I purchased a 2000 Toyota SUV. And subsequently had the vehicle go into sudden complete irreperable engine failure while driving on a busy road. It had been a "recall", or service bulletin that the item was a "gel" problem (or sludge) with the oil in the make and model of the car. Although this was a known problem, Lexus of monterey claimed that they'd never seen such a thing and that the vehicle needed $400 worth of diagnostics to see what the problem was. On the advice of my usual auto mechanic, I contacted Lexus and reported a possible "gel" problem. Lexus immediately sent someone out to check the vehicle and pronounced it the manufacturers' problem that had been sent out as a notice to owners of the automobiles. They paid for a new engine, and also advised us that all incedintal would be covered. Lexus of monterey peninsula decided that they wanted the $400 for the diagnostics, and would not pay any costs for a replacement vehicle, as promised in the notice Lexus sent us. Lexus of monterey has my vehicle, and I am refusing to pay the diagnostic costs. I am asking for my auto, free of encumberances, and would like costs of retreiving a replacement vehicle to be covered at their expense.

- Scotts Valley, CA, USA

Traveling 60 mph on merit pky Connecticut, the fluid leaked out of a blown gasket in the transfer box to the rear wheel drive. The rear wheels locked up and car skidded 150 ft and spun. A miracle no cars or barriers were hit. Mother suffered nerve damage from being twisted. Had car towed directly to dealer. The dealer - Lexus of englewood NJ, made an attempt to pay off lease and lease a new car but did not follow through with their offer. They treated us horribly!!! they gave us no information on what happened to the truck and through a mired of lies and nasty phone calls from them, we have decided to buy a Mercedes ML350. I will never drive a Lexus again and am currently proceeding with litigation against Lexus and Lexus of englewood NJ. I've searched the internet for similar problems but found none. This incident, I believe was an original defect or caused by the incompetence of the service department of Lexus of englewood. The service manager john lomando has deceived, lied and been down right nasty to us. The truck was serviced on time every service with Lexus of englewood.

- Dumont, NJ, USA

My wife noticed a check engine light on as she was driving to work. She called me on the cell phone and we took the car to Lexus of clearwater. I recieved a phone call saying they had detected sludge in the engine and it would need to be fixed. They told me they might cover it under warranty because it was a known issue but they would call me back. I also checked the website and Lexus knows of the problem and says they will stand 100% behind the customer for 8 yrs and unlimited miles. No other requirenment is listed. Melissa the service person said she wanted me to talk to mark the regional guy from Lexus because they were not going to cover it and the repair would be from 8K-12K!!!! I told them they were crazy because we have had every major service required by Lexus and that oil does not just break down in a 3 year old car. Mark told me he had a hard time covering this because we were overdue by 5K on the oil change. I explained if they had know of a sludge problem 8,000 miles ago when they changed the oil why did we not get notified. Regardless I told them a cars engine is not ruined because a person drives a few thousand extra miles. I told him the car is 3 years old and we were returning the car in March 28 at the lease expiration. He told me he could get it waived for me if I spoke to the sales manager about purchasing another Lexus. I told him I was not ready to purchase anothe car and did not want the pressure of having to buy a new car to get something fixed that should be fixed for free. I then called Lexus customer service and noted a complaint. The girl I believe denise told me she was going to look again over the file and ask marc for a customer good faith repair. I called yesterday and left a msg for marc and called Lexus again today. So far I have no response. I was a Lexus fan but this has ruined my day

- Clearwater, FL, USA