2000 Lexus RX Suspension Problems

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, ON WET ROAD CONDITIONS, VEHICLE CONTROL WAS LOST. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VEER TO THE RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN IT COLLIDING WITH A PARKED VEHICLE. A PIECE OF METAL WAS OBSERVED ON THE GROUND AFTER THE INCIDENT. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED AN AIR BUBBLE IN THE METAL OF THE CONTROL ARM CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. THE SHOP REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM, STRUT, INNER AND OUTER TIE ROD, AND THE BOOT KIT.

DT: VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED FROM A HONDA DEALER IN TEXAS, BANXTEN HONDA. VEHICLE WAS JUST OUT OF THE FOUR YEAR WARRANT., HOWEVER, IT HAD POWER TRAIN WARRANTY LEFT. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING IN CALIFORNIA WHEN HE MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN AND THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION. VEHICLE PULLED VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT AND CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO TURN VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT WITH GREAT EFFORT TO AVOID A BIG TRUCK. VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP, AND CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE BALL JOINT ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE FAILED. CONSUMER HAS PHOTOGRAPHS OF THIS. INSURANCE HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER IN VAN NUYS CALIFORNIA, KEYES LEXUS. ALSO, MANAGER CHECKED ON VEHICLES SERVICE HISTORY AND FOUND THAT VEHICLE WAS SERVICED REGULARLY, AND THAT THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY WAS STILL IN AFFECT. VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 60,000 MILES ON IT. MANUFACTRURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND TOLD CONSUMER THAT DEALER SHOULD NOT DO ANY REPAIR UNTIL FACTOR INSPECTOR HAD A CHANCE TO DO AN INSPECTION ON VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT JULY 11, 2005. YESTERDAY, JULY 20, 2005, MANUFACTURER CONTACTED CONSUMER AND SAID THAT INSPECTION WAS DONE, AND MANUFACTURER WOULD PAY TO HAVE VEHICLE FIXED BECAUSE THE COMPONENT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY DEFECT WITH THE BALL JOINT. CONSUMER SAID THAT HE HAS FOUND THAT BALL JOINT HAD THE SAME PART NUMBER OF BALL JOINTS THAT THEY HAD ISSUES WITH THE FINISHING PROCEDURE FOR. RECALL ON A LEXUS GS 300 1993, RECALL WAS DATED APRIL 3, 1995, DEFECT SUMMARY STATED THAT SPHERICAL PORTIONS OF CERTAIN LOWER BALL JOINTS HAD FINISHED SURFACES THAT WERE NOT SMOOTH, CAUSING FRICTION WITH THE SURFACE OF THE BALL JOINT CAP. THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION OF BALL JOINT, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT. ALSO, SAYS TOYOTA HAS HAD OTHER ISSUES WITH BALL JOINTS USED IN PICKUPS AND SUVS. ALSO, ABOUT FINISHING. PART NUMBER FOR PART WAS L2020-146563. CONSUMER'S INECK AND SHOULDER WERE INJURED. *AK

REAR SUSPENSION BROKEN UPON IMPACT WITH ROAD DEBRIS.*MR THE VEHICLE TRAVELED AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND WOBBLED. THE REAR CONTROL ARMS WERE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER HAS THE OLD PART IN HIS POSSESSION. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE CONTROL ARMS WERE MADE OF THIN TUBING, APPROXIMATELY .6 INCHES IN OUTSIDE DIAMETER AND WELDED TOGETHER. THE CONTROL ARM BROKE RIGHT NEXT TO THE WELDING SPOT. *NM

VEHICLE OVERTURNED 3 TIMES DUE TO RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BREAKING. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

THERE IS A RATTLING NOISE ON THE RIGHT SIDE (GLOVE BOX AND/OR DASHBOARD) WHILE GOING OVER BUMPS AT AROUN 5-30MPH. ALSO, WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 50-65MPH, IF THE REAR WINDOWS ARE OPEN (FRONT WINDOWS CLOSED) THE AIR FLOW INTO THE CAR CAUSES A TERRIBLE "WIND FLAPPING" NOISE (UNBEARABLE TO EARS), AND THE CAR ALSO SHAKES.*AK