Rx300 Brakes! I Need Urgent Help!

[Northumberland]

Hi!

Sorry - I'm a dumb blonde and new to this forum.

I recently had my Lexus into a local garage (not a Lexus garage) for new parking brake cables. The car was fine afterwards. About a month later the brake warning light (red exclamation) showed up on the dashboard and there was an audible high pitched alarm. I took it back to my trusted local garage to have a look at - the diagnostic machine was down so they thoroughly checked the car over - could find nothing wrong with the brakes themselves and told me to take it into the Lexus garage - or wait until their diagnostic machine was running again (after the New Year).

I took it into the Lexus garage. Today they have telephoned me and quoted £5190 to repair it!!!

They say there is a "massive fault" on the ABS - and it needs a new ABS system, plus a new wiring system and also that one of the power steering pipes has 'burst'.

I telephoned my local garage - he states there is no way that there was a burst pipe - apparently I would have had fluid on my driveway - (which I haven't) and the steering would become heavy (which it hasn't). He smells 'a fish. I've told them not to go any further but I am besides myself with worry and I really don't know what to do.

Incidentally - the car is on a notification of recall for the foot-brake cylinder head - I'm told this is nothing to do with the brake problem.

Any help would be so gratefully appreciated.

[Normski]

£5190?! Hmmm. Something sounds rather dodge here. Suggest you get it inspected elsewhere too. If it was me and it really was going to cost that much I would get rid immediately!

[MartyCee]

To be honest ..... I am a loss as to where to start, but here comes my best shot.

1). You don't mention any braking loss, or strange sensations through the pedal. For such a catastophic failure I would have expect more than an alarm & a light on the dashboard.

2). The local garage would have spotted a blow or leaking steering pipes when they checked out the brakes.

3). (With the utmost respect - you say you're "a dumb blonde"!) I think you might have been seen on your way in .... if you follow my drift, it is a question of who you beleive, & the faith you place with them.

4). Are you a member of the RAC or the AA? If so I'd use their independent technical team to a) check the vehicle over & give you a written report as to the nature & probable cost of repairs. This will cost, but in the face of yoursituation you need an expert on side - if only for peace of mind.

I'd call the repairing agent & tell them you wish to drive the car away from their premises asap & that you require a written estimate for the repairs, which should be itemised & the time required broken down into stages so you can understand (or rather you appointed mechanic can understand) exactly what the situation you face is.

At the same time as requesting that lot I'd make them aware you intend to have the vehicle independantly expected & an engineer's report prepared for comparision.

DO NOT tell the Lexus agent who will be preparing that report, it is not their concnern & you need to protect your interests.

5). Do not give up hope, their are many independants who will probably be able to fix your car for substainly less than the £5K+ quoted.

6). once you have the estimate, the local garage's point of view & (if ordered) an independant engineer's report you'll know instinctively the best course forward. However, if the independant report varies wildly for the Lexus dealer's claim I'd point the whole lot at Trading Standards & claim any bill they charge you & the cost of the report back, plus another good sized lump for the upset & inconvenince caused.

Hope this helps open some options, be aware, Lexus main dealers, like all their kind whatever the brand badge on the car's nose, are much mre expensive than other options in the vast majority of cases.

MartyCee

[Northumberland]

£5190?! Hmmm. Something sounds rather dodge here. Suggest you get it inspected elsewhere too. If it was me and it really was going to cost that much I would get rid immediately!

I agree - it does sound dodgy - they are saying that's to replace the entire ABS system etc. I did initially feel like getting rid - but realistically - how much would I get for it in the state it's in? I'm wondering if there's a Lexus specialist anywhere who could give me a 2nd opinion. Counting my savings up!

[Northumberland]

MartyCee - thanks for that. I lost faith in the Lexus dealership some time ago - they quoted a ridiculous amount for some work which supposedly needed doing - then slapped £750 on top for a service - I questioned what exactly the service included to cost so much - they simply said it was a 'big service' hence the high costs. I paid for the service but told them not to do the other work - I then took the car to my local garage - who inspected it - and said the work they said needed doing was not required - so I worry they're doing the same again. Well I'm hoping I guess cos I aint got a spare £5K in my purse!

[Northumberland]

Well - been into the garage and was told it was only a very small part of the ABS system which needs replacing - the pins - but it isn't Lexus' policy to only replace part of it - hence the price. I've found a mechanic who specializes in Lexus but he's a few hundred miles away from me.

The manager was nice - he agreed that this shouldn't have happened - but as the car is out of warranty he can't help. As for the supposed burst pipe - it's now no longer burst but has a fine crack in it - I'm having it replaced so that the car is driveable but then removing it from the dealership. I wonder if anyone knows of a specialist mechanic in the North of England?

[steve2006]

Try sending a PM to member Ormi he is a toyota tech and may be able to recommend somewhere locally for you.

Never heard of "pins" in an ABS system the only pins is know in respect to brakes are the caliper pins.

[stringbender]

Well - been into the garage and was told it was only a very small part of the ABS system which needs replacing - the pins - but it isn't Lexus' policy to only replace part of it - hence the price. I've found a mechanic who specializes in Lexus but he's a few hundred miles away from me.

The manager was nice - he agreed that this shouldn't have happened - but as the car is out of warranty he can't help. As for the supposed burst pipe - it's now no longer burst but has a fine crack in it - I'm having it replaced so that the car is driveable but then removing it from the dealership. I wonder if anyone knows of a specialist mechanic in the North of England?

You say the vehicle is "out of warranty" so how long has it been out of warranty? I only ask as I had occasion to speak with a lawyer from Which? some time ago and he said the warranty is the legal tie between you and the seller. But under the sales of goods act there is still the fact that a part must be fit for purpose and even if the official warranty has expired then the manufacturer ( not the seller) becomes liable if a part has prematurely failed. Just how long you might expect a complex part like ABS to last may be a matter for conjecture but if the car isn't that old I'd talk to Lexus. You've nothing to lose. If you're a Which? member it's easy to join their legal service and not very expensive. Hope you get it sorted.

Alan.

[greyman]

Sorry to hear about your ABS problems.Toyo Tech(01642 604103) in stockton on tees are a Lexus independent.I rang them before I bought my RX300 and gave good advice.Hope this helps.

[Northumberland]

Oh thanks everyone - everyones being so helpful. The car is well out of warranty - it was registered in 2004 so I don't think I've got any redress - however even the service managaer did say that water should never have got in through the seals. He's suggested trying to put a claim in through my car insurance - I think we all know what they'll say! I'm going to try that number in Stockton - thanks SO MUCH for that!

[Northumberland]

Oh thanks everyone - everyones being so helpful. The car is well out of warranty - it was registered in 2004 so I don't think I've got any redress - however even the service managaer did say that water should never have got in through the seals. He's suggested trying to put a claim in through my car insurance - I think we all know what they'll say! I'm going to try that number in Stockton - thanks SO MUCH for that!

I've spoken to the (very helpful)guy in Stockton - he knew exactly what I meant and said that if I could find someone who could either change the pins or cut the coroded part out it should work - he couldn't help himself - he said I need to find a very good auto electrictian - so if anyone knows of one in Newcastle/Northumberland?

Spoken to Lexus - they are not at all interested and refused to even discuss it. Apparently the manager at the lexus garage had already tried with them yesterday - so at least he's on our side.

[Boxbrownie]

Any news on this yet? I assume it is the electrical pins in the brake ECU connector have corroded, a such you might want to try (or get your friendly local garage man to try) cleaning both the male and female connectors with electrical contact cleaner and plugging the harness in and out a couple of dozen times, this often clears enough of the crud to render the connection servicable again, if you get success then just seal the connector when plugged in with silicon grease as this weill keep moisture from doing any more damage, its worth a try.

[Will0142]

Hello,

I have just experienced exactly the same problems on my rx300 and lexus have quoted £5000, there are others in the same boat. Lexus haven't helped at all and i will not be buying another car from them again. However i am writing to tell you i have found an auto electrician who has my car for eight days and says he can fix the problem for at most £500. He is based in Ripon. If you still have the car and the problem i will let you know if i get it sorted and pass his details on to you if this is the case. Im sure your not a dumb blonde, lexus seem to treat everyone in this situation the same and having seen documentation, this has been a common problem.

Send me a message if you still need help.

Will.x