2016 RX 350 Excessive noise and vibration
02-07-18 | 03:28 PM
#1156
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 28
Likes: 3
From: California
Another update I thought I'd share. Along with the TSB fix, I had requested resetting transmission ECU memory in case it was an issue with early gear changes. Since then I only drove in Normal mode and found the vibration now exists at any speed whenever the engine touches 1500 rpm. In the Normal and Eco mode, the engine likes to always get to 1200 rpm as soon as it can.
Today, I decided to try the Eco mode again after the TSB and ECU reset. Interestingly, it behaved similarly to Sport mode now i.e. it seemed to hold on to the gears longer; and it would drop down to 1200 rpm only after a long time, instead it stayed at 1600-1800 rpm most of the time, even on the highway at 60mph. Also, the vibration was quite reduced, even with the light throttle when it would touch 1500 rpm, I could feel the "engine/transmission" load, instead of a "vibration" i.e. it was not as smooth, but at least it wasn't vibrating as much. Not sure if anyone else has noticed the same after the TSB or after having reset the ECU memory.
Also heard back from Lexus. FTS declined to come see the vehicle since there's no other fix, and the vehicle is operating "under normal parameters".
Today, I decided to try the Eco mode again after the TSB and ECU reset. Interestingly, it behaved similarly to Sport mode now i.e. it seemed to hold on to the gears longer; and it would drop down to 1200 rpm only after a long time, instead it stayed at 1600-1800 rpm most of the time, even on the highway at 60mph. Also, the vibration was quite reduced, even with the light throttle when it would touch 1500 rpm, I could feel the "engine/transmission" load, instead of a "vibration" i.e. it was not as smooth, but at least it wasn't vibrating as much. Not sure if anyone else has noticed the same after the TSB or after having reset the ECU memory.
Also heard back from Lexus. FTS declined to come see the vehicle since there's no other fix, and the vehicle is operating "under normal parameters".
02-08-18 | 08:51 AM
#1157
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 16
Likes: 3
From: Maryland
What's so special about 1,500 rpm?
Has anyone actually googled “1500 rpm drone”?
Out of curiosity I performed the above search after hearing and feeling exhaust/engine drone at 1,500 rpm in my work truck (Chevy Silverado). I also noted it in my Nissan Xterra.
Below are the manufacturers noted on the 1st and 2nd pages of the above referenced search:
Out of curiosity I performed the above search after hearing and feeling exhaust/engine drone at 1,500 rpm in my work truck (Chevy Silverado). I also noted it in my Nissan Xterra.
Below are the manufacturers noted on the 1st and 2nd pages of the above referenced search:
- Dodge
- Subaru
- Ford
- Toyota
- Acura
- Honda
- Nissan
- Audi
02-08-18 | 09:01 AM
#1158
Racer
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 215
From: Texas
Has anyone actually googled “1500 rpm drone”?
Out of curiosity I performed the above search after hearing and feeling exhaust/engine drone at 1,500 rpm in my work truck (Chevy Silverado). I also noted it in my Nissan Xterra.
Below are the manufacturers noted on the 1st and 2nd pages of the above referenced search:
Out of curiosity I performed the above search after hearing and feeling exhaust/engine drone at 1,500 rpm in my work truck (Chevy Silverado). I also noted it in my Nissan Xterra.
Below are the manufacturers noted on the 1st and 2nd pages of the above referenced search:
- Dodge
- Subaru
- Ford
- Toyota
- Acura
- Honda
- Nissan
- Audi
02-09-18 | 03:40 AM
#1159
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 355
Likes: 53
From: NY
Has anyone actually googled “1500 rpm drone”?
Out of curiosity I performed the above search after hearing and feeling exhaust/engine drone at 1,500 rpm in my work truck (Chevy Silverado). I also noted it in my Nissan Xterra.
Below are the manufacturers noted on the 1st and 2nd pages of the above referenced search:
Out of curiosity I performed the above search after hearing and feeling exhaust/engine drone at 1,500 rpm in my work truck (Chevy Silverado). I also noted it in my Nissan Xterra.
Below are the manufacturers noted on the 1st and 2nd pages of the above referenced search:
- Dodge
- Subaru
- Ford
- Toyota
- Acura
- Honda
- Nissan
- Audi
02-09-18 | 11:34 AM
#1160
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 8,220
Likes: 2,579
From: NJ
Disagree 100%, Between my wife and myself we have purchased over 30 new vehicles over the years. Not one of them exhibited these conditions. This is flat out no question a poor design from Lexus. You can sugar coat it however you like but everytime I drive my car I can’t help think how could Lexus get away with saying every degree of vibration and noise is normal. Again this has nothing to do with the dealerships, they cannot redesign the car. The fix that Lexus came up with is nothing short of a joke. Justed traded my Drone noise for vibration. The car is so annoying now to drive and no matter how hard I complain it will fall under the generic “its normal”. I got so annoyed at the Service Manager because all he did on the test drive was hit the gas hard so it wouldn’t be it the vibration RPM range. Trying to convince me that nothing is wrong. I just don’t have the time or energy to pursue this any longer.
02-09-18 | 11:41 AM
#1162
Racer
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 215
From: Texas
The actual TSB is published here within this thread. I would question that a dealer in the SoCal area saying it doesn’t know about this TSB. But, perhaps they don’t want their customers to jump into this & be even more upset when the drone turns into constant vibrations...it could be either.
02-09-18 | 12:18 PM
#1163
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 117
From: ca
The following users liked this post:
ericsan13 (02-12-18)
02-12-18 | 12:31 PM
#1168
Rookie
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 58
Likes: 4
From: CA
I spoke with Al and will be dropping off my SUV tomorrow morning. He mentioned that you were his only customer with the drone sound and said that it should only take a day or two at the most for repair. Thanks for being the guinea pig lol.
02-12-18 | 01:28 PM
#1169
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 117
From: ca
The master tech I drove with about another issue told me had a lot of ppl complain about the droning RX to get fixed. But yes, no droning sound anymore. SOunds good.
02-13-18 | 01:35 PM
#1170
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Houston dealer said no parts available in country
I am very disappointed as my local Lexus dealer sent me an email saying that they are aware of the TSB but the parts are not available and there is no ETA. I also just received an email saying there are no parts available in the country. This seems bizarre and I really can’t believe it. Has anyone in Houston heard this yet? Or has anyone in Houston gotten the TSB applied so I can go to that dealer? This is all ridiculous.