Corroded Alloys Rx 400H

[teejaybee]

Hi all

I have searched the previous posts but anything relevant appears to be somewhat old.

Has anyone been successful in getting a "goodwill gesture" out of Lexus UK regarding corroded alloys? My car is 5 years old and I bouhgt it from a Lexus main dealer in Bristol. Having had a Mazda CX7 previously that was just about 4 years old I had some experience of looking at a Japanese vehicle's wheels in perhaps more detail than would normally be necessary!

My Mazda had badly corroded wheels and Mazda UK were absolutely brilliant replacing them all FOC even though the car was out of it's normal warranty. Fantastic customer service.

I noticed that the wheels were bubbling on my Lexus but to be fair to the Dealership they did the best they could however some bubbling still exists. Now this doesn't happen overnight, it takes years and that was my arguement with Mazda in that the corrosion must have begun whilst still in warranty which they accepted. However having emailed the Top Man at Lexus - John Williams and receiving a reply their conclusion was sorry but it's five years old. Yes it is five years old but this must have started when it was still in warranty. Unless you know what to look for you wouldn't spot it until it was too late and more importantly should you even have to think about looking for something like this on a vehicle such as a Lexus? I wouldn't have expected complete FOC replacements but some sort of goodwill gestue might have been more appropriate especially to someone new to Lexus ownership.

Whe I received a reply I responded to it and haven't heard a thing since (2 weeks ago) even a "sorry but nothing doing" would have been something. So I've just emailed JW again expressing my dismay at no further communication, I wonder if I will get a reply?

Anyway, has anyone had any luck? Am I being unrealistic considering my previous experience with a Japanese Manufacturer? Any comments/advice much appreciated.

[steve2006]

There have been previously reported cases where Lexus have replaced alloy wheels as a gesture of goodwill outside of the normal warranty period.I think that a FLSH is required.

With the present economic climate even Lexus are having to tughten their belts and make saving I guess but as the corrosion has always been an issue with Lexus wheels you would have thought by now something would have been done to improve the quality, OEM wheels are the biggest letdown and the most obvious of defects on a prestige car.

Doesn't help your case I know but keep pushing them.

Please keep us informed of developements.

[lurch]

Hi There, I bought my RX in jan 2010 used 2006 from Lexus Hatfield and in Nov 2010 took it to my local Lexus dealer in Norwich and complained about the wheels, They took some photo's and sent to Lexus, they replaced all 5 of my wheels free of charge with refurbed wheels, BUT the refurbed wheels are not much better as i have two showing signs of corrosion already and i wash my car weekly and not used if weather really bad as i have an old 4x4 for work. They are wet sprayed refurbed and really need to be powerder coated. I will get them done myself when they get really bad but there was no issue from Lexus to replace.

[teejaybee]

Hi

Well Lexus have decided that as it's a used five year old car they are not interested. This has come from the CEO of Lexus UK via his customer service department.

So much for the customer service excellence that Lexus seem to thrive on....

They have even tried to shift the onus onto the Lexus dealer I bought it from, outrageous. Lexus built the vehicle, it's quite well documented about corroding alloy wheels but still they won't accept some responsibility. It's not like I am asking for complete replacements, a token would be nice. So potential used Lexus buyers beware, just 'cos it's a Lexus doesn't actually mean exemplory customer service.

It's not what I was expecting from owning a Lexus, just goes to show you never know!

Kind regards to all

[steve2006]

Not good then.

My wheels are fine, there are no corrosion issues but there again they are Mitsubishi wheels which obviously are better made and more corrosion resistant than the ones produced for Lexus.

"In Pursuit of Perfection" Well almost but not including alloy wheels it seems.

[DanD]

I bought a Feb 09 / 58 plate RX400h a couple of months ago. While I was at dealership recently to get a mirror fixed, I pointed out that all 4 wheels showed signs of corrosion. The dealer was very helpful and responsive, took photos of all 4 wheels and sent these to Lexus UK, hoping that they would replace the wheels. The response was that they would not on the basis that the car was out of warranty. The car is at the dealership right now, having all wheels refurbished at the dealer's expense.

[teejaybee]

Sorry to hear that your dealings with Lexus UK have been the same as mine, their customer service stinks, thank goodness their dealers actually understand how to look after customers! I love my Lexus but will have to consider how I feel about "The Bosses" when I am ready to change.

In fairness to Bristol Lexus they refurbished my wheels somewhat.

[ColinBarber]

The RX400h wheels are a lot better than some of the older ones, e.g. IS200 wheels. The corrosion could have been started by scrapes, chips, bumps etc. so I'm not really surprised that Lexus won't refurbish them if they are over 5 years old, 2 years out of warranty and you're not the original owner.

[DanD]

Went to pick up my car this morning to be told that it was not there: the car was delivered back to the dealer yesterday, but they were not happy with the quality of the work and sent the car back to the workshop. I appreciate their thoroughness... just a shame that they forgot to let me know! - Still, I can't fault my local dealer (Southampton Hedge End). Sales and service staff have been very helpful.

[teejaybee]

The RX400h wheels are a lot better than some of the older ones, e.g. IS200 wheels. The corrosion could have been started by scrapes, chips, bumps etc. so I'm not really surprised that Lexus won't refurbish them if they are over 5 years old, 2 years out of warranty and you're not the original owner.

I accept the age of the wheels but you can see when wheels have been scaped/curbed, these were not. I am only the second owner, not quite sure how the number of owners matter if there is a FLSH. I stand by what I've previously said that Lexus as a "Luxury" marque with an acknowledged high customer service dealer network can't emulate their dealers. Mazda were able to satify this customer in similar circumstances, Lexus UK were not, not even to a token offer towards the refurbishment costs. Make of that what you will, I know what I think. Love the car, not the maker!