Rhody401

I'm still not sure what I want to do about this. Do you happen to have the TSB info about the dash rattle? I know there's one regarding an air vent issue, and one about the right side near the glass. My issue is with the plastic that wraps around the speedometer and other guages, which adjoins the actual dashboard. If the sun hits it, it ticks. If you touch it anywhere, you get noises that sound like styrofoam, if you go over a bump it squeeks. Winter should be fun. There's NO way they took the dash apart or looked at this. It's too obvious to miss - and I'm not being overly picky. The last 6 cars I bought (00 Nissan Pathfinder, 04 Rav4, 00 CRV, 86 89 2 Accords, and a 95 Toyota Camry) had ZERO issues after I drove them off the lot. They went in only for scheduled service, which was excellent. I really expected more, considering the hype Lexus gets from JD Power, etc.

I just got back from the dealership, and I'm not too pleased. I'm wondering if I should be considering a different place to have the car serviced in the future. The employees were pleasant, as was I, but I feel like I got the runaround. To minimize confusion, I documented what I wanted done on paper and presented it to them as a memo. I dropped it off Friday morning. It took an hour in the waiting area before it was written up, and another 55 minutes before I was in a loaner (Chevy) vehicle and on my way to work. (I work an hour away and missed a half day of work) Friday afternoon they said it was apart in the shop and they werent quite finished finding the dash rattle noise, and wanted to keep it overnight. I had no problem with that. Saturday I heard nothing, so I called at noon. They didnt know if the rep I dealt with yesterday was in, and paged, to no avail. No one else was available so she took a message for service to call me back. They didnt. Since they closed at 4 and I'm an hour away, I called back at 2:30 and spoke with the service department. He said they were working on the dash rattle noise and had it apart still, and asked if it would convenient to pick it up sometime next week. I agreed, if necessary. He said he would check the status and call me back if today was on. Five mins later he called and said to be there at 3:30 to get the car. I arrived at 3:30 and didn't get written up until 4:10. When I arrived the car was parked in the front and ready to go. I was told they were working on it once, and that they were test driving it for final inspection later. (no one entered the car after I got there, as it was in plain sight from the waiting area) No one went over the results, but I was handed a slip and keys. When I got home, I read the paperwork and was disappointed. MY MEMO PAPERWORK: (complete with spelling typos) So in spite of explaining in writing, the transmission issue was dismissed. The sunroof wasnt looked at. The very obvious ticking noise around the instrument cluster (something is rubbing where the plastic meets- was blamed on FUEL INJECTORS!) Did they move them INSIDE the car now? I spent almost 3 hours waiting, 4 hours driving time, got a Chevy loaner, waited an extra day, and have to go back again because half the things weren't done? I'm not an unreasonable guy, nor was I pushy in any way. I realize these folks have to work with some of the most "picky" consumers out there, but I've never had such an experience. The dealer is only a year old, and is supposed to be considerably better than the Lexus dealers in my state (which is why I drive an extra hour), but I can't help thinking I should be searching for somewhere else where I can be confident it will be done right. Would you in my shoes? Should I give them another shot at 10,000? Sorry for the long post. A disappointed Mike

I'll let you know when i pick her up this afternoon, and what it says on the slip. I read online, and was told by the salesperson, that they'll give you a loaner of the same model you drive. Is that normally the case? They said they had too many service calls for loaners and shipped a carload of customers to a nearby car rental company. (they covered the rentals) I was a bit upset that it took 2 hours of waiting just to drop off the car and get back on the road (to get back to my job), but I assume that to be an unusual event for this dealer. They've been top notch in every other aspect. They ended up keeping her overnight because the dash needed to be pulled to fix a noise and to fix a defective housing cover that had light shining through at night. (a scratch inside) Driving this 05 Chevy Trailblazer makes me appreciate the RX for sure :) It's not a BAD vehicle, but seems to be very poorly constructed. (If you push the dome light on/off switch, the whole ceiling around it pushes in about 1-2 inches, etc)

My 04 RX-330 is in the shop RIGHT NOW for its 5000 mile service, and a few minor adjustments. (they kept it overnight and gave me an 05 Chevy Trailblazer as a loaner) I mentioned the 1-2 second hesitation when accelerating at 20-30mph, and asked if they could make sure I have the latest firmware in my ECM. He knew exactly what I was talking about and said it's due to the fly by wire design and associated delay. I got the impression this is a very common question because he looked down at his desk when I mentioned it. Did microsoft design these ecms or something? :)

When you upgrade an '04 with the new data disc, does it also update the software to have the same functionality that comes in the '05 models? (other than the bluetooth/voice recognition) I saw the demo and they really improved the NAV software for the 05 year.

My 2004 changed to the same thing on the 31st, too. I went in and changed it back to white. I was wondering why.. Now I know :) Seasons? interesting. Mike

Or leave it on the info/mileage screen and it wont ask.

Our 330 AWD is 2.5 months old and we get about 20 with the a/c disabled (city driving mostly). Strictly highway with no a/c is about 23-25. If the A/C is on it goes down to 17-18. The lowest we ever got was 17.1, on a brutally hot week. Note: actual mpg calculated at the pump, not what the computer falsely claims. The computer is always about 9/10th of a mpg above actual :( It's pretty much performing as the sticker said. Mike

I seriously doubt it, because you'd have to have some way to turn on this external audio source - and I haven't seen any button or function that brings up "AUX" on the screen. (I have a 2004 w/Levinson)

Hello I bought my RX just over a month ago and mine does this too. I've also noticed the LOUD acoustic noise if you open the back windows on the highway. It doesn't bother me, but that could cause someone a serious accident and liability for the company. Maybe they should put a warning in the book about that or something? Do you have a problem around your instrumentation cluster with noise? If you touch the dash or guages, it makes a loud noise. If the sun hits the dash, it ticks as this piece of plastic expands and contracts. They're going to fix this at 5k checkup, but I figured it must be a common issue. I love the car, and the service has been fantastic. (brand new dealership in nearby Massachusetts). We tried a dealer in Rhode Island, but they were terrible. Mike :D