What do you think of the recent quality issues Lexus is enduring? My feelings are that any company is going to have some bumps in the road.. Then again, it's been happening for awhile and only seems to be getting worse. Is Lexus at a point where technology is costing more than usual? The new LS has wind noise. The RX has had transmission issues. People are questioning the build quality of the ES.

What's your opinion?

It's not just Lexus, it's getting to be like this with every company. I think these companies are trying to reduce costs by purchasing their products from a non reputable company.

It's unfortunate to see a company so strong like Lexus produce poor parts. I'm sure it'll get turned around in the future.

From what I've heard..... In Japan, there's a LOT of accountability. For example, if a Japanese car has a quality problem, the person responsible for that area actually hears about it - and is somewhat shamed.. This doesn't happen in most places.. However, the latest generation in Japan has been less concerned with this accountability. Again, this is just something I 'heard'. I also heard that they're working on fixing this situation...

Obviously these issues aren't making much of an impact, because I hadn't heard of a single one of those problems anywhere. Lexus' problems are TINY compared to the hideous reliability and poor build quality of the most recent Mercedes products.

Part of the issue with Lexus is that they have built up their quality to the point that even the smallest of problems sticks out like a sore thumb. I think that it's very possible they have switched to some "cheaper" suppliers, at least for the interior materials. When I look at the interior of the new IS, even compared with the first generation, it leaves a little to be desired. Alot of that is all those vast expanses of that stupid silver-gray plastic everyone's using these days.

Overall though, Lexus is still one of the best built most reliable cars on the road at any price.

Obviously these issues aren't making much of an impact, because I hadn't heard of a single one of those problems anywhere. Lexus' problems are TINY compared to the hideous reliability and poor build quality of the most recent Mercedes products.

Part of the issue with Lexus is that they have built up their quality to the point that even the smallest of problems sticks out like a sore thumb. I think that it's very possible they have switched to some "cheaper" suppliers, at least for the interior materials. When I look at the interior of the new IS, even compared with the first generation, it leaves a little to be desired. Alot of that is all those vast expanses of that stupid silver-gray plastic everyone's using these days.

Overall though, Lexus is still one of the best built most reliable cars on the road at any price.
You're right. And I HATE that silver-gray plastic garbage that everything feels the need to use lately.. I just hope they keep the cheap materials out of the better vehicles like the GS, LS and LX... Leave the cheap stuff for people who aren't paying for the good stuff..

Those problems are very tiny, I haven't heard of any of them either. Each company will run into a few bumps along the way.

I agre with the last few statements, these are minor problems. Although they shouldn't be over looked, they are nothing major.

Every company will have their ups and downs like stated above.... these are very minor issues.

Its a lack of focus. One company (Toyota) doing too much, too soon. They have two options:

1. Grow faster, at the expense of quality.
2. Slow down, reel in quality control.

Its a lack of focus. One company (Toyota) doing too much, too soon. They have two options:

1. Grow faster, at the expense of quality.
2. Slow down, reel in quality control.
That's a good point. With Toyota now making Toyotas, Lexus' and Scions, it's no wonder they're running into problems. I think Scion is doing really well for them - but I think maybe Lexus is suffering a bit...

It's the same thing that happened when Daimer overtook Chrysler. They focused so much of their energy on rebuilding the image and quality of the Chrysler brand, that the Mercedes brand began to seriously falter throughout the late 90's and early 00's. 1996-2006 was one of the most disastrous periods ever for Mercedes-Benz.

It's the same thing that happened when Daimer overtook Chrysler. They focused so much of their energy on rebuilding the image and quality of the Chrysler brand, that the Mercedes brand began to seriously falter throughout the late 90's and early 00's. 1996-2006 was one of the most disastrous periods ever for Mercedes-Benz.
Is that what happened to Mercedes? that's such a shame because I love those S430s and S500s...

Is that what happened to Mercedes? that's such a shame because I love those S430s and S500s...

Yes, even Mercedes admitted in 2006 that they had faltered seriously in the quality department and that they vowed to do everything in their power to restore their customer's trust and faith in the product.

Sadly the W220 S-Class you're talking about, while a beautiful car, is probably the worst MB product in recent history. It is so bad, that MB salespeople themselves will tell you to stay away from it (which is what happened when I went in to buy a used car at an MB dealer here). They don't want the bad rep associated with selling that car to a customer.

Yes, even Mercedes admitted in 2006 that they had faltered seriously in the quality department and that they vowed to do everything in their power to restore their customer's trust and faith in the product.

Sadly the W220 S-Class you're talking about, while a beautiful car, is probably the worst MB product in recent history. It is so bad, that MB salespeople themselves will tell you to stay away from it (which is what happened when I went in to buy a used car at an MB dealer here). They don't want the bad rep associated with selling that car to a customer.
Wow, that's incredible... At least they're cool enough (in most cases) to give you that advice... Such a shame because those are (to me) the most beautiful luxury cars on the planet. Well, besides Bentley and Rolls Royce - but that's different...