jim7485

2007 IS 250 totally stock. I am not using HID bulbs. The car would not start last night and the dash is showing P-S. It was making a small amount of noise while turning at slow speed prior to this. I suspect this may be a power steering issue potentially covered under the 9LC Service Campaign.

I am currently over 200 miles away and don't have the VIN. The dealer service operator told me that she had the VIN, because I am the original owner and bought the car from this dealer. She began by telling me that there were no recalls on my car for the steering issue. Figuring that the operator may not know the difference between a recall and a service campaign, I asked specifically about bulletins that may be different from a full recall. She put me on hold and asked the service manager. The response was odd... The only way to know if a car is covered under a service campaign is for the tech doing the work to check the computer. Supposedly, even the service manager couldn't check???

Questions:
Are all 2007 IS250s covered under 9LC?
Is a car with 230,000 miles covered?

Thanks in advance for all replies.

Jim

jim7485

I can't find my thread from a couple of days ago...

2007 IS250 AWD with approximately 240,000 miles. The electric power steering stopped working several days ago.

The dealer checked out the car and held it for several days. The 'repair' was to unplug the car's computer and plug it back in. Now the steering works. They tell me that no further repair is necessary since steering now works. This all seems very odd to me. I'm scared out of my mind to allow my kid back in the car (18 year old new driver). It was literally impossible to turn the wheel when the steering went out.

Questions:
...Is there any way to escalate this to Lexus corporate? There was a recall in 2009, but they say my VIN number was not in the range of cars needing new parts.
...Is it possible for the steering to fail again? Perhaps at speed?
...Is it safe to drive at all?

Would appreciate any advice.

Thanks

Jim

jim7485

Any ideas? Is the car safe to drive?

Would appreciate any response.

getafewliv

Maybe ask another dealership their opinion?

andper10

Take it to an auto parts store and have them test the alternator for free if the dealership paperwork didn't mention doing this. They should also be able to test your battery with the same device. If it smells like burnt electrical under the hood, it is probably time for a new alternator.

Power steering is the first noticeable thing that goes out if your alternator starts failing. Mine came/went a few times before the nav screen started shutting off and then the car wouldn't restart once turned off.

Thankfully it is easier to steer at 20+ mph with no power steering than when the car is parked. Not easy but definitely doable if it does go out again.

JoeSK

A call to Lexus USA to see if 9LC has been done or outstanding would be your best option. Also what andper10 says.. Check the charging system and battery along with the negative ground wire it bolts to the body underneath the power steering ecu. Make sure the bolt is not loose or excessively corroded.

jim7485

I replaced both the battery and alternator late this summer. 4 to 5 months ago. Still good points. I will have it checked out.

Thanks

Jim