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The fuel door on my 2019 ES300h doesn’t open. Started around 15k miles and hasn’t worked since (current miles 20k). In the meantime, I position a credit card just above fuel door latch at a 45 degree angle. This places enough tension between fuel door and latch for it to open after pressing the release button again. Wallah, door opens and my credit card goes flying into the air.
Car is currently at dealer being serviced. They replaced one part which didn’t do the trick. Ordered different part number which is on back order. I’ll pass along more info as it comes available.
The fuel door on my 2019 ES300h doesn’t open. Started around 15k miles and hasn’t worked since (current miles 20k). In the meantime, I position a credit card just above fuel door latch at a 45 degree angle. This places enough tension between fuel door and latch for it to open after pressing the release button again. Wallah, door opens and my credit card goes flying into the air.
Car is currently at dealer being serviced. They replaced one part which didn’t do the trick. Ordered different part number which is on back order. I’ll pass along more info as it comes available.
Anyone else experiencing similar issue?
I have had this issue on and off with my ‘19 ES300h. At my 5k check, I noted it, but of course it worked perfectly. Now (~ 18 k), it’ll work fine half the time and barely open the other half. I’ve found that even if it opens a fraction, I can fit a credit card in to make it open (voila, wallah, whatever 😅
On most Toyota products, this little latch is what needs to be adjusted. Not sure if it's the same on a Lexus, but I adjust this by manually bending it to put just a bit more pressure against the release. Works all the time.
On most Toyota products, this little latch is what needs to be adjusted. Not sure if it's the same on a Lexus, but I adjust this by manually bending it to put just a bit more pressure against the release. Works all the time.
good to know. Probably exactly the same on the sister Lexus vehicles.
I also had the same issue, where the fuel door often wouldn't open for me at the pump using the inside remote opener button. I know about the release cable thing in the trunk, but super-inconvenient to use at the pump. I had Lexus service it, but it still does it fairly often (unreliable). Even after I bent the spring a little (didn't want to break it) and lubricating with lithium grease, it is still unreliable. So eventually I discovered that if you hammer the remote release button numerous times in a row, it will open, or at least mine does. This thread confirms my thought that this is a fairly common minor defect for this model year of ES (my MY is 2019).
I also had the same issue, where the fuel door often wouldn't open for me at the pump using the inside remote opener button. I know about the release cable thing in the trunk, but super-inconvenient to use at the pump. I had Lexus service it, but it still does it fairly often (unreliable). Even after I bent the spring a little (didn't want to break it) and lubricating with lithium grease, it is still unreliable. So eventually I discovered that if you hammer the remote release button numerous times in a row, it will open, or at least mine does. This thread confirms my thought that this is a fairly common minor defect for this model year of ES (my MY is 2019).
The problem looks like more of an issue with the fuel door latching and electrical latch release mechanism(s) than with a spring tension/force issue. Sounds like there's something in the latching mechanism that is causing the unlocking mechanics not to operate as it should with the steady state force applied by the electrical unlatching mechanism. The initial operating surge will provide a slightly greater impact force than the steady state force so with the rapid repeated "hammering" operation the greater impact force will slowly nudge the mechanical mechanism past what ever is preventing the smooth easy unlatching of the latch.
If the root cause of the problem is with some sticking/binding issue with the latching mechanics you also have to keep in mind that increasing the spring tension/force could make the problem worse rather than eliminate it.
11-29-20, 10:15 AM
Fuel door won’t open (ES300h)
