Lexus LX Suspension Repair Is a Costly Endeavor

One Caveat

Used Lexus LX SUVs have become incredibly popular in recent years for several reasons. While prices have risen steadily over the past few months/years, used LXs remain a good value for the money as spacious, capable, comfortable, and reliable vehicles. However, as Mack Hogan of Road & Track discovered recently, there is one potentially expensive repair that LX shoppers should be aware of - its suspension.

Photos: Mack Hogan for Road & Track

Actively Pricey

This particular LX has a rather high 190,000 miles on the clock, which is prime time for something to go wrong, at least in terms of the suspension. Like most vehicles equipped with any sort of air or active suspension setup, this LX's Active Height Control (AHC) system is both expensive and complex, making it a prime candidate for a pricey repair.

Photos: Mack Hogan for Road & Track

Making a Deal

Hogan was actually working on selling the big SUV after he was told that it wouldn't make sense as an overlander and that it's much better suited to continue doing what it has always done - provide comfy and reliable on-road transportation. He got quite a bit of interest in the used LX, so he quit driving it just in case something decided to break before he could make a deal.

Photos: Mack Hogan for Road & Track

Going South

Unfortunately, as it turns out, the active suspension in the LX can break even when the SUV is sitting dormant, and that's precisely what happened here at the very worst time. One day, he noticed that hydraulic fluid was leaking everywhere, a sure sign that things had gone south in a hurry.

Photos: Mack Hogan for Road & Track

Major Problem

"The plumbing to the truck’s left rear AHC shock had rusted through, vomiting its high-pressure fluid all over my nice suburban block," Hogan said. "The rear end sagged to the wheels, the front mostly normal. When I fired up the car, it vented even more hydraulic fluid before I could lock out the system."

Photos: Mack Hogan for Road & Track

Hard Lesson

When the system fails like this, one has only a couple of options - replace it with a simpler and cheaper coil and spring setup, or spend upwards of $5,000 to replace the factory suspension. Ultimately, Hogan decided to sell it as-is, for a massive $6,000 less than what it was originally listed for - giving anyone in the market for one of these used SUVs something important to think about before plunking down the cash required to bring it home.

Photos: Mack Hogan for Road & Track

>>Join the conversation about the Lexus LX Suspension right here at ClubLexus.com.

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