2004 Lexus LX

This is an amended report filing: --I brought the following issues to the attention of Lexus corporate customer care and after they reviewed the situation, they refused to offer any financial responsibility for correcting this serious safety issue even after I informed them that the same VGRS systems in the Lexus LS460, LS 460L, LS 600h, and LS 600hL were all recalled in 2010 and also the VGRS system in the 2013 Lexus GS 350F was also recalled. These recalls similarly involved off-center steering wheel problems related to the VGRS systems. The Lexus dealership technician said, and I quote, "that if this does not become resolved you will eventually lose your electric power steering which could be very dangerous." --The failure involved the vehicle steering system, specifically the Variable Gear Ratio Sterring (VGRS) Electronic Control Unite (ECU) has failed resulting in a severe alignment mismatch between the steering wheel and the front tires. In order for the front wheels to drive in a straight line, the steering wheel would be off center by anywhere from 20 degrees to 120 degrees. This made keeping the vehicle driving in a straight line very difficult. The malfunctioning VGRS ECU is available for inspection upon request. --The above description is self explanatory. If the steering wheel and the front wheels of the vehicle are completely mismatched, control and steering of the vehicle is significantly compromised. The increases the risk of loss of control of the vehicle, collision, and injury. --The above problem was diagnosed at an official Lexus dealership. --The vehicle and component was inspected, tested, and diagnosed at an official Lexus dealership. --The VGRS indicator light was active and the steering wheel alignment was progressively worsening over time.

NHTSA ID

11491072

Incident

Oct 19, 2022

--The failure involved the vehicle steering system. Specifically the Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) had failed resulting in a severe alignment mismatch between the steering wheel and the front tires. In order for the front wheels to drive in a straight line, the steering wheel would be off center by anywhere from 20 degrees to 120 degrees. This made keeping the vehicle driving in a straight line very difficult. The malfunctioning VGRS ECU is available for inspection upon request. --The above description is self explanatory. If the steering wheel and the front wheels of the vehicle are completely mismatched, control and steering of the vehicle is significantly compromised. This significantly increases the risk of loss of control of the vehicle, collision, and injury. --The above problem was diagnosed at an official Lexus dealership. --The vehicle and component was inspected, tested, and diagnosed at an official Lexus dealership. --The VGRS indicator light was active and the steering wheel alignment was progressively worsening over time.

NHTSA ID

11491070

Incident

Oct 19, 2022

While driving up I70 in colorado I experienced a fuel smell in the cab of the vehicle. When I stopped to see what the issue was I found fuel vapors coming out of the fuel door/gas cap. I replaced the gas cap and again experienced this issue. This leads me to believe the fuel evap system does not work correctly causing excessive fuel pressure in the gas tank, leading to pressurized fuel coming up out of the Gas cap. I google this issue and found this seems to be a comen problem that Toyota / Lexus has not addressed. This is a giant safety concern as well as an environmental concern that should be addressed. Fuel vapor under pressure is a fire risk and can be very dangerous. I took the vehicle to the dealer to fix and they said they have no history of this being an issue and that I would need to bring the vehicle in during the issue. Based on the below google results this is a very known issue for Toyota / Lexus that they simply do not want to recognize. I am hoping filling out this form will bring this dangerous condition to light so the dealer can correct the issue. Below are links to documented cases of the issue I experienced and some home remedies people have tried. https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/gas-tank-building-excessive-pressure-fuel-smell-dangerous-for-sure-why-does-this-happen.1214321/ https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/gas-tank-building-excessive-pressure-fuel-smell-dangerous-for-sure-why-does-this-happen.1214321/page-30 https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/100-caught-fire-gas-tank-venting-concerns.1018603/page-17

NHTSA ID

11466121

Incident

May 8, 2022

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON

NHTSA ID

11351999

Incident

Aug 23, 2020

I HAVE CONTACTED TWO LEXUS DEALERS ABOUT A RECALL FOR THE CURTAIN-SHIELD AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE. AFTER MONTHS NEITHER HAVE RECEIVED THE NECESSARY PARTS AND THEREFORE HAVE NOT REMEDIED THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11341247

Incident

Jul 24, 2020

Mileage

134,000 mi

SUSPENSION WILL NOT ADJUST AND THE OFF LIGHT KEEPS BLINKING

NHTSA ID

10544172

Incident

Sep 18, 2013

To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer. Consequently, the film should remain on the wheel for as long as possible.

The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage can occur. This damage is the result of actual etching of the paint and appears as pitting or water spots. As acid rain droplets on the vehicle surface evaporate, the concentration strength of the acid increases, causing deeper and more rapid damage. This evaporation and corrosive action also occur more rapidly on dark colored cars as direct sun heat increases. While Lexus paint quality, durability, and resistance to environmental factors is continuously being improved, it remains the responsibility of the dealer to protect and maintain the vehicle’s paint finish from the time of arrival at the dealership until retail delivery to the customer. In areas known for high frequency and/or concentration of acid rain, frequent vehicle washing during high heat or humidity periods will minimize the potential for paint damage caused by acid rain. It is further recommended that either reverse osmosis or deionized water be used to prevent water spotting. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin No. BO029-91. •The entire bulletin has been updated. Service Bulletin No. BO029-91 is obsolete

Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfaces can occur. Acid rain damage can typically be identified on vehicles by the presence of stains on the paint surface that resemble hard water spots. Unlike water spots however, acid rain damage cannot be removed by regular washing procedures. Also, because acid rain can etch and soften the paint, normal buffing or polishing repair procedures should not be attempted. This can cause further damage and result in visible depressions in the paint surface. The following are the three major categories of acid rain damage: •Minor damage: requires only buffing to repair. •Moderate damage: usually requires neutralizing, color sanding, and buffing. •Severe damage: extending beyond 1/2 mil of clearcoat on a pearl, metallic, or solid color, requires neutralization, sanding, and repainting. In cases where acid rain damage is minor, neutralization and buffing with a liquid-type paint finessing product may provide an adequate repair. Only specially formulated products outlined in this bulletin should be used for that purpose. Unfortunately, other than minor damage, there is no simple method of determining the actual extent (depth) of acid penetration other than color sanding a representative affected area until there is no visible etching or depressions, followed by measuring the amount of paint removed with either a magnetic or digital-type film thickness gauge. The procedures in this bulletin are intended for use by qualified body/paint technicians and should not be attempted by inexperienced personnel. While the quality and durability of paint on Lexus vehicles is continuously being improved, it remains the dealer’s responsibility to protect and maintain the quality of the vehicle’s paint finish after receipt at the dealership prior to the first sale. Perform frequent vehicle washing, as often as daily, during high heat and humidity periods to minimize the potential for paint damage due to acid rain exposure. This is especially important in geographical areas known for high frequency and concentration of acid rain and industrial fallout.

Lexus vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to remove the RapgardTM protective film within 90 days from initial application. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin No. L-PG004-94. •The entire bulletin has been updated.

Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surface. These particles are often difficult to see on dark color paints but can be easily felt when brushing a hand across horizontal body surfaces such as the hood, roof, or deck lid. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to clean vehicles that may have been subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles such as rail dust during rail transportation or extended storage near industrial areas.

Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surface. These particles are often difficult to see on dark color paints but can be easily felt when brushing a hand across horizontal body surfaces such as the hood, roof, or deck lid. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to clean vehicles that may have been subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles such as rail dust during rail transportation or extended storage near industrial areas.