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My family and I have been Lexus fans for some time. Our last 5 cars were all Lexus (RXs, GXs, GS) and so I felt confident to buy a first year model, 2016 RX350.
Our 2016RX had multiple issues - AC gargling noise (took multiple tries to get it resolved), rocking driver seat (multiple visits to different dealerships), rough shifting transmission (TSB) and dreadful oil leaks.
Oil leaks started around 40K miles, fixed but reappeared again and again.
The latest issue was again - seeping oil and I was out of my powertrain warranty. I brought it back to the dealer who worked on it before and asked them to fix it again. Because more than a year and 10K miles passed since their last "fix" they would not do it under warranty and would charge me for it. I though it was ridiculous since this was the 3rd time I'm having oil seep - so I reached out to corporate.
Maybe b/c I had purchased multiple vehicles through Lexus - but corporate was helpful and picked up most of the bill to "fix" my oil seeping issue for the 3rd time.
Now that it has been more than a year and 10K miles after the 3rd "fix" my oil is seeping again. I guess I'm just going to live with it.
My guess, the oil issue only affects the early production cars. Still, I relied on Lexus reputation when I bought it back in January 2016. This has definitely tarnished Lexus image for me and I will never buy a first year model car again.
yes, never buy first year models NOWADAYS. a lot of people bought first year SC430's back in 2002 and they've all been pretty flawless. I think the modern cars just have too many modules and potential disasters that you should always wait for the mid model refresh (thats when they address all the major complaints that ARENT covered by technical service bulletins and recalls). That being said i dont even follow my own advice
My LC convertible is only 2nd year of production. Just like my RX350 (17')
The only time i listen to my own advice was to buy my dad's 400h which is the last year of the 2nd gen RX in 2008 and my ES350 (daily) which is a mid cycle refresh in 2010.
The sc430 is also 2002 and first year run.
So far all have been mechanically flawless *knock on wood*
My wifes 16 rx350 has 94k miles out of warranty. Just noticed the small drips on the garage floor. Should be some type of recall on this?
Originally Posted by Cocal
Recalls are only done for safety reasons or emission problems.
Manufacturers can, and have done, voluntary recalls. Like Toyota/Lexus did on this same engine in 2010 to replace the bursting VVT-i oil line.
Our ES350 (with same engine as RX) also had an oil leak from the timing cover. It was more of a seep. I reduced seepage by going to next level oil viscosity, from 5/30 to 10/30. The ES currently has no seepage but I speculate that enough seeping oil has hardened around the leak source to have plugged it up. I noticed the seep after the warranty expired. Many other ES owners had more severe leaks and Lexus fixed it under warranty.
Sorry you had to go through all that, but at least Lexus made good on most of your issues. I noticed you had a 2017 RX that you sold. How was that one?
By the way, this might be a good time to sell the 2016.
2017 Rx350 - I bought it at a huge discount, about 27% off MRSP, because it was a non-premium version. The 2017 RX was great - no issues. I wish I would have held on to that one instead of 2016, but after having it for 8 months and about 7,000 miles, I sold it for the same price that I bought it and bought 2018 GX for the wife (it was her dream car).
I recently brought my 16 RX350 into the dealership for an oil leak. I received an email with a picture stating the leak is from the “upper” oil pan gasket. It’s covered under my certified L warranty but it says $3k?? I’m not sure if there is 2 separate gaskets for the oil pan but what could possibly have to be done to warrant $3k? I know the timing cover gasket and rear main seal gasket needs the engine dropped, but oil pan? I’m sure it’s inflated to charge Lexus but I thought there was only 1 oil pan gasket and it could be accessed from the bottom of the vehicle. Any insight would be appreciated. Again, only curious as I’m not paying out of pocket.
Like I said I’m interested in the repair details. Timing cover gasket and rear main seals are big jobs and I believe need the engine dropped. Upper oil pan gaskets should not require a lot but what is confusing me is the word upper, like there is a lower too.
... Upper oil pan gaskets should not require a lot but what is confusing me is the word upper, like there is a lower too.
The stamped steel oil pan with the drain plug in it is bolted to an aluminum casting which, in turn, bolts to the engine block and has a gasket surface at that upper joint as well. It is not a "pan" at all, but they call it the "Upper" oil pan. Here's a picture of the one from the 2007 2GR-FE: https://www.ebay.com/itm/265274342670
The stamped steel oil pan with the drain plug in it is bolted to an aluminum casting which, in turn, bolts to the engine block and has a gasket surface at that upper joint as well. It is not a "pan" at all, but they call it the "Upper" oil pan. Here's a picture of the one from the 2007 2GR-FE: https://www.ebay.com/itm/265274342670
Interesting, so pretty big job in your opinion? Not like an oil pan from an 80’s muscle car that could be done in an hour.
Interesting, so pretty big job in your opinion? Not like an oil pan from an 80’s muscle car that could be done in an hour.
Not like old school pans, because there's no pre-formed gasket. Probably not a big job for the person who has done it 20 times previously, but I would be afraid of the learning curve on the DIY gasket goo -- i.e. see the title of this thread.
Not like old school pans, because there's no pre-formed gasket. Probably not a big job for the person who has done it 20 times previously, but I would be afraid of the learning curve on the DIY gasket goo -- i.e. see the title of this thread.
I asked a Ford mechanic friend of mine and he said he believes to reseal the upper oil pan the the seals in the timing chain and I believe he said cam have to be replaced as well as they are disturbed during the repair. Does this sound right? Man, everything in these new cars are a PITA.
I asked a Ford mechanic friend of mine and he said he believes to reseal the upper oil pan the the seals in the timing chain and I believe he said cam have to be replaced as well as they are disturbed during the repair. Does this sound right?
That is possible -- I really have no clue, but that is the type of "gotcha" that limits my shadetree projects on these new cars. Oil changes and light bulbs is about as deep as I care to dig into them.
Here's a video showing the disassembly of a 2GR-FKS, and at a point you will see him pull the oil pan and then the upper oil "pan":
That is possible -- I really have no clue, but that is the type of "gotcha" that limits my shadetree projects on these new cars. Oil changes and light bulbs is about as deep as I care to dig into them.
Here's a video showing the disassembly of a 2GR-FKS, and at a point you will see him pull the oil pan and then the upper oil "pan":
I have a 2019 rx350 with 52K miles with oil changes at the dealer every 6-8K miles. Yesterday, I noticed an oil leak between the engine and the transmission housing. It appears to be a rear main seal leak.
I know this repair will be covered under the powertrain warranty. However, what are the chances of having new problems arise after the dealership disassembles to front end to fix the leak?
wondering if anyone here had their RX with premature failure of a rear main seal repaired by dealer.
07-04-22, 10:40 AM
