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Lexus RX 350 Rattles

29 messages,  Last post on Oct 16, 2012 at 11:54 AM

You are in the Lexus RX 300/330/350 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Lexus RX 350, SUV

Messages Page 3 of 3

#20 of 29 Re: RX 350 Rattles [kwbuggy] by mitchellrowe

Oct 09, 2011 (7:18 am)

Replying to: kwbuggy (Oct 09, 2011 6:41 am)
mr buggy : i know you are canadian , as you quote your meter in kilometers . like a hockey game , you wish to defend your canadian junk plant for lexus meat wagons . ..... FACT IS ; I HAD A 2011 AND SHE WAS QUIET AS COULD BE EXPECTED BY A LEXUS . ONLY NOISE I HEARD WAS THE MICHELIN'S WHISKING FDOWN THE ROAD . THE 2012 IS A RATMOBILE TO THE N'TH DEGREE . i didn't ask for your suggestion , which you graciously volenteered to "take it back to the dealer" . I will reply to your suggestion , and reply : THE DEALER DID NOT BUILD THE CAR , THE CANADIANS DID . MORE THAN LIKELY THERE WAS A PART SHORTAGE , OR THE LINE MEN WERE STILL RECOVERING FROM THE NIGHT BEFORE'S HOCKEY GAME . my suecond suggestion is : KEEP YOUR 2011 , and DOM'T TRADE IT FOR A NEW ONE UNTIL LEXUS GET'S IT'S PARTS IN ORDER , GOES BACK TO BUILD THE MODEL IN JAPAN .

#21 of 29 Re: Rattle over your head on a RX-350 (2008) [muoithang] by azmike11

Jan 08, 2012 (7:16 am)

Replying to: muoithang (Apr 22, 2011 1:09 pm)
We had the same problem and I fixed it. The crossbars on the roof rack have some clearance inside the termination housings on either side. It will vibrate because of the wind at higher speeds. You can loosen the wingnuts on one side of the crossbar and slide the rack rail slider about 1/16" forwards or backwards to "wedge" the crossbar into the housing. The rattle will stop.

#22 of 29 Re: Rattle over your head on a RX-350 (2008) [azmike11] by mitchellrowe

Jan 08, 2012 (11:59 am)

Replying to: azmike11 (Jan 08, 2012 7:16 am)
took the crossbars off completely . that eliminated wind noise ... the rattles are , in my opinion due to the engine and transmission mis communicating , and causing the vacume necessary for shifts to act like a tin lizzy . i did have a 2011 RX 350 , with zero problems . this one is a 2012 . I SOLD THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER FOR AN $ 800 LOSS OF PRINCIPAL .

#23 of 29 noisy engine by navio

Jan 09, 2012 (7:11 pm)

We just purchased an rx350 awd and have driven it 25 miles. At an idle position stopped at lights the engine sounds appear to be quite loud. Much louder than our 2006 outback at idle. Is this normal for this car? has anyone else experienced this? is it possible it is loud because it's new. I can't really describe the noise but we both were surprised at how loud compared to the Subaru. This is our first Lexus and we always heard they were quiet but this is not quiet, any comments would be appreciated. Thanks

#24 of 29 Re: noisy engine [navio] by mitchellrowe

Jan 09, 2012 (11:15 pm)

Replying to: navio (Jan 09, 2012 7:11 pm)
navio : lexus cars are normally unaudible ( quiet ). you said you drove 25 miles . if you have less than 200 miles , i would (myself) , take it back to the authorized lexus dealer and ask for another car . try not to sweat the color . a car that won't annoy you is worth more to the owner than color . for some reason , which i am not privy to know , the 2012 rx is either perfect , or a rat . the 2011's with few exceptions , were bulletproof ( trouble free ) . if you'r's is a 2012 , go ask for another one until you're happy . Lexus wants you to be happy . the car is NOT built in Japan .It is built on the canadian side of , above detroit . There are Lexus freaks like myself who feel some of the 2012's were built with parts shortages due to the earthquake . All the other lexus models , like es 350 , ls 460, etc. are real lexus cars ... built in japan . {the aforementioned is pure speculation on my part} we bought a 2011 and a 2012 e350 ( 2 cars ), both cars are similar but not the same . However both the 2011 and 2012 ES 350 are going to be known as "the best of the breed "
the 2013 is going to change bigtime . the es 350 is a bargain . we can't tell it from our LS 460's .
good luck trying to be happy with your dealer . more than 200 miles , they arenot going to swap you out .

#25 of 29 Re: noisy engine [mitchellrowe] by navio

Jan 11, 2012 (7:55 pm)

Replying to: mitchellrowe (Jan 09, 2012 11:15 pm)
Thanks Mitchellrowe, I just emailed the manager at the dealership. Have you ever dealt with Lexus of America?

#26 of 29 Re: noisy engine [navio] by mitchellrowe

Jan 11, 2012 (8:11 pm)

Replying to: navio (Jan 11, 2012 7:55 pm)
do not know your dealer . we live in south new jersey . our dealer is lexus of cherry hill . ... sending an e mail will not do much , even if he/she reads it . meanwhile , you are putting miles on the rx 350 . the more miles , the less chance you have of an exchange . you also want to catch the motor vehicle work , so the vehicle is not titled . once it's titled to you or tmcc , it is a used car . a used car has diminished value compared to new . i forgot to ask yesterday : did you check to see if there is enough oil in the crankcase ? { check the oil } . the engine will run without damage because lexus uses a synthetic blend of motor oil . low oil level will show itself in a noisy engine . has the dealer shop foreman listened to the car ? have you listened to , and driven another 2012 rx 350 ?

#27 of 29 Many rattles in the 2011 RX 350 by lexusunsatsfd

Oct 15, 2012 (9:04 am)

I purchased a 2011 Lexus RX 350. It currently has 26,000 miles on it. Since purchasing the car I have had many of the rattle issues that have been reported on this site. I have spent literally hours trying to isolate the source of the rattles. I have tightened down the spare tire and placed insulation around it. I have taken out all of the PLASTIC compartments in the rear area and have put foam insulation tape - like you use around doors and windows - where all plastic edges meet. This remedied some of the rear noise. However, the cable that goes to the gas tank cover rattled inside the rear left side panel. The service department had to place heavy insulation inside the panel to stop the rattle. I have also had a very annoying rattle under the glove compartment. I can't resolve this rattle and neither has the service department. In addition, the PLASTIC cover under the glove compartment continues to come unsnapped. In fact, a screw fell out from under the compartment and landed in my floorboard three days ago. I have never had a car where a screw fell out on to the floor. All in all, considering all the rattles I have had to deal with, I think the RX has been one of the worst cars I have ever owned. I am wanting a new 2013 SUV. I will not be going back to a Lexus for an SUV. Let me just say, I am not bashing Lexus. I just purchased a new 2013 Lexus ES 350 after trading in our 2011 ES 350. There is no comparison between the two cars. The new 2013 rides and drives like a dream.

#28 of 29 Re: Many rattles in the 2011 RX 350 [lexusunsatsfd] by mitchellrowe

Oct 15, 2012 (10:30 am)

Replying to: lexusunsatsfd (Oct 15, 2012 9:04 am)
lexusunsatsfd : a question ...
are you trading the rx 350 or breaking a lease _________________________
-------------- if you have roof racks ( 2 long bars on a slider ) : REMOVE THEM
-------------- use 93 octane ( premium fuel for 2 tanks ) ... ( some of the engines need higher octane to create enough vaccume on down strokes ) this lack of vacume causes engine vibration that you cannot feel , but the poorly assembled canadian - american plant feels at the joints . also thelack of enough vacume causes the xmission to shift late - which causes more subliminal shakes .
does the rx350 drift left or right ... or vibrate in the seat or steering wheel at certain road speeds ? __________________________
does the vehicle have bridgestone tires ? ________________
please answer the 3 questions and remove the roof racks and run 93 octane !
TO NOTE : THE RX HYBRID IS BUILT IN JAPAN ( not canada ) , AND HAS EVEN WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION DUE TO THE ELECTRIC MOTORS AND LI ION BATTERIES . ... the all wheel drive is not exactly smooth running as riding on glass like the 2 wheel drive of the es 350 you had and just bought .
the rx 350's sold in states like florida are mostly front ( 2 wheel drive ) .
i own ls460's with all wheel drive , and they run like butter spread on toast (smooth) ... even weight distribution (especially the "L") , and like your es350 built in japan by people who care .
the mercedes suv's with awd run poorly also .
Note : YOUR NEW ES 350 DOES NOT HAVE A 5TH WHEEL . LEXUS DOES NOT EVEN SELL ONE FROM THE FACTORY . THE WELL FITS A FULL SIZE WHEEL AND TIRE , BUT FOR $ 45K ON THE ES 350 THEY SELL YOU A CAR WITH A DONUT SPARE ! THE 2012 , IF THERE ARE ANY LEFT , HAS A 5TH WHEEL AND TIRE ( AT RETAIL COSTS ABOUT $ 1300 MOUNTED AND BALANCED ) - AND THE CAR IS CHEAPER .
awaiting your replies ...........

#29 of 29 An answer to your question mitchellrowe by lexusunsatsfd

Oct 16, 2012 (11:54 am)

Will be trading in the RX 350. It's not a lease car. I had a 2013 RX 350 picked out that was still in Japan but decided I just didn't want to take the chance with another RX. We searched and searched for an RX 350 with a J in the Vin number, meaning it was made in Japan. We found only a few. They are now making most of the RX's in Canada. The sticker on the new RX's state that approximately 60% of the parts on the new 2013 RX are made in the US and/or Canada and they are assembled and painted in Canada. I think that is the major issue with the RX. I will never purchase another Japanese auto that is not make entirely in Japan. If I wanted an American made car, I'd go back to buying a Ford. By the way, I owned a Ford Explorer and it was a great auto. Since I am leaving Lexus and the RX, I might just try another Ford Explorer. At least if it rattles, I didn't pay an arm and a leg for it and expectations will be a lot less.
 
I don't have roof racks. Don't feel any vibration from the engine. That has never been a problem. Also, the RX handles fine, no drifting. It does not have Bridgestone tires on it.

Messages Page 3 of 3

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