NHTSA Complaint #11279267 — 2005 LEXUS RX

THE RX330 WAS SEEN AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AROUND 121,000 MILES FOR BRAKE PADS AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE & INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THERE WAS A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK AND IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE RACK/PINION TO A TUNE OF AROUND $2,000! THE SERVICE WAS DECLINED AND THE OWNER WAS INFORMED IT MIGHT BE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE STEERING COULD LOCK UP, MAKING IT MORE PROBABLE FOR AN ACCIDENT TO OCCUR. AT PRESENT, THE OWNER IS ADDING PS FLUID TO THE VEHICLE WHEN IT RUNS LOW AND HOPING FOR THE BEST. A FEW MECHANICS HAVE COMMENTED THIS MIGHT BE THE LESS EXPENSIVE OPTION. HOWEVER, WITH A BROKEN RACK/PINION, IT MAKES THE VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT TO RESALE. MECHANICS ARE BECOMING MORE AND MORE AWARE OF THIS COSTLY MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE 2005 LEXUS. ONE MECHANIC COMMENTED THERE IS A WEAK SPOT IN THE R&P WHICH GIVES, CAUSING THIS PROBLEM.