RX450h power steering issue

[dandydons]

My wife's 2009 rx450h has developed an intermittent power steering problem . The check power steering light comes on and the steering becomes very heavy as in undriveable and very scary when it happens . Switching off engine and back on again brings the power steering back into operation but doesn't last long. First time it happened twice about 2 weeks ago then seemed OK until a couple of days ago when it was happening almost  constantly . Managed to drive home with a lot of stop starts  and called recovery who admitted he had no idea about hybrids but suggested possibly a sensor of some kind , electrical fault , maybe ecu unit, maybe bit of dirt , maybe an earthing issue . In other words he didn't really know . Car has covered 125k miles has a full lexus history but is out of warranty . I really don't want to get it towed to Lexus dealers who will No doubt rob me blind . Phoned my local mechanic who has recommended an electrical specialist so booked in for diagnostics next Monday . My question is should I be selling one of my children to pay for likely repair cost ? Anyone had similar experience or any suggestions ? Cheers 

[GrahamG]

Have no experience of this but have you tried the USA owners website because there are far more of these vehicles over there.

A Lexus main agent will have full Toyota Techstream software to read any codes stored and that would be my starting point.

[dandydons]

Thanks Graham . I did have a brief look and came across some mention of a similar problem but the issue seemed to be related to interference caused by installation of aftermarket HID lights . Not the case with my wife's car which is standard lights . If the local guy can't diagnose will have to go to dealers but have had a few run ins with them before so would rather avoid if possible . Cheers , Kev

[dandydons]

Update : local electrics specialist has advised that car needs a complete new steering column . He stated it is an internal fault showing as a torque sensor but says that is integral to the motor and is connected to the power steering ECU so am now in position where I bite the bullet and put into dealers ( cost of power steering column quoted as £2,800 inc vat but not inc fitting or trying to source the correct parts second hand . This local guy would fit a second hand one but suspects it would need coded by Lexus and may well immobilise the car so doesn't sound like a great option. Also not sure of the part number for steering column . Any suggestions as to the way forward ? And any assistance with part numbers appreciated . 

[Silversalmon]

Oh dear, that sounds a bit of a sore one. Hopefully someone on this forum could tell you how feasible a second hand one would be. Can't believe how technology has marched on and that a steering column needs coded to a car. The price of technology. I've just bought my 2010, I think I will spring for an additional 2 year warranty for £1000, it may well be a good investment. 

Really hope you get a reasonable quote to fix it. 

 

Ed

[dandydons]

1 hour ago, Silversalmon said:

Oh dear, that sounds a bit of a sore one. Hopefully someone on this forum could tell you how feasible a second hand one would be. Can't believe how technology has marched on and that a steering column needs coded to a car. The price of technology. I've just bought my 2010, I think I will spring for an additional 2 year warranty for £1000, it may well be a good investment. 

Really hope you get a reasonable quote to fix it. 

 

Ed

Thanks Ed . Car was towed to Lexus Edinburgh today so will see what they come up with but not expecting good news.  Yes the warranty sounds like a bargain when faced with repair costs like this one totally out of the blue. Am now thinking of getting one for the ISF . Cheers , Kev 

[david foster]

Hi,

Although yours is an old item from January '17 can you advise as to how you got on with Lexus Edinburgh as I this has happened to me on a couple of occasions.  When it has happened it has been very short, no more than a second or two and I have not noticed a warning light.  I am not aware as to whether these instances from a few months ago will be in any ECU memory.

I have an extended warranty and would be glad to know how you got on before I go to a dealership.

Cheers

Dave

[dandydons]

Hi David - Lexus did diagnostics and all they did was update software and that seemed to clear the problem - was pleasantly surprised with the bill of around £250 since I was at their mercy really having no warranty and was expecting the worst ! Sadly my wife had lost confidence in the car and we traded it in a month later  . I would think you should be ok with warranty - certainly hopefully you get it all sorted since pretty scary when it happened . 

[mafp]

Hi.

I was jus wondering if the fault with your RX450h was fixed. and what was the fix in the end?

[dandydons]

Lexus dealer carried out some kind of software update and that seemed to sort the issue but like I said above my wife had lost confidence in the car so it was traded in a month later . Hope that helps . 

[mafp]

Thanks for sharing!