NHTSA Complaint #10670365 — 2007 LEXUS RX350

SHORTLY AFTER BUYING THE VEHICLE USED (ONE PREVIOUS OWNER), UPON COLD START A LOUD RATTLING NOISE COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS. TOOK TO A TOYOTA/LEXUS DEALERSHIP FOR ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, VEHICLE INSPECTION, AND ASKED THE TECHNICIANS TO ALSO ADDRESS THE NOISE. WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY COULDN'T REPRODUCE IT, AND THAT IT SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM. DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY IN GREATER MILWAUKEE, THE CAR STOPPED FUNCTIONING. AFTER VISITING A LOCAL MECHANIC, THEN LATER RESORTING TO A LEXUS DEALERSHIP, FOUND THAT THE VVT BOLTS HAD FRACTURED. ALL OF THIS IS EXACTLY AS OUTLINED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN 13V395000. NOW WE HAVE A DEAD LUXURY SUV DUE TO AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM, BUT LEXUS WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY RESOLUTION TO THEIR KNOWN PROBLEM, EVEN WITH PHYSICAL EVIDENCE (PHOTOS, AND FAILED PARTS STILL IN HAND).