Rx400h - Electronic Fault P3016

[BMH]

I purchased a new RX400H last September and in general have been very pleased with my purchase.

Shortly after purchase however, I had a fault appear in the display on the dashboard which said 'check Hybrid system' and 'check VSC system', along with all the warning lights. The RAC (Lexus Assist warranty scheme) came out to check the fault and accessed the above fault code P3016 and were able to cancel the fault. Howver, the fault recurred on my way back that evening and the car was taken to the Lexus dealers who I understand changed out a sensor in a cell of one of the batteries.

The fault recurred a few times after that -between September and November - but each time either the RAC cancelled it and it stayed off, or it appeared and subsequently disappeared without any intervention. The car appeared to drive perfectly normally, even with the fault code up; perhaps because of this the service section at the dealership did not appear to consider it prejudicial or a safety hazard for me to continue to drive the car.

From November until last week, the fault never recurred. However, last week the fault re-appeared while driving on the motorway and quite scarily, shortly after that the vehicle lost power and cut out.

The RAC came out and once again were able to cancel the fault and the car appeared to be driveable. However, I had it recovered to the dealers who have had it for a week and have not been able to repeat the problem. They say they have never encountered the particular fault code, previously.

I'd be interested to know from anyone who has had this fault come up and the solution if you or your service company found a solution to the problem.

Thanking you in advance for your time in responding.

Brian

[billygarrett]

I purchased a new RX400H last September and in general have been very pleased with my purchase.

Shortly after purchase however, I had a fault appear in the display on the dashboard which said 'check Hybrid system' and 'check VSC system', along with all the warning lights. The RAC (Lexus Assist warranty scheme) came out to check the fault and accessed the above fault code P3016 and were able to cancel the fault. Howver, the fault recurred on my way back that evening and the car was taken to the Lexus dealers who I understand changed out a sensor in a cell of one of the batteries.

The fault recurred a few times after that -between September and November - but each time either the RAC cancelled it and it stayed off, or it appeared and subsequently disappeared without any intervention. The car appeared to drive perfectly normally, even with the fault code up; perhaps because of this the service section at the dealership did not appear to consider it prejudicial or a safety hazard for me to continue to drive the car.

From November until last week, the fault never recurred. However, last week the fault re-appeared while driving on the motorway and quite scarily, shortly after that the vehicle lost power and cut out.

The RAC came out and once again were able to cancel the fault and the car appeared to be driveable. However, I had it recovered to the dealers who have had it for a week and have not been able to repeat the problem. They say they have never encountered the particular fault code, previously.

I'd be interested to know from anyone who has had this fault come up and the solution if you or your service company found a solution to the problem.

Thanking you in advance for your time in responding.

Brian

Hi Brian

You seem to have exactly the same problem as I did. But the RAC were unable to cancel mine and I had a warning tone screeching at me making it unbearable to drive. However it didn't show any code number as far as I can remember.

Lexus Newcastle were very helpful but it ended after 6 months with me REJECTING the car and they persuaded Lexus to replace it with a brand new one in September with which I am very happy.

( I am now a bit nervous as it is the same age as yours). Does your model play DVD's on the front screeen?

They thought the fault was caused by water getting into the system where I had the roof rails removed, but I doubt it and even more so now if you have the same problem

I would reject the car if I were you. Do let me know how you get on.

Billy

[BMH]

I purchased a new RX400H last September and in general have been very pleased with my purchase.

Shortly after purchase however, I had a fault appear in the display on the dashboard which said 'check Hybrid system' and 'check VSC system', along with all the warning lights. The RAC (Lexus Assist warranty scheme) came out to check the fault and accessed the above fault code P3016 and were able to cancel the fault. Howver, the fault recurred on my way back that evening and the car was taken to the Lexus dealers who I understand changed out a sensor in a cell of one of the batteries.

The fault recurred a few times after that -between September and November - but each time either the RAC cancelled it and it stayed off, or it appeared and subsequently disappeared without any intervention. The car appeared to drive perfectly normally, even with the fault code up; perhaps because of this the service section at the dealership did not appear to consider it prejudicial or a safety hazard for me to continue to drive the car.

From November until last week, the fault never recurred. However, last week the fault re-appeared while driving on the motorway and quite scarily, shortly after that the vehicle lost power and cut out.

The RAC came out and once again were able to cancel the fault and the car appeared to be driveable. However, I had it recovered to the dealers who have had it for a week and have not been able to repeat the problem. They say they have never encountered the particular fault code, previously.

I'd be interested to know from anyone who has had this fault come up and the solution if you or your service company found a solution to the problem.

Thanking you in advance for your time in responding.

Brian

Hi Brian

You seem to have exactly the same problem as I did. But the RAC were unable to cancel mine and I had a warning tone screeching at me making it unbearable to drive. However it didn't show any code number as far as I can remember.

Lexus Newcastle were very helpful but it ended after 6 months with me REJECTING the car and they persuaded Lexus to replace it with a brand new one in September with which I am very happy.

( I am now a bit nervous as it is the same age as yours). Does your model play DVD's on the front screeen?

They thought the fault was caused by water getting into the system where I had the roof rails removed, but I doubt it and even more so now if you have the same problem

I would reject the car if I were you. Do let me know how you get on.

Billy

Thanks for your response.

My model does not have the DVD facility.

I have the car back with me now. The Service Manager at Twickenham assures me that the car has been throughly checked and there are no faults. If the fault occurs again, they say they can do better diagnostics if the fault has not been cancelled (by the RAC), as they can then recover better information on the fault

condition.

I am in the process of writing to Lexus GB to say that I am not happy with the situation, particularly, as the problem will in all probability recur as the car ages.

Regards

Brian

[billygarrett]

I purchased a new RX400H last September and in general have been very pleased with my purchase.

Shortly after purchase however, I had a fault appear in the display on the dashboard which said 'check Hybrid system' and 'check VSC system', along with all the warning lights. The RAC (Lexus Assist warranty scheme) came out to check the fault and accessed the above fault code P3016 and were able to cancel the fault. Howver, the fault recurred on my way back that evening and the car was taken to the Lexus dealers who I understand changed out a sensor in a cell of one of the batteries.

The fault recurred a few times after that -between September and November - but each time either the RAC cancelled it and it stayed off, or it appeared and subsequently disappeared without any intervention. The car appeared to drive perfectly normally, even with the fault code up; perhaps because of this the service section at the dealership did not appear to consider it prejudicial or a safety hazard for me to continue to drive the car.

From November until last week, the fault never recurred. However, last week the fault re-appeared while driving on the motorway and quite scarily, shortly after that the vehicle lost power and cut out.

The RAC came out and once again were able to cancel the fault and the car appeared to be driveable. However, I had it recovered to the dealers who have had it for a week and have not been able to repeat the problem. They say they have never encountered the particular fault code, previously.

I'd be interested to know from anyone who has had this fault come up and the solution if you or your service company found a solution to the problem.

Thanking you in advance for your time in responding.

Brian

Hi Brian

You seem to have exactly the same problem as I did. But the RAC were unable to cancel mine and I had a warning tone screeching at me making it unbearable to drive. However it didn't show any code number as far as I can remember.

Lexus Newcastle were very helpful but it ended after 6 months with me REJECTING the car and they persuaded Lexus to replace it with a brand new one in September with which I am very happy.

( I am now a bit nervous as it is the same age as yours). Does your model play DVD's on the front screeen?

They thought the fault was caused by water getting into the system where I had the roof rails removed, but I doubt it and even more so now if you have the same problem

I would reject the car if I were you. Do let me know how you get on.

Billy

Thanks for your response.

My model does not have the DVD facility.

I have the car back with me now. The Service Manager at Twickenham assures me that the car has been throughly checked and there are no faults. If the fault occurs again, they say they can do better diagnostics if the fault has not been cancelled (by the RAC), as they can then recover better information on the fault

condition.

I am in the process of writing to Lexus GB to say that I am not happy with the situation, particularly, as the problem will in all probability recur as the car ages.

Regards

Brian

Well the good news is that mine must be the new 2007 model so I shouldn't have that problem again!

The bad news is that yours may be the 2006 model that I had and it will probably occur again!!!

Lexus spent 4 or 5 months trying to find the fault and gave up and gave me a new car. I believe Lexus UK still haven't found the intermittent fault ( they think it is water damage) and may have to scrap the car!!! My dealer agreed that it was dangerous to have it on the road as it happened to him and the power steering went off!!! Foruantely I was either stationary or moving off when it happened to me!

I have to say the customer service from Lexus Newcastle was first class. They provided me with a replacement quality hire car for several weeks, which must have cost a fortune and collected and delivered the cars. It is a 200 mile round trip to Newcastle!

But now I am a very happy bunny :)

Billy