Hello
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Thank you for taking time to read this post, I am reaching out to fellow Lexus owners for support, advice, or suggestions in how to handle this matter.
If you are able to read through this fully and provide any type of help in this matter for me, please contact me VIA EMAIL Auto.links@hotmail.com
If you are unable to help, I hope you will consider this seriously as I am currently an extremely UNHAPPY CUSTOMER of Toyota Canada.
My name is John Ng from Toronto, Ontario. I currently am leasing a 2011 IS350 F SPORT. The vehicle is approximately 9 months old as I picked up the vehicle late last year. The vehicle has followed ALL scheduled maintenance, is very well maintained on my end (i.e. premium gas, oil/tire levels checked regularly, showroom condition clean, etc.) as I always take care of my vehicles. The vehicle has been modified in terms of a TEIN coilover system and HKS exhaust which as installed at Lexus on the Park by a Lexus technician.
On Monday July 16th 2012 while running some of my errands mid day in the middle of our heat wave afternoon (40+ temperature) I noticed that the steering was not very responsive once or twice during the day while driving at low speed (under approximately 30KM/H turning) as I would turn the wheel the appropriate amount to make a 90 degree turn, the vehicle would continue going straight as if I did not turn the wheel at all. I had to slow to almost a complete stop and then the steering would return. I did not think anything serious of it as it would recover to normal operation on my the rest of my route throughout the day as I was on the road for a couple hours in the afternoon. Again the weather and road condition was extremely hot, sunny, and dry.
Later in the day (approximately 7PM) I was exiting the highway (Don Valley Parkway) exiting Don Mills South. As I slowed down to enter the ramp at speed of approximately 60KM/H which is U shaped, I proceeded half way through the ramp normally and as I continued to negotiate the turn the vehicle steering STOPPED responding once again and I found myself going STRAIGHT through the off ramp. I then applied the brakes and very luckily went straight over the curb and directly into a metal sign post which stopped me from going into oncoming traffic.
Attached is an image indicating the scene of the accident and where the failure occured.
As the vehicle drove over the curb and went head on into the sign it completely stopped the vehicle. I am very fortunate as there WAS a vehicle on the opposing side of the sign as this occurred during rush hour traffic!!!!!!!! Needless to say I WAS SCARED for my life as I could see the other driver was as well. They pulled over to see if I was okay and proceeded. I obviously felt like an idiot as police and fire trucks came and the vehicle was unable to be driven and had to be towed away. A police report was filed, I explained to the officer exactly what happened and he was extremely understanding. He suggested the lowered suspension could have something to do with the steering not responding (again the vehicle has TEIN coilovers on it) but this was installed approximately 3 months ago by a Lexus mechanic. No charges were laid.
Running through my head I thought to myself: How could this happen to me, that I could not negotiate this turn, I first thought that there was something wrong with my turn. The vehicle was then towed to my local body shop where I then went home to sulk as I still could not understand how the vehicle did not handle through the turn. The tow truck driver estimated over $10000 in damages as the vehicle underbody was damaged (from what we could see, oil pan, sub frame, steering rack). He also mentioned that something like this claimed through insurance would be considered an at-fault accident as it would seem I basically drove into a pole.
My friend with me suggested I see if this is something that could have occurred before and I decided to do a quick Google search. To my surprise I found on numerous forums and sites this EXACT steering problem has occured on previous model IS350 years. HOW COULD THIS STILL NOT HAVE BEEN FIXED??
(Tuesday June 17 2012) I called Toyota Canada to report the problem. The customer service lady was very helpful in taking my call and stating this matter is very serious. She said the vehicle had to be towed immediately to one of their dealers for inspection. I thought this is a relief maybe they know about this problem, and they hopefully will take care of this for me. The vehicle was immediately towed to Lexus on the Park which is where the vehicle has been brought for all service. I also called my insurance agent, requesting if I should get into a rental. He suggested that if Toyota is going to step up to the plate here and they know this is a problem with their vehicle not to open a claim, as we all know any insurance claims made there are deductibles and will affect my future rates. I have other means of transportation so I agreed thinking this would hopefully be resolved quickly.
2 weeks pass by. June 30 I email the manager at Lexus Canada who has been handling my case. She happens to be out of the office. She calls me the next day with the results of the technician's visit to inspect my vehicle. She told me that they had downloaded the information from my vehicle's black box, and there was only one error code with the steering fail: because of the accident!!!!!!! The accident ONLY HAPPENED because the steering failed!!!!!!!! She also said they were unable to do any further tests because of the condition of the vehicle, they were unable to do a road test (OBVIOUSLY THE CAR WAS JUST CRASHED) and they could not do any further tests. She then suggested that it would be ideal to contact my insurance company as there were no faults with the vehicle and that Toyota Canada would not be responsible for any of the damages. I mentioned the prior occurrences to her with this model and she mentioned that the steering components for 2011 have all been replaced with "new" parts and that that could not be the cause.
Here are other cases I found - they are all referenced from one site but I have also cross referenced them on other sites for validity.
http://car-and-safet...09.htm#STEERING
LEXUS IS 2009 Safety Review #10312725
LEXUS IS 2009 car safety problem was reported on Feb 22, 2010.LEXUS IS 2009, manufactured by TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION had a problem with STEERING . VERY POOR HANDLING AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF CAR ON TURNS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE IS A CHANGE IN GRADE ALONG THE TURN OR CURVE. DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING CONTROL OF CAR WHEN PAVEMENT IS UNEVEN ON CURVES AS IN CONSTRUCTION AREAS. *TR.Mileage was 500 miles. Vehicle Identification Number (VIN):JTHBK262295. LEXUS IS 2009 problem was reported in SCOTTSDALE, AZ. Vehicle was not using ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. Vehicle was not using Cruise Control. VEHICLE SPEED: 40 mph.
http://car-and-safet...08.htm#STEERING
LEXUS IS250 2008 Safety Review #10313675
LEXUS IS250 2008 car safety problem was reported on Dec 08, 2008.LEXUS IS250 2008, manufactured by TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION had a problem with STEERING . TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LEXUS IS250. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND CHANGING LANES TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE LEFT WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL IT AND DRIVE IN ANY OTHER DIRECTION. HE THEN TURNED THE STEERING TO THE RIGHT AND ONCE AGAIN IT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35000. UPDATED 05/06/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LANE CHANGE WHEN THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO INPUTS FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER HE MOVED INTO THE LANE DESIRED, THE CONSUMER RETURNED THE STEERING WHEEL CENTER, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE TO THE LEFT. THE CONSUMER HAD TO TURN THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE RESPONDED TO THE INPUT. UPDATED 06/28/10*JB.Mileage was 25 miles. Vehicle Identification Number (VIN):JTHBK262682. LEXUS IS250 2008 problem was reported in COLUMBUS, OH. Vehicle was not using ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. Vehicle was not using Cruise Control. Vehicle had 6 CYLINDERS. FUEL SYSTEM:Fuel injection. FUEL TYPE: GAS. VEHICLE SPEED: 55 mph.
LEXUS IS250 2008 Safety Review #10353451
LEXUS IS250 2008 car safety problem was reported on Sept 01, 2010.LEXUS IS250 2008, manufactured by TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION had a problem with STEERING . 8/31/10 LEXUS 2008 IS 250 WITH 14K MILES, TRYING TO STOP, BRAKES (ABS) PULSED VERY HARD THUMP-THUMP-THUMP, DRY PAVEMENT 30MPH STRAIGHT ROAD. NEXT INTERSECTION APPLIED BRAKES AT 20MPH STEERING PULLED RIGHT THEN LEFT AS BRAKES WERE APPLIED. VERY SCARY-CALLED DEALER - GOT #ROADSIDE TOW TRUCK - IN TO SERVICE DEPT. DEALER RAN COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS & TEST DROVE, NO PROBLEMS, DID A NYS SAFETY INSPECTION SINCE IT WOULD EXPIRE SOON. NO PROBLEMS DETECTED , SENT VEHICLE HOME. DRIVING HOME 10 MILES FROM DEALER - SAME PULLING RIGHT/LEFT WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. NOT A GENTLE PULL - LIKE WHEEL BEING RIPPED OUT OF YOUR HANDS. NO CONTROL AT ALL. RETURNED CAR TO DEALER. NEXT DAY 9/1/10 THREE (3) MECHANICS TEST DROVE, ONLY SLIGHTLY FEELING BRAKE PULL. REPLACED BRAKES AS A WARRANTY, SENT CAR HOME. AGAIN, 20 MILES OUT GENTLY APPLIED BRAKES WHILE APPROACHING RR TRACK - CAR STEERED COMPLETELY INTO LEFT ONCOMING TRAFFIC - ALMOST A HEAD-ON COLLISION..TURNED AROUND AND TOOK CAR BACK TO DEALER DEMANDED A LOANER VEHICLE TILL THEY FIX. I AM FRIGHTENED FOR MY LIFE AS WELL AS OTHERS AROUND ME. THIS IS A LEASE VEHICLE - WHICH I STILL HAVE FOR ANOTHER 12 MONTHS. IS THERE ANY WAY I CAN CANCEL THIS LEASE? I'M AFRAID TO TAKE THIS CAR BACK AGAIN. *TR.Mileage was 14000 miles. Vehicle Identification Number (VIN):JTHCK262685. LEXUS IS250 2008 problem was reported in BAY SHORE, NY. Vehicle was not using ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. Vehicle was not using Cruise Control. VEHICLE SPEED: 20 mph.
LEXUS IS250 2008 Safety Review #10383192
LEXUS IS250 2008 car safety problem was reported on Feb 17, 2011.LEXUS IS250 2008, manufactured by TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION had a problem with STEERING . 2008 LEXUS IS 250 - CAR PULLS TO LEFT WHEREBY THIS COULD LEAD TO UNEXPECTED OVERSTEERING OF CAR AND COULD CAUSE HIGHWAY INCIDENT AND/OR FATALITY. TOLD BY DEALER THAT THIS IS DUE TO "LOW PROFILE TIRES & SPORT SUSPENSION", THEREFORE IT IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE. *LN.Mileage was 17875 miles. Vehicle Identification Number (VIN):JTHCK262585. LEXUS IS250 2008 problem was reported in MASSAPEQUA PARK, NY. Vehicle was not using ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. Vehicle was not using Cruise Control. Vehicle had 6 CYLINDERS. LEXUS IS250 2008 drive type:AWD. VEHICLE SPEED: 10 mph.
http://car-and-safet...07.htm#STEERING
LEXUS IS250 2007 Safety Review #10311582
LEXUS IS250 2007 car safety problem was reported on Feb 17, 2010.LEXUS IS250 2007, manufactured by TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION had a problem with STEERING . COMPLAINTS REGARDING 2007 LEXUS IS 250: 1. STEERING WHEEL STICKS WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT. THIS OCCURS 3-5 TIMES PER WEEK AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS AND COLLISIONS. 2. WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR JUMPS FORWARD AND ACCELERATES. THIS OCCURS 2-5 TIMES PER MONTH. THIS HAS NEARLY CAUSED ME TO REAR END OTHER CARS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. 3. CAR FLUTTERS AND STALLS WHEN REVERSING. ( CAR IS AN AUTOMATIC) CAR ALSO FLUTTERS WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. CAR DOES THIS WHEN ITS HOT OR COLD. THIS OCCURS 5-10 TIMES PER MONTH. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE LEXUS DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE ABOVE ISSUES, AND THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING. THESE ISSUE OCCUR VERY FREQUENTLY AND THE DEALER SEEMS TO NOT BE ABLE TO "FIND" ANY PROBLEMS. I HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR AN ACCELERATION ISSUE, AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE MY FLOOR MAT. NOTHING ELSE HAS BEEN DONE AND THE DEALER HAS BEEN NO HELP. I AM CONCERNED THAT THESE ISSUES WILL HARM OR EVEN KILL MYSELF OR MY FAMILY AND OR ANOTHER DRIVER OR FAMILY ON THE ROAD. *TR.Mileage was 20000 miles. Vehicle Identification Number (VIN):JTHBK262672. LEXUS IS250 2007 problem was reported in RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA. Vehicle was not using ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. Vehicle was not using Cruise Control. VEHICLE SPEED: 40 mph.
http://car-and-safet...06.htm#STEERING
LEXUS IS350 2006 Safety Review #10241152
LEXUS IS350 2006 car safety problem was reported on Aug 19, 2008.LEXUS IS350 2006, manufactured by TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION had a problem with STEERING . LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE THERE WAS AN INTERNAL POWER STEERING FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN THE REPLACEMENT OF THE POWER STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY. *TR.0 person(s) were injured. 0 person(s) died.Mileage was 14681 miles. Vehicle Identification Number (VIN):JTHBE262365. LEXUS IS350 2006 problem was reported in BARNEGAT, NJ. Vehicle was not using ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. Vehicle was not using Cruise Control. VEHICLE SPEED: 5 mph.
LEXUS IS350 2006 Safety Review #10314252
LEXUS IS350 2006 car safety problem was reported on Nov 01, 2009.LEXUS IS350 2006, manufactured by TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION had a problem with STEERING . HAD SSC 9LC (ELECTRIC POWER STEERING LINK ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT) PERFORMED AND THE STEERING FEEL HAS BEEN ADVERSELY AFFECTED, WHERE THE ON-CENTER STEERING FEEL AT FREEWAY SPEEDS IS VAGUE. FURTHERMORE, WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL ON GRADUAL TURNS, I FEEL A NON-LINEAR RESISTANCE MOVING FROM THE ON-CENTER POSITION TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER. THE SENSATION MAKES THE STEERING FEEL DISCONNECTED WITH THE WHEELS, WHERE I'LL TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AN AMOUNT THAT I FEEL IS APPROPRIATE TO NEGOTIATE THE GRADUAL TURN, YET THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO TRACK ON ITS ORIGINAL COURSE. *TR.Mileage was 14000 miles. LEXUS IS350 2006 problem was reported in HONOLULU, HI. Vehicle was not using ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. Vehicle was not using Cruise Control.
My understanding from my research is that there WAS a steering rack recall on previous model years (2010 and lower) IS models. I was reassured by the manager at Lexus Canada that this did not apply to my vehicle and that all new components were fitted on this vehicle. Is it not a coincidence that a something SO SIMILAR COULD OCCUR with new parts???????? IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THE BLACK BOX COULD NOT SEE AN ERROR WITH THE STEERING AND IS NOT LOGGED ONTO THE CAR'S COMPUTER????
DO I HAVE A RIGHT AS A CONSUMER AND A CUSTOMER OF TOYOTA CANADA to be scared with this vehicle?????
ANY help would be greatly appreciated.
Again if anyone has taken the time to read this I extremely appreciate it. I have 3 years left on this lease and I do not want anything to do with vehicle anymore.
THANK YOU
