2004 Lexus LX470 problems

“NORMAL DRIVING, THEN SUV BECAME VERY BOUNCY. AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING DEFAULT TO HIGHEST SUSPENSION LEVEL. NO SUSPENSION CHARACTERISTICS AT ALL GOING OVER BUMPS OR MAKING TURNS. THE WHOLE CAR WOULD SHAKE AND BOUNCE OVER ANY SLIGHT IMPERFECTION IN THE ROAD. THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WOULD TIP OVER GOING AROUND TURNS. FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED AT 10,000 MILES. AT THAT TIME THE DEALER REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY THE REAR SENSORS THAT HAD FAILED. BOUGHT THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER TODAY. THEY COMFIRMED THAT ONE OF REAR SENSORS HAVE FAILED AGAIN AND BOTH OF THE FRONT SENSORS HAVE FAILED. CAR HAS 48,700 MILES. *TR”

“--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.”

“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…”

“AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LEXUS LX470. DURING A VEHICLE STATE INSPECTION AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, RUST WAS DISCOVERED ON THE FRONT FRAME BY THE SWAY BAR AND BRACKETS AS WELL AS OTHER AREAS OF THE FRAME. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRACKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 178,000.”

“CHECK ENGINE ON WITH CODE P0171. THE CODE HAS BEEN ON FOR OVER 6 MONTHS WITHOUT ANY CAUSE/REASON. I HAVE WORKED WITH LEXUS AND FOLLOWED RECOMMENDATIONS FROM LEXUS WITHOUT ANY SUCCESS OF RESOLVING IT. LEXUS TOOK A FUEL SAMPLE IN AUGUST 2010 AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSES FROM LEXUS AS OF NOV. 15, 2010. SINCE THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT HAS BEEN ON REGARDLESS SINCE FEB. 20, 2010, THE FUNCTION OF "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT IS LOST. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE DRIVER WILL NO LONGER RECEIVE ANY WARNING OF ANY REAL POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 01/20/11 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE OXYGEN SENSOR NEEDED TO REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM.”