Rx330 Broken Into, Windows And Sunroof Opened

[Superslug]

I'm looking into something for my mom who owns a 04 RX330. She had her car broken into today in her underground parking garage. She was notified by another person who had his windows broken on his car and when she went down she noticed the windows were down and sunroof was open. The driver side door lock had been broken and the cover was laying on the floor. She has not driven the car in about 2 months because she broke her right foot. Last week she called to ask me how long it could sit and still start.

So the question I am asking, is there a design flaw that someone can open the windows and sunroof by breaking the lock and turning it. It does not seem logical, but neither does what she explained to me. They of course could not start the car without the key to open the sunroof or windows, so how did they get them opened?

Lucky for her, they only broke the lock and did not tear anything else up. Nothing of value inside so they did not get much. The good news, the car started right up when she put the key in it today and she can lock it with the fob. I asked her to check with the Lexus dealer tomorrow when she takes it in to get fixed to see if he can put a screwdriver or something in the lock and turn it and have the windows open. Hope this is not the case, or there is a big problem here.

[EdS]

I'm looking into something for my mom who owns a 04 RX330. She had her car broken into today in her underground parking garage. She was notified by another person who had his windows broken on his car and when she went down she noticed the windows were down and sunroof was open. The driver side door lock had been broken and the cover was laying on the floor. She has not driven the car in about 2 months because she broke her right foot. Last week she called to ask me how long it could sit and still start.

So the question I am asking, is there a design flaw that someone can open the windows and sunroof by breaking the lock and turning it. It does not seem logical, but neither does what she explained to me. They of course could not start the car without the key to open the sunroof or windows, so how did they get them opened?

Lucky for her, they only broke the lock and did not tear anything else up. Nothing of value inside so they did not get much. The good news, the car started right up when she put the key in it today and she can lock it with the fob. I asked her to check with the Lexus dealer tomorrow when she takes it in to get fixed to see if he can put a screwdriver or something in the lock and turn it and have the windows open. Hope this is not the case, or there is a big problem here.

My RX300's sunroof and windows will open if you press and hold the remote unlock button on the ignition key. It's great on a hot summer day when you need the car to cool off before getting in. I believe the same happens if you insert the key into the door lock and turn-and-hold it. Your RX330 is probably similar. When the thieves broke the door lock they probably crossed whatever wire combination necessary to make this happen.

[Booyah]

Exactly what I was going to say!!

[Superslug]

Exactly what I was going to say!!

Thanks. This was my thought as well, that they broke the lock and twisted it until the windows and sunroof opened. I knew the fob would open them, and suspected you could put the key in and turn it as well to open them. This seems like a problem as it is quick and doesn't make a lot of noise. You could put a big screwdriver in, turn hard, and hopefully get a window to open.

[mehullica]

That AUTO down feature can be turned off buy the dealer. Any car can be broken open with a screwdriver to the door lock.

[Superslug]

That AUTO down feature can be turned off buy the dealer. Any car can be broken open with a screwdriver to the door lock.

It also turns off the alarm according to the dealer.

[kdegru]

"My RX300's sunroof and windows will open if you press and hold the remote unlock button on the ignition key. It's great on a hot summer day when you need the car to cool off before getting in. I believe the same happens if you insert the key into the door lock and turn-and-hold it. Your RX330 is probably similar. When the thieves broke the door lock they probably crossed whatever wire combination necessary to make this happen."

I thought something was severely wrong with my car today until I came upon this post and realized while the key was in my back pocket I unknowingly triggered the all windows open fuction. Thanks for clearing this up for me.