Heartbreak?

[JTOren]

Hello, fellow LC owners!

Writing here partially to vent and partially to seek advice/commiseration.

I finally decided to buy my first ever new car. Loved the LC, so my wife and I started saving up for one. Three weeks ago we finally had the full amount to buy it outright. Went with the base/LC trim in Underground. Even had some modifications planned (has to look cool, right?).

Everything was going great…for the first 6 days. Two weeks ago, with my odometer at 245 miles, my dash lit up with alerts (drive start control malfunction, check engine, system malfunction). My heart sank as I pulled into the service bay at the dealer.

About 5 days later, they finally diagnosed the problem as a faulty purge valve (part of the emissions system) and replaced it. They cleared the codes and told me my LC was back up and running. Awesome! That’s no big deal.

I picked her back up and all was right with the world again….until 15 minutes later. My dash lit up with the same alerts as before (drive start control malfunction, check engine, system malfunction). My heart sank even deeper this time as I pulled into the service bay at the dealer again.

This time I got the attention of the service director. He told me he’d make it his top priority. Three days later, and we still don’t have a diagnosis. I was able to fond out what codes are being thrown:

1. PO4F09C - Evaporative Emission System High Load Purge Line "A" Performance Low Low/Insufficient Flow
2. P04419C - Evaporative Emission System Incorrect Purge Flow Low/Insufficient Flow
3. P044673 - EVAP System Vent Valve Stuck Closed Actuator Stuck Closed

The service director told me they started a case with Toyota Technical Assistance (TAS) and they’re in the process of working with the technician to come to a solution.

I’m not exactly sure what that means other than the dealer has no idea what’s causing the problem. We love LC and want to enjoy it. But we also don’t want to pay a large chunk of money for something that we can’t trust or is constantly on the fritz. The lemon law is a real thing, but I really don’t want to go road unless I’m forced to.

So…if you were me, what would you do? Anyone out there had a similar experience? I know it’s just a car, but this process has taken a bigger hit to my psyche than I’d care to admit.

 

[Lineman]

Maybe just a guess, but I would check the fuel cap. Seems the cap might not be seated.?
Did you happen to fuel it just before the dash lit up?

 

[supernova]

truth be told, if I had the opportunity, I would ask them to buy back and replace or full money back (price plus tax)

 

[JTOren]

Maybe just a guess, but I would check the fuel cap. Seems the cap might not be seated.?
Did you happen to fuel it just before the dash lit up?

Good thought. In fact I did. I filled it up with premium on Friday night. The dash lit up on Saturday morning. I drove approximately 10-11 miles (20 minutes) between filling it up and when the dash lit up. Any idea if that matches the time frame of when the system may run checks for things like this?

 

[BuzzedOnTacos]

Hi, after 10 days of ownership, my 1958 had an issue that took two weeks to resolve. Toyota corporate was involved and ultimately it was a faulty center diff actuator. All covered under warranty. No other issues now, love my LC. Let the process happen and if you’re not happy after, yes, claim lemon law. The anxiety is real when it’s a brand new purchase. Good luck.

 

[JTOren]

truth be told, if I had the opportunity, I would ask them to buy back and replace or full money back (price plus tax)

Same thought here. Bigger question - if you actually got your money back, would you be brave enough to buy another LC?

 

[JTOren]

Hi, after 10 days of ownership, my 1958 had an issue that took two weeks to resolve. Toyota corporate was involved and ultimately it was a faulty center diff actuator. All covered under warranty. No other issues now, love my LC. Let the process happen and if you’re not happy after, yes, claim lemon law. The anxiety is real when it’s a brand new purchase. Good luck.

Hi, after 10 days of ownership, my 1958 had an issue that took two weeks to resolve. Toyota corporate was involved and ultimately it was a faulty center diff actuator. All covered under warranty. No other issues now, love my LC. Let the process happen and if you’re not happy after, yes, claim lemon law. The anxiety is real when it’s a brand new purchase. Good luck.

Appreciate the advice and support. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Lineman]

If my memory is right, there has been other LC owners on this forum that has experienced this same issue. And if memory serves me right, it was a loose fuel cap.
In addition, the fuel system pressurizes and a loose cap would interfere with the fuel system.

 

[supernova]

Same thought here. Bigger question - if you actually got your money back, would you be brave enough to buy another LC?

I have this issue with one of the doors not sitting flesh, after repeated tries to fix, they got it to about 1.5mm in spec, but I still see it. They shut me up by giving me the 10y/ 100K warranty. But still I am not happy and would sell it. The problem is I don't know what to get. This is the one I wanted but the door just sticks out as a sore thumb and now I am turned off by whole Toyota quality myth(only 2500 miles) . Thinking of GX550 but I just don't like the Lexus name brand. Maybe Bronco

 

[DoMoCruiser24]

Get a refund and move forward, especially if you have doubts about the platform.

Get another vehicle of your choice that will never have problems.

Easy.

 

[t3lcfe]

Hello, fellow LC owners!

Writing here partially to vent and partially to seek advice/commiseration.

I finally decided to buy my first ever new car. Loved the LC, so my wife and I started saving up for one. Three weeks ago we finally had the full amount to buy it outright. Went with the base/LC trim in Underground. Even had some modifications planned (has to look cool, right?).

Everything was going great…for the first 6 days. Two weeks ago, with my odometer at 245 miles, my dash lit up with alerts (drive start control malfunction, check engine, system malfunction). My heart sank as I pulled into the service bay at the dealer.

About 5 days later, they finally diagnosed the problem as a faulty purge valve (part of the emissions system) and replaced it. They cleared the codes and told me my LC was back up and running. Awesome! That’s no big deal.

I picked her back up and all was right with the world again….until 15 minutes later. My dash lit up with the same alerts as before (drive start control malfunction, check engine, system malfunction). My heart sank even deeper this time as I pulled into the service bay at the dealer again.

This time I got the attention of the service director. He told me he’d make it his top priority. Three days later, and we still don’t have a diagnosis. I was able to fond out what codes are being thrown:

1. PO4F09C - Evaporative Emission System High Load Purge Line "A" Performance Low Low/Insufficient Flow
2. P04419C - Evaporative Emission System Incorrect Purge Flow Low/Insufficient Flow
3. P044673 - EVAP System Vent Valve Stuck Closed Actuator Stuck Closed

The service director told me they started a case with Toyota Technical Assistance (TAS) and they’re in the process of working with the technician to come to a solution.

I’m not exactly sure what that means other than the dealer has no idea what’s causing the problem. We love LC and want to enjoy it. But we also don’t want to pay a large chunk of money for something that we can’t trust or is constantly on the fritz. The lemon law is a real thing, but I really don’t want to go road unless I’m forced to.

So…if you were me, what would you do? Anyone out there had a similar experience? I know it’s just a car, but this process has taken a bigger hit to my psyche than I’d care to admit.

I love my LC. Hope your LC is back to normal or the dealer will buy it back and replace the “perfect” one for you

 

[JTOren]

I have this issue with one of the doors not sitting flesh, after repeated tries to fix, they got it to about 1.5mm in spec, but I still see it. They shut me up by giving me the 10y/ 100K warranty. But still I am not happy and would sell it. The problem is I don't know what to get. This is the one I wanted but the door just sticks out as a sore thumb and now I am turned off by whole Toyota quality myth(only 2500 miles) . Thinking of GX550 but I just don't like the Lexus name brand. Maybe Bronco I can totally appreciate those small details that end up being Honestly, the Bronco was the first thought I had when this issue came up for me. Noise levels make me worried, but that’s just what I’ve heard. I’ve never driven one personally.

I have this issue with one of the doors not sitting flesh, after repeated tries to fix, they got it to about 1.5mm in spec, but I still see it. They shut me up by giving me the 10y/ 100K warranty. But still I am not happy and would sell it. The problem is I don't know what to get. This is the one I wanted but the door just sticks out as a sore thumb and now I am turned off by whole Toyota quality myth(only 2500 miles) . Thinking of GX550 but I just don't like the Lexus name brand. Maybe Bronco

I can totally appreciate those small details that end up being the focal point! I’m the same way. As for other cars, the Bronco was the first thought I had when this issue came up for me. Noise levels make me a little worried, but that’s just what I’ve heard. I’ve never driven one personally.

 

[JTOren]

If my memory is right, there has been other LC owners on this forum that has experienced this same issue. And if memory serves me right, it was a loose fuel cap.
In addition, the fuel system pressurizes and a loose cap would interfere with the fuel system.

Good to know. I’ll extend this information to the service department and ask them to check. I would be eternally grateful if that fixed the issue. Worth a shot!

 

[JTOren]

Get a refund and move forward, especially if you have doubts about the platform.

Get another vehicle of your choice that will never have problems.

Easy.

Appreciate that perspective. Just wish I liked something else as much as the LC! But fair point. The “fool me once” philosophy holds water here.

 

[JTOren]

I love my LC. Hope your LC is back to normal or the dealer will buy it back and replace the “perfect” one for you

Thanks for sharing! I’m drawn towards the buy back option. But, honestly, the process is kind of exhausting. I was really looking forward to the being on this side of the allocation/purchasing process.

 

[supernova]

I can totally appreciate those small details that end up being the focal point! I’m the same way. As for other cars, the Bronco was the first thought I had when this issue came up for me. Noise levels make me a little worried, but that’s just what I’ve heard. I’ve never driven one personally.

Take a chance for LC again if you get the option. Have not driven a bronco myself either so not sure. For me Lexus 550GX is a NO (just because of the peppy name brand). Also I have seen some good reviews on Honda Pilot(I think), if you want to go a bit smaller.
Personally if I did not hate the Lexus name and logo I would go with GX550

 

[JTOren]

Take a chance for LC again if you get the option. Have not driven a bronco myself either so not sure. For me Lexus 550GX is a NO (just because of the peppy name brand). Also I have seen some good reviews on Honda Passport, if you want to go a bit smaller.
Personally if I did not hate the Lexus name and logo I would go with GX550

Noted. Appreciate the feedback!

 

[Falconry]

Same thought here. Bigger question - if you actually got your money back, would you be brave enough to buy another LC?

Thanks for sharing this info and sorry to hear. All manufacturers are having major manufacturing issues now and I definitely think ford is much, much worse in terms of reliability. If they can’t figure it out and it were me, I’d do a buy back and test drive 4Runners, Rivian, Scout, and Honda pilot maybe? I don’t have a good answer there as I really like the LC and nothing else is similar except the 4 runner.

 

[EOD Guy]

IMO....... While any brand new vehicle should be good to go from the jump, stuff happens. Weather they fix it, buy it back etc......... and you decide on a different vehicle, you would run the same chance that the new vehicle would also have an issue.

I say go with whatever makes your smile biggest...... LOL

 

[Viktorv1961]

Is your LC manufactured in Toyota Motor Corporation's Tahara Plant or in Hino Motors' Hamura Plant? It should be on your window sticker. I saw a YouTube clip where an engineer questions QC in Hamura plant.