Don't buy this car! Or get a really good extended warranty.

[AJ2AWAY]

Bought new 2013 Genesis Sedan w/tech package, paid $35K . Thought I got a pretty good deal. After 3 1/2 years/69,000 miles, here's what has gone wrong with this "bargain" luxury car:

The Sunroof won't close. Dealer wants $800 to replace tracks (4 hours' labor).
Turn signal won't return after use; requires replacement of entire assembly. Dealer wants $500 to replace; $350 just for the part.
Stalled unexpectedly a couple of times. All power assist goes away. But restarts immediately.
Glove box damper broke. Dealer wants $150 to repair.
Battery died at just over 3 years old. $150
Filthy exhaust. I use Techron II regularly. Ports are stained black. Step on the gas and leave a plume of soot in my wake. Expecting clogged valves soon.
Headlight lenses are spider-webbing badly.
Vinyl armrest is cracked.
Nav system costs $169 to update but you don't really see any difference.
Should have bought a Lexus.

 

[jemanner]

Wow! Thanks for the head's up! Considering a G80 purchase in the near future. I am presuming these problems all occurred after going over the 5/60,000 bumper-bumper warranty? Any issues prior to warranty expiration? The stalling and filthy exhaust could be a result of the need for an intake valve cleaning, being discussed on another thread. However, this is symptomatic to Direct Injection, a looming issue with virtually all current vehicles.

 

[Mark_888]

The new car warranty is 5 years, or 60K miles, whichever comes first. If one is driving so many miles that the 60K limit is reached in 3 1/2 years, then an extended warranty might be a good idea. Back in 2013 (when the car was new) an extended warranty to 10 years or 100K miles could have been purchased for $1200, but the list of repairs above is not that much more than that amount (not counting battery or Nav update, which are not covered by warranty anyway).

 

[Bill K]

What Lexus is the same size as the Genesis? The GS is smaller, and the ES is a fancied up Avalon.
You just had bad luck. The great majority of Genesis owners go for 100,000 miles with no problems.
Why would you expect "clogged valves"????? All GDI engines run a little rich. That's the nature of the beast. I just wipe down the exhaust ports every month.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

If the original poster didn't post that he bought it new, I'd have suspected this to be a rental at one point in time. It sounds like it was treated really rough. The majority of Genesis Sedan owners do not have these problems with their car.

The Lexus GS is a good alternative but it's smaller and cost quite a bit more. The Lexus ES is just such a different car. I realize it's "just a Toyota Avalon" but Lexus does a few things to make it unique. And the Avalon is a pretty impressive car on it's own merits...

Don't give up, Jemanner. Read more reviews from owners before you decide to go looking elsewhere. The Genesis Sedan is a great luxury car...

 

[jemanner]

If the original poster didn't post that he bought it new, I'd have suspected this to be a rental at one point in time. It sounds like it was treated really rough. The majority of Genesis Sedan owners do not have these problems with their car.

The Lexus GS is a good alternative but it's smaller and cost quite a bit more. The Lexus ES is just such a different car. I realize it's "just a Toyota Avalon" but Lexus does a few things to make it unique. And the Avalon is a pretty impressive car on it's own merits...

Don't give up, Jemanner. Read more reviews from owners before you decide to go looking elsewhere. The Genesis Sedan is a great luxury car...

Thank you, I needed this encouragement. You mentioned the Avalon, and yes, a very comfortable vehicle, but (1) no available AWD, (2) the drivetrain is old in the tooth with only a 6-speed transmission, and (3) due for a major redesign in a year, two at the most.

 

[landtuna]

Bought new2013 Genesis Sedan w/tech package, paid $35K . Thought I got a pretty good deal. After 3 1/2 years/69,000 miles, here's what has gone wrong with this "bargain" luxury car:

The Sunroof won't close. Dealer wants $800 to replace tracks (4 hours' labor).
Turn signal won't return after use; requires replacement of entire assembly. Dealer wants $500 to replace; $350 just for the part.
Stalled unexpectedly a couple of times. All power assist goes away. But restarts immediately.
Glove box damper broke. Dealer wants $150 to repair.
Battery died at just over 3 years old. $150
Filthy exhaust. I use Techron II regularly. Ports are stained black. Step on the gas and leave a plume of soot in my wake. Expecting clogged valves soon.
Headlight lenses are spider-webbing badly.
Vinyl armrest is cracked.
Nav system costs $169 to update but you don't really see any difference.
Should have bought a Lexus.

3 years on a battery is normal depending upon the climate. Both severe cold and severe hot will shorten the battery life and ID has both.

Nav update is for North America and may or may not affect your location. If you live in an area that is fast growing then it may be a good idea otherwise probably not needed but in any case nav updates are a fact of life no matter the brand of vehicle.

There is another thread on this forum addressing the soot issue. Basically it involves a slight modification to the exhaust tips so that exhaust is not routed around the outside of the chrome tip (and onto the paint). Simple fix if it bugs you that much.

The other issues, except the stalling, seem to indicate hard use. Look up the VIN and see if it was a rental/lease if you bought it used. A new car should not have had these issues. I have had mine over three years and it doesn't show any wear yet and has had only two incidental issues: a turn signal that turned off the headlights in a right turn and a windshield wiper motor replaced under recall.

If you had bought a Lexus you would have either paid significantly more money or gotten a smaller vehicle. There must be a reason you have suffered so many issues because the vast majority of Genesis's do not. BTW, an Avalon doesn't seem to be quite the reliable car it once was either. I owned a new 2000 XLS for 100,000 miles before giving it to my daughter. To date it has had two repairs: a dirty MAF sensor and a leaking valve cover. It now has about 160,000 and is still running like new (although it does need some suspension maintenance). The new ones have more bells and whistles and a significant increase in things going wrong although it is still one of the most trouble free cars you can buy in America.

 

[Bill K]

Wow! Thanks for the head's up! Considering a G80 purchase in the near future. I am presuming these problems all occurred after going over the 5/60,000 bumper-bumper warranty? Any issues prior to warranty expiration? The stalling and filthy exhaust could be a result of the need for an intake valve cleaning, being discussed on another thread. However, this is symptomatic to Direct Injection, a looming issue with virtually all current vehicles.

The valves shouldn't need cleaning if you use gas from a tier 1 supplier. I would stay away from the bargain brand stations. (I have a BP station by me that matches the bargain brand prices)
I bought the extended warranty because It's going to take me longer than 10 years to rack up 100,000 miles. I'll be covered bumper to bumper until late 2024.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Thank you, I needed this encouragement. You mentioned the Avalon, and yes, a very comfortable vehicle, but (1) no available AWD, (2) the drivetrain is old in the tooth with only a 6-speed transmission, and (3) due for a major redesign in a year, two at the most.

The Avalon is a great luxury car for the price. I love all things "Genesis" but I have no trouble admitting to like other cars. The Avalon has been catching my eye since the second generation 1999 model. It's the interior that I liked quite a bit back then. Since then it's improved in every way - both inside and out. But like you said - the drivetrain is OLD. If Lexus is going to have that problem - Toyota is going to have it too. I think the Camry is finally getting a turbo option (2.0T) for it's next generation - so I imagine the Avalon will get an update as well. Would I take an Avalon over a Genesis G80 or G90? Nope. No way. But if I were looking for a front wheel drive sedan that concentrated solely on comfort and serenity - it would be on my radar...

 

[jemanner]

The valves shouldn't need cleaning if you use gas from a tier 1 supplier. I would stay away from the bargain brand stations. (I have a BP station by me that matches the bargain brand prices)
I bought the extended warranty because It's going to take me longer than 10 years to rack up 100,000 miles. I'll be covered bumper to bumper until late 2024.

Apparently the EGR vapors are what clogs the intake valves. The quality of fuel appears to have little to do with the situation, but agreed, good fuel is prudent. However, the extended warranty may be a good bet for folks like us. As with you, we don't put many miles on our vehicles. Have an '05 4Runner with only a bit over 40K on it. However, would Genesis balk at cleaning the intake valves, blaming it on fuel, driving habits, or whatever? I'm sure they would initially go the chemical process to little avail, and certainly not good for the engine. The typical symptoms are loss of performance and MPG, and if bad enough, throwing a code. Not picking on Genesis, as any maker would avoid doing the expensive walnut-shell cleaning if at all possible.

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[homeofstone]

From the orig post it seems that the car was abused. Mine has 195,000 miles on it and was I purchased it new in 2010. No problems and no premature wear areas. Glove box door was damaged by some one not changing the cabin air filter correctly. headlight lens problem is odd, mine still look like new minus a few small rock dings.

 

[Mark_888]

The valves shouldn't need cleaning if you use gas from a tier 1 supplier. I would stay away from the bargain brand stations. (I have a BP station by me that matches the bargain brand prices)
I bought the extended warranty because It's going to take me longer than 10 years to rack up 100,000 miles. I'll be covered bumper to bumper until late 2024.

It's actually "Top Tier" not Tier 1. Top Tier is not limited to "name brands" and includes many (but not all) discount brands.
http://www.toptiergas.com/

Ironically, BP was one of the last to officially join the Top Tier program in 2013.
http://www.bp.com/en/global/corpora...oins-top-tier-detergent-gasoline-program.html

 

[jemanner]

From the orig post it seems that the car was abused. Mine has 195,000 miles on it and was I purchased it new in 2010. No problems and no premature wear areas. Glove box door was damaged by some one not changing the cabin air filter correctly. headlight lens problem is odd, mine still look like new minus a few small rock dings.

I would tend to agree. However, the sunroof issue has been problematic per other posts on this forum. Regarding the headlight lenses, possibly he lives in the desert SW and parks in the sun? Very common with vehicles in that part of the country, and across the board, not any particular manufacturer. The arm rest could be sun/heat damage also. So my question is, prior to purchase, has Genesis addressed the breaking of the plastic parts in the sunroof? However, both of our current vehicles have sunroofs, and we forget they are there. A case of wishing one feature, but having to spring for a "package."

 

[Mark_888]

I would tend to agree. However, the sunroof issue has been problematic per other posts on this forum. Regarding the headlight lenses, possibly he lives in the desert SW and parks in the sun? Very common with vehicles in that part of the country, and across the board, not any particular manufacturer. The arm rest could be sun/heat damage also. So my question is, prior to purchase, has Genesis addressed the breaking of the plastic parts in the sunroof? However, both of our current vehicles have sunroofs, and we forget they are there. A case of wishing one feature, but having to spring for a "package."

I agree that exposure to the sun probably caused those problems. There have been relatively few complaints about the G1 (2009-2014) sunroof. Most of the reported problems with the sunroof were on the G2 (2015+).

 

[balfor]

Bought new 2013 Genesis Sedan w/tech package, paid $35K . Thought I got a pretty good deal. After 3 1/2 years/69,000 miles, here's what has gone wrong with this "bargain" luxury car:

The Sunroof won't close. Dealer wants $800 to replace tracks (4 hours' labor).
Turn signal won't return after use; requires replacement of entire assembly. Dealer wants $500 to replace; $350 just for the part.
Stalled unexpectedly a couple of times. All power assist goes away. But restarts immediately.
Glove box damper broke. Dealer wants $150 to repair.
Battery died at just over 3 years old. $150
Filthy exhaust. I use Techron II regularly. Ports are stained black. Step on the gas and leave a plume of soot in my wake. Expecting clogged valves soon.
Headlight lenses are spider-webbing badly.
Vinyl armrest is cracked.
Nav system costs $169 to update but you don't really see any difference.
Should have bought a Lexus.

Most of your issues are sort of pain in the neck petty issues that are not necessarily out of line at 70k miles. Outside of the sunroof, looks like they are isolated issues that might be particular to your car and situation. For example, the armrest cracking could be due to skin creams you might use or other chemical exposure. I have a friend with a skin condition and all the touch points of his 3 year old Honda are literally melting due to the exposure to the creams he uses.
The glovebox strut is an easy fix, as is the turn signal. The battery is somewhat normal if you are in a hot or very cold climate. .

I drove various Lexus GS and LS models for fifteen years and can tell you they are not always problem free. Lexus navigation is pretty bad too and the updates are poor in my opinon. Hyundai navigation is actually better, but all built in navs will always be worse than a cell phone with a constant internet connection.

Since the sunroof is a known issue you can ask that it be covered under a goodwill repair. If they refuse, get it fixed anyway and if it really bothers you simply file suit in small claims for the amount. Print out other posts of this problem as evidence and you will probably get a settlement or verdict in your favor. Takes a bit of time but I have had good luck with this tactic when dealing with home warranty companies that have refused to honor their warranty. I finally filed suit and had a check within a couple of weeks. Going to court costs these companies a lot and if they have a good chance to lose they won't risk it.

 

[jsmit86]

Regarding MAP updates... not free on Lexus, or most any car, but the new G80 and 90 will include free updates for 3 years. In addition, if you get a car with CarPlay or Android Auto, those maps will update for free.

 

[AJ2AWAY]

Hey everybody, thanks for your valuable input. The questions raised are valid and I'll try to answer them. I bought it brand-new. I live near New Orleans so the sun does bake, but I've always protected my interior from the sun. I admit to using low-grade gas but add Techron II regularly, per the user's manual. A top selling point for me was this model's acceptance of regular gas. I don't abuse the car, I just have a long - 70 mile, all-interstate - daily commute. I agree the problems are petty when taken separately, but together they add up to a not-very-reliable car, for the money. BTW, I forgot to mention in my first post the one-second delay between pressing on the accelerator and actually moving forward from stop. Makes entering heavy traffic a real challenge sometimes. And, when moving forward, it doesn't accelerate very responsively. Both known issues for drive-by-wire acceleration systems. The 100,000 mile warranty actually breaks down as the miles and years accumulate, to the point where, at 60,000 miles, there's only drivetrain coverage left, for the original owner only. I'm probably going to have to trade it in. With 1 1/2 years left on the loan, I'll probably take a loss on its trade-in value.

 

[Mark_888]

If you park your car in the sun a lot, I would highly recommend that all rubber door and sunroof seals be regularly treated with a product like ArmorAll. Same for interior plastic or leather.

As far as gas, check out the TopTier website to make sure your brand is a member. It doesn't have to be a major brand to qualify. Also, I would experiment with higher octane just to see if it makes any difference. You can custom mix 3/4 tank regular and 1/4 tank premium.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

One second delay between pressing the gas and accelerating? My goodness, that would drive me crazy...

 

[ohstew]

I feel your pain... I have a 2012 Genesis which I wanted to love. It currently has 60,000 miles on it; however, my first year or two I had a list of problems that equalled the lenght of yours. i was thinking what the hell. From wind noise from the sun roof to a replaced water pump, to failed crusie control, to a replaced radio. the list got so bad so quick I googled the lemon law...found a randon law firm advertising on line. Hired them and WON 10k! That helped each my pain...Lucky? for me i'm retired and had the time to run back to dealer every other month. Lately the car been free of problems for the most part. Thank god I did get the extended warranty with I've just entered into coverage under. My plan was to keep this car to the 10yr 1000k warrany point. I sould make it with my extended warranty in place. I have to say I likely would not buy this car again.