I recently had the same problem with my 05 LS430. Two of the front sensors were activating when when nothing was in front of them. I brought it into Lexus of Manhattan and then the new Queens dealership (same owners), they told me that whoever painted my front bumper did not remove the sensors before hand and sprayed over them and then cleaned off the top after, and that it voided the warranty on the sensors. They told me that is why Lexus sells the sensors in color because they don't want you to paint them.

Secondly, the missing VIN is the dead giveaway that there was body damage to the car. I guess it is better to have had it replaced then to "bondo it", but it would have be nicer for the seller to mention that it was replaced. The clean Carfax means nothing because he could have had an small accident that took out the fender, even the hood, headlight and bumper and it would never show on carfax unless the insurance company took the car and branded the title.

 

Yah, but I don't know of the replaced fender was done by the guy I purchased the car from, or long before. As mentioned before, given the quality of the bumper painting, I don't think it's possible the same guys repainted the fender - the quality of the work is just too good.

But yah, the guy I purchased it from should have been able to identify this when he looked the vehicle over and tell me...

 

Well I had the sensor replaced today - was $400 or so. I'm going to talk to the guy I purchased the car from, and from what I can tell, he's willing to spot me the difference.

In the end I'd really like to consider replacing the front and rear bumpers, but from what I can tell I'm looking @ $500/ea. Sound about right?