Lexus RX 2004-09 :: 2008 RX350 - When Turn The Key Steering Wheel Doesn't Adjust
Jun 23, 2016
I've had my 2008 RX350 for 2.5 yrs now and just love it! However, over the last 8 months or so, I've been having a strange annoying problem. And a few times, the car has left me stranded. What happens is I turn the key and my first indicator is that the steering wheel doesn't adjust and I know the car is not going to start. However, the radio may work, dash lights work, steering wheel is not locked. It seems entirely dead as if the battery is dead. The car may start 15 min later or may take 3 hours then decide to start.
A strange thing is, is the windows don't work following these episodes which normally signify a battery failure, however the battery is not very old, otherwise performs perfectly and the dealership tested it and say it's good. Because this is so intermittent, they couldn't re-enact the problem so I'm stuck with being stranded again....usually 6 weeks later. The dealership has no answers. I was lucky last night because the car started after 15 min. 6 weeks ago, I was stranded 50 miles away from home where I had to leave the car overnight after trying for 3 hours to get is started.
The next morning, it promptly started. I am at a total loss and it makes me nervous to drive. My husband who works for a chevy dealer and knowledgeable with cars is stumped. He asks the question, could there be a computer malfunction after so many starts which would answer the 6 wk consistency for which this happens? Should we just replace the battery even though we have no reason to suspect?
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I have a 2008 RX 350 and I am experiencing issues with turning the key ignition and having the steering wheel locked. It gets locked and after several attempts at jimmying the key it eventually starts. My concern is that if I keep this practice up I will damage my key. I have addressed this issue to the dealership and I was naive and trusted them with fixing the problem with my last maintenance visit. Thinking the the problem was solved I started to experience the same problem again. I was first told that it is possible the my key chains are too heavy which could of caused the problem but I lightened the load and still have this problem. I've read about this problem with other people but there doesn't seem to be a solution.
One thing I have noticed is that I tend to experience this problem during the cold weather. During warmer weathers I don't have issues with the key ignition being locked but now that it's cold I am having the problem again (not sure if this has to do with anything). Do I need to change a part out to fix this? I've also read that there can be dirt in the ignition which needs to be cleaned out. Will this work and if so how do I do clean it?
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My 2005 RX330 has 140,000 kms...and I am now witnessing frequent periods of hard steering. I even sometimes find that after I turn a corner, the steering wheel doesn't return back to straight as I move through the turn - I have to forcefully return the steering back to straight steering. There is plenty of power steering fluid, and there are no abnormal whining noises from the power steering assembly. And since the ease of power steering does still work...I suspect that a ball joint needs looked at.
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I just purchased an 07 RX 350 with a salvage title. I'm going to fix it up and drive it but I'm trying to figure out why it won't start. It was hit in the front driver side corner, bent the radiator support and crushed the bumper and head light, but that is about the extent of the damage. I tried charging the battery and I get power inside and the other headlight seems very bright, but when I try to turn it over, I can hear what I think is the fuel pump engage but the engine doesn't turn over and there is no noise from the starter. Is there a sensor or something that would be stopping it?
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I LOVE my new 2015 RX. I took delivery just a few weeks ago (07/11/14) and just hit the 1K mark! This car is so nice, and solid I truly am so happy and proud to have it.
One little *little* thing that I did notice.. is that over the past few days.. I notice that when I get in the car, or exit.. and the automated tilt steering wheel moves up or down, it make a very loud, and defined "squeak" noise. Specifically happens in the lower end, (i.e. when the wheel is near the bottom of the travel, as I have the wheel set to the lowest setting). the upper part of the travel seems fine.
Is this something I can fix myself with grease of some type? I would hate to have to block off a day, take to the dealer, get a loaner car.. and then go back etc.. plus.. I hate going to the dealer.. I am of the mindset that they generally cause more issues. (What if they scratch something, sit on the edge of my leather seats and make creases, etc.. ) so, if there is a way I can fix it.. I am all for it.
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My lexus rx350 is not starting anymore. It was working fine till the day before. I couldn't start it 3 days ago. I felt the steering wheel was stuck. Next day it even was displaying that "steering wheel locked."I tried again but it didn't start. I read on this forum and tried to turn steering wheel right and left, while start mode on. Steering wheel didn't give away after trying vigorously, so i hit the start button and it did give away but car still didn't start.
My joystick for the navigation was shaking. The indicators on the display were vibrating. After 30 seconds or so it stopped on its own. then It started showed "check AWD system" message.
I am still unable to start the car.. Is my battery dying?(other things like navigation, music etc. are still working) would it be risky to try jump start if battery is not dead yet?
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I have a 2004 4x4, 5.4l auto. the truck sits a lot during the summer due to me riding the motorcycle instead. After sitting for nearly 3 weeks, I fired it up and went to pull out of the driveway. I notice right away that the steering wheel was a lot harder to turn than usual. I've jacked the truck up and took the weight off the front tires, it turns back and forth like normal. when the weight is back on it, it's hard to turn again. I've checked the power steering fluid and its at the full level. I hear no noises coming from the pump. Am I looking at needing to replace the rack and pinion or is there possibly another issue that can be causing this.
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Runs into a problem with steering wheel not wanting to return back to straight after a turn...spray wd40 on u joints on steering shaft ( under hood)....
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When I turn the steering wheel all the way one way the truck dies and I was on the highway and getting off the highway and I was doing about 60 and put it in neutral and I was coasting and it died... when I put it in neutral the tach went down to idle then the needle went up to about 1500 and dropped back down to idle then the truck died.
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I have a '07 RX350. My steering wheel recently started having a squeaking noise when you turn it right, or left. This has nothing to do with the motor to extend or retract. You can hear the noise when you turn it ever so slightly back and forth (whether car is running, or not). I have seen other threads that talk about a grommet needing greese between the steering wheel and column, but not enough detail for me to determine what they mean. Also, if that's the case, I am not sure how you get to tha area?
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I've got a 2007 rx 350. The steering wheel is locked and the key wont turn. I've tried everything, forcing the steering wheel left and right, forcing the gear shifter to neutral and moving the car. I even tried to spray some wd-40 on the key and then trying it.
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I started to notice a slight whine when I turn the wheel. My fluid is at low but it's pretty dark and I'm not sure if it was ever changed or when. I have 100k miles. What fluid should I use?
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Does this sound normal that sometimes the rear suspension with move/adjust itself after I turn off the car and then get out? One side appears to be slightly lower than the other as well, but both of the height adjusters underneath appear to be at the same level.
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My 08 gx just started making this weird noise when I have I'm leaving from a stop and have the wheel towards the right. It sounds like a rubbing noise. This doesn't happen when I have the wheel turned to the left. Only the right.
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I own an 08 Rx350 at 70k miles now. This is my first car ever; my parents bought it brand new and gave to me as gift after I graduated from college. I try to take good care of it; whatever the dealership tells me to replace, I replace it. I follow the maintenance schedule and owners guide to a T. I never really paid attention when my parents drove this car...but I don't know why my car vibrates when I get maybe above 60 mph and try to apply the brake. I do not brake hard and now I pretty much avoid applying brake and just let it glide. Is this normal? Whenever I visit the dealership they do a complete check up. All the check up results are normal;nothing wrong with tire trims, brake pads, suspension etc.
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I don't know how to turn on rear wiper on my lexus rx350 2007.
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I can't get an accurate reading on my dipstick of my '08 RX 350. I just tried after it sat all night and the oil is over the full marks. I just had the oil changed at Lexus and they used my 6 quarts of Mobil 1 and I told them not top it off to 6.5 quarts because I wanted to.
The tech said he did not add more than what I gave him. I just called Lexus and they said, yes it is difficult to get an accurate reading for some reason. He said check when the oil is warm and has sat for 5 minutes. Any others have trouble reading the oil dipstick accurately?
'08 RX 350 Flint mica/ blk 84,000 miles
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Have a 2008 RX350. It is our first Lexus product. The dashboard has begun to crack. Now has 4 cracks of various sizes. Contacted Lexus they said too bad. This should not happen to a Luxury vehicle. Sure makes the interior look like crap.
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Was wondering, there is a crack in their shifter bezel?
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How to disable the seat belt alarm on a 2008 Lexus RX 350? I tried the "reset odometer" method and that doesn't work. I also took the car to a Toyota dealer and a former Lexus technician could not disable it via computer. This alarm is annoying!
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Bought our first Lexus, 2008 Rx350 in March of 2012. Was fed up with our 2010 Ford Escape. Bought the Lexus because of their quality reputation. Shortly after purchase cracks began to appear in the dash. Now have 5 cracks and chunks are beginning to fall off. Contacted Lexus. Even though they know that they have a problem with the dashes they will do nothing.
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