JimsGX

Anyone know how to remove the panels on the RX400 rear tailgate? In the Do It Yourself portion of the manual, it doesn't specify a particular procedure, other than disconnecting the small light located in the top panel. Do I just pull? When I peel back a corner and look inside with a drop light, I can see the push connectors that are holding it on and the plastic brackets that are inserted into them which have slots in them to accept the push connectors. Thanks

Great! Thanks!

Like another post'er wrote (re: 1st year MB squeeks / kinks / etc) sheesh, what do you expect for 1st couple year's vehicle runs? I don't consider the RX400h to be a first or second year production run vehicle. Other than the drive train/hybrid technology, I'd have to guess that it shares 95% or more of its components with the RX330 that was introduced back in early 2003 (2004 model year). That being true, I consider this vehicles body parts to be in their 5th year of production. I didn't expect to be having to deal with rattles and squeaks in a 5th year production vehicle. I previously owned a 2004 GX470 that I purchased new. This was a vehicle in its second year of production. It had a few bugs (drive train related) that were worked out over the first six months of ownership. From that point on, the car was solid as a rock. I never had any squeaks or rattles in it. I guess my expectations were pretty high of the RX400h based upon my previous experience with the GX, as well as owning three other Toyota products over the years (from 1995 to 2002). The GX was built in Tahara, Japan. I 've read articles stating that this manufacturing facility has won many awards over the years including JD Powers Platinum Award for best vehicle manufaturing facility worldwide. Tahara Japan Production Facility Article Knowing the RX400h was being built in Kyushu, Japan (albeit a different factory on an island away from the mainland) as opposed to being built in Canada, it gave me some comfort as to what I could expect of the build quality. Not that I mean to knock Canadian manufacturing, moreover, the philosophy of continuous improvement, or Kaizen, has always been so highly touted as being so deeply engrained into the culture of the Japanese people. Thinking that a Japanese built vehicle would be more sound than an American, Canadian, Australian, or European built Toyota may be completely unfounded. The truth may be, "don't believe everything you think"... Toyota Kyushu Factory Article When I would bring my GX in for service, most often they would give me an RX330/350 loaner. I did notice on many occasions that there were rattles in the dashes or from the rear cargo areas on the RX's, but I guess I chalked it up to the loaner vehicles not being properly prepp'ed as they would be when being sold. Besides the obvious convenience to its customers, I've always looked at the loaner program as an opportunity for Lexus to generate additional sales. By giving its current customer an opportunity to try out some of their other product offerings. I always looked forward to getting back into my GX. Jim

Hi, Did you ever find the source of this? I noticed it in my vehicle last night. White particles over the dash/console etc... The windows are always up at this point given the weather in New England is still cold. So I don't think it came from an external source. Jim

Here's a link to a picture of the Highlander Battery. I believe it's identical to the RX400h batterysince it uses the same 3.3 liter engine and is rated at the same 268hp. Hybrid Battery Picture Jim

The only thing I could find was a drawing of the batteries on page 13 in this .pdf file that's called "Lexus RX400h Hybrid - Emergency Response Guide". I think it's supposed to be used by emergency response personnel when dealing with the vehicle after its been involved in an accident. I think I'll print it out and keep it in the glove box... Lexus RX400h Emergency Response Guide .pdf attached also... Jim Very Interesting, thanks for posting... How the heck did you find this? Google and a lot of patience... :) Jim

RX400hERGreva.pdf The only thing I could find was a drawing of the batteries on page 13 in this .pdf file that's called "Lexus RX400h Hybrid - Emergency Response Guide". I think it's supposed to be used by emergency response personnel when dealing with the vehicle after its been involved in an accident. I think I'll print it out and keep it in the glove box... Lexus RX400h Emergency Response Guide .pdf attached also... Jim

I would have to agree. After 3 short weeks of ownership, I've been back to the dealer three times to fix 6 different rattles / squeaks... On the last visit, the tech tried to convince me that some rattles were "normal"! I had to contain myself. I was ready to flatten him! There's no way a car in this price category in its 5th or 6th year of production should have these kind of quality issues. I've had two in the engine compartment, one in the drivers side door, one in the dashboard (they took out the dashboard when the car was only two days old), one in the rear seats, and one in the cargo area. I'm still chasing a couple too... One more in the rear, and one in the front passenger area. oh, and while driving along, the left bottom console panel that houses the outside mirror, gas door, rear door controls, etc, actually fell down. I'm vacationing in Florida at the moment and I'm driving a Pontiac Grand Am rental car. it has an ugly as sin interior, but it doesn't have a single rattle or squeak... This is pitiful. Is Lexus losing its edge? I'm in a 3 year lease on this puppy. I'll be taking a much harder look at the competition in 2 years 11 months and 5 days if things continue in this direction... Jim

Not as bad as you might think... I got the advertised MPG. 16-17 City and 19-20 Highway. It's rated at 17 City and 19 Highway. Jim

Hi, I just recently had this fix done on my new 2007 RX400h with 150 miles on it. Just two days after taking delivery. When the mechanic told me he was going to have to pull the dash, I was afraid they would create more problems. Luckily, it worked out okay... Looking at the labor associated with the fix you posted, I think it may be an under-estimate of the hours necessary to perform the fix. The service rep told me it took them about eight hours to R&R the dash. They kept the vehicle overnight. My vehicle is now three weeks old and its recently been back in for another rattle in the rear. It sounded more like two pieces of styrofoam rubbing together than like a rattle actually. They told me that they found a TSB relating to the right rear tail light, and that they installed an "insulation kit" for it. This didn't resolve the problem however. I think I tracked it down though. It was related to the small plastic hinge pins of the rear seat cup holder that were shaking/vibrating over bumps when the cup holder cover was closed. I strategically installed a couple of felt pads that force the covers pop-up spring mechanism to firmly contact the cup holder that folds down inside when the cover is closed. Its been a few days and the noise hasn't returned. I'm still not completely satisfied. I occassionally hear a vibration coming from the drivers door that I haven't taken the time to isolate yet. At times, I also hear other noises coming from the rear. They're more subdued though, and are going to be more difficult to isolate. The noises aren't "Lexus Like" though. I just came out of a 2004 GX470 and moved into the RX400h. I loved the GX, it was one of the best vehicles I've owned. My best friend actually bought it from me. My initial impression of the RX is that it isn't as well built as the GX. The base MSRP of the two vehicles isn't that far apart. I figured I'd try and do my part for the environment in a small way. Hopefully I won't regret my decision... Jim

Has anyone else had this fix done? Can you tell me if it fixed the problem? Thanks, Jim