nextcar

I'm glad there's documentation that someone acknowledged the problem. BTW, what is Lexus FTS, just the dealer mechanic?
I would be more happy if corporate actually did something about it.

In the meantime, I encourage everyone to complain to their dealer, complain to corporate, and give Lexus poor marks on all customer satisfaction surveys until Lexus fixes this problem.

pa1thak

Field Technical Specialist is from corporate and not the regular dealer mechanic, I had to wait for almost a month to get an appointment with the FTS but at least I got them to give me something in writing.
I too recommend everyone to complain to their dealer and also schedule a test drive with the FTS. The more we complain the sooner we can expect a fix.

rraheja

How do you get to schedule a test drive with FTS? Please share if there are tips to successfully get the FTS to come look at the vehicle. I just had a frustrating call with Lexus Customer Satisfaction person today, who kept repeating the same thing i.e. dealer has said this is a normal characteristic; when in fact the dealer validated there's a vibration, called Lexus and was told by Lexus its normal characteristic. So we were going in circles as to who is saying its "normal" - Lexus is telling me that the dealer said it's normal characteristic whereas the dealer just told me the other way round.

I had to tell the person unless the Lexus technician has seen my vehicle, how do they say that a vibration of any sort is normal for a 50k luxury vehicle? I requested that a corp technician come and take a look, and I was told that they can put in a request only after I have had another opinion from another dealer, and even then there are no guarantees since they cannot come out to see every vehicle. Fair point, but then again they cannot sit remote and then dismiss this concern without even seeing the vehicle? And talking about guarantees, I was sold on the fact that the new vehicle had "bumper-to-bumper" warranty, and I can assure you the vibration is coming somewhere between the two bumpers, however, it seems like it's less bumper-to-bumper and more of "whatever Lexus will think is the problem" warranty? Again, I got the same response re. normal operating characteristics of this vehicle.

Anyway, I have scheduled another dealer appointment next week- since the first dealer obviously was not interested in pursuing this further with Lexus. btw, to the person who asked me if I had spoken to the salesperson; yes I did and he said he can't do anything about it; that I should talk to the Service dept and Lexus; and then he said Lexus has some of the most rigorous quality procedures, indicating that this must be a figment of my imagination that something is wrong with this vehicle.

pa1thak

In my case I just took the car to the service dept and told the service adviser about the vibration and loud cabin noise issues. They initially sent their in-house mechanic to go on a test drive with me and as expected the mechanic told me the vibrations are common and the vehicle is performing as normal. Since I wasn't satisfied with that feedback I asked the service adviser to schedule the test drive again with someone who knows the design and engineering of the car and that's how I got test drive with FTS. It's not difficult to get an appointment with FTS, you just have to constantly bug your service adviser or the sales guy who sold you the car. Hope this helps.

rraheja

ok will try that with the other dealer's service adviser. Please keep us updated on what happens with your FTS appointment. Thanks.

situman

Does anyone think the vibration and droning is caused by the transmission being lethargic? Test drove a 2018 GX and I noticed vibrations from the engine through the steering wheel when I gassed it. Once the transmission caught up, it was smooth as butter again. Now the V6 is nowhere near as smooth as the V8 so the droning and vibration may been magnified. Does sport mode help?

allwheels

Just so everyone knows, there is now a service bulletin for the drone concern. It involves replacing one of the center exhaust pipes.

JSracer

does that address the vibration in the steering wheel also ??

gadgetman1

allwheels

Here ya go.

mssca

Is anyone have access to the Canadian version of this service bulletin? I don't have this problem, but I can force the dealership to check my unit.

allwheels

It's a bulletin, not a recall. Its only intended to replace a problem vehicle with a counter measured part for that issue. Not a "a la carte" menu item you can request to be replaced. That's called fraud.

mssca

No, I am not going ask them to replace it. But ask ask them to test it or check it. I have asked my dealership already to test few noises including a noise coming from passenger side door. They found a small plastic lose and fixed it. Asking Lexus to test your vehicle because you have a concern is not fraud.

Remember that airbag recall? I asked my Toyota dealership to check my VIN because it was on the news, they not only did that they also tested my airbags just in case.

goatee

So can we now expect that the new vehicles produced have this modified exhaust system applied to them? If so, as of when?

tdjacw

I wonder if the TSB would help with the vibration. I did search the TSB on the Lexus site, but it didn't come up. Hopefully it's to new.