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The only way to have a friend is to be one.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

I have been looking at many web sites and forums to find any and all known
and reoccurring problems with the car.  Any helpful input would be greatly
appreciated.

I have read that certain years had major problems with the air ride
suspension and many people had it converted to a regular suspension.
Problems were reported and fairly common with the instrument cluster circuit
board failure in some years.   I’ve read more than one post on different
sites where the gauges work intermittently or not at all when it’s cold and
then start working again when it warms up inside the car.

I’ve also read that the power steering pump can fail causing the alternator
fail also.  I have never heard of or read of any major engine or
transmission failures but it doesn’t mean that they don’t exist.

I know that no car is going to be perfect, and as a former Maintenance
Mechanic, I understand the complexities of machinery.   I know that any car
will require regular service and maintenance.   I also know that any car
part can fail for a variety of reasons.  I’m looking for patterns of failure
on certain parts for different years.

I’m trying not to be nit picking.  I’m just trying to decide what year or
years to stay away from that may have had some well-known and costly repair
problems.  And I know that the newer the car is, the less likely it will be
to have major problems.  I can’t afford a new Lexus LS 460 unfortunately.
Obviously the older the car is the cheaper it will be to buy it outright but
it may be wiser to choose a different year of car that has less known
problems.

Is what I have read true?  Do any of you agree that these are common
problems or just a fluke?  I’ve read many posts on these problems but that
doesn’t necessarily paint a true picture of known car problems when we are
taking about hundreds of thousands of units of cars built.  So what do you
think? Is this true?  Is it as commonplace as it appears?

I like the 2000 Lexus LS 4000 and the 2001Lexus LS 430

I don’t want to sound unappreciative, but I’m hoping we can stay on topic
with this thread.  I don’t like it when it turns into a flame war.

Thanks in advance for your input, suggestions and opinions.

news:k580135qkr0tgcvc1rb9jv2ood5d67sqev@4ax.com…

>I am contemplating the purchase of a new Lexus GS or ES.I take at
> least one 3000 mile roadtrip a year.  I would appreciate opinions (pro
> or con) on the navigation system. Is it worthwhile or is it just a
> very expensive option? Thanks.

> Alan

A GPS navigation system is a very convenient option, especially when
traveling on unfamiliar roads.  A navigation system is useful even on trips
that are less than 3,000 miles.  There are aftermarket options that are less
expensive to acquire and less expensive to update, but in my opinion, the
displays on many are too small to easily read.  I see many aftermarket
systems that are stuck to the windshield, and it seems like they would be
difficult to see in glare conditions, would obstruct the view out of the
windshield, and would invite theft.  The other advantage of a portable GPS
unit is that you can use it in more than one vehicle, even rental cars.

In auto magazine reviews, the Lexus navigation system is usually described
as one of the easiest to use, and I agree.  Visibility and clarity are good,
the in-dash installation looks much more integrated than one stuck to the
windshield, and satellite acquisition is much quicker than on my hand-held
portable unit.  On the negative side, you cannot input destinations while
the vehicle is moving unless you purchase an aftermarket kit that bypasses
the safety feature, the option is expensive, and update DVD’s are expensive.
—

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

A new battery and my LS 400 started right up, but the radio won’t work
nor will the interior trunk release or the electrical door locks.
Lights, windows, etc. all else seems fine.  I replaced the main Radio
fuse (which was burned) and the secondary radio fuse (which wasn’t) but
the radio, trunk release, etc is still dead.

Any suggesting greatly appreciated.

Joe

            I’d like to that everyone who took the time to answer my
questions.   I waited a few days to make sure that there wasn’t going to be
any additional posts.

 A quick follow-up.   These are what I found to be the most common and or
expensive repairs.

AC Controller LCD leaking or not working

Air ride suspension

Instrument cluster circuit board failure

Power steering pump can fail causing the alternator to also fail because of
where it’s located, directly above the alternator.

Starter failure.  This can be an expensive fix because it’s in a difficult
location to easily remove and replace. Is hard to access and is located in
between the cylinder banks (thanks Ray-O.)

None of these failures would keep me from buying an older low mileage Lexus
except for one.  I definitely would not buy a car that had an air ride
suspension because of know problems and because they are expensive to
maintain.

I found some very interesting posts about the Instrument cluster gauges and
know problems and fixes.  I will share what I found out in a new post soon.

Thanks again everyone!

Jeb

I know I can change it to the DVD source but there doesn’t seem to be an
option to play the sound from the Video source from the car speakers.
Can someone help??

Thanks,

J

Checked the 10A A/C fuse and it’s good. Belts are ok. The book, of course,
doesn’t mention this condition. Has anyone ever seen this ?  I know the A/C
isn’t working, but I figure maybe this blinking light might be a more
specific indicator of what might be the problem (like maybe something
cheaper than a new compressor.)

I’ve never had a problem with the system before.

I DID make the mistake yesterday of telling a friend that I’ve never had a
problem with the car other than the hesitation/firmware trans problem. Don’t
ever tell anyone that you’ve never had a problem with anything.

Has anyone heard anything about a 2008 equivalent
of the 400h?

Thanks

JKA