It's not a complaint about the cabin air filter itself, but rather the procedure you must go through to replace the cabin air filter. This write up serves as a warning, especially to a person who is looking to buy a used Lexus -- of what I consider to be a design defect when replacing the cabin air filter improperly, and the cost to repair it.

Unlike the days of "old" when you simply opened the cabin air filter housing and slipped in your new cabin air filter, Lexus has for years been using a motorized, electronic system that allows you access to the cabin air filter. You must follow their procedure to a T when replacing a cabin air filter -- otherwise you could do extensive damage to your HVAC system, which could result in repair costs exceeding $1500.00. You must have your car's setting on "inside recirculation" mode. This automatically will raise the blend door that allows you access to the filter. Many people are not aware of this. People are used to simply opening the housing and replacing the filter. So what do they do? Or what would a quickie lube place do? They raise the blend door manually, and when they meet resistance, they continue to push up on the door thereby breaking a plastic part inside the motorized housing. This results in damage to your HVAC system. The cabin air filter is electronically tied into your HVAC electronic settings. It can result in repair costs exceeding $1500.

If you're a used car buyer (of a Lexus, or any other car for that matter), you would never think to see if a previous owner damaged the HVAC system. Or broke the cabin air filter housing. After all, it's simply a cabin air filter. What could go wrong there? Lexus does a poor job of explaining how to change the cabin air filter and the extensive damage that could result if done improperly, resulting in a costly,unnecessary repair. In short, Lexus took engineering stupidity to the next level.

So if you're looking to buy a used Lexus, BEWARE: Check to see if the cabin air filter system is working... meaning the cabin blend door will open and close electronically. If it does not, somebody previously broke it when trying to change the cabin air filter, and you're looking at an expensive repair. Another tell-tale sign might be that your interior defroster light is blinking orange immediately upon starting the car. You will then notice you have no control over the heat or air conditioning or any other setting for about :20 seconds, until the orange light goes out. If it does blink orange, it means somebody broke the cabin air filter system and damaged the HVAC system. DO NOT BUY THE CAR. Or at the very least, make sure the car dealer or private party repairs it before you buy the car.