2013 Center Console Door Won't Open All The Way.

[KenKaufmann]

Previous Forums discussed a Center Console Cup Door which won't open all the way, but in 2013 Lexus changed the RX350 center console and the instructions do not appear to be applicable now.

Does anyone have any help in accessing the trim screws/etc. for the 2013 RX350 AWD Center Console to allow me to access the cup door so I can remove my wife's name tag, which appears to have slid behind the door causing it to not open completely.

[pj8708]

Previous Forums discussed a Center Console Cup Door which won't open all the way, but in 2013 Lexus changed the RX350 center console and the instructions do not appear to be applicable now.

Does anyone have any help in accessing the trim screws/etc. for the 2013 RX350 AWD Center Console to allow me to access the cup door so I can remove my wife's name tag, which appears to have slid behind the door causing it to not open completely.

Hi Ken and welcome to the Lexus Owners Club. Your question sounds like one of those that seems like a First Grader could figure it out, but when the rubber hits the road, it makes you want to pull your hair out.

I just came back from being in our garage and walking myself through your situation on my wife's 2013 RX350. In your owners manual look under "Console". You'll find a diagram of the center console showing the small, removable tray that we use for toll change, Also the placement of the USB port, 12volt port, and a AUX jack.

What I did not know until tonight is the placement of 2 "Secret Compartments". As you look inside the console box, (you'll need a flashlight) look straight down toward the drivers side of the box. Up against the bottom tray of the box you will see a cloth tab sticking up. Pull the tab and you will find an incredible amount of storage space. Is this where your photo went? If not, try this. Now that you have taken up the first secret room, shine your flashlight to the bottom front of console box. You should see another tab that opens another door into a storage space which runs up to the back cup holder. I have not heard of any wide spread problems with the cup holders lid.

You probably still are in warranty and before you start puting the crow bar to it, why not try runing this by your dealer. They might do it for free just to keep a happy customer. After all, if the lid won't open thats a warranty fix.

Paul

[KenKaufmann]

Paul,

Thanks for your response. The actual area of my concern is forward of that area. I forgot to mention that I have a NAVI unit RX350 and the problem area is the Cup Holder next to the NAVI Joy Stick. The cover probably had her name tag or a pen laying on top of it when she tried to open it and it slid behind the cover, which now won't open completely now. See the attached picture of the cover. Its current position is the position it will only open to with something interfering with the full opening.

I'll try your suggestion of the Lexus Dealer, but normally they consider this my problem and not warranty. If nothing else, I'll try to get some info as how to access the retainers to and get behind the cover to remove what slid down behind there.

Thanks, Ken Kaufmann

[CarolynRE]

SAME ISSUE! 2012 RX450h. Something slid down the hinge side of the center console cover into the compartment...well actually beside the console compartment. Now the cover will not open all the way. No access to "secret compartments" seen from inside the plastic compartment.

[KenKaufmann]

Well Paul's suggestion to try the Lexus Dealer worked, partially. They want 2 hours min to take the consul apart, since it isn't covered under our warranty. I expressed my displeasure with their poor design which allows things to get behind the cover and asked if they had any instruction the Technician uses to remove the Cup Holder Module and the obstruction and they provided me hard copy of the process. A caution is that there is Lexus Trim removal tool I saw in some other views of different panel removals which is thin and shaped to minimize any damage to the surrounding trim. You might find a universal panel removal tool at your favorite Auto Parts Store. Attached is the scanned pages for my 2013 Lexus RX350 which may work for other new makes with NAVI. In Step 11, the view is looking at the bottom of the Assembly after it has been removed and the screws are used to attach it to the Assembly from the bottom.

Hope this helps others with this, what appears to be a common problem with the Center Consul Cup Holder Door.

2013 Lexus RX350 Center Cup Holder Removal.pdf

[EmilyBaird]

Anyone find a solution? I’ve tried to look myself to solve the same problem {probably a pen was on top when closed and thenwhen the flap was open, it fell causing the cup holders to be useless}. The cheapest quote that I have received is a solid $200 diagnostic fee to even look into the problem, not fix it.