jag1

in Phoenix AZ. Has been 115-120 degrees, in the shade. Trunk & door latches/handles are inop when it gets hot. Lexus has replaced trunck latch 4 times, once for $1,000 but problem persists. No way to get into rear hatch; have to open door window and open driver door from inside. Happens when it is in the sun, and hot as it is here often. Cools down, and everything is fine.
Any similar experience or solutions?

bob2200

Do the doors not open with the key and then pulling the handles? If not, do you mean the key doesn't turn, or the handle does not move?

Maybe a canvas car cover as a temporary measure?

jag1

doors and rear hatch will not open, period. with or with out a key. driver door can be opened from inside, not outside. guess I could understand the remote not working, but this is somekind of mechanical issue.\
my thought is that the heat softens the plastic latch enough which doesn't permit enough cable tension to operate the latch.
just wondered if anyone has had this experience? thanks

salimshah

From the original post, it seems there is no problem with the lock [please correct me if I am wrong]. The problem seems to be in the door handle (release action).

I am not familiar with the reat hatch, but the door handles operate the catch with rods. The problem can be in the amount of travel (handle, pivots, changing angle) or in the slop.

If you want to hunt down the problem, precise measurement of movement is needed or one can apply a damp towel (chilled water) at various linkages and pivots to trouble shoot. The fix would require bending one or two rods.

I would have expected one door latch to fail at a time. All failing is a bit odd and for that very reason, I would leave it alone.

In the mean time, I would suggest to use the option to roll down the windows with the remote and reach in inside to release the door. sorry no good suggestion for the trunk [unless you have a release built in the remote ... a feature 99 Rx lacks]

Salim