2014 RX 350 F-Sport Issues
#1
2014 RX 350 F-Sport Issues
I have several issues with this vehicle. The 1st is the drive train which I find very unrefined. Throttle tip in is extremely sensitive and the 8 speed transmission doesn't know what gear it wants to be in especially on hills.
The other issues is the build quality. The hood and outside rearview mirrors shake when going over bumps.
Some of the interior materials are cheap plastic. The dash cover is defective. You can see the outline of the front passenger air bag in the cover. This area is also not smooth and uneven. Not what I expected from Lexus. My 10 year old GX was perfect.
A very disappointing vehicle. Does anyone else with this model have any of these issues?
Thanks
The other issues is the build quality. The hood and outside rearview mirrors shake when going over bumps.
Some of the interior materials are cheap plastic. The dash cover is defective. You can see the outline of the front passenger air bag in the cover. This area is also not smooth and uneven. Not what I expected from Lexus. My 10 year old GX was perfect.
A very disappointing vehicle. Does anyone else with this model have any of these issues?
Thanks
#3
Tom, welcome to the forum but sorry you seem so dissatisfied. Can you post photos of what you're talking about with the dash build quality and maybe a short video of the hood and mirrors shaking? 1st of all, your dash cover in the F Sport should be no different than any others and you're the 1st I've heard describing it like you did. Have you been back to the dealer?
I have several issues with this vehicle. The 1st is the drive train which I find very unrefined. Throttle tip in is extremely sensitive and the 8 speed transmission doesn't know what gear it wants to be in especially on hills.
The other issues is the build quality. The hood and outside rearview mirrors shake when going over bumps.
Some of the interior materials are cheap plastic. The dash cover is defective. You can see the outline of the front passenger air bag in the cover. This area is also not smooth and uneven. Not what I expected from Lexus. My 10 year old GX was perfect.
A very disappointing vehicle. Does anyone else with this model have any of these issues?
Thanks
The other issues is the build quality. The hood and outside rearview mirrors shake when going over bumps.
Some of the interior materials are cheap plastic. The dash cover is defective. You can see the outline of the front passenger air bag in the cover. This area is also not smooth and uneven. Not what I expected from Lexus. My 10 year old GX was perfect.
A very disappointing vehicle. Does anyone else with this model have any of these issues?
Thanks
#5
I must agree with you regarding the transmission. It is one of the issues that is pushing me to trade my car in for something else. Mine is a 2013 f sport. There are times when I really can't stand driving it. My major gripe is that the car will remain in a very high gear when going very slowly so the throttle hesitation is horrible when you try to accelerate. There have even been multiple occasions when, after a slow turn, i step on the gas and after a very brief moment of slight acceleration, the engine seems to die....meaning the rpms drop suddenly and giving it more gas does nothing until it downshifts (as many as two gears as far as I can tell) and then violently takes off. It does make me wonder if this is an issue with having so many gears? either way, as soon as I find something else I like it will be gone.
The suspension of the f sport has also worn out its welcome. I didn't realize how annoyingly firm it was until we got a 2014 Acura MDX last year. While the road vibrations are worse in the mdx, the mdx handles just as well and has a much softer suspension. I am beginning to think that I should have paid more attention to all those auto journalists who gave the f sport very bad reviews because of these two problems I mention here. I could fix the suspension issue by swapping out the stock shocks for the base model versions, but that leaves me with the throttle issue. I hate to get rid of it because I love the ergonomics of the cabin, the size, and build quality (to me anyway), and user interface. Plus i will lose a decent amount of money, after the clear bra, roof rails, trailer hitch, and window tint. But I don't know how much longer I can stand to drive it. I am considering a gs (base, not f sport) since I don't want or need another large suv like the gx.
The suspension of the f sport has also worn out its welcome. I didn't realize how annoyingly firm it was until we got a 2014 Acura MDX last year. While the road vibrations are worse in the mdx, the mdx handles just as well and has a much softer suspension. I am beginning to think that I should have paid more attention to all those auto journalists who gave the f sport very bad reviews because of these two problems I mention here. I could fix the suspension issue by swapping out the stock shocks for the base model versions, but that leaves me with the throttle issue. I hate to get rid of it because I love the ergonomics of the cabin, the size, and build quality (to me anyway), and user interface. Plus i will lose a decent amount of money, after the clear bra, roof rails, trailer hitch, and window tint. But I don't know how much longer I can stand to drive it. I am considering a gs (base, not f sport) since I don't want or need another large suv like the gx.
Last edited by viperdoc; 02-24-15 at 06:59 PM.
#6
Jim - I have been back to the dealer numerous times. The Lexus rep finally came to see the vehicle after a 3 month wait. They agreed to replace the dash pad, however when the new one came in it was the same poor quality. Since the entire dash would have to be removed to replace the pad, and the dealer would not guarantee not rattles, squeaks, etc, I decided to forgo the replacement. I will get pics of the dash and attempt to record the shanking hood and mirrors.
Thanks
Tom
Thanks
Tom
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#8
I have to agree with a lousy dash pad - light and dark and spotty all over I looked at several other vehicles who have the same issue mine is black it doesn't look as bad as what I would call the dark brown ones black seems to show the worst I will say this I use the product call protectant 303 and it seemed to cover up a lot of it and made it look a lot nicer a little shy near but not greasy and not very glossy also the hood shake mine does it at highway speeds I would say it's more of a flex up and down I think wind is getting underneath it and buffeting the whole lot but that's my guess all in all I got to say I'm one of the best quiet riding vehicles I have ever owned
#9
Ive had mine for 2 years and there's no issues with it. Ride is the same as it always was with a great balance of comfort and handling.
If you're hood and mirrors are shaking when you go over a bump, id be wondering if you're car's been in a crash to be perfectly honest, especially if you're saying you can see the outline of the front passenger airbag.
Get some pics on here or we can't really tell what's wrong/right
If you're hood and mirrors are shaking when you go over a bump, id be wondering if you're car's been in a crash to be perfectly honest, especially if you're saying you can see the outline of the front passenger airbag.
Get some pics on here or we can't really tell what's wrong/right
#10
Ive had mine for 2 years and there's no issues with it. Ride is the same as it always was with a great balance of comfort and handling.
If you're hood and mirrors are shaking when you go over a bump, id be wondering if you're car's been in a crash to be perfectly honest, especially if you're saying you can see the outline of the front passenger airbag.
Get some pics on here or we can't really tell what's wrong/right
If you're hood and mirrors are shaking when you go over a bump, id be wondering if you're car's been in a crash to be perfectly honest, especially if you're saying you can see the outline of the front passenger airbag.
Get some pics on here or we can't really tell what's wrong/right
#11
#13
Honestly most of these issues sound like nothing. My GS costs more and has way more serious issues. And I can see the airbag spot on my dash too.
At least you don't have a leaking sunroof or a horrible creaking noise in the headliner or a car that goes dead whenever it wants to. Squeaky brakes? The list goes on and on.
At least you don't have a leaking sunroof or a horrible creaking noise in the headliner or a car that goes dead whenever it wants to. Squeaky brakes? The list goes on and on.
#14
Honestly most of these issues sound like nothing. My GS costs more and has way more serious issues. And I can see the airbag spot on my dash too.
At least you don't have a leaking sunroof or a horrible creaking noise in the headliner or a car that goes dead whenever it wants to. Squeaky brakes? The list goes on and on.
At least you don't have a leaking sunroof or a horrible creaking noise in the headliner or a car that goes dead whenever it wants to. Squeaky brakes? The list goes on and on.
#15
I'm referring more to the ride quality than cosmetics. There had been numerous complaints about rear suspension of the 350, meanwhile 450h is just perfect, most likely due to more weight in the back and better distribution of such.