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Here's the front driver side fender gap on my '12 GX 460.
There's a triangle shaped black plastic retainer piece behind it that I've already replaced once. it didn't help because the failure is in the edge of the bumper piece, not the biting slot in the retainer. The edge appears to have split and narrowed, leaving nothing for the retainer to bite into. IMO, the plastic they used for that bumper is too soft to be used with a metal retention mechanism.
I almost broke down last year and just epoxied the thing in place, probably by applying it to the back side of the bumper and the front side of the retainer unit (not putting epoxy in the retainer slot). It hasn't come to that yet.
I have been sending the photos to Lexus and just continue to get the generic response:
Please be aware the information you have provided is used in combination with warranty claims and other customer contacts to track trends with our vehicles. If in the future a Special Service Campaign (SSC)/recall or warranty enhancement is issued that would cover your specific issue, and you have already made repairs to the vehicle, Lexus would review your repairs for reimbursement at that time.
Your concern has been documented at our National Headquarters under file #1910210612.
getting the number is a major accomplishment. this sets it up in the system for logging then tracking fail rates.
if nothing else it will for sure get a review and a note to design on the issue.
It seems like they'd have a very good idea of how many of these dealerships have repaired. Unless, like the dealership where I bought mine, it was omitted from the vehicle record and CarFax...
most arent under warranty when repaired so theres no record that gets to corporate
and when one does get fixed under warranty, the delaers dont always list the exact reason, this helps to get the claim paid. they put more generic things many times.
Thanks everyone for sending the photos, I have been forwarding them to Lexus. Now we wait and see if they do the right thing.
I took mine to an independent body shop and the guy was pretty honest. He told me the teeth along the bumper were “chewed” off so it’s most likely a design issue since mine never been hit or involved in any accident. Hope they do something to fix it.
I had the same problem on the passenger side. I ended up fixing the issue with double-sided 3M tape. I had a roll lying around from a previous project on another vehicle where I used the tape to reattach a vent visor. So far so good. Make sure to get the "Extreme Hold" variety if you choose to go this route.
I had the same problem on the passenger side. I ended up fixing the issue with double-sided 3M tape. I had a roll lying around from a previous project on another vehicle where I used the tape to reattach a vent visor. So far so good. Make sure to get the "Extreme Hold" variety if you choose to go this route.
3M sells a lot of version of their VHB (very high bond) tape. Thickness and adhesive varies. Do you happen to know which model you used?
Below is the tape I used. I do not know if it is specifically designed for automotive use, but has done well so far. I placed the tape on the solid portion of the mounting bracket next to the headlight. I did clean the bumper and the bracket with alcohol prior to use hoping for better adhesion.
Below is the tape I used. I do not know if it is specifically designed for automotive use, but has done well so far. I placed the tape on the solid portion of the mounting bracket next to the headlight. I did clean the bumper and the bracket with alcohol prior to use hoping for better adhesion.
Below is the tape I used. I do not know if it is specifically designed for automotive use, but has done well so far. I placed the tape on the solid portion of the mounting bracket next to the headlight. I did clean the bumper and the bracket with alcohol prior to use hoping for better adhesion.