odaymax66

Checking to see if anyone has experienced a similar issue with their GS 350? I saw a prior thread on this from last year and it doesn't look like those members are still in the forum. I've sent a couple of private messages, but haven't received a response.

Simply put, the steering on my GS seems to stick in position at freeway speeds. The car is the base model and does not have LKA. I purchased it from Lexus Glendale in 2017 with 30k miles on it. It was a lease turn in and was in immaculate condition. It is CPO. The typical scenario - I'm driving about 65 on a smooth freeway and the steering seems to stick in position - as I try to move to the left within my lane, the steering wheel resists for a second or two, then seems to catch up and complies. It's a bit unnerving as you can imagine for that brief moment. I took it to my local Lexus dealer (Ontario, CA) about a year ago and they were not able to duplicate. I've tolerated it since as I don't drive the freeways that often, but am now trying to find a resolution once more. The car is back at Ontario Lexus and I'm waiting for their diagnosis. Please let me know if you've experience something different - and if you were able to find a solution. Thanks!

bclexus

First suspect would be something binding in the steering column, next would be something binding, bent or a movable shaft transversally pressured (at right angle to the shaft's side as opposed to being stretched longitudinally) in the steering rack, next would be something amiss in the electric power steering (EPS) unit, and last would be something glitched up in the computer unit for the EPS.

odaymax66

Thanks BC - I just picked it up from the dealership and they weren't able to duplicate the problem and all their tests came back negative for any issues. My next step is to contact Lexus to see what, if any, they can do. I appreciate your suggestions on what could be going on - I'll be interested to see if Lexus offers similar explanations.

bclexus

You're welcome. I wish you good luck in getting the problem resolved.

What you are facing is much like other complex things that have random or intermittent problems, which makes troubleshooting next to impossible. As much as we'd like, we can't expect a dealership to have a technician spend an hour or more driving a vehicle trying to duplicate a problem when his time, and the service department's time, is better served taking care of known problems or servicing customer's vehicles. It's like an appliance that acts up except when the repairman shows up to repair it. If the repairman can't duplicate the problem he might take a chance in replacing an inexpensive part in hopes it takes care of the problem, but it's unlikely. It's almost always best to have an out-'n-out failure so the technician knows exactly what and where the problem is.

odaymax66

Hey BC (and others) - I tried going the Lexus direct route, but unfortunately, their response is that they can only rely on the dealerships' findings. They will not offer any additional assistance beyond what a dealer can do. They will not have a Lexus specialist review. They did suggest trying other dealers in the area which I will likely do. Its a frustrating response from the manufacturer - not what I anticipated from them especially when the car is still under warranty.

bclexus

If Lexus Corporate suggested to you to try other Lexus dealerships they have somewhat guided you toward an empty voice...because Lexus dealerships can see what other Lexus dealerships have done about a customer's service situation/request. Not to say that another Lexus dealership won't take a different stand from the one you've already dealt with, but it's doubtful you'll achieve anything different.

Like I said in my previous post, you can't expect a dealership to do anything if they cannot duplicate the problem...they certainly are not going to just start replacing stuff *****-nilly. You can't expect to have a technician spend an hour or more driving a vehicle trying to duplicate a problem when his time, and the service department's time, is better served taking care of known problems or servicing customer's vehicles. You are caught in no-man's land - it's always best to have something out-and-out fail instead of act up only occasionally.

leisinjp

I have had this same issue every once in a while but it doesn't continue to do it after a couple seconds. It is almost like it gets to a certain point and then needs to reset or unwind before it can be turned again. Hopefully it doesn't get worse!

I feel your pain with the dealership. They have failed to give me any confidence in them when I have gone.

mask0425x

EDIT: POSTED THE MESSAGE BELOW BY ACCIDENT SINCE IT CAME UP RIGHT BELOW MY THREAD WITH VERY SIMILAR PROBLEM AND SAME RUNAROUND FROM LEXUS CORPORATE. SO, IT'S SORT OF RELEVANT HERE TOO. IRONICALLY, MY CAR ALSO CAME FROM GLENDALE.

Moved on to Audi, BMW and Benz since. All have advanced driver assist packages on par or better than in the GS. Haven't experienced anything remotely close to that loss of steering ever since. And, yes, still using the same dash cam. The joke now is on Lexus losing a loyal long term customer.

dkp993

Have owned my 16H for 5/6 months. Do a fair amount of freeway driving (put about 25k a year on my car for the job) and haven’t had any issues... until a 2k round trip drive with the family over Thanksgiving. Had the “sticking” issue probably 8 to 10 times on the trip. I thought maybe it was a form of tramlining or freeway grooves the tires were getting stuck in. Clearly it’s not. Haven’t had the issue since but reading this has me concerned. @odaymax66 I’m in the IE too, if you run across a dealership that takes this seriously or diagnose’s it please let me know.

dougjones

I've experienced the same on my '15 Lux. It is occurs randomly and, at best, has happened 3 or so times over the last 12k miles. I've never been able to replicate it.

marjenmill

Wow........

Mythreecar

I also have the notchy steering issue on my 2013. I inadvertently posted the other day on 3rd Gen Forum. Been dealing with his issue for years and will not take the car on a road trip. Dealer says a new steering rack is the exact same as the original. They haven't addressed the issue at all. I've come to the conclusion that it is an electrical issue and am thinking of changing the power steering module. Has anyone tried that and does anyone know if the module requires programming?

EpikSc400

Forgot I had this issue on my 15 F sport as well. Only happened during long drives though. I believe it happened after 4 or so hours of driving.
I'd be going in to a curve for example and it would just stick until I gave enough force and popped it loose. Haven't had it happen again, though I haven't taken any long, over 4hrs anyway, drives since then.

dkp993

This exactly mirrors my experience.

MuaGS350

Came across this:

and from another post:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...long-post.html

Hopefully this is helpful.