615Kham

Hey everyone I have a 2014 Gs350 F sport with 63k miles that threw a rod. The dealer will not cover it under factory powertrain warranty because they looked into the engine and said someone had taken the engine out of the car and had been through the motor extensively. This car has all of its service records and it is all factory. What’s everyone’s opinion on this and what can be done in this situation?

Stewart350

So they are claiming some shop took the motor out before? Why would it need that? Was this car CPO? Id try to pursue a corporate came

615Kham

Yes correct. Was not CPO. Someone or some shop that did not record it any form and the dealership said they assembled it incorrectly. Yeah I’m gonna call corporate tomorrow.

bigblack06

iTrader: (20)

Wow this is a first for sure, I would definitely call corporate and try to talk to the selling dealership as well.

chinee

How long have you owned it? Did the car have any mods done? Wheels, suspension, etc? Post some pics, and even the VIN if you don't mind... there are some CL "detective" members who will search and can probably find some background on the car...

np20412

If the dealership saw evidence of tampering in the engine and documented it then you won't get anywhere with Lexus corporate unfortunately. They won't be held responsible or want to be on the hook for catastrophic failure caused by someone working on the engine without knowing what they were doing. But worth a try as a last resort for a failure like this.

Cwang

What's the repair bill look like? Interesting you have such long warranty in the US, here it's 4 years and you're on your own.

AJLex19

I believe the powertrain warranty on all Lexus vehicles is 6yrs/72k miles (8yrs/100k miles for hybrids) covering engine and transmission components.

@615Kham : Its unfortunate that you had this "catastrophic" type failure with a Lexus engine that is only 5yrs old and has 63k miles on the odometer. Maybe take it to another dealership to see if they have a second opinion. I don't think Toyota/Lexus would leave you on your own with a low mileage GS under warranty that threw a rod...anomalies do happen but i'm expecting if you call corporate, they will have a better answer since you are clearly within the warrant-able powertrain period.

Folks do all sorts of aftermarket changes like suspension changes or exhaust then see a problem. They then "remove" their aftermarket item and take it back for a "warrantied" repair. If your service history is good, I think corporate will try to help you in this case unless the car was completely neglected at some point in the last 5yrs.

Definitely let us know how it turns out...

JDR76

If it is true that the engine was removed and/or reworked, then I see their point. But I would ask the dealer to provide the evidence of this. What did they see that led them to believe the engine has previously been removed?

er34

Previous owner loaned the car temporarily to the local high school for shop classes.

Wrench and doritos found under valve cover and bottom of oil pan.

bclexus

I personally think there is much more to this story that we are not [yet] being told.

How long have you owned the car? How many miles did you put on the car before it threw a rod?

What were you doing with the car (engine RPM, road speed, gear, driving style, etc.) when the engine threw a rod?

Was there any indication prior to the engine throwing a rod that something was amiss with the engine?

If the engine 'threw a rod' the piston rod is either very badly bent or broken and the engine will not start, correct?

Did the broken piston rod penetrate the engine block?

Did you buy this car from the previous owner or from a used car dealer?

You say the car has all the service records - when (date and mileage) was the most recent service?

What exactly did Lexus do to let them know that 'someone had taken the engine out of the car and had been through the motor extensively'?

Are there any aftermarket parts or modifications on the car? If so, what are they?

Byprodrive

iTrader: (1)

I bet someone failed to properly torque the rod bolt or replace it if that is required.

bclexus

I bet you are wrong, which you usually are...

ItzFilyO

Maybe prev. owner modded the engine and didn't properly reverse the process back to stock. Or got an engine rebuild by an independent shop and that's why it wasn't registered?

jonathancl

Seems unlikely with the factory powertrain warranty still in place.