ROTTBOY

Come to think of it, looking like those locomotives!!! Guess I'm a train guy. Think of it this way - we all have different tastes when it comes too looks. The one thing we can agree upon is the quality of our Lexus's!!!!!

Am liking the more aggressive touch they put on the RX since 2014. This 450 looking delicious. Maybe in another 10 years after our faithfull RX350 has done its job in our household!!!!! Just love Lexus vehicles. Need that lotto win for my LFA!!!

After reading the suggested course of action as I posted earlier on this thread - Here's a timeline of PM's that went between Jpmd and myself: Jpmd sent 1/7/15 - You've been a million times more helpful than Lexus Customer service! Thanks so much for the info and advice. Jpmd7 Rottboy sent 1/8/15 - Hope you try my suggestion. REmember that mfg', nowadays, usually sub-contract Customer Service functions to other entities (they're mostly located overseas in India, Philippines etc......) These people are not directly employed by Lexus therefore give out "standard" prepared replies to various queries. The preferred action would be what I suggested. In fact, your letter should be sent either "REGISTERED" or with tracking and Signature. Glad that I could assist, but don't give up on Lexus totally because of the sub-par phone results with CS. Lexus makes a good product. At least better than most high-end Europeans. Will be awaiting the result. Good luck!!!! Jpmd7 reply sent 2/1/15 - Thanks again for your advice. National HQ covered the cost of the steering column on my RX350 and I paid labor. It's like having my new car back. Its no wonder why Lexus remains a premier marque in the yearly JD Power Customer Satisfaction rankings! We love our RX350. When I win the lotto, it will be time to find a nicely used LFA!!!!!!!!! :)

Congrats on the repair. Like in any big organization, sometime it just takes talking to the right party. Unfortunately for us retail buyers, some dealers do not regard our better interest as a priority. Am glad that this forum has contributed to solving your issue. Now its time to enjoy the drive with utmost satisfaction!!!!

So very true, Paul A. Us retail buyers deserve more from a supposedly "luxury" marque such as Lexus. Unfortunately, more often than not, dealers are out to sell cars and make money out of their service depts. To them, their "bottom line profits" are first and foremost. Its been more than 2 decades since Lexus entered the NA market with their LS400 and I personally feel that their CS support has degraded over that period. That said, they still remain better than most, perenially coming in the top 5 to 10 in JD Powers Consumer Satisfaction Surveys over the same period. The Euro mfr's, still play "catch up" but the !Removed! always manage to stay ahead. Certainly not perfect but still a "mile" above the rest. Our RX's are made in Canada with quality control managed Toyota (Lexus) staff. Take note that although a unit may have a perfect body at the factory, but once fully assembled, logistics now comes into play. The get shipped, railed and trucked to various shipping ports around NA. Transporatation in itself adds other risks. Handling damage is pretty common. Mfgs. have repair facilities or sub-contract that work once defects are noticed at the different ports. Once the dealer gets it, again, the vehicle is subject to their handling. Dealers all have funds or insurance to cover potential LOT damage. We all feel Xialoin's frustration with the system but that is the real world! He bought a Lexus not a Kia. He should get and deserves first class treatment. Am confident that for his bumper issues, Lexus will set it straight. Case in point. My '11 RX developed some tiny rust pinholes appearing in the rear hatch near the license plate/rear emblem area. Don't have salted roads here, but the Pacific ocean is all around. No stones or pebbles hit the rear either (don't off-road the wife's daily driver) as the bubbles were coming from within the paint. My dealer took pics, sent it for approval and in a month it was all done. They took out the rear hatch, removed all the trim and painted it. Its been one year, and no one can tell it had be re-sprayed.

Unfortunately, that is how most manufacturers would address your issue. New car or not, existing warranty will not replace bumbers, fenders, doors, etc..... if there are paint flaws. That being said, paint technology has come a long ways since the past 2 decades. With computerization, matching colors is pretty straightforward and you will not notice the difference, especially on any plastic part (like your bumper). This may not be the answer you want to hear but its what most high-end mfgs will be willing to do. INSIST on making sure that whoever does the paint repair, REMOVES the bumper. Do not allow them to paint it while on the vehicle. It will create the possibility of overspray on other body parts and that will be problematic. Bumpers are plastic and they now have plastisizer additives mixed with the primer and paint that make it bendable and last as long as "factory". BTW, look at most PLASTIC body parts that come from mfgs. parts dept. They come UNPAINTED (usually flat black). Even if you get a new bumper it will still have to be painted. Good luck and post your results!!!!

Aside from the rattling sound, which can get irritating, the steering column is safe to use. They must have gotten a batch of these columns from a source that did not pay attention too closely to the required tolerances. '12 and '13 models do not get these issues. If you want this solved with no expense, its now time to write a letter to Lexus USA - Attn: President. Just google the name and send it to him directly and mention your previous loyalty to the brand by listing your previous Lexus'. State the service bulletin and explain that you bought Lexus as a quality product which they should stand behind. Am sure you will get a response and hopefully they will see the light and cover the replacement. BTW, I would'nt go back to the dealership you had it diagnosed at (supposedly, the dealership you bought it from new). These guys all get "goodwill" allowance from the mfg. to cover loyal customers. They should have applied those funds in your case. Good luck and don't give up yet. The steering has been my one and only mechanical issue on our RX and we continue to enjoy driving this super-dependable vehicle. Try owning a BMW X5, Mercedes ML, Range Rover, Porsche, etc..... - there's a reason why owners of these makes get rid of them after warranty is over. That's when all the expensive headaches come. I should know cause I've owned them all - never again!!!!

You could try and write a letter or call Lexus Customer Service USA. There is a service bulletin (refer to my previous post) on the steering column problem and its an identified defect (I suspect more of a jobber supplied part issue). Give this a try and post the result. GOOD LUCK!!!

From my post last March, the rattle I thought was eliminated, actually wasn't. It re-appeared about a month later and was surfacing with regular consistency. Luckily, the warranty was still current and the dealer quickly identified it to the steering column. There is a service bulletin (LSB-0026-11) out on this. They worked on it for a day and it was ready next morning. Trouble is they forget to align the front resulting in an uncentered steering wheel. Very courteous staff (which is loads different from the local Honda dealerships - bought myself a 2015 Fit) but would have been less hassled if they got it right the first time. After a week of driving, both my wife and I agree that the steering feels tighter and has a more solid feel to it. Our '11 RX 350 AWD is rattlefree and once again as quiet as we're accustomed too. Current mileage is a bit over 20K. We're hoping she'll last as long as my wife's cousin's 2002 RX330. Zero issues for over a decade!!!!!

Glad your problem was solved. Last week, brought in our '11 RX350 for an oil change and was given a '13 loaner. My wife and I both noticed that the ride was noticeable stiffer. Am sure that next time you drive a newer model ('13 and up) you will notice the difference. Seem to remember reading somewhere that Lexus revised the suspension settings after the 2012 models to improve handling to address the competition (X5, ML etc.....). :)

Our 2011 RX350 had a rattling sound which I thought was coming from the dash (driver's side). Like most on this thread, that sound drove me crazy. As with all my previous cars, I prefer to identify the source myself. It happens consistently when I'm on any unsmooth pavement. First I looked for any missing clips or loose items. Anything that hits against hard plastic will make an irritanting rattle. Could'nt find anything moving under the dash that I could access. Decided to address the items in the center console. Removed all the stuff in there, drove around and rattle still there. Next was the front seat side-door pockets. That did it! Must have come from either my flashlight or tire pressure gauge. Lined the driver's door with a small cloth hand towel, put my stuff back and the rattle is completely gone. Should have gone there the first time around. Luckily, this required minor effort. That said, the local Lexus dealer did offer to find and eliminate the rattle. They continue to be supportive and never had the need to talk with customer service (yet). Mileage is still less than 20k so here's hoping no future rattles appear!!! Wishing the others here good fortunes that their RX rattles go away cause we all know how these noises can be such a let-down, especially on a luxury SUV.

Here's a video I made for You Tube on replacing the engine air filter element on a 2010 - 12 Lexus RX350. Link:

Our '11 RX350 has got the factory P235/55R19 101V Michelin Latitude Tour HP. When we got the vehicle, never thought it would be great traction on anything but a few inches of soft snow. Over the past few winters, driving it around up to 1' snow has been no issue. I just lock the diffs and shut-off the traction control (in the city). The Michelin's have performed beyond my expectations for a 19". That said, when the flakes come down with vengeance, nothing beats having real snow tires as opposed to these all-seasons. Mind you our Pacific Northwest weather is extremely mild compared to my past life in Ohio. The Michelins are quiet, and so far, with 18k miles, the wear is not even 1/3 gone. Will be sticking with this brand when replacement time comes.

Got a 2011 RX350 AWD for the wife and she is loving every moment of it. After 7 years of her driving our previous 6-speed manual FJ Cruiser, figured she earned the change to something with luxury. Being always impressed with Toyota's overall quality and excellent reliability, picking the RX was easy. No headaches, makes the driver feel on top of the world and can average 22 mpg with 70% city driving. Since we got this, 2 of her girlfriends have since gotten RX's and its looking like, definitely a top choice for females. That being said, I love driving this car. The Lexus stereo is excellent, a/c super cold, toasty heater and seats, easy to use navigation-phone-intephase toggle, etc.............plus, performance is respectable w/ more than enough for city/freeway needs. Sadly though, I won't be driving this puppy in 4 ft of snow (we get these conditions about 2x's/decade) like I use to with our FJ. Am sure our equipped all-season 19' tires just won't cut it. Getting snows is possible but since our snowfall winters don't last that long, we'll survive. Have had a Ferrari and Porsches in the past, but with this first Lexus experience maybe an LFA is the better alternative!!! Now, these are the wheels for us boys!!!!

Hello to all!!!! Just came from the Lexus dealership yesterday and signed a deal on a used 2011 RX350 w/ the Touring pkg. for a total of $35,800. Has 12,500 miles on her and looks like a new beast. Traded in my '07 FJ Cruiser 6-speed so that the wife would stop complaining about bringing 2 pairs of shoes everytime she drives to work or the mall. Looks like my off-roading days are now history and life of "luxury" is just around the corner. Am taking delivery this Tuesday after the dealer installs the OEM park sensors (wife loved those on our FJ). Have been on this site since last week during my shopping and learned a whole lot. Do you guys think I did decent on the pricing???? BTW, what anyone's experience with the stock factory 19" tires on snow? Does the RX's AWD do the trick? I know we'll miss the toughness of our FJ. It could literally go anywhere anytime on the same set of tires - and moreso, when I lock the diffs.