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LexusRX 400h Hybrid Battery Failure

108 messages,  Last post on Dec 18, 2012 at 12:34 AM

You are in the Lexus RX 400h Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Lexus RX 400h, Electrical, SUV

Messages Page 7 of 11

#60 of 108 Re: Lexus RX 400H Inverter Replaced Free... by mfranzoia

Jun 02, 2011 (1:45 pm)

Replying to: voiced (Mar 06, 2011 12:42 pm)
Lexus RX 400H Inverter- replaced out of warranty.
 
My 2006 Hybrid has 175,000 miles on it. Way out of warranty. The inverter was replaced by Lexus corporate, two weeks ago. Lexus picked up 100% of the cost after inspecting it at the dealership. I used the information on this site, plus the links on this site to aid in my argument.
 
You need to talk to the corporate 1-800 number, and get to customer Satisfaction (the dealership can do nothing for you). I believe Lexus knows there's a problem with this first generation 2006 Inverter. I'm certain that the 2006 Highlander used the same power inverter. And there is a class action lawsuit in L.A. over the highlander's inverter. It was smart on their part to replace it. Lexus can't stand to have this part re-called.
 
I can post my story, when I have time, and show just how I did it. Let me know if your interested....I thought about not saying anything since they took care of it. But I was fit to be tied, and I don't want to see anyone else in that situation. It would have cost me $9,600, and I could not afford it. (The part alone, "the Inverter", cost $8,500). I did, however pay for a new car battery $177.00, and I was happy to pay that! I felt like I won the lottery...
 
Let me know if your interested......
 
Nothing like a $50,000 paperweight...(I told them that too)

#61 of 108 Re: Rx400h not for the cost conscious [mrlexuslover] by ndabunka

Jun 07, 2011 (8:34 pm)

Replying to: mrlexuslover (May 15, 2011 5:22 pm)
You DO realize that these inverter problems occur on the "cheaper" Toyotas as well, right? However, the issue is ONLY with a FEW early model Hybrids that used an inferior cooling system that Toyota has already recognized had a problem (with their Prius recall). So, expensive is not an exclusive domain of Lexus or "high-end" vehicles.

#62 of 108 Re: Lexus RX 400H Inverter Replaced Free... [mfranzoia] by ndabunka

Jun 07, 2011 (8:36 pm)

Replying to: mfranzoia (Jun 02, 2011 1:45 pm)
Thanks for reporting your efforts. I have copied this and will store it in the (unlikely) event that my late year '06 model experiences any issues later in life.

#63 of 108 Re: Lexus RX 400H Inverter Replaced Free... [mfranzoia] by richb39

Jun 12, 2011 (2:03 pm)

Replying to: mfranzoia (Jun 02, 2011 1:45 pm)
June 12, 2011. I too have a 2006 RX400h and the inverter failed 2 days ago. The Lexus dealer quoted me $10,252 to replace it... I have 112k on it and had purchased the 100k extended warranty. I am in contact with Lexus Corporate and they will be getting back to me sometime next week. The car is virtually worthless at this point. Any strategy you used would be appreciated. Rich

#64 of 108 Re: Lexus RX 400H Inverter Replaced Free... [mfranzoia] by jjjbmadden

Jun 14, 2011 (8:27 am)

Replying to: mfranzoia (Jun 02, 2011 1:45 pm)
This just happened to my 2006 RX 400h (140k miles) last night. Spoke with the dealership this morning and the cost is $11k and there was nothing they could do for me. I talked to Lexus customer service and they will have a case manager review with the dealership in the next 3-5 business days. Any info you have is greatly appreciated.

#65 of 108 Known Issue. by skycaptain

Jun 14, 2011 (8:56 am)

Here is my take. I had a 1986 ford that had a 12000 mile warranty. At 13000 miles the alternator disintegrated. "Too bad" said the dealer the warranty is up. I said "No, This alternator had a manufacturing defect the day I bought the car and it took 13k miles to finally fail. I called Ford Corporate customer relations and they agreed and that they would provide a new part and I would only pay for the labor to replace the alternator.
 
 I suggest you call or write Lexus of America and let them know that you know that the 2006 inverters had a known design defect(which they corrected in 2007)and the inverter failure was a sure thing based on the design defect. It was just a matter of time. They really should have had a recall on the inverter. Thank god it didn't fail while you were making a left turn in front of oncoming traffic!
 
 If Ford can do it, surely A Highline Auto manufacturer like Lexus can do it as well. Lexus should agree to supply a free replacement for the defective inverter and you pay only the labor for repair. Call them and give it a try.
 
           Regards, Luke

#67 of 108 Re: Lexus RX 400H Inverter Replaced Free... [jjjbmadden] by mfranzoia

Jun 14, 2011 (10:34 pm)

Replying to: jjjbmadden (Jun 14, 2011 8:27 am)
Also, make sure you talk to Lexus corporate. The dealership is not the one to approach. Call the 1-800 number.
1-800-255-3987, #3 (dealer,customer experience), ask for a department specialist.
 
Don't give up, leave the car there, until resolved.

#68 of 108 Re: Lexus RX 400H Inverter Replaced Free... [mfranzoia] by hotelbroker

Jun 17, 2011 (10:55 am)

Replying to: mfranzoia (Jun 02, 2011 1:45 pm)
This is unbelievable! My fathers 400h died this week while getting on the interstate and he nearly killed himself getting off the on ramp.
 
Granted, his 400h has 200K on it, but it has always been Lexus maintained and is great shape. Our family's other high end cars (Lexus, Mercedes, BMW) have all gone well into the hundreds of thousands of miles without becoming a non-functioning "paper weight".
 
We contacted the dealer and were told the same thing all of you were...basically $10K or a worthless piece of sh*t and almost no trade in value.
 
We contacted Lexus corporate and they opened a case, blah, blah, blah. No dice. You are on your own.
 
We have bought three cars in the past four years from our dealer and I absolutely love our dealer but this is crap! It will be a long hard thought before we buy another Lexus and I can tell you, we will never buy another hybrid.
 
No single part should ever make a car completely non-viable.

#69 of 108 Re: Lexus RX 400H Inverter Replaced Free... [mfranzoia] by jennk1

Jun 17, 2011 (11:15 am)

Replying to: mfranzoia (Jun 02, 2011 1:45 pm)
Looks like this is becoming a club! I too, was "invited" into the 2006 Lexus 400 club on June 15th 2011. My lexus has 106,000 miles. I too, was driving on a busy freeway in San Francisco when my car completely shut down with the check VSC message. Very little brakes, no power steering. I was lucky I made it to an exit ramp and coasted down to the stop sign. I shutter to think that this could have happened to me on my normal commute to work at SFO. I live 40 miles from the airport and drive between the hours of 2:45AM-3:30AM. Of course my warranty just expired a couple of months ago. I will be happy to take anyone's advice as to how to proceed with this awful mess. I am quite sure Lexus knows this problem exists but isn't talking. Maybe it's time to take this to the news. jennk1

Messages Page 7 of 11

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