dry.

    We suspected clogged drains in the VW, and after we cleared them that seemed to solve the problem. However, I can't see any clogged drains on the Lexus. It has rained pretty hard here the last two days, so I suspect that the water is coming in when it rains, but I just can't see how.

    Any ideas?

    Thanks.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    If the center of the carpet only is wet, one would have to suspect the sunroof, which is the only drip location that makes sense, right? A clogged sunroof drain could cause such a leak.

    There are two types of clogged drains as well. One beneath the fresh air vents (under the wipers) and another that drains off condensation from the AC. This drain might leak from behind the console to the center of the mat.
  • geungergeunger Member Posts: 3
    I thought about the sunroof, but if it were actually leaking there the water would fall onto the seat. The sunroof is well to the rear of the carpet. It does not appear that the sunroof is leaking in any case.

    When I put water into the vents below the wipers on the passenger side, it ran out a couple of places on the bottom of the car. The hole that is apparently the main drain outlet had some debris in it, so I cleaned it out. I suspect that was the problem. The outlet hole on the driver's side was pretty much clear. It does seem like the water runs through some cracks on both sides in addition to the main vent hole. When I put water in the center vent below the wipers it also ran out of a hole in one of the (metal) "channels" that run along the bottom. I suppose this is normal, but I don't know for sure.

    We just had a cold front come through or I would check the AC condensation drain. It will certainly get hot here (central Texas) shortly, so I can check that later.

    Thanks for the help. Much appreciated.
  • chucko3chucko3 Member Posts: 793
    Did you have your windshield replaced recently?
    I had the water leaked underneath the dashboard on the passenger side after having a windshield replaced for a couple
    years on my 89 Accord.
    The leak was not severe so I didn't do anything. Then the next
    windshield replacement fixed the problem.
  • geungergeunger Member Posts: 3
    The windshield has not been replaced, but I will do some additional checking around the seal.

    We took a long trip yesterday with the air conditioner running the whole time, and we did not get any water in the carpet. So I'm pretty sure that's not it an AC drain leak.

    Thanks.
  • chucko3chucko3 Member Posts: 793
    Does the leak only happen when it rains?
    How's about put some paper/newspaper on the carpet to see where the water
    drips?
  • tom17tom17 Member Posts: 134
    I just bought a new GS350. What a great car! But when I put my factory CD's (not copies or MP3's), the system does not display the CD name & track info. I can get to the menu where the info is supposed to be but it says "". They work fine when inserted into my PC (displays info for every track). Looked thru the manual which says the data is supposed to be displayed automatically. Anyone seen this before and know the fix? Thanks.
  • anilpunjabianilpunjabi Member Posts: 61
    I just finished the extended warranty i tink it was 8 yrs. It saved us tons of money b/c i moved the car from phily to LA and the moving company must have bottomed out the car b/c when i got to la had to replace the intermediate pipe, and the front bushings on my strut. Just 11 months after the bushings had to replaced, when i picked it up from the dealer the car started making clunking creaking noises, but when i went in 2 days later they kinda disappeared, however the steering now feels a lot more vague than before. Anyone know what to do, the service is still covered for another 11 months
  • satyargsatyarg Member Posts: 5
    Hi ,

    I recently brought a GS AWD . However I feel the engine too loud and can hear the humm inside the vehicle. Thought my earlier Camry was better shielded for noise.

    Is this common for a GS ? Thats what the dealer personnel said.
  • tom17tom17 Member Posts: 134
    Maybe they increased the sound deadening between 06 & 08, but my 08 GS350 has to have the least engine noise of any car I have ever owned (incl Infiniti, Cadillac & Lincoln). Totally silent amazing (for a V6) power.
  • donstewart2000donstewart2000 Member Posts: 1
    i have a gs430 manufactured in jan 2005 the steering rack failed in july 2008 i have discovered that lexus have admitted that gs300 and gs430 manufactured in jan feb and march 2005 were fitted with faulty rack the europeon investigated and found that the magnets were not properly attached to the power steering rotor i am still trying to get lexus to compensate me as i was 13 days outside warranty.despite it was their fault!!!!! and my car was manufactured in jan 2005!!!!!so much for service
  • ractlcractlc Member Posts: 2
    The Seat Belt Tensionier on my 07 GS 350 AWD (I think that's what its called) on the car frame (next to my left ear) has started rattling. I took it to the dealer and they said they can hear anything. Has anyone else had this problem? It is really annoying since it is right next to my left ear.

    Thanks,
    Rick in St. Louis, MO
  • chucko3chucko3 Member Posts: 793
    Once in a while I heard a creaking noise. Around the area
    you mentioned. Since it didn't happen all the time I can't pinpoint
    the location. It happens only when the outside temp is around
    30F+
  • terence4terence4 Member Posts: 1
    Hi,
    I have 2002 GS300 with a similar problem on the driver side. I think your tech. finding of missing a body plug is the most logical answer to my problem as well. Can you please tell me where is the body plug is located.
    Thank you
  • gigikashgigikash Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2002 GS300-when I put in Drive the motor revs but the car won't move. This last about 15secs. Shift back in park seems to be okay. Also when driving car everything will be fine-get to a stop sign-car will hesitate when pulling out. The car has 60,000 miles. Had transmission flushed-new fluid. Fluid looked good.. Is this a transmission problem or fuel system problem? Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
    Brian
  • samiam_68samiam_68 Member Posts: 775
    I have a 2000 GS-400 and it does exhibit similar behavior occasionally. Also 60K miles, also had the trans fluid changed. This happens once in a while, almost feels like the transmission is not fully engaged in gear. I find that shifting to D while holding down the brake, and not releasing the brake until feeling the tranny fully engaged, usually prevents this from happening. It takes 1-2 seconds.
  • rconterconte Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2009 Lexus GS 350 AWD, that from day one at highway speeds pulls to the left. I have had it back to the dealer 3 different times. The last time they replaced the "Caster Bracket" on both sides. I still have the same problem. Has anyone else experienced the same problem. If so what was done to correct the problem.
  • uscfanuscfan Member Posts: 4
    I have a 07 gs 350 and my car pulls to the right. I have had it since it was new. in addition, since it has been pulling to the right(dealer had no answer for it). my tires on the right side are wearing on the inside about 25% faster than the rest of my tires. Dealer told me that was normal.(?????) Granted I drive 30k miles a year( I have 94k as of today) so for me to make a fuss with the dealer its hard especially when my miles are piling up faster than my warranty couild handle. i dont know what to tell you but it is annoying as heck. Keep your eye on your tire wear and have them rotated every 10,000 miles(flipped rotated, dealer will only rotate them front to back, have a reputable tire guy in your area cross flip them and you will pay 80 bucks instead of 200 at the dealer.. this will save you about 5k to 10k depending on your driving. sorry I dont have the exact answer but I feel you. Otherwise the car is great. hetting 30 mpg to 33 mpg on the highway. hit me back if you get it solved..
  • uscfanuscfan Member Posts: 4
    I have an 07 gs 350 which I bought brand new, I have my brakes replaced quit a bit since i drive 30k miles a year. last year when i replaced my brakes about 10k miles into the brakes the rotors got warped. I do not drive hard and most of my miles are highway miles. I took it back to big o tires(which is were I have had all my cars serviced for many years), they turned the rotors and replace the pads for free.. the problem came back again and they turned and replaced again. Now the third time they replaced with all new rotors and pads. So the problem is gone(I hope) for now. My question is could there be any real possibility of damage to any other components within my brakes or suspension that would cause these new rotors to warp again? I know it will throw my alignment off but I am curious. Thx in advance.
  • chucko3chucko3 Member Posts: 793
    The answer is no. And I don't think warping rotors will cause the
    alignment off either. It's annoying to feel the pulsation from
    the brake pedal when the rotors are warped.
    All I know is at the dealer when they turn the rotors they turn them
    on the wheels so they can get a correct run out.
    http://www.tomorrowstechnician.com/Article/703/the_great_rotor_debate__knowing_w- - hen_to_resurface_or_replace.aspx
  • chucko3chucko3 Member Posts: 793
    There is a TSB-0174-08
    The warranty is only 12months/20K miles. I guess your car is out
    of warranty. The TSB says something about the characteristics of the tires & camber adjustment.

    "This bulletin contains general vehicle pulling diagnosis and repair procedures along with specific information to help correct pulling complaints.

    This information supplements Repair Manual procedures when the symptoms are:

    The driver holds the steering wheel without exerting steering effort while driving straight ahead, the vehicle drifts to the right or the left.

    While driving straight ahead, the driver has to steer either to the right or the left to maintain straight driving."
  • cfriskcfrisk Member Posts: 4
    YES,THE DEALER PUT A SOUND KIT IN THE DASH BOARD AND IT STOPPED.I THINK IT WAS A RECALL OR SOMETHING THEY KNEW ABOUT BECAUSE THEY HAD NO PROBLEM DOING IT.
  • diablo7diablo7 Member Posts: 1
    I have this same problem with the squeak from, I guess, the steering column. I have 97,000 miles and I'm about out of my extended warrenty. Is there a way that this is covered under warrenty? What is the fix? I may have to have this fixed on my own as this drives me nuts.
    Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
    TIA

    Dan@diablouno.com
  • bindubindu Member Posts: 1
    I have the same model and the same situation. I asked that it be checked .They said someone took it out and found no problem. That was April 2010. It definately pulls to the right. Have you found a solution?
  • uscfanuscfan Member Posts: 4
    Thx, I am calling the dealer right now and see what I can muscle up... I bought my car new in Oct 2006(was an 2007) and I was complaing about the pull for 2 years and then this notice comes up.. Lets see!!! I will let you know how it rolls..
  • cht1cht1 Member Posts: 6
    Help! The "Check Engine" light came on in my '06 GS last week. took it to Park Place Lexus in Plano and the service tech just called with the diagnosis --the fuel tank isn't sealing (i.e. fuel can evaporate). They want to replace the neck of the gas tank for $800. Not under warranty they say.

    Anyone have experience with similar? Sounds like a bogus approach that is true would constitute a defect that should be covered under warranty.

    Any thoughts/advice most welcome.

    Thanks in advance.
  • samiam_68samiam_68 Member Posts: 775
    They are RIPPING you off.

    First, it IS covered under warranty - under emissions.
    Second, it is probably just the gas cap that needs to be tightened - try that and drive it for 3-5 days and see if the check engine light goes off.
  • cht1cht1 Member Posts: 6
    For everyone's benefit, here's how this played out. Park Place initially wanted $800 to replace the neck of the fuel tank as they said they had perfomed a smoke text and determined that was the source of the leak. I said NO WAY, and they came back and said like $680. said no to that as well and they finally called back and said they'd gotten Lexus to eat the cost of the parts so $335 for labor & diagnostics. I took that but let them know that I was not happy about the entire episode --this shouldn't happen to a Lexus and if it did, they should stand behind it.

    From the investigation I could do, the problem appears to be that the design of the gas cap causes the fuel opening to expand over time after a succession of tightening the cap after refueling. Eventually, it compromises the seal which causes the emissions system to register a failure. The dealer service folks were surprisingly familiar with the problem as if they had explained it to other customers before.

    on the warranty issue, the service rep i ttalked to (my regular guy who is typically a straightshooter) said this condition is NOT covered under the emissions warranty.

    This is what i know, hopefully this will help the next guy who has to deal with this.

    cht1
  • aji1aji1 Member Posts: 1
    hai
    i would like to buy gs300 2008 with 65000 km'and i am doing about 30000 km a year.
    so how is the car and the reliability? is it too much km?
    thank you
    chaim
    israel
  • neluklmneluklm Member Posts: 1
    hello , knows anybody what (could)means yellow - engine - light ?
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,146
    That light can indicate a variety of problems - some expensive to fix, some not. The only way to tell why your check engine light is on is to have someone (a mechanic, or AutoZone) hook it up to a scanner and get the codes. The code will help you determine what is causing the problem.

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  • johndodsonjohndodson Member Posts: 1
    My car just started using 3/4 quart of oil every 1,000 mi. this started at about 70,000 mi and I now have 85,000 miles. I have had the gasket replaced and the engine is not leaking a drop. Car runs great but dealer wants me to do an oil consumption test. Anyone had a problem with their 2006 GS300. I know Lexus only used this engine one year in just this model than switched to the 350 engine. I am afraid they are going to tell me I need a new block (10,000) and it's not covered. I changed my oil every 10,000 miles. I am thinking this must be happening to a lot of owners if it's a design flaw Lexus has not admitted to yet
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    Cost of consuming a qt of oil every 1300 miles is $4.00/1300 = $0.003 mile
  • dirkndirkn Member Posts: 1
    WOW! I had almost the exact same situation at the exact dealership? maybe it's a new way to cash in on the VSC light issue. My tech quoted me a similar charge to fix the fuel neck. I called Lexus customer affairs and told them this is more of a safety and emissions issue and that my car will not be able to pass state inspections if this persists. They put me on hold then transferred me over to specialists and decided they would split the cost 50/50 between myself and Lexus. Final total came to $250. More reasonable but still too much to pay!!!
  • davesavagedavesavage Member Posts: 1
    John,
    My wife's 2006 GS300 has 87k miles and started using 2 quarts of oil every 1500-2000 miles with no leaks on the garage or obvious smoke out the tailpipe. Dealer is doing a short block next week for us. Said it was an oil ring failure. We are out of warranty but bought the car new June 2005 and had all recommended maintenance done at the Lexus dealer. In consideration of that they have talked Lexus into kicking in some and the dealer is kicking in some leaving me with a 4500 dollar repair on a well maintained high end car. The good news is I get more than half of a new engine. Bad news is I would really rather have the money and not need the repair. Lexus is taking back the old block as part of kicking in for the repair out of warranty. I won't be able to have any independent shops look at it because of that after the parts are exchanged. I also found a thread on Edmunds.com with a similar story to mine and yours.

    Let me know how yours ended up

    dave
    Austin, TX
  • jeannettec1jeannettec1 Member Posts: 2
    My 2006 Lexus GS430 locks me out about once a week. Most of the time when the grabbing the door handle does not unlock the car, I can push the button in, wait 5 seconds and then open the car. It's not a matter of sensing the key. I can hold the key right next to the car and it will not unlock by grabbing the handle or pushing the remote. I've changed the battery in the remote and that doesn't do the trick either.

    More troubling, twice the car has locked me out with the keys inside. Then, I must call AAA to break into the car. The first time this happened, I had been to the car wash and I didn't realize that the key was inside the cup holder. I locked the car and, when I returned, I could not open the car. The second time, I was getting gas. I left my purse in the passenger seat with the key inside. I closed (but did not lock) the door and was locked out. I had no phone, no money, no remote, no mechanical key. The AAA driver said that he's seen Lexuses automatically lock themselves with the key inside.

    My Lexus dealer and an independent local Lexus mechanic said they cannot help me unless I can reproduce the problem on demand (which I cannot).

    I tried changing the battery in the remote and switching remotes with my husband. There was no improvement. Can anyone help? Thank you!

    Jeannette
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    edited July 2011
    Sounds to me like most of your problem is the result of YOU locking yourself out of the car.

    My '92 LS will "self-lock" if I use the key remote to unlock the door(s) but then do not open a door within 30 seconds. System assumes "butt dialing" in that case.

    Perhaps your GS has an enhancement of that early feature.

    The door lock/unlock system does not "see"/sense the nearby key and therefore locks the doors ~30 seconds after the key is sensed to have "walked" away.

    Your husband's key may have the very same "flaw" but then he doesn't carry a purse, and maybe NEVER leaves the key "loose" inside the car...ALWAYS in his pocket.
  • rakmakrakmak Member Posts: 2
    My complaint is against the Lexus Corporation for faulty design. Purchased a new 2008 Lexus GS350 in Dec. 2008 and have since taken it to the Lexus repair shop (by San Jose Airport) with complaints about the sunroof and brakes. I have worked with them patiently and although they seem genuine about their effort, problems with Sunroof and brakes continue to exist. This lemon car has been in their shop 4-5 times, each time requiring me to take off from work, drive with their mechanic so they can hear and RE-HEAR the noise, go back to the place and do this over and over again. The sunroof in an open position vibrated till last time (after 4-5 visits), now the whole assembly rattles and squeaks when in closed position. The brakes squeaked and sometime clicked; now they squeak when they are slightly wet and clicking noise appears to be starting again. I purchased the Lexus thinking of reliability, but so far have invested a lot of time back and forth to the repair shop with no end in sight.
  • rakmakrakmak Member Posts: 2
  • cezkcezk Member Posts: 2
    I'm currently dealing with the same issue. I bought my GS300 in April this year (in Poland). The car had approx. 93K miles when I bought it (built in 2006).

    A few days after I bought the car, I did a full maintenance, as required after 150K kms (changed the oil in my car + filters, etc.).
    I did only about 3K miles since the last oil change and already had to add 1,5 litre of oil yesterday, as the oil level was slightly below minimum. I talked with the dealer and so far they have no clue how to deal with the issue. My problem is that Lexus cars are not very common in Europe, so they local dealers have limited knowledge about solving these kind of problems.

    How did your story end?
  • j3ffoj3ffo Member Posts: 1
    hey there, I'm having the same problem....dealer says the exact same thing. Mine is a 2006 model but built in 2005....I bought it used off lease. So when I have it for the 2nd year the light came on and then off....I was puzzled and didn't think of anyhthing, then it came on again and stayed on. So I went to the dealer and they said that it was weird to see that and it is a high compression engine. And they will keep a record of how much I use and how much I've driven. Didn't turn out anything, I think they are "dicking" me around

    I went to my mechanic and I have him put a full bottle of "lucas" in with the oil change. After a week I've noticed 1/4 of oil used. So I put in maybe a liter. After 3 weeks it's down to the "low" point of the dip stick...so I'm very frustrated too. How can a new model, almost new car have so much problems?

    It would be a broken ring, gasket, "cat", or manifold....
    *sigh*
  • dan301dan301 Member Posts: 7
    My GS300 is using oil at one quart every 5,000 mile oil change. The dealer has requested the oil consumption test at 1,000 mile intervals. What has been the results of your similar problems?
  • dave394dave394 Member Posts: 3
    John,
    My wife's GS300 2006 model bought new June 2005 started using oil at slightly higher rate like 2 quarts per 4-5k miles. Ended up being oil ring problems and had to have a short block replaced or basically the bottom 2/3 of the engine. Runs great now and uses no oil. Lexus and dealer both helped to reduce cost but still was nearly 5k on an engine that had 89k miles. Retail for the repair was close to 12k. Our problem was found with the oil consumption test as they are suggesting for you. Good luck.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    $5,000 will buy ~1000 qts of oil, 2 qts/4k miles = 800,000 miles
  • acenology9acenology9 Member Posts: 3
    You could try getting the Lexus GS300 repair manual on CD and see if it has procedures for that. I just ordered mine.

    Here's an ebay link:

    Lexus GS300 350 400 Repair Manual CD
  • debsandebsan Member Posts: 1
    Hi... I saw the problem you had years ago with the oil indicator/leakage in your 2006 GS300... I have had the problem for almost 2 years now, my car is in the shop for the 5th time and I am extremely frustrated. My car has only 63,000 miles on it.... what was the outcome with your vehicle?
  • dan301dan301 Member Posts: 7
    Once I found that Lexus will not do anything until oil consumption reaches 600 miles per quart, I merely read the stick and record the information. When I am driving up a steep hill the burnt oil can be smelled when I stop at the top and walk around the car. So, with a warranty, I will keep good records and make a decision in 12 to 18 months.
  • cezkcezk Member Posts: 2
    News on my story with Lex. Finally the issue was fixed few weeks ago. My dealer replaced the leaking gaskets in my car plus of course oil change, removing the sludge, etc.

    I've done some 2.000 kms since the repair and not a sign of oil consumption so far.
    The total cost of their service was 8.000 PLN, so 2.500 USD (approx.)
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