Lexus LS 2004 News

Lexus' image has been battered this week by engine and steering problems in a year of rolling quality concerns over its cars and those of Toyota.  In Australia, Toyota says problems with the Lexus V6 and V8 engines were not subject to a recall "but that may change next week". Customers in Japan have reported that the engine stalls and is hard to restart. Lexus says the problem is with the engine's valve springs. It affects about 1200 Lexus cars in Australia.  The second Lexus issue is an official recall over steering problems on two models, including its $244,000 LS600h hybrid flagship. Lexus reports that the there was a problem with the car's computer system that controls the steering. It says no accidents had been reported relating to the issue but on this issue alone it was recalling 11,500 cars globally and 37 in Australia.  Lexus says the problem centres on the computer-controlled, variable power steering unit. It says some owners reported that after manoeuvring at low speed with the steering wheel in full-lock position, the steering wheel remains in an off-centre position even though the front wheels are straight.  The company says that this phenomenon is resolved automatically in a few seconds and the driver may notice this correction as the steering wheel centre moves slowly by itself to the centre position. Toyota admitted the issue had been under internal investigation since March after recieving 10 customer complaints from Japanese owners.  It follows the announcement that some V6 and V8-engined models may have an engine problem that could lead to stalling and a dificulty in restarting. "Improperly functioning valve springs have been found in some Lexus engines and there is a small possibility that abnormal engine noise or unstable idling may occur," it said in a statement.  "In very rare instances, there is a chance that the engine may stop. There have been no reported accidents related to this issue." Models affected are the Lexus GS450h, GS460, LS460 and LS600h models that range in price from $127,000 to $244,000.

The electronic control units are needed to address a recall notice issued last week for 11,500 of the Lexus flagship sedans.  Less than 40 of those vehicles are in Australia, with only 15 of those sold and on the road.  The recall was issued due to a defect in the steering system that could leave the steering wheel off-centre by up to 90 degrees after it had been turned to full lock in manoeuvres such as a sharp corner or U-turn. “If the driver has fully turned the steering wheel to full lock and then very quickly attempts to turn it back to the centre position, the steering wheel may temporarily become off-centred before automatically returning to the centre position within 1-5 seconds,” Lexus says.

Speaking just prior to the Tokyo motor show, Lexus Australia boss John Roca says the self-restoring topcoat is extremely resistant to everyday surface scratches and can also heal them. The paint – which will be on the LS 600hl and also on the LS 460 – contains elements that give it more denseness and elasticity, and results in it rebonding when small scratches are inflicted. Roca says the paint will not be an optional extra.  “We don’t charge an additional cost for any paint, so I’m assuming this will be standard on the cars,” he says. "The cost will be rolled into the price of the car.  It will be interesting to see what it does to the price of the car, but it’s bound to be less than a respray bill.” Roca says that while the paint will be available only the LS 600hl and LS 460 for now, he expects it to spread across the range as models are updated.  “When we introduce something like this, it doesn’t take long for it to spread. Maybe about two years,” Roca says. And he agrees that if it proves popular with Lexus buyers, it won’t be long before other carmakers will be trying to offer something similar.

But no more. In the latest 2009 quality survey, it has lost its top ranking to Buick and Jaguar. Both the US and British brands tied for number one spot, pushing Lexus into third spot. In the 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study, Buick improves from a sixth-place ranking in 2008, while Jaguar improves from 10th spot. Following in the top five rankings this year are Lexus, Toyota and Mercury. Despite losing out on number one overall, Toyota garners five segment awards-more than any other nameplate in 2009 for the Prius and Highlander SUV, Sequoia SUV, Solara (a Camry model) and Tundra pickup. Lexus follows with four segment awards for the ES330 (in a tie with the Acura RL), GX470, LS430 and SC430. Lincoln captures two awards for the Mark LT and Zephyr. Various models by Acura (Honda's luxury brand), Buick, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Mercury, Nissan and Scion each rank highest in one segment. “Buick has ranked among the top 10 nameplates each year since the study was last redesigned in 2003, while Jaguar has moved rapidly up the rankings,” according to David Sargent, vice president of automotive research at J.D. Power and Associates. “Lexus remains a very strong competitor in long-term quality. “In particular, the Lexus LS 430 sets the industry standard for dependability, with fewer problems reported than any other model in the study.” The study, which measures problems experienced by original owners of three-year-old (2006 model year) vehicles, has been redesigned to include 202 different problem symptoms across all areas of the vehicle. Overall dependability is determined by the level of problems experienced per 100 vehicles, with a lower score reflecting higher quality. The study is used extensively by vehicle manufacturers worldwide to help design and build better vehicles-which typically retain higher resale values-and by consumers to help them make more-informed choices for both new and used vehicles. Sargent says that in the current economic climate, consumers are delaying new-vehicle purchases and keeping their vehicles longer. The average age of a vehicle at trade-in in the US has increased to 73 months in 2009 from 65 months in 2006. “This makes vehicle dependability even more critical,” he says. “Automakers have improved long-term dependability by an average of 10 per cent each year since the inception of the study, which is a testament to the industry's commitment to continuously improve and sustain quality, especially long-term quality. “Making improvements in long-term quality not only satisfies customers who are holding onto their vehicles longer, but it will also influence their decisions when they return to the new-vehicle market or are seeking to purchase a pre-owned vehicle.” The study finds that the frequency and severity of component replacement has a particularly strong impact on customer loyalty intentions. Component areas for which the impact is greatest include engine and transmission. When engine components are replaced or rebuilt, just 11 per cent of customers state that they definitely intend to purchase or lease another vehicle of the same make, compared with almost 40 per cent among owners who report replacing no components. The study also finds that Buick, Lincoln, Mercury and Jaguar owners are less likely to replace components than owners of other vehicle brands. While component replacement rates are similar for premium and non-premium makes, there are notable differences between segments. Owners of models in the premium sporty vehicle segment are least likely to replace components, while owners of models in the van segment are most likely to replace components. The 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study is based on responses from more than 46,000 original owners of 2006 model-year vehicles. The study was fielded in October 2008.

The right car and a bit of fear can do a great job of clearing a congested road, even in a city as crowded as Tokyo.There is an unwritten law about making space for big black or white limousines — usually a Mercedes-Benz S-Class or a Lexus LS — when you see them pushing their way through traffic.If you see one of these cars blocking a driveway or parked on a corner, it's best to drive on by.That is what the locals do — because Mr Average really does not want to cross paths with whoever might be inside the luxury Lexus or blitzer Benz.It's the same for me. I like my life. One time, crawling along at 15km/h in heavy city traffic, I spot three black S-Class limos in my rear-view mirror and watch as they thread their way through the congestion.Their precision at maintaining single-file formation and their ability to block both lanes by straddling the centre white lines is as eye-popping as it is educational.Yet no one gets upset. No one honks a horn. No one thinks about calling the police.When members of Japanese criminal society yakuza are on the move, you let them go.But why do they choose the cars they do and what is their car culture?The best idea was to sit with someone from the yakuza and ask, but that is something a Japanese writer would never even consider.Why? Because Japanese think it's too direct or even rude to ask such a question.But a foreigner, even one with fluent Japanese after 20 years in the country, has more licence.There are still rules and you can plead ignorance, but you have to be aware that if you cross paths with this underworld society you had better know when you can ask questions and when to shut up and move on.After many weeks of tip-toeing around potential cross-cultural minefields and careful diplomacy to locate a possible candidate, one yakuza boss finally agreed because, as I understood it, he was intrigued with the foreign media.Fighting back the urge to ask him whether he'd seen Michael Douglas's yakuza movie Black Rain, or if he watched the TV series The Sopranos, we agreed to meet in a park in Tokyo.I could tell you the exact location, but then I'd have to kill you. Just kidding.We spoke about cars, brands, status and driving, and his candid replies were unexpected.These guys were not packing weapons, of course, because in Japan the yakuza don't normally carry guns.Even so, the extent of their politeness and concentration on my questions was a surprise.“So, why do you drive an S-Class Mercedes?” I ask.As expected, the boss talks about Mercedes' strong build quality, as well as the car's power and high status levels.“The S-Class has plenty of power, looks good on the road and has a lot of luxury inside. Nothing really comes close, except maybe a Lexus LS,” he said.After one obvious question and a straightforward answer, I push my luck a little.“So why do you use tinted windows?”Without any hint of irritation, he answers: “Because we like our privacy. It also pays when certain people (our rivals) cannot see inside our car.”I query: “But why choose left-hand drive?”He says: “They don't come in right-hand drive, so we settle for left.”That may have been the case 10 years ago in Japan, but now you can get an S-Class in right and left-hand drive.Still, these well-dressed gents will stay with left-hand drive because it commands more status — or generates more fear — and that is very effective at clearing a crowded road.Feeling comfortable with the interview, I ask how they practise for the tight formation driving I witnessed.“I'm not quite sure what you're talking about,” he said, and I realise I am pushing my luck and have used enough of his time.Bowing profusely, I thank the yakuza and humbly excuse myself.Japan is a country of extremes and that is reflected on the road.On the surface, people seem very polite and courteous. And most are.Even road rage is far less of a problem than in many Western countries.Japan is a land steeped in traditional and unwritten rules, and you have to know your place.If you're going to drive in Japan's mega-cities you need to be aware of an underworld organisation that lives a parallel existence to mainstream society.One day it might confront you, so knowing how to respond — or not — is one way to remain on the streets.As the yakuza boss says: “You have to know your place and show the right level of respect. Otherwise things can get out of hand, and quickly.”

To be launched here later this month, the car was chosen from a list of 28 nominated by journalists from 22 countries including Australia. The announcement was made at the New York International Auto Show. Jurors considered the LS 460 to be “classically luxurious, with modern execution, unquestioned quality and more than ample power”. A green alternative, the LS 600h hybrid will be released later this year. Cars are judged on a number of criteria including styling, quality, performance and safety. The top three contenders were the Lexus, Audi TT and the Mini. The TT won the design award, while Audi's RS4 won the performance car trophy and Mercedes-Benz E320 BLUETEC won the green car award. First winner of the three-year-old award was the Audi A6 in 2005, followed last year by the BMW 3 Series.