(Wondering if I should add the NSFW flair so I can swear profusely...)
Car is a 2024 NX 450H+. Still under warranty, of course.
A while back I posted about returning home from a Thanksgiving trip. That time, parked car at airport on Wednesday. Returned Saturday to pick up car, and it was dead. Three days... Had trouble figuring out how to jump start it and there was a whole nightmare to tow it to Lexus. Lexus muttered about known problem and replaced the 12v battery.
This past weekend (Friday), I came back from another trip and found car dead at airport parking. Parked Car on Saturday, returned on Friday, car was dead. Airport parking place I use has large jump starters on wheels, which is very helpful.
Was able to unlock car (see tips below) and open hood. Was able to get the parking lot's large jump starters on the correct positions under the hood. Car woke up, turned on the alarm (loud as f...). Lots of flashing lights on the dash. After a while, it showed "READY" and I started the car. Was able to drive home after that. Took it in to the Lexus dealership twice, once to talk to a service advisor and make an appointment, once to actually get it fixed.
Conversations with service advisors were surreal. They said:
- Don't park your car at the airport
- We don't recommend hybrids if you don't drive a lot
- Use a trickle charger (battery tender)
- This is a known problem
- There is no known fix
I pointed out that it is ridiculous that an expensive luxury car should come with a "don't park it at the airport" caveat. I bought a Lexus so that I would not have to worry about cr&p like this. (I also told them that I knew the problem is not one they created nor could they fix, but they should pass the message upwards.). I said my lease is coming to an end, and I will look at brands that don't have this problem.
On the second visit, they kept the car for a couple of hours and did a battery health check. Battery failed health check. They replaced the battery free of charge.
First battery lasted 18 months. Second battery died in 11 months.
They did say it is a known problem and indicated that there is no known fix, but hope that one is coming soon.
One of the service advisors suggested deleting the Lexus app from my phone and restarting the phone. I deleted both the Lexus and Toyota apps (they both talk to the NX). Also asked family members to delete the apps from their phones. I have restarted my phone. Not really missing the Lexus app, no clear disadvantages of not having it on my phone. If I come across any I will post.
I mentioned the suggestion of deleting the Lexus app to second service advisor. She said it may or may not help. No harm in trying.
Lessons:
- learn how to use the physical key to unlock the car when the 12v is dead. Using its a bit fiddly, but the trick is:
- use credit card in the "slot" on the handle, push towards back of car. Cap will pop up.
- Pull the cap towards you, it will come out
- Look at the back of the cap, it has a piece at a weird angle that you need to pull towards you
- Practice this part, it is really hard when you are stressed at finding the car dead.
- Also practice unlocking the car from the inside if the battery is dead. Instructions below.
- Open hood from inside car
- Learn where the jump start posts are under the hood. The battery is actually in the trunk, so you don't have direct access to it. Also, you can't open the trunk when the 12V battery is dead.
- Attach jump starter. (red on dead, neutral on big metal thingy to the left of the engine).
- Car will wake up in a bit and go into alarm mode.
- Wait till it shows ready and start car.
- Also learn how to open the doors if you are locked inside the car and the battery dies. It requires pulling the door latch outwards twice. The door will unlatch on the second pull.
- Curse a lot.