2004 Lexus LX Complaint Log

This is an amended report filing: --I brought the following issues to the attention of Lexus corporate customer care and after they reviewed the situation, they refused to offer any financial responsibility for correcting this serious safety issue even after I informed them that the same VGRS systems in the Lexus LS460, LS 460L, LS 600h, and LS 600hL were all recalled in 2010 and also the VGRS system in the 2013 Lexus GS 350F was also recalled. These recalls similarly involved off-center steering wheel problems related to the VGRS systems. The Lexus dealership technician said, and I quote, "that if this does not become resolved you will eventually lose your electric power steering which could be very dangerous." --The failure involved the vehicle steering system, specifically the Variable Gear Ratio Sterring (VGRS) Electronic Control Unite (ECU) has failed resulting in a severe alignment mismatch between the steering wheel and the front tires. In order for the front wheels to drive in a straight line, the steering wheel would be off center by anywhere from 20 degrees to 120 degrees. This made keeping the vehicle driving in a straight line very difficult. The malfunctioning VGRS ECU is available for inspection upon request. --The above description is self explanatory. If the steering wheel and the front wheels of the vehicle are completely mismatched, control and steering of the vehicle is significantly compromised. The increases the risk of loss of control of the vehicle, collision, and injury. --The above problem was diagnosed at an official Lexus dealership. --The vehicle and component was inspected, tested, and diagnosed at an official Lexus dealership. --The VGRS indicator light was active and the steering wheel alignment was progressively worsening over time.

--The failure involved the vehicle steering system. Specifically the Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) had failed resulting in a severe alignment mismatch between the steering wheel and the front tires. In order for the front wheels to drive in a straight line, the steering wheel would be off center by anywhere from 20 degrees to 120 degrees. This made keeping the vehicle driving in a straight line very difficult. The malfunctioning VGRS ECU is available for inspection upon request. --The above description is self explanatory. If the steering wheel and the front wheels of the vehicle are completely mismatched, control and steering of the vehicle is significantly compromised. This significantly increases the risk of loss of control of the vehicle, collision, and injury. --The above problem was diagnosed at an official Lexus dealership. --The vehicle and component was inspected, tested, and diagnosed at an official Lexus dealership. --The VGRS indicator light was active and the steering wheel alignment was progressively worsening over time.

While driving up I70 in colorado I experienced a fuel smell in the cab of the vehicle. When I stopped to see what the issue was I found fuel vapors coming out of the fuel door/gas cap. I replaced the gas cap and again experienced this issue. This leads me to believe the fuel evap system does not work correctly causing excessive fuel pressure in the gas tank, leading to pressurized fuel coming up out of the Gas cap. I google this issue and found this seems to be a comen problem that Toyota / Lexus has not addressed. This is a giant safety concern as well as an environmental concern that should be addressed. Fuel vapor under pressure is a fire risk and can be very dangerous. I took the vehicle to the dealer to fix and they said they have no history of this being an issue and that I would need to bring the vehicle in during the issue. Based on the below google results this is a very known issue for Toyota / Lexus that they simply do not want to recognize. I am hoping filling out this form will bring this dangerous condition to light so the dealer can correct the issue. Below are links to documented cases of the issue I experienced and some home remedies people have tried. https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/gas-tank-building-excessive-pressure-fuel-smell-dangerous-for-sure-why-does-this-happen.1214321/ https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/gas-tank-building-excessive-pressure-fuel-smell-dangerous-for-sure-why-does-this-happen.1214321/page-30 https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/100-caught-fire-gas-tank-venting-concerns.1018603/page-17

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON

I HAVE CONTACTED TWO LEXUS DEALERS ABOUT A RECALL FOR THE CURTAIN-SHIELD AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE. AFTER MONTHS NEITHER HAVE RECEIVED THE NECESSARY PARTS AND THEREFORE HAVE NOT REMEDIED THE RECALL.

THE FUEL TANK WAS VENTING REPEATEDLY AND AUDIBLY WHEN OPERATING AT SPEEDS BELOW 30 MPH ALTITUDES OF 3500 FEET AND MORE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE GASOLINE IN THE TANK COULD BE HEARD BOILING ALSO. WHEN THE GAS CAP (OEM) WAS REMOVED, GASOLINE VAPORS ESCAPED CONTINUOUSLY UNDER PRESSURE FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS LX470. DURING A VEHICLE STATE INSPECTION AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, RUST WAS DISCOVERED ON THE FRONT FRAME BY THE SWAY BAR AND BRACKETS AS WELL AS OTHER AREAS OF THE FRAME. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRACKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 178,000.

SUSPENSION WILL NOT ADJUST AND THE OFF LIGHT KEEPS BLINKING

LETTER FROM SENATOR BOOZMAN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING PROBLEMS HIS 2004 LEXUS LX470 *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE NOTICED THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND/OR VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING IN 5TH GEAR. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE VENT ON THE TRANSMISSION WAS ALLOWING WATER INTO THE TRANSMISSION. *JB UPDATED 01/12/11. *JB

NORMAL DRIVING, THEN SUV BECAME VERY BOUNCY. AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING DEFAULT TO HIGHEST SUSPENSION LEVEL. NO SUSPENSION CHARACTERISTICS AT ALL GOING OVER BUMPS OR MAKING TURNS. THE WHOLE CAR WOULD SHAKE AND BOUNCE OVER ANY SLIGHT IMPERFECTION IN THE ROAD. THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WOULD TIP OVER GOING AROUND TURNS. FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED AT 10,000 MILES. AT THAT TIME THE DEALER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY THE REAR SENSORS THAT HAD FAILED. BOUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER TODAY. THEY COMFIRMED THAT ONE OF REAR SENSORS HAVE FAILED AGAIN AND BOTH OF THE FRONT SENSORS HAVE FAILED. CAR HAS 48,700 MILES. *TR

CHECK ENGINE ON WITH CODE P0171. THE CODE HAS BEEN ON FOR OVER 6 MONTHS WITHOUT ANY CAUSE/REASON. I HAVE WORKED WITH LEXUS AND FOLLOWED RECOMMENDATIONS FROM LEXUS WITHOUT ANY SUCCESS OF RESOLVING IT. LEXUS TOOK A FUEL SAMPLE IN AUGUST 2010 AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSES FROM LEXUS AS OF NOV. 15, 2010. SINCE THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT HAS BEEN ON REGARDLESS SINCE FEB. 20, 2010, THE FUNCTION OF "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT IS LOST. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE DRIVER WILL NO LONGER RECEIVE ANY WARNING OF ANY REAL POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 01/20/11 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE OXYGEN SENSOR NEEDED TO REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM.

I OWN A 2004 LEXUS LX470. THE CENTER CONSOLE INSTRUMENT ARRAY HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO CRASH OR ACCIDENT. BUT WHEN IT DIED, THERE IS NO FUNCTIONALITY OF THE SPEEDOMETER, HEATER, AC, RADIO. IT WAS REPLACED BOTH TIMES, THE FIRST TIME UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND TIME, THE DEALER REPLACED IT OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY FREE OF CHARGE. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD HAVE COST OVER $4500.00. THE FACT THAT THEY REPLACED IT AT NO CHARGE TO ME AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED MAKES ME SUSPICIOUS THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON OCCURRENCE. *TR

2004 LX470 AHC (AUTOMATIC HEIGHT CONTROL FAILURE)! AS OF JANUARY 22, 2008, THE AHC FAILED. THE CAR NOW RIDES LIKE A BUCKBOARD; EVEN THOUGH ONE IS ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WILL EVEN TILT TO ONE SIDE WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. THE CAR SITS VERY LOW AND THE HEIGHT WILL NOT COME UP TO THE "N" LEVEL AND STAYS IN THE LOW POSITION. THE "ACH OFF LIGHT" KEEPS FLASHING. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL COME UP A BIT, BUT THEN GOES BACK DOWN. IF THE LIGHT SAYS THE CAR IS IN THE "N" POSITION, IT IS NOT. IT IS NOW IN THE LOW POSITION. THE CAR DOES NOT COME UP EVEN WHEN ONE IS AT SPEED. ON OCCASION THE CAR'S REAR END WILL BE ALL THE WAY DOWN AND THE FRONT END IS IN THE NORMAL POSITION, WHICH PUTS THE HEADLIGHTS VERY HIGH. WHEN THE CAR IS IN THE LOW POSITION, AS IT IS PRESENTLY, THERE IS VERY LITTLE SUSPENSION TRAVEL AND VIRTUALLY NO WAY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE IN A SUDDEN MANEUVER. IN ADDITION, THE CAR WILL OSCILLATE FROM FRONT TO BACK AS IF IT WERE A BOAT GONG INTO WAVES. I CALLED LEXUS CUSTOMER SERVICE. I GOT A VERY POLITE PERSON, BUT NO REAL EXPLANATION OR HELP. I NOW HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE LOCAL LEXUS DEALER TO GET THE CAR REPAIRED. HOWEVER, I FEEL THIS TYPE OF SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILURE IS AN "EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD". THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED OR KILLED. SHOULD A SUSPENSION FAILURE OCCUR AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE CAR COULD EASILY GO OUT OF CONTROL. *TR

THIS A 2004 LX470. IN MAY OF 2005 THE REAR SUSPENSION BECAME "LOCKED" IN A FULLY EXTENDED MODE. THE 2004 LX470 HAS AN ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED SUSPENSION THAT CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOWER OR RAISE. APPARENTLY, THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS "LOCKED" IN THE RAISE POSITION WHILE THE FRONT SUSPENSION WAS IN THE LOWERED POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY FLAT-BEDDED TO A DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO GET NEW REPLACEMENT PARTS (THEY SAID IT WAS BAD SENSORS ) BECAUSE THEY WERE ON BACK ORDER. AFTER ABOUT A MONTH OF DELAY, THE DEALERSHIP FINALLY USED SENSORS FROM A 2005 VEHICLE TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE. NOW, LESS THAN ONE YEAR LATER (AND LESS THAN 10,000 MILES LATER) ON FEB. 26TH OF 2006 THE SAME THING HAS OCCURRED YET AGAIN. THE REAR SUSPENSION IS "LOCKED" IN THE FULLY EXTENDED POSITION MAKING THE VEHICLE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I HAVE CONTACTED LEXUS WHO HAS SAID THEY WILL NEED TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL BE REPAIRED PROPERLY THIS TIME AND NEVER OCCUR AGAIN. *JB

SEVERAL DAYS AFTER THE CONSUMER PURCHASED HIS 2004 LEXUS LX470 ONE OF IT'S TIRES BLEWOUT. THE AFTERMARKET DVD SYSTEM WAS INSTALLED POORLY. *NM EACH TIME THE VEHICLE HEATED UP IN THE SUMMER, THE DVD BOX WOULD MOVE AROUND, THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM NEVER WORKED PROPERLY, THE SPEAKERS DID NOT WORK AT ALL, WHEN MAKING OR RECEIVING CALLS, THE RADIO WOULD SHUT OFF, THE AM RECEPTION WAS POOR, THE VEHICLE HANDLED POORLY IN THE SNOW AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL COVER NEEDED REPLACEMENT AS OIL AND WATER FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE SPLASHED ON THE COVER. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REFUND OF MONEY OR A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. *SC *JB

I PURCHASED A NEW 2004 LEXUS LX470. AT THE 1000 MILE CHECKUP, I MENTIONED TO THE SERVICE WRITER THAT I WAS NOT ABLE TO FILL THE GAS TANK UP ALL THE WAY. HE RESPONDED BY TELLING ME THAT IT USUALLY *WORKS IT'S WAY OUT*. A FEW THOUSAND MILES LATER, I WAS ONLY ABLE TO FILL UP THE GAS TANK 3/4 OF THE WAY. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO TO LEXUS OF PEMBROKE PINES, WHERE THEY KEPT MY CAR FOR 2 DAYS AND REPLACED SOME PARTS. UPON FILLING UP THE NEXT TIME, IT STILL ONLY FILLED UP 3/4 OF THE WAY. THEY HAVE NOW LITERALLY REPLACED EVERY PART HAVING TO DO WITH THE GAS TANK WITHOUT ANY LUCK, AND HAVE NOW TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE GAS TANK ENTIRELY. THEY HAVE ALSO TOLD ME THAT IT IS ON *BACK ORDER*. MY CAR HAS NOW BEEN SITTING THERE ALMOST 2 WEEKS, AND I'M NOW AFRAID OF THE CAR...AFRAID THAT THERE IS A DEFECT THAT COULD DO HARM. *AK

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS LX470 WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 300 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN PARKED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF THE VEHICLE FIRE BY HER FRIEND AND WHEN SHE TRIED TO OPEN THE LIFTGATE DOOR TO GET HER DOGS OUT THE DOOR KEYS WOULD NOT WORK. THE CONTACT TRIED TO OPEN THE LIFTGATE DOOR MANUALLY, BUT BECAUSE OF THE ELECTRICAL FIRE, THE MANUAL OVERRIDE FAILED, AS A RESULT THE CONTAC'TS DOGS DIED. AN INVESTIGATOR EXAMENED THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SUNROOF MOTOR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE CONTACT HAD HER INSURANCE COMPANY CALL THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE FIRE, AND THEY WERE TOLD THAT THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE AND THEY WILL ONLY RESPOND BY WRITING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE CAME TO THE SCENE. *AK

I HAVE A 2004 LEXUS GX 470 (NEW) THAT WHEN THE A/C COMPRESSOR COMES ON THE COMPUTER ADVANCES THE IDLE APPROXIMATELY 250 RPM. THE CAR IS STANDARD WITH AUTOMATIC TEMP CONTROL SO THERE IS NO SET ON/OFF CYCLE FOR THE AC COMPRESSOR. SITTING AT AN INTERSECTION OR MOVING SLOWLY FORWARD IN TRAFFIC, THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY MOVE FORWARD (OR REVERSE IF BACKING) CAUSING THE POTENTIAL FOR A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER WHO ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM AND DEMONSTRATED THE SAME CONDITION ON OTHER VEHICLES. THEY REQUESTED HELP FROM LEXUS AND WERE TOLD THAT THIS HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THEREFORE THERE IS NOTHING TO BE DONE.*AK