kpgood

In late May 2005, at 500 miles, my 400h failed completely. A week in the shop later determined a short in the auxillary battery (the 12V battery) that damaged many of the CPU's in the car. Resolution required flying parts to CA from Japan. Here's hoping you get your car back sooner. Details were posted in a different thread in June.

I have also noticed a slight surge on the highway, however it is so slight, I can't tell whether it may be my foot on the gas pedal as the vehicle hits a rut or two. It doesn't appear to happen when cruise control is engaged, so I am thinking that the gas pedal may just a tad too sensitive. ← ← I too noticed the "surging" when cruising at highway speeds. The service department asked if one of their employees could drive the car home (about 35 miles, one way) that night to feel the experience. The next morning the Service Advisor called stating the mechanic also complained of the surging. They elected to call an expert in LA. After four additional days in the shop, I was called to collect the car. The service note states "all measured systems performed to specifcation". I pointed out that the measurements were taken when the car was stationary in the maintenance shop. The reply, summarized, stated "We felt it, could not find it, can not figure it out, so IT is not a problem." Strangely, I felt as if I were dealing with a Chevy dealership and not the pride of customer service Lexus claims.

The timing details of the auxiliary (12V) battery failue noted below are: Vehicle delivery 4 May 2005 with 25 miles on the odometer Auxiliary battery failed 26 May 2005 with 603 miles on the odometer Present 16 August 2005, more than 2400 miles on the odometer, no further issues I doubt there is a TSB as the frequency is low and the model new. I hope that helps I too had a 12V battery failure. Although covered under warranty, I was without my car for 10 days (after only 21 days of ownership). The dealer, although friendly, would not discuss the failure mode, or more importantly to me, root cause and prevention of a repeated failure. I did learn that more than the auxillary battery was replaced. The long delay for service included time for multiple parts to arrive from Japan to the west coast of North America. After the service, a few more stops at the service center corrected several "bugs" (such as owner programable functions - e.g. drivers seat position memory) revealed themselves during operation. ← ←

I too had a 12V battery failure. Although covered under warranty, I was without my car for 10 days (after only 21 days of ownership). The dealer, although friendly, would not discuss the failure mode, or more importantly to me, root cause and prevention of a repeated failure. I did learn that more than the auxillary battery was replaced. The long delay for service included time for multiple parts to arrive from Japan to the west coast of North America. After the service, a few more stops at the service center corrected several "bugs" (such as owner programable functions - e.g. drivers seat position memory) revealed themselves during operation.