Lexus Navigation

Read these Comments before you *buy* or upgrade a Lexus Navigation System!

Over 900 Lexus Owners can't be wrong and shouldn't be ignored by Lexus Corporate, but still we wait. The comments below show that even long-standing Lexus owners are unhappy with the loss of the Override. In fact, 50% of those who sign up would not have purchased a Lexus if they had known about the quality of the nav system.

Comments: (To add your comments, sign up now. (Editor's notes in Green )

It is truly ridiculous that this "feature" cannot be overridden. I do believe it is time for a class action lawsuit (can someone direct me to a class-action attorney site that I can solicit interest?- Thanks. Ed) against Toyota to force them to re-implement the override. They simply need to popup a disclaimer that you need to agree to and then they are legally covered. This agreement can popup every time the car is started for all I care. The solution to the useless multi-thousand dollar navigation should not be that I should use my TomTom instead. Toyota should be embarassed.

Going on road trip with family. Will probably take my wife's car because my Lexus nav. system can't be used by the passenger while the car is operating. Crazy! They should not blame their legal department. How many auto manufacturer's have held liable for having a navigation system that can be operating while the car is moving - none.

We would not have bought this car if we knew of this limitation. It works just fine in my Acura MDX, why can't Lexus let us use it? This makes the Nav system practically useless and not with the money. A $200.00 Garmin can run circles around this thing. Lexus needs to solve this and quickly.

It would be really beneficial to be able to search for POIs while driving and not have to pull over and stop.

Hate the inability to change or add destinations while in motion. Also hate having to accept the caution everytime

Its bullshit

I have a 2006 ES that came with 05.1 map information. Apparently I can't update to 07.1 map data without undergoing a firmware change which REMOVES the ability to override. In my experience an ES NAV disk built from 07.1 map data with 05.1 program files is not workable - while the data is clearly there, not enough of the logic works. I'm stuck back in 2005 - and I can't exactly return the car for a rebate because it really wasn't misrepresented. Two main gripes about Lexus / Toyota navigation: 1. Arcane and insidious approach to the override / lockout situation; 2. Undue cost for initial system and updates. You can buy an aftermarket GPS for every occupant of the vehicle for less than the cost of the inferior Lexus OEM unit. And the Lexus updates are outrageous (not to mention out-dated)! For functionality and intuitive operation I preferred the Accura / Honda NAV units, but I liked the Lexus ride better, so I went that way. No regrets regarding the base vehicle, but next time I will be willing to make some tradeoffs, if for no other reason than I don't like being manipulated. Perhaps some entrepreneurial software development group could produce a third-party NAV application for the Denso hardware, eh? Thanks for the opportunity to comment.

I understand the safety part but I do not understand the liability part. Me thinks that Lexus and their dealerships use the "L" word to shut us down! I do not doubt the intention but like anything else, I think its been designed in an unacceptable way. They should have either had a straightforward menu that turns this feature on and off (we already press the "I agree" button). They should have been smart about letting this Nav system operable when a passenger in the car. My menu would be -Always ON, On with Passenger, Disable when Driving. These are my issues: 1. Having to pullover to type in a simple address. 2. Voice Recognition is useless for all practical reasons. 3. Typically call using a calling card and have to dial using my phone now, instead of the dialpad on the NAV 4. Cannot pick a specific folder on the MP3 CD while driving. Most of the features that come with the NAV package can only be used ONLY when we drive! For god's sake its a car and most of my time in there is spent actually driving it!!! So if the features I paid for cannot be used when driving, why would I pay for it in the first place? Why did the salesperson not explain this "feature" to me before signing on the dotted line? I would have NOT bought this car with the NAV package if I had known this issue. Now that I have this car for a year, I would have not bought a LEXUS ES350 ever if I had known of some of their "other" design specifications that this car comes with!!! Alas, thats another story :)

I'm forced to use a PDA navigation system in my windows smartphone, its complicated and troublesome while driving. I am thinking about legal actions against lexus if it ever causes me any serious trouble on the road.

I feel deceived every day and I'm reminded every day I enter my car. What kind of "luxury" car is this?

I understand that a kit can be purchased from Japan that is a hack that allows the Nav to function in a Non Nanny manner but of course voids your warranty.... But lets keep taking the battle right to the factory. Don't tread on me!

The Lexus ES350 Nav system is USELESS. The touchscreen can only be used when the car is at a complete stop and lacks MANY MANY features. The system is not intuitive and the GPS is terrible. Maps are outdated, route planning and lack of features makes the Lexus NAV system completely worthless and WAAY too pricey.

Doesn't make sense since Garmin, Tom-Tom, etc already allow it.

It's awful. I just came from a BMW X3. I like everything about the RX (No winter yet to judge) with the exception of the NAV system. It is a pain in the a$$!

It's ridiculous to put such restrictions on something that costs so much. Even if the weight sensor in the passenger seat identified a passenger and would allow override - I might be more understanding. But just to remove the functionality completely causes just as much or greater risk to everyone if you have to pull over to activate navigation and then merge on again.

The option of making the NAV change should have been left up to the individual who purchased the vehicle.... and not the lexus dealership. This way the liability is removed from the lexus dealership to the individual for making such a change to overide the Nav system. It clearly states when you start the car... its stipulation for utilizing the Nav system.

It sucks, I paid $45K for a GPS that is crippled and annoying to use with the voice system which is more distracting than tapping the screen. I've used a Garmin GPS for years on my motorcycle without any problems.

It is annoying that my wife sitting in the passenger seat cannot operate the Nav system or phone. We almost got in to accident pulling over.

I am looking for a source, other than a Lexus dealer, for the latest Lexus Nav software for my 2004 ES330

Give me the option to choose. Most of the time, it is the passenger that does the serious street address inputting anyways.

This is very frustrating issue with me. I can take a $200 GPS that has more capabilities than Nav system in my LS 460 that was nearly a $5k option. Why does Lexus view their liability different than rest of the auto industry and GPS manufactures?

This is a real disapointment and problem. The passenger SHOULD be able to input data while moving. I could well be dangerous to stop or to be confused about where to go at any given time. I am a responsible adult. Lexis is NOT my mother.

Override is needed, I just can not function without it. many, many times we, we I mean wife and I, need to find gas station or other needed IO, stopping on the freeway is a lot more unsafe that ask my wife to look for it. Many, many time I need to change destinations 1/2 way to one. Again stopping on a freeway or, on unsafe location is way more unsafe, some locations in town not even the police will stop. 100% support of restoreing the override. we can sign that we will be resosible to not do it ourself but ask the passanger. Thanks

why can't a passenger use the navigation system when the car is in motion?

Not only do you prevent me from making minor changes to my nav programming while moving, you prevent my wife (or anyone else in the front passenger seat from doing the same). This also affects my wife's new RX 400h. I think it stupid. I drove a 2003 LX for five years and never felt that operating the nav system was a distraction. In fact, it says alot that the toyota nav system is so well designed it is easy to use, so much so it is not a major distraction to make a change. What do your lawyers drive? Maybe their just upset that the germans suck at nav systems.

This "feature" is absolutely annoying. I wonder how many people get rear ended because they are not careful where they stop to enter trip info.

please keep me informed if there is a patch found!

Strikes me as very very dumb that Lexus should have put such a limitation on a car this expensive when its competitors haven't. Even much cheaper cars offer full navigation, bluetooth and DVD functionality while in motion. When I was recently in Germany for an international conference, I was picked up from the airport by an Audi A8. Throughout the ride I whiled away the time watching TV.

Very annoying. Hard to believe that some smart Lexus/Toyota owner/computer whiz can't crack the code. Not willing, yet, to rewire the car but I'm thinking about it.

I feel that this is the dumbest thing lexus can do. Its taking my rights as a comsumer to use something i paid for. I don't agree that lexus telling me when and where i can use something that is mine!! My sales rep never informed me of this issue and i have ask the service department to address the issue and they said that " we can't touch it, because its an safty issue". If thats the case why do Garmin, Magellion, and other Car manufactures let their customers use the "In Motion" feature. I would have never bought a lexus if i knew this would be an issue!! At least not with a factory Navi unit. I could have just gotten a $300 Garmin unit, instead i paid $4500 for something i can't even use all the time.

We recently took a 7 hour roadtrip and initialized the navigation at the beginning of the trip. It was ridiculous that we could not search for gas stations, rest areas, or restaurants along the way. Lexus needs to upgrade the priority of this serious matter.

I want to be able to enter destination info while car is moving. I hereby promise to ONLY have my passenger enter the info and I will at all times keep my eyes on the road. I hereby release Lexus from any liability herein. EG

Why if the annoying seatbelt reminder can ding to notice that there is someone in the passenger seat- why won't it let them work the computer or phones? I can think of several times I have had to deal with my phone because the phone book screen won't let you do make any calls, so you have to use the phone headset, which I consider more dangerous.

I drive my girlfriends 2007 Camry Hybrid a lot and this drives both of us insane! We like to go on road trips together and there have been many times when I am driving she would like to search for things or input addresses. Unfortunately this must be the same problem (hence it's the same manufacturer) as the Lexus one. Thanks a lot Toyota!

Could get killed by 18 wheeler while parked on side of expressway to set in address -- would have bought my 4th BMW 7 series had I known such a good set of tools would be so totally useless. PLEASE PLEASE FIX THIS MAJOR DEFICENCY. Everything else about the car is perfect -- this takes the car from a 10 to about a 3 -- and My mercedes was a 4. BMWers were always 8-10

It is really annoying. I often have the passenger use the system while I'm driving, but I can't do that!

Not at all happy with this inconvenience. I invariably travel on long journeys with my wife and she finds it infuriating that she cannot input destinations etc in motion as she did with my Garmin. If she is unhappy so am I! We now travel with the Garmin as it is so much more user friendly!

i bought the 400h 2 weeks ago and there was no mention of this even being an issue. i have never owned a lexus before so didnt even know to ask about it. im frustrated because after doing a lot of research on the car i never read even one complaint about the NAV system. to further this cause i think its a good idea for someone to go on many of the review websites and make comments that outline the problem. frustrated and blindsided.

I mistakenly "assumed" that the system would allow navigation on the move...... my bad. I can't understand why the system has to be locked for almost any function of navigation and phone features while the vehicle is moving. A major annoyance. I am stuck with it for now but it will be my last Lexus.

The "I agree" screen is the dumbest thing I have ever seen in my 2004 RX330. No one else, not even newer Toyotas, have it. Then there is the inability to set a destination when moving.... For a high-end car, this is real no-no.

it is important to full control for our GPS and passanger can help to input address as well, then why we have to lose the control of our own GPS?

I have a 2006 IS. The NAV system was not functioning properly so they offered to upgrade it for free. I aked if the disable feature would work and was told it would function the same. Now it does not work.

Ridiculous!!

Every road trip I revisit the anger

Lexus: Making good tools useless!

It really bothers me that the whole system shuts down when I am moving. I now have to look down at my cell to dial a number or pull over to change my nav. system

Let's keep up the pressure. They ultimately yielded on the "Lexus Link is active" announcement even when it wasn't, and on the annoying "I agree" screen when the car is first started. So hopefully they will come up with some compromise solution for the Nav data entry problem. Give me Liberty or give me Death!

What a piece of crap nav system... If I want a useful system, I my Garmin. This is my first Lexus... and my last.

This is truly a major annoyance when driving. Previously owned the Acura MDX and the navigation is a much better product. Lexus should make this right with all of its owners.

This is a deal-breaker. I will not buy the next LS until the override feature is made available again.

Put in a waiver of liability on startup that's they need to do. "Lost in a Lexus"

This is just plain BS. I received a ticket pulling off the road on I95 in FL to change an address on my NAV system on our 2007 Lexus SUV Hybrid. Also, half the addresses I put in do not register but my wifes Acura can find them all. What's UP!!!!

I am getting ready to trade in my 2005 ES330 that has the override for a more luxurious model. My wife and I travel a lot of miles together. I absolutely will not buy any new car that won't let the passenger use the nav system while the car is moving.

This is the most paternalisic car I have ever driven. My 2009 model beeps and alarms at everything. The NAV lockout is definately a safety issue. I had to pull over in a bad neighborhood last week to manually search for a location, because the voice recognition system could not correctly discern my instructions. Arghh!!

This sucks. It is really a bad decision. Give me the choice.

Lexus Navi system sucks and my wife and I are really regretting our purchase of this vehicle!!!

This is egregious and definitely a buzz kill.

I basically don't use the SC430 nav system because it is unusable without the override. I had to buy a clunky dashmounted Garmin uniit to use in my vehicle instead.

Whoah..was comparing cars bmw, acura, and infiniti and had actually almost settled ont he Lexus GS, but now that i see this..um no thx. my wife plays navigator role whenever we are driving, so this is just plain idiotic.

I am pissed! My wife usally drives and as a passenger I can not even operate the navi system. There should at least be an override detection for an ocupant in the passeger seat. My '03 Honda was functionable as a driver. Something needs to happen here to modify the navi system. So many other car makers now offer navi and Lexus has taken a big step backwards.

Don't care for the lack of consideration for my money spent.

I would not have bought the car....says it all. Please keep me informed if someone creates a lock pick.

This is just another example of government interference with people's freedom of choice. By passing laws or imposing fines on manufacturers that are intended to lessen insurance claims due to negligent behavior, the government has started a domino effect that really sucks. So Lexus is really not to blame, the crooked politicians taking money from the insurance companies is the source of the real problem.

When I purchased my 2008 ES I was told that the 5th Generation Navigation System, like its predecessor, had an override feature. Just no one at Lexus was at liberty to tell me how, just the "I could find it on the web". However, after lots of research, I no longer think that such an override exists. I am very disappointed. Please inform me when this has been changed. Al

I am not a moron... The people at Lexus need to pull their heads out of their corporate asses!

I think that Lexus is not my mother sums it up completely.

this is the most annoying feature in the car... you cant seem to do anyhting without being at a complete stop

I am really infuriated by the fact that the NAV cannot be programmed by a passenger while the vehicle is in motion. We rented a vehicle with a nav system in Europe. I was able to program destinations as the passenger. It never occured to me to ask if that was possible on the LEXUS nav system. I think that Lexus dealerships should be upfront about all these defects as people are purchasing defective upgrades. I also think it is very regressive that the CD info is not displayed. It's one thing if it is a CD that has been burned quite another if you have purchased it at the store. Lexus I am giving you a thumbs down for your weak attempt at luxurious technolgy. I personally will not recommend Lexus to any of my friends. The lack of NAV functionality use for passengers and the non-display of CD info is definitely a deal breaker. I would have gone for the AUDI had I known.

I am not a child. I have had a Garmin portable nav for 6 years. That product is much better than the $3k Lexus one.. Why not just have a disclaimer when the system comes on ? Also, the CD track selection also does not work while the vehicle is moving. Can you say BIG BROTHER ???

Too much "big brother" --- I'm responsible enough to decide for myself when I can or can't safely operate my navigation system!

I have a new Garmin Nuvi 760 in my other car. It never occured to me that Lexus would not be as good. Please help allow the Navigation system to be used while moving.

Hate the navigation system. Presently using a Garmin nuvi 760

I simply can not agree with this being a liability issue. Employed with a major law enforcement agency for over twenty years it is far, far more dangerous to stop and work a GPS unit on the side of the road than to simply allow manipulation of the unit while driving (like every over the counter brand allows and state and federal laws allow).

While I would love to have an override for the NAV, I don't really know what the big deal is. My Lexus is the 3rd car I've had with a NAV, and the 6th one I've driven with a NAV and none of the other's ever had an override, and always had limited usage when driving. Like I said, I would love of have an override, but I also understand the reasoning for not having one. Simply put, do you want to be the person killed when a stupid person gets into an accident because they were programming their NAV instead of driving. (Ed: I believe each driver should have the responsibility and the choice to use the system. What about passengers? What were your other cars?)

I have 2008 LS, the maps, POI, etc are outdated. The information is at least one year old. The NAV unit is worthless unless you can program it before you start driving. Heaven forbid you need gas, food, or drink and you had not planned the exact stop. I have a Garmin 750 that makes the Lexus NAV look like an Apple IIe.

I will not buy another Lexus, when it gets time to change car I will buy German

What were they thinking ... it is ridiculous that one cannot change the navigation destination during motion--that is sort of the entire point of using navigation--if I always knew where I was and where I was going I wouldn't need a nav. system. And not being able to search for food and gas? Unbelievable. Does Inifiniti limit the navigation system like this?

I had a2007 Infinity M45 Sport prior to my 2008 Lexus GS460. The Infinity had its drawbacks, but the Lexus nav system is the WORST !!! I thought I was upgrading to a Lexus. What a mistake. I can't believe that the nav system is making me hate a car that I thought I loved. I spend a lot of time in the car. If I have to pull over every time I need something, I'd never get anything done. If someone has to plan their entire trip before they leave their driveway, inclusive of rest stops, and food breaks, then they wouldn't need the nav system in the first place. The voice commands are even stupider. Who the hell needs a voice command to turn up the radio volume or raise the temp. When trying to use the voice command to find a POI, I might as well be speaking Greek, because the Lexus system doesn't understand a word I say. There are enough things in operating a car that could distract someone ....the radio....putting on makeup whil driving.... eating with both hands... etc. etc. I've seen it all. If Lexus thinks that they are doing the world a safety service, they are dead wrong. All they're doing is frustrating the hell out of us !! I wish I knew more about this befor I bought this car. It's costing me more money then my previous car, and I'm going crazy. What a combination.

When I bought my 2007 es350 I could use the override feature. I had trouble with the map and they upgraded to the next version. Now, I am stuck, it does not work while moving and they will not do anything about it. Yes, I feel this is a very critical issue and would stop me from buying Lexus in the future.

Have a 2005 RX 330 Would love to implement a new system, both for the music (something like a hard drive based system like Sonos) and the Nav. I also own a Garmin, which I use in my Lexus (that really frosts my nuts....) because the $300 unit is WAY BETTER than the $3000 Lexus one. The big screen is where I attach the suction cup to hold my Garmin.

I think it is absurd that I must pull over to the side of the road (or take an offramp and pull over) to get what I paid for!

it is very frustrating to now not be able to use the override feature. I had been using it (or my passenger would use) for a year, without any problems, then I upgraded to latest maps and the feature was gone. My mother and father both have other nav systems that allow simultaneous driving and using the system, and now I am considering another make car when I buy again.

I've tried just about everything. I use my old Garman most of the time to avoid the frustration. I guess "big brother" is here riding with my wife and I in our new Lexus.

This is simply a big mistake. I've had friends in my car that said they would never buy a Lexus because of this lockout feature. Tell the legal department to get busy with something else and get out of the car design aspect of your business. Very poor decision making in this lockout of a feature that costs 10 x more than aftermarket. On top of this, they put out a high-res screen less than 3 months after I bought my car. Not a good way of making your customers happy.

I choose to ensure my safety by managing the input by: 1. if alone in the car, I will pull over at rest area, gas station or off main highway to do inputs. OR 2. Have my passenger do the inputs while I drive on. For a safety comparison, I ride a motorcycle with my Garmin portable GPS and haven't fallen off nor hit a tree yet! Gee, I must be an adult! One problem is really annoying, how am I to use the Find feature to find a gas station if I have to get off the highway to use the system. This has taken away the usefulness of the system. Is Toyota/Lexus really this dumb? Apparently so. Won't get another Lexus. I'm going back to Ford or GM with the Garmin unit.

We need the override feature reinstated. Also, why can't we have as many features that many of the $250 hand held gps devices have? Why did Lexus choose not to show elevation, etc. ?

I had a 2005 Honda Accord prior to purchasing my Lexus IS250. The Honda allowed be to use ALL navtigation as well as ALL controls for climate control and audio while my car was in motion. I would expect a car that is $10,000 more to have a more advanced navigation system and one that does not limit my use when I need it most...WHILE I AM DRIVING! It is also stupid that a passenger is not allowed to use the navigation system while the car is in motion.

Very inconvenient! Not very well thought like one comes to expect from Lexus.

It is my nav system, I bought it. I do not want to carry my hand held unit jst to get where I want to go! They could interface it to the passenger seat sensor and allow the passenger access to functions, or just find the darn thing. It is practically not usable at all. Voice recognition is horrible and the dealer cannot fix it, I was told to play with different tones of voice to find the right pitch...... What a bunch of idiots. My 200 dollar Lowrance works better. Of course, the dealer did not mention that the navigation would not work while moving. I wonder why?

VERY disturbing that I have to totally stop the car to find where I need to go. Wish the salesman would have been more forthcoming!

Not all happy with not being able to use nav or phone while moving. After paying 50K plus for the vehicle, iI feel I've been swindilled.

In retrospect, my dislikes for the Merc's front seats is very small in comparison to the Nav system in the SC430. This will make me look seriously at other cars before I buy another "Designed by lawyers because we think you are too dumb to drive" car. I just want to know if Toyota/Lexus remembers what happened to Oldsmobile?

I was surprised to find out after purchase that the navagation system didn't work on the move. I have tried to find a fix but to no avail. I am very unhappy with the high price and limited useability of the system. I will look for a different manufacturer next time.

Why wasn't I told about having to stop to change guidance to the system. I'm pissed!

This feature makes the car less safe rather than more safe as it becomes a constant distraction. We should be able to turn this feature off at our own discretion!!!

This is sooo frustrating! The straw that broke the camels back occured today. I bought the IPOD adapter with installation at my local lexus dealer - and im unable to view the songs of each individual folder while driving. I feel like tearing out this gadget which just cost me a thousand dollars. ughh!

Really disgusted to have paid 50k for a lexus and find that they treat you like a boob. I really didn't want the nav, and now I'm sorry that I DID get it, since there are so many after market kits that are cheaper and user friendly.

I do not enjoy being locked out of the Nav System especially if there is a passenger with me. I think that the Lexus Navigation Syetem is junk. I am very unhappy that Lexus does not have the "Text to Speech" capability and is unnecessarily complicated to operate.

MY WIFE CAN NO LONGER GET DIRECTIONS WHILE I DRIVE, I would have NEVER gotten the navigation update RIPOFF if I knew this would happen. I'm tempted to rip the thing apart and ruin the warranty, or just put my fist through the screen.

I think it should have been smarter. While I agree that it defintely is not safe considering how far the console is and how long you have to take you eye away from the road. However, a car that can detect a passenger to turn on and off the air bag could use the exact same mechanism to turn on and off the navi system (DVD pay should still be disabled during drive)

I hate the damn car mostly because of the nav system

I believe a fair compromise would be to allow access to the navigation and other audit features if a passenger is in the front of the car. The sensor is already there, so it should not be a complicated technology enhancement.

I don't understand why they the Lexus are so stubborn , every Lexus owner I talked to is frustrated with their Nav system, is Lexus the only ones worried of getting sued. I also was misinformed by the sales man, he told me I can overide it. Bullshit .

This is really stupid why my passenger can't use the NAV while the vehicle is moving. It was not this way on my Honda. I will be looking at a different Manufacturer when it is time for a new vehicle.

I hate the navigation system on my 2008 ES350. No input while driving and no routing to unverified areas. These areas you are left to get out on your own. The system becomes a map only rather than a useful tool. Maps are 2.00 and these stupid systems are 2650.00. I want my money back or my Acura TL back.

got duped

I sent the following to Lexus today - I test drove a GS350 AWD last week. I really like the car and I had decided to buy one when my lease is up in 2 months. I'm currently driving an Acura RL. Then, a friend of mine who owns a Lexus told me about this: http://www.lexusoverride.com/There's no way I could buy the GS after reading this site. I'll be test driving the M45x tomorrow as a result. Please do not respond to me with a standard BS answer about using voice commands. I don't like using voice commands in my RL and won't use them in my next car. You guys need to remove the override, period. Let me know that you've done that and you'll have one less GS in inventory. Its completely unacceptable that this is an ongoing issue

That is a total paternalism by Lexus. I have also a Mercedes and my wife drives an Audi. I can not imagine that german manufacturers would behave like that. Shame on Lexus for that! Please release the Override procedure for 2007 cars asap.

I hate it.

I have a 2005 RX330 and was about to upgrade to a new model. I use the navigation ssystem religiously and will not purchase a new Lexus since I found out about the disabling if this feature.

Interested in software solution to fix the problem. Thank you, Kenneth

I HATE the Lexus Nav system! The voice recognition does not work. I was never told about the system locking out while moving.

If a passanger is detectected in the front seat, all of the nav and phone functions should be available without an over-ride code.

I HAVE A REAL PROBLEM WITH LEXUS' NAVIGATION SYSTEM. WHEN I WAS BUYING THE VEHICLE, THE SALES AGENT NEGLECTED TO TELL ME THAT THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM COULD NOT BE USED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED AFTER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THIS OUT. EVEN MY PASSENGER CANNOT SELECT POI, OR DESTINATIONS WHILE MOVING. LEXUS CALLS IT A "SAFETY FEATURE". I CALL IT BS. I AM EXTREMELY DISSATISFIED WITH LEXUS' POSITION ON THIS. AS THE OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE, I SHOULD BE ABLE TO DISABLE THIS "SAFETY FEATURE". EVEN CUSTOMER SUPPORT LIED TO ME. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A CANADIAN GOVERNMENT LAW THAT REQUIRED FEATURES ON A NAV SYSTEM TO BE DISABLED WHILE MOVING. I DID RESEARCH ON THIS AND FOUND OUT THIS IS NOT TRUE. ALL OTHER NAV SYSTEMS ALLOW THE PASSENGER TO SELECT DESTINATIONS AND POI. I WAS A LIFETIME LEXUS BUYER BUT I GUARANTEE THAT I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER ONE AND/OR RECOMMEND ONE (UNLESS LEXUS RESOLVES MY PROBLEM - FAST). AS A MATTER OF FACT, I AM CONSIDERING GETTING RID OF MY LEXUS BECAUSE THE NAV SYSTEM THAT I PAID OVER $8000 FOR IS COMPLETELY USELESS.

The inability to use the Nav system while in motion is just the most annoying of the nanny features on the car. Lexus should have more faith in its users, and not treat us like children. At the very least, we should be able to sign something that absolves them of liability and allows us to use the features we paid for.

I don't have a Lexus. I own a Toyota Camry Hybrid. It has exactly the same issues. You should expand this site to include ALL Toyota brands... Not just Lexus. I am so MAD about this issue I am ready to sue them my self!

Its really annoying and never had this problem with my old acura and infiniti.

This issue is very frustrating for a lot of people I know.

i feel that it is the decison of the consumer to use the navigation when it is safe and if all of the owners of the other makes of car can use it while the vehicle is in motion, than lexus owners should also be more than capable.

I specifically ask my Service person about the Override when I upgraded and was not told the truth.

Consumers should have the right to full options of their Nav system if agreement in writting is provided by the consumer releaving Lexus of any concerns.

This is the worst navigation system I have ever seen. It does not increase safety, but rather is extremely dangerous as I have no sense of direction and am constantly having to pull over on the highway or in less than desirable neighborhoods to reconfigure and figure out where I'm going! Not being able to use the screen to access directions, music, etc. is incredibly frustrating. It's a great car, but I don't think I will buy it again as this bothers me way too much! Ridiculous! Why doesn't Lexus just make us sign a waiver or something that we take responsibility for out own safety and let us use our technology the way we think it should be used? It's degrading and demeaning that they have put the "child lock" on us. Paid too much for this limited access.

Major annoyance. Could this site provide links to third party solutions?

I wanted to get rid of the Garmin stuck to the windscreen - its back - As a safety feature its a JOKE - it causes Road Rage - You end up furiously punching the screen to try and get some response from the screen.

We have enough of "Big Brother" watching over us making sure we don't hurt ourselves. This is absolutely ridiculous. Lexus - you are way out of bounds on this and need to provide a programming option to make the system function as it should. Your competitor's have it figured out and are laughing all the way to the bank with increasing sales due to this poor decision by Lexus. I am in sales and have a number of executives in my car every week. Once they see that I have to find a place to stop before I can operate the NAV system. They easily see the limitations that Lexus has imposed and they are all turned off. I wonder how many Lexus sales have gone to other manufacturers due to this simple idiotic decision?

The NAV lockout on my wife's 08 RX-350 is truly frustrating. I just purchased a Honda Ridgeline, and it's NAV is far superior to the Lexus. Once I hit the button that I will be a responsible operator, the NAV system lets me do everything I need. On the RX-350, I have to pull over and enter the changes - extremely frustrating. I wish we had settled for the non-Nav version and stuck with the Tom-Tom! I hope you have success getting Lexus (Toyota) to see the light and stop this ridiculous policy.

I am willing to sign a liability waiver to protect Lexus. But this is MY vehicle now, not theirs. It is far less safe to use my cell phone to dial while responding to important pages on the road. I often find myself in more unsafe conditions by having to pull over to use the NAV or the cell phone. I do not understand the hardline attitude on this issue by Lexus. Just make me sign a waiver, whats the problem? I love my car, but find this to be a huge annoyance. I purchased all this technology, but end up being treated like a moron who does not know what's best for hismelf. Please give me access to my own vehicle controls.

I was lied to by the Lexus salesman... he said the override still existed.

I bought my Lexus GS350 two months ago. While I like the car in and out, definitely I would have not bought it if I would have known. I truly hate it now because of this nonsense approach Lexus has taken on the Nav overwrite. Count on me if you want to joint forces to go to Lexus HQ and complain . I am sure 500+ Lexus owners can make a difference. XXXXXXX@verizon.net

I have been completely misled during my buying experience with Lexus. This is just one of a dozen other reasons that I will never buy another Lexus again. I plan on trading in my 08 IS within the next year two.

I think for a $60K car, the voice system has always sucked and the override was what made the nav system useful while on the road. Now I'm back to where I started before I found the override sequence a few years back. *sigh* BAD LEXUS!

Think it would be much easier to make calls by utilizing the car system rather than having to keep looking, and scrolling through my cell phone. I have been able to use the voice commands pretty decently for the nav but would be MUCH easier if I could just input the destination. Have to concentrate more to use the voice commands than I do just putting info in the system. I do love my Lexus though....feature for feature for the cost paid it beats the cars listed above....if money was not an object would go with Mercedes, however you would be looking at no touch screen with that...their nav is pretty cheesy if you ask me...lets move in to the 2000's.

Unbelievable that you pay this kind of money for what is actually a really great car, only to find out that you can't input a GPS address while driving? Which is more dangerous, cautiously punching in a few numbers or pulling off into an unknown area with my kids in the back seat so that I can find my way out of some area I'm lost in. Thanks Lexus. My other car is an Audi. Pretty much everything on my Lexus I like better than on my Audi. But if they don't change this, I'll happily buy another Audi. Hey Lexus, I'm a big boy, I can make decisions all on my own!

This is a very dangerous feature. This feature makes the nav system a joke while traveling.

I cant beleive the limitation of the car (when driving)...what fun is left in driving when you can ONLY drive. Maybe they should also take away the right to change the radio station since they dont even let you browse your mp3 folders when the car is moving. In fact, why dont they sell the car with just the speakers installed so that we can install a real system which does what we want.

I think it is borderline fraud for this practice to be taking place. This is an insane feature that should be removed immediately. This makes it very tempting to look at other vehicles as the navigation system is useless on the road.

What the hell are they thinking ! It is obvious that disabling the NAV features, phone and Audio/CD info while car is moving is breach of safety itself. It actually forces me to try and input info while stopped at red light and/or stop sign, and pulling off the highway / freeway here in my area is a NO NO ! Lexus has to be feeling the heat on this issue and needs to make a change. What next ? Cell phones do have GPS ! Maybe the cell company's can hire Toyota / Lexus lawyers and disable all input to a cell phones while in motion.........including passengers.

This is simply ridiculous. A simple warning acknowledging the risk of using a navigation system while driving and an override setting would do just fine. Helloooo Lexus!

I found your website because I did a search to figure out why my new Lexus GS' navigation system is not working while driving. I figured there was a work-around... there just had to be. I was negotiating with the BMW dealer next door to the Lexus dealer. My GS won me over, but would not have had I known this stupid feature exists. Unbelievable, and I am pissed.

I got a Garmin for Christmas from my wife that I use in my 'other' car. It is 10 times more user friendly than the system in the Lexus.

I was told by a salesman that the lock could be overridden once purchased. I cannot get this done. I was lied to. If they're going to lock out the controls then why leave other options available while disabling others on the same screen. For example, why can I play with the speakers and EQ when driving but I can't change what track my CD's playing on? That's completely retarded. I spent $45K on a car and I expect, unless otherwise restricted by my STATE law (not Lexus' Law), to make decisions on what I want to do with it! Now, give up and let the OWNERS make the decisions on vehicles we're paying LEXUS to own. If LEXUS were paying us to drive their vehicles, then it would be a completely different story. But, WE PAY LEXUS for their cars. I would'nt have purchased the IS 350 if I knew the lock feature was not capable of being disabled. I want some kind of rebate for this ignoratly designed feature.

This is no longer a luxury car. I cant stand the override. if not changed or offer an over ride this will be the last lexus (toyota) I will purchase. Very dissatisfide customer.

I used the override button all the time just so that the passager can navigate to different places for me. Now I am at risk by having to stop to input directions. I almost caused a collision on the highway and almost got a ticket from a police office for stopping on the 405 freeway. When I told him I was checking my navigation system he told me that I couldn't park here and to do it while I was driving. I told him I wish I could and he let me off with a warning and gave me 30 seconds to finish and move my car or he would give me a ticket.

I just turned in my Audi A8L for a new LS460L. I was shocked to find out that with a call to directory assistance, I couldn't just hit "1" while the car is moving to have a text message of the information sent to my phone. The Audi system would warn me to be careful while the car was moving, but it kept the phone and navigation functions enabled. Generally speaking, I really like the LS, but the disabling of these features is infuriating. Honestly, I would have stuck with the A8 had I known. It's that important to me.

This is no longer a luxury car. I can't stand the override. if not changed or offer an over ride this will be the last lexus (toyota) I will purchase. Very dissatisfied customer.

It just does not make sense to lock the navigation and phone while car is in motion. It is perfectly safe for the passenger to use these features. I would think Lexus can assume any Lexus owner paying top$$$$ will have enough sense in how to use any features intelligently.

It is extremely frustrating that my passenger cannot use the navigation while I'm driving, especially when they let you play with all of the other features that are likely more distracting.

I am angry, I feel as though my safety is being compromised. I've been in a situation where I needed to get info from the nav immediately and the only way to do so was to pull off the freeway into a less than desireable area to get the nav to work. I feel I am old enough and smart enough to make a judgement call as to when and if I'll be using the nav when I'm driving. I don't need Lexus to make that decision for me. I truly would not have bought the car had I known that the override function I used daily was no longer available.

just fix this problem, to make a good car better

There is no reason whatsoever to have this lock feature. I am a pilot, and believe me, there is no place to pull over to enter information. Plus, how screwy is it for the blue tooth phone to lock you out. I have to find my phone, and enter the numbers through it, instead of being able to keep my head up on the display. This is a disaster.

Got the upgrade and found the overide feature didn't work. Plan to ask Lexus to remove the new upgrade and give me my $ back. I'll buy another GPS system. It is ridiculous. My husband and I really only use it when we are on long drives or trips and it is annoying as hell that the passenger can't use it while the car is moving. Dawn S_______ Cypress, Tx

This is the most assinine implementation of technology I have ever over paid for. What next? Disable the auto window?

Nearly got killed recently merging back from the highway breakdown lane after I was forced to stop to enter the stupid directions. Whoever thought of this as a "safety improvement" is a moron -- my wife was in the car with me and was completely able to operate the nav systems without me getting distracted, but no!, instead I am forced to pull over in a super congested highway, and then risk my life (and that of my wife and 3 children) merging back. PLEASE SOMEONE PAY ATTENTION.

LEX-SUCKS!

This is ridiculous in a 60k car. My old Mercedes worked much better. If I could get rid of this vehicle I would..... Lexus stop trying to play big brother.

I FEEL THAT THE LEXUS SYSTEM IS JUNK! A PASSENGER CANNOT ENTER OR CHANGE DESTINATIONS IF THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, TEXT TO SPEECH IS A NECESSARY FEATURE WHICH IS AVAILABLE ON LESSER PRICED PORTABLE SYSTEMS AND THE SYSTEM IS TO DIFFICULT & CONFUSING TO OPERATE. I WISH I HAD KNOWN THIS BEFORE I PURCHASED MY 2008 LEXUS IS-250 AWD VEHICLE. I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED THE OEM NAVIGATION SYSTEM.

Hasn't somebody hacked the latest version of the software for us to install to put the override back in?

Lexus should give the user the option to override this unneccesary lock out.

Very very upset

This is total crap and NOT a safety issue. Pulling over to the side of a highway is NOT safe. Using the nav on my cellphone and looking at a 1.8 inch screen (which I've resorted too) instead of hearing it said from the car spearker is NOT safe. Having a pressure activated seat belt sensor on the passenger side but not letting the passenger using the NAV is BULLSHIT! I would definitely have bought a car from another vendor had I known this limitation.

It is actually MORE dangerous to have to pull off a freeway to set a destination, especially when a front seat passenger could easily do this as my wife has always done in our BMW's. This is my first (and last Lexus) unless this is changed! Robert P. H_______, MD

i drive around a lot for errands and such. i am a student! i find myself getting lost a lot and cannot even use the darn navigation system! most of the time i'm with a friend and we would both be getting mad about the situation! what's the problem! i mean if the lexus seats can detect that there's a passenger on the darn seat then why can't they use the navigation system! it's high tech enough for that so what the heck. eat it lexus.

It is ridiculous that a passenger cannot make entries into the Navigation system while moving!!!!! I have a Nuvi stand alone GPS navigation device that works while moving...my friend's BMW works while moving. I can't imagine that Lexus is more concerned than the other manufacturers about frivolous lawsuits. Please get rid of the lockout feature.

I hate this navigation system. I've been in the Honda and Acura and it is much more helpful to have the passenger use the system while in motion.

I almost purchased the M 45 Infiniti. If i had I would not have this problem. We rented a Mercedes Benz to go on a trip when I have a 08 GS 460 they cant tell me where to go.

I am really bothered that you can not manipulate the blue tooth as well as the navigation why'll the car is in motion. It becomes time consuming and sometimes dangerous if I have to pullover on the side of a highway because construction or no near by exists then having to merge back on into on coming traffic. I am deeply bothered by this but I do love my Lexus.

I own a new IS350 2008. I would have never bought the factory install option, instead I would have purchased an aftermarket nav system or better yet - never again consider lexus as a brand to buy.

I was lied to. On this and other issues.

I own a 2007 IS250...Not being able to override sucks....it's stupid, actually. It's supposedly for safety reasons, right? Then why is it okay for people to use portable navigation systems in their cars? Lexus really didn't use their heads when they made this decision. If they don't want to be liable for our safety, they should put a screen that says "By accepting this agreement, you are agreeing that a passenger, not the driver, is inputing the destination."........wouldn't that solve everything? Then it would be our OWN fault if we crash. They are stupid. I hate them. I regret buying my car. AND when I called to ask if I could have my CD changer upgraded to a ML DVD changer...they said "you might as well buy a new car"..........what kind of shit is that? I'm not going to pay another $40k to play DVDs in my car. Lazy bums just don't wanna do it for me.

The nav restrictions are an insult to our driving ability.

this is the worst

My business requires my passenger to input data while I am driving. I need this feature desperately!!!

the nav system is almost unusable. no one at the lexus of new orleans dealership can operate the system well enough to show a customer how to use it or maybe they can and they just dont want to show it's so not user friendly disgusted with my 58,000 vehicle

Am I correct to believe that the upgraded disk, offered by the postcard from Lexus for my 2006 ES330, will remove the override feature? If so, why would anyone by an already out-of-date upgrade when a REALLY NICE Garmin is available for not much more?

My wife is driving RX, mostly (90% of time) with me as right passenger. Why I can not use Navy on-the way? Audio system is retuned when there are 2 persons occupying front seats, it seems reasonable to allow override under same circumstances? Moscow, Russia

The nav lock is absolutely retarded. It decreases safety and efficiency. thank you for letting us speak up.

The override should be enough take care of any "legal" issues. The feature really makes the navigation system useless when you're driving.

This frosts my ass so much, you wouldnt believe it. I can not think straight, Im so pissed off. Toyota can go to Hell for all I care!

I would have bought the new Benz C-class. I am irate. A passenger can't use the Navi????

Simply, it really blows when you need stop the car to use the nav system. Even more annoying when you have a passenger that could easily be doing the navigating while the driver drives. I'm online a couple times a month looking for a solution!

This stinks! I have to pull over just to get the guidance I need. Who knows there is going to be traffic issues before you leave the driveway? JUNK!

Ridiculous and has caused me not to purchase another Lexus again.

Why cant my front passenger use the nav functions while I drive? My mercedes ml500 nav is not as sophisticated but it is much nicer since I dont have to pull over to use it!!!

Your system is the worst I have ever used. Maybe you should let the driver decide if the system should have regulations or not!!!!!! I would have bought an Infinity if I would have known how un user friendly this is. Or I would have not bought the overpriced Navigation all together and bought a Garmin. Please fix this problem soon!

It is ridiculous that my passenger cannot operate my navigation system while the car is in motion. Lexus should allow an override feature with a screen that accepts full responsibility by the driver. To simply disable the system is unacceptable.

l do want to use navi during driving

I resent the "Big Brother" attitude that Lexus has adopted on this issue. I paid for the car and for the full functionality of the car. I have purchased a total of 6 Lexus vehicles in my lifetime. I will never purchase another vehicle from Lexus. I plan to purchase a new vehicle later this year and I will not even consider Lexus vehicles when making my purchase decision.

Had I known the limitations of the system while driving, I would not have purchased this car. My acura would allow input while driving. I feel the stopping on a busy Interstate or street is far more dangerous than imput while driving. You can have your so called safe Lexus, give me my Acura back.

All I can surmise is that it must be one heck of an ego trip for the Lexus attorney's. This navigation flaw was the only negative when we bought our RX330 in 2005. Thankfully there was an override feature that I was told about by a friend so I was content. I was thinking about updating the map...but not before I found out for certain that I would not lose this feature. After a little reading on the web...I'm obviously not updating and furthermore, I have bought my first and last Lexus. Kind of funny when the attorney's for Hertz can let just about anyone rent a car with Never Lost and not be concerned about any lawsuits as you have to agree not to do anything stupid while operating it. Lexus must think that Lexus owners are a rung below Hertz customers.

Keep the overide as a "secret" menu as it has been for so many years. Annoyance yes, but at least it was an option.

Locking out parts of the navigation and phone system is absolutely insane. On top of everything, when the law in California this July 1st eliminates the use of a hand held cell phone, I will have to go out and buy a handsfree cell phone kit since my Luxury automobile handsfree has so many functions unavailable when driving.

Paid for equipment that does not work as needed. Dealer has no clue about the nav system

More than annoying, not allowing the consumer's passenger access to navigational aids while the vehicle is in motion is like selling a basketball that deflates every time you dribble it differently than what you initially planned. Life is change; learn to adapt. Come on Lexus (Toyota), get real. Embed your disclaimers in the GPS and release a fix that keeps the consumer returning for future products.

It makes no sense to be unable to use these functions while driving. As a private pilot, it would be a disaster if the manufacturer prohibited changes to routes, etc while moving! I had a BMW that allowed the movement, and although it was 7 years old, if I knew this I would have looked around.

I was going to buy a 2008 or 2009 lexus gx-470 but will look elsewhere if nav is not solved.

I am annoyed that the passenger is not able to input while the car is being driven. Lexus should not police users. A simple splash screen can eliminate liablity concerns that a driver should not be working GPS while car is in motion.

The overide helps when my wife are together on long trips. We have 2 Lexus and intentionally expected the overide option in our latest upgrade.

Disppointed. I'm starting to hate my car.

I sort of agree with disabling, but if there is a passenger it should be able to use it.

As a physician who drives 150 miles everyday,my job requires that I am easily accessible to my staff and my patients. Being unable to make phone calls while driving (I spend 3 hours on the road everyday) will be a significant issue to support my practice.

i just don't like it.i hate it everytime i need to stop my car.

Just spoke to Lexus Canada, and they are refusing to offer the same rebate or refund being offered to Lexus USA. Any suggestions?

The problems are quite un-believable. How could anyone be so stupid as to miss the safety problems being caused by this poor nav system. Please direct us to software fixes or hardware patches.

I miss the override I had in my 2006 LS 430.

I use navigation feature constantly. It is a a dangerous situation having to pull over to the side of the road to input navigation (as the voice prompts are time consuming, inaccurate voice recognition and dangerous - having to concentrate on repeating voice commands rather than the road in front of you !).

I get angry everytime I try to use my navigation system.

the same problem is now with the new Toyota Landcruiser 200 V8 Model 2008, no access to navigation, no access to bluetooth mobile phone dialing, no DVD for passenger while vehicle moves, get to stop on the service lane of an highway in order to search for the next gas station. Fu** Toyota Engineers

I hate how they do this in 2007 why not after I bought my car

who do they think they are GOD. It does not make sense to have it work this way.

horrible!

So far behind $400 Garmins. Wish I had never purchased the Nav option.

Every single after market system and other auto manufacturer can be used while driving, no reason why Lexus needs to be different. At least give us the option to have the Lexus dealer permanently make the adjustment so the touchscreen can be used while driving.

I purchased a 2004 RX 330 with a Nav System that was not able to recognize roads that had been in place for 6 years. Thinking that the "update" would fix that, I spend $320 to buy the CD and have it installed by the Dealer. The System still does not know roads and ramps that are 2 years old and is basically dangerous by misleading you in its directions.

I have been having problems with my NAV system from the time I got my car in June 2007. It tells me when it directs me home that my Home is on the left when, in fact, it's on the right. It leads me onto routes that are more circuitous, longer and indirect than those available and familiar to me. It tells me that I'm about to enter the highway when I've been on it for more than 1/4 km. It tells me that I've arrived at my destination when I'm more than 250 meters away from it. It tells me that 'that address does not exist', when it actually does. All this and more! And the absence of the override option is just as infuriating to me as it is to everyone else here. I've written and called Lexus, and they're just blowing me off, saying only that "we are forwarding your comments to the appropriate departments within Lexus Canada for information purposes only." Translation? Don't expect anything from us. IF they continue to treat me and everyone else this way, we may need to organize a class-action suit.

The GPS is sorely lacking in its mapping algorythms and functionality. I did get the upgrade but it actually has less detail in some areas. As a Realtor it is not useful to me. I lost a client when I had to pull over to inout an address and he was following me. A Policeman stopped to ask questions and my client almost got a ticket because his car was very close to the road. It s rediculous that we are unable to input data while the car is moving. All in all an inferior GPS system.

I had a Nissan Altima that I sold as I wanted a nicer auto. I had become hooked on the Nav Sys and would not buy a Lexus without one. I wish I had kept my Altima. I have a hand held gps that is better than Lexus. What a waste of money.

It's very inconvient and dangerous to stop in order for the passenger to us the system.

Hello: I just purchased a 2005 Lexus RX 330 and was unaware of this issue. (It has 4.2) When I looked into updating the navigation system I came upon a website that referenced you. I almost bought a Lexus upgraded 7 DVD on E-bay but found you first. Should I just buy the 5.1 instead? Or buy 5.1 and 6.1 and download kiwi?

I hate this. I understand that it will help in terms of security but what about my co-passenger. My co-passanger should be able to do it.

Creates a very unsafe vehicle when one has to pull over to reroute or find a POI

would like an override feature immediately

Navigation should be controlled during driving by passenger.

I think it is an insult to users. I can understand setting the default to not display the info, but for got sake, give the user the option to overide it if its their choice.

The dealer did not explain this issue. Both myself and my wife did not initially realize this problem and on two seperate occasions were nearly in accidents. Also I do not feel safe stoping in some locations to enter info or select a phone number. This is counter intuitive in a sitution where this device should be helping you to remaine safe! This was not an issue with my Mercedes ML500 which I traded in to purchase the Lexus.

Lexus GPS is the worst system I have ever used. And the lockout makes it even worse!!

This car was designed by a lawyer. Listen to your customers, not the legal beagles, or you will lose your customers.

I hate this lock out. I feel its more dangerous to stop in "not so nice areas or on the side of the highway" when my passenger can easily type in any info that is needed. It wastes time, and make a feature that was made purely for convenience very inconvenient.

What bothers me most about the inability to use the navigation system while driving is that a passenger is completely available to enter search information for me--but, can't b/c the Lexus RX nav system does not allow it.

It's really surprising how much this issue affects the overall usefulness of the system, partiuclarly the phone and MP3 navigation. Since I am often on conference calls as part of my business (a reason I spent the money on the Navigation upgrade), I am really at a serious disadvantage for not being able to punch in numbers after the call has connected. The POI limitation on the navigation is unique and seriously unfortunate, and the voice command system is highly unreliable and slow. At the end of it, the speed lockouts simply seem arbitrary -- I can dial using a speed dial button, but not by phone book? I can add POI icons, but not actually choose a category for a stopover? I can look and poke at the screen for driving directions, but not select a POI destination from a list? Unlike the rest of the car which is wonderful, the whole thing simply seems not up to lexus standards.

I thought I could disable the only entering destinations while in motion problem on my 2007 Lexus navigation system when I bought it. I was ripped off!

Makes the system totally non functional when driving, which is idiotic...I had an 06 gs which I liked much better because of the nav system..

First we need to find the persons at corporate who are responsible. So far I've been stonewalled. If we get this info we need to call for thier resignation. If all Lexus owners would subscribe to consumer reports they will get the annual survey which is used to rate cars. A lot of damage can be done with unsatisfactory ratings and we are only talking a few hundred responses for the ls. Also write to your local attorney general. Your letter will go to this largely worthless consumer affairs devision but the AG will forward the letter to Lexus and request a response. When you get the response write back,and keep the process going until it is enough of an annoyance that someone at Lexus listens to its customers. Point out this is not a safety issue. No danger exists from a passenger operating a nav. If safety were an issue why would Lexus increase the horsepower from 295 to 380 in one year and the 0 to 60 time from5.9 to 5.4 seconds. was that a "safety" move. How about a governor limiting the speed of the vehicle to 65 the national speed limit. That's safe. and they wouldn't sell any cars. The moral is these idiots will only listen when they feel it will affect sales and that means constant and unrelenting pressure until they are convinced this is a substantial. Call your dealer once a month and ask if there has been any change until they bring pressure as well. Keep it up,we can win this one!

I would have thought twice and get myself an Acura MDX if I knew.

I just upgraded my navigation disk to version 7.1 and realized the override does not work. I am extremely disappointed since I am normally in the passenger seat and now we have to pull over to input destinations. It's no wonder that they lowered the price so much since it was originally released. My next car will be an Acura!

without that system it is worthless to have a navigation system and i hope no one takes the nav system

Its great to have company on my outrage,being treated as a child by Lexus. All I want to do is use the nav from the passenger seat! As an attorney myself I want to find out who the lamebrained attorney is who is giving Lexus such bad advice and where he went to law school. Lexus needs new lawyers. Fire them now Lexus and hire lawyers who don't treat your customers as children and with disdain! Does anyone know who "legal " is? I'd like to research them.

Several weeks ago we purchased new 2007 GS350. We got a great end of year deal. But we were shocked to learn that most of the Nav and Telephone systems are inoperable while the vehicle is in motion. At first we thought the Nav system was broken and called the dealer. We were informed this is a "safety feature". A safety feature???? Ok fine, I suppose that argument can be applied to the driver. But the "Safety" argument doesn't hold water when the passenger is the Nav System operator. I don't think we should waste time arguing safety Motherhood and Apple Pie with the legal folks at Lexus. Experience tells me this is a losing proposition; a no win. Rather, let's give these folks at Lexus an elegant way out of this mess, a way to save face. Here is a solution.... How about adding a Nav System lockout override that is activated when there is a passenger in front passenger seat. The technology to sense a passenger is already there via Airbag and seatbelt sensors. This seems like a simple compromise and an inexpensive dealer service procedure.

I think Lexus should put a warning on the screen that the user has to actively click OK to - - this would alleviate their "legal issue" and allow us to operate the system while moving.

2006GX. I had previously owned a JagXJ with nav and never considered asking the salesman, "Does Cell/Nav imput work while you're driving?" I couldn't imagine there might be a "No". After delivery I called the Lexus salesman immed. and he was "surprised" at the lock-out but he thought there was a "chip" available ebay/online. I was in a different dealership recently (2 YEARS later) and stated I would NOT buy a Lexus/Toyota if the issue has not been fixed. Salesman said lock out was still a problem, but...he heard there was a chip!!!!!!! I no longer think this is an issue of one uninformed salesman but rather a "canned" disinformation response.

If I had any idea that I would lose the override feature I would not have updated my nav. I am happy with the car, just not the nav.

I have a 2007 ES350. I hate the lockout. What about the passenger using the GPS..... I hate it I hate it I hate it I hate it

I think it is annoying that we no longer have the override. On top of that, Lexus wants to charge to upgrade to v7.1 just to get rid of the 'I Agree' button.

The LS 460 navigation system with Bluetooth phone is totally worthless while driving the car. A Garmin Nuvi 760 has more features that work anytime and it is easy to attach to the Lexus nav screen with the included suction cup mount. If Lexus cannot fix the lockout a full refund shold be made for the nav system. I had to purchase the Garmin unit inorder to drive the car and have a fully functional navagation system with Bluetooth phone.

Lets get the override back!

I would prefer that most of the screen features would be available. It certainly is a safety issue if the driver starts typing on the screen while driving, but it would be useful for the passenger.

I bought my wife a Garmin Nuvi 760 at Christmas and her Garmin is 100% better than the expensive navigation system Lexus has offered in my LS 460. Had I know the uslessness of the nav system, I would not have bought the car. I expect some type of financial rebate in order to compensate me for this problem. I'm going to buy another Garmin for the new Lexus, and use that.

I also agree that it's stupid to have to pull over to change data when I have a passenger in the car to do so.

I called Lexus about this issue. The customer service person flat out told me that they will not be able to fix this in any new release nor will they refund the cost of the Navigation System. They did offer me a free 10,000 mile warranty service which I refused to accept. I asked customer service to call me back with escalation. Not sure if I will receive any further feedback from them. Any suggestions ?

Most other car manufactures and after market GPS units allow you to input while the car is in motion. There have been many times where I have been on the highway and wanted to do a quick search. Lexus please change this feature!!!!! I didn't think it was as big a deal when I bought my car but now I would rate the NAV functions much higher and Lexus would get a negative in that category.

To me it seems as if Dian Ogilvie's team (Dian is Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Toyota Motors USA ) found a way to "play with the product". It is a blaring demonstration of why interaction between product management and counsel should be limited to legal issues (and not product features). Dian is disappointing in not providing executive oversight and ensuring that her legal team does not interfer with consumer needs and safety.

i feel that the saftey features Lexus puts in the navigation and bluetooth is more of a hazard than a safety feature. Now when my cell phone rings while the car is moving the display shows incoming call and i need to look at the cell phone to get caller id information. if i could see it on the screen there are about 80 percent of the calls i would not take. i think the people buying a Lexus know when they can use their systemand be safe doing it. I don\'t need Lexus to be my mother. Lexus is say behind on the electronics.

My after market nav system from Alpine blew this POC away :(

retarded.... I echo the sounds of this forum about not being able to use a Nav system while in motion, especially when my passenger can fully utlize the sysytem. We need to make immediate corrections to destinations and addresses while driving in traffic. Been reading forums and found this... http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=309318 I have not tried it \"yet\", but I will. we upgraded from v5.1 to v7. and are dissatisfied with the results for the money. (Ed: Lexus is sending letters to owners urging them to 'upgrade' their disc for $265. I spoke to Lexus about this version and it DOES NOT HABE THE OVERRIDE function either, according to Lexus.)

This has got to be the most ridiculous safety feature that I have EVER seen. Do you think any features of navigation are locked out in an airplane when it is moving, why do you think that is? At a minimum the front passenger should be able to fully utilize any function of the system at anytime. $2400+ for a system that is basically useless to me, what a rip-off. Will not buy another Lexus until they get their act together on this.

There is no reason why my passenger can't use the nav while we are traveling... The airbag registers with the weight of th passenger in the from seat.... so why can't it enable an over ride for the naviagaion... perhaps with a second conformation from the driver.... ?? I too have been approached by police when I have had to reroute my nav... It's not only unsafe, it's also dangerous! Disapointed that Lexus can't see beyond what is really very helpful, especially for us folks who have really began to depend on and trust our nav systems, to travel the country. You have smart people employed... work it out and get in front of the curve.

It's amazing that GARMIN doesn't seem to have a liability issue but Lexus does. Another thing that's stupid id the fact that when you change the languase on the NAv all the directions are in the other language but all the commands are asked in enlgish and you must respond in english! Is that not the dumbest thing??!!

it is ridiculous that passenger can't not use the nagivator. the voice command is taking too long to finish the address. they need to override for all models.

I was told by my salesman before purchase that there was a method to override this feature. I just had to look on the internet.

I have discouraged other people from buying this vehicle because of the navigation system, I previously had an Acura MDX and the navigation and vehicle upgrades were far superior to the Lexus GX470, I somewhat regret my decision of making the purchase without investigating the differences in the vehicles further.

The navigation lockout when moving was not explained to me when purchasing the vehicle and seemed to be conveniently left out of the discussion with the salesperson. The nav seems worthless if i or a passenger cannot use it while moving. The additional lockouts on the phone and other menus when moving are also a major inconvenience.

I didn't pay $40K for a car to not let me use the features the way that I was led to believe they could be used!

I will never buy another Lexus until this is fixed. However, Lexus' unbelievably poor handling of this matter has damaged my view of Toyota. They are displaying the same arrogance that GM did in the 60s.

Personally, I'd like to be kept informed of this issue. But I am pretty much happy with the way my Nav works. I would like it if an override came around, and I would even consider paying for it.

I have the 2008 400h AWD. I HATE the GPS. I'll take the old Mercedes GPS or even the portable garmin any day. I won't ever buy another LEXUS until the GPS can be used while driving. If I'm in a questionable neighborhood, the last thing I want to do is pull over and put the car in Park so that I can figure out how to get out of it. This is the stupidest thing I have ever heard of. It is also the least user friendly GPS I've ever used.

I am disappointed Lexus representatives withheld information on the limited functionality of its navigation system. I bought the suv to drive with my family most of the time, not driving alone. My wife would have been the primary operator of the navigation system in time of need. In the end, Lexus sees itself above everyone else (other manufacturers) in the protection of its own interest at the expense of its buyers. I\'m extremely disappointed! These legal guys need to explain themselves and earn their paycheck in a better manner.

THis was a feature I absolutely assumed there would be an override for. When I asked the sales guy about it he kept avoiding the question. After repeatedly asking he said that he has two technical specialist that would help us override it the next time we came in.

If it was their money, they'd want everything to have full functionality too...don't exactly see how not having systems operate/function at top condition is part of a "passionate pursuit of perfection"...when a $200 off the shelf garmin or tom-tom can beat the socks of Lexus' "handicapped" system, I'd call that a "passionate pursuit of customer frustration"

give us a rebate ive been going crazy {also the wife trying to find a hack so we dont have to pull over send me a rebate check lexus

The Acura/Honda NAV systems are FAR superior to the Lexus/Toyota NAV systems! Give US, your customer, what we desire. Lexus MUST override this annoyance and understand that a Lexus owner is a sophisticated individual that will take their money to another manufacturer.

I'm in sales and this is just not useful but the car is brand new. Hard to justify trading in and losing all that money so I bought a Garmin and i stuck it to the screen I call it the Lexus upgrade.

The phonebook lockout bothers me more than the nav issue. Why is it that you can access your 17 speed dials and that's not a safety issue, but accessing the rest of the phone book becomes a safety issue? That's bullshit! Lexus should own up to the fact that it is simply a poor design issue. The nav and phonebook should have been disclosed prior to the sale. My son's Honda Civic has the best system I've ever used. Go figure!

It's ridiculous and limiting to the consumer. Advanced knowledge would've swayed me to buy a different car.

i want my override and i want it now!

I was also told the override was available and now that I am checking online, I see that it is not for my 2008 IS250 that I just bought last week. This is a huge disappointment.

I hate to stop my car everytime when i need to input in the nag.Once time i also got a accident so now i prefer to uesd my portable nag that more easy to use.If i know that i will not buy this car.

Want a rebate

Should have bought a Garmin instead of this $2000.00 piece of junk. Lexus has no right to do this if other car manufactors are not. It's not like the goverment passed a law against the use. We should be given a rebate for the full cost of it. We just got the new update DVD for 2007 and the streets that have been around for over 2yrs are still not on the DVD. It can\'t even bring us to our home the right way. We have 2007 GS350.

This is stupid feature. I cannot change the destination when needed. The sales person informed about how best the navigation system and overall lexus safety features but did not even utter a word about this problem. Definitely I would not buy another lexus or toyota vehicles. my 45K went down the drain.

We were mislead by the sales person. I think that the sales persons are well trained not to talk about the navigation system lock. We were not aware of the feature being disabled until we finished the deal. We did not buy Acura because the new model was not a touch screen. But could be able to change the destination or POI while the vehicle is in motion. Navigation system was that important for me. Why would anyone buy a navigation system which cannot be used when needed? I would like to reverse this transaction if possible. But it was too late. I did not even have the new car enjoyment until now and when ever I look at the car I feel that Lexus deceived me. I have also called up Lexus immediately and wrote letters explaining how unhappy I am and would like to reverse this transaction. But no response. Next thing I am planning to do is to go to consumer forum. I already got an warning from I-5 interstate trooper for stopping the vehicle on shoulder on a highway. He told me that since I have a good driving record he is giving me warning and told me next time I should take an exit and pull into any parking lot to do so. This so called safety feature by lexus turned to be more dangerous then safety. For Washington state buyers be aware of Lexus sales guys in Lexus of Belevue while you are making a deal. I have already told every one in my company not to buy lexus with navigation system.

I actually own a Prius Hybrid with Nav. but wanted my frustration counted also. I have an older Lexus RX 330 that does have an override, which makes use of the Nav. significantly easier. Toyota MUST fix this problem!

This supposed security feature is actually a real danger. Just take the example of the GSM functions unavailability : During a call, my provider offers me functions that require to dial numbers : it forces me to finally take my cell phone in my hands when driving, and dialing them with nervosity. If an accident occurs, it could be due to this ridiculous security system. Again, all this is ridiculous. Such a nice car with such a silly decision... Too bad... I will never repurchase a Lexus in the future if this is still true.

Please let me know if there is any way i can bypass this on my Lexus GS350 of 2007. I hate driving with this feature. thanks

I would like to know how to unlock navigation rx350 2008 .

Everything that you have stated on this website is exactly how I feel, and what I told my Lexus dealer when I spoke to them. And when I spoke to them, I too was stonewalled. How do I get this rebate? I am in Canada.

We never realized how bad this was until we were on our way home from Florida and had to stop in a not so good place just to find an alternate route so we could make a detour. our $150 tomtom is much better.

If I would have had any idea that the stupid screen would have grayed out before I bought the car then I would not have bought the LS460. I owned BMW before and it was completely open. I could do anything I wanted on the nav/stereo, etc..screen while driving. I was not informed that the car would be crippled at purchase and am very disappointed.

As driver I am the captain of "my ship." Like a pilot of an aircraft, I alone should determine how to best utilize my mechanical resources. I drive in neighborhoods where pulling off the road to adjust my navigation system is an invitation to foul play. On the freeway it is simply idiotic to be stopped just inches away from vehicles moving in excess of 65 mph.

I am really worried about the usage of lexus RX350 NAV , it irrates us when driving.

If you really desperate to drive Lexus with Navi, get lexus and navi separate save yourself $2,300.00. Acura has everything you looking for plus it will recognize your voice too.

I figured there must be a mistake. I undertand the need to have the lockout as default setting, but there's GOT to be an override. They cannot be that foolish.

It's funny how there is still some funtionality when you are moving. I can easily get into an accdident messing with those functions as well. Why not disable the thing! It's really stupid! I should be able to control what I do in my car when it comes to navigation. I have a Garmin Nuvi 360 that allows me to do everything while I'm moving and it was a lot cheaper then the Nav system on my GS350

Geez, get a life! I will be amazed if you publish this, but I’ll give it a shot anyway. OK, it is a minor annoyance, but easy to overcome. Lexus just hid the feature, they did not get rid of it! Follow these simple instructions: While stopped or driving push Menu then Volume then push the top left corner – the bottom left corner and a new menu pops up. Push Overide and hold until a beep sounds. That’s it! You now have all functions needed. Well, almost. You still can’t dial a new number or access your address book if you have Bluetooth until stopped. So can we go back to really important things, like global warming, the war etc??? PS: prove me wrong and post this on your web site for all to see. (Ed. Well, ...that was for the older versions, before 6.1....)

Its more annoying than anything else. If there was a hack I would use it. If there isnt one, I can l;ive with it, but with such an expensive vehicle, we shouldn't have to just live with it.

voice recognition takes too long and to scroll through albums is more distracting than to look at album list,my eyes are looking at the screen 70 times rather than 7.you do the math also whats the point of saying gas stations and not being able to choose from them!!

Disabling the function of the navigation system while in motion is a contractual issue. Very simply it violates "fitness of purpose" and "specific performance" issues. When one purchases a navigation system without a written disclaimer regarding the lack of function of the navigation system while driving the system does not fit the purpose of behaving as a navigation system nor does it specifically perform as a navigation system. Lexus could have and should have given each purchaser the option of having an unlocked navigation system provided the purchaser signed a hold harmless agreement should the purchaser be involved in a motor vehicle accident while using the navigation system. It is amazing that the AUDIO, DISPLAY & CLIMATE functions of the system are not "locked out" while the vehicle is in motion. Why are those features less dangerous than the navigation system and telephone systems? As a purchaser of 3 Lexus automobiles and current owner of 2 Lexus automobiles and one Toyata van I will seriously consider purchasing Acura and Infiniti products in the future. My navigation system does not function as a navigation system therefore I feel I am due a refund for the purchase price of the navigation system as the check above.

The main reason we go the Nav is to be used on our vacation trips, but we can't use it while driving - which is most of the time!

It is very frustrating that you can buy a $400 GPS system as an add on and get all the features at any time, but spending nearly $2000 for the Lexus was a waste of money.

just can't believe that you can stick any magellan or garmin in a car and navigate any time you'd like, and they aren't concerned about liablity. why is lexus? I've use my nav only one time in 6 months because of theis limitation

I just turned in my BMW 530 and wanted something new. Was struggling between the Infiniti M35 and the Lexus GS350. BMW has gotten a bad rap because of its I Drive system which people say is complicated. From day one, never had an issue with it. Having multiple issues with the Lexus. Voice commands are limited and always misinterpreted. The Navi system I was told I'd be able to override. Find out now that I can't. If I'm stuck in traffic, I can't ask for an alternate route for 1-whatever miles. So disappointed. Love the car...by way way behind in the audio technology.

I recently bought a 2002 es 300 and the navigation system was the major selling point. I was driving to work and I tried to input an address, this is when I realised that their was a motion lockout. I was pissed and it ruined my mood for the entire day. I had to pull off the road which I thing is even more dangerous in order to enter the address. Lexus needs to fix this, my father has an acura and has no problem with his system. SHAME ON YOU TOYOTA/LEXUS!

I am very disappointed that my new 2007 Lexus SC430 navagation system won't work in motion. I complained to the dealer sevice dept. with only a referal to Lexus concern for my safety. Why don't they just make the car not run without seat belts being connected if safety is such a concern. Had I known of this problem I would have opted to not purchase the navagation option and would have continued to use my Garmin unit.

It's preposterous that I can use an Ipod through the AUX port while in motion, but be locked out of the touch screen. It's preposterous that other car makers allow full use of their systems while in motion, but not Lexus for the Mark Levin. It's preposterous that I can't sign some kind of waiver absolving Lexus from liability for my use of the ML while in motion. Toyota's not allowing full use of the ML is insulting and aggravating. Unbelievable. I can't believe that Lexus will continue to irritate its customers. All it takes is a software update. I shouldn't be forced to buy an aftermarket product to get full, appropriate use of the ML.

This is a bad business decision by Lexus, driven by inept legal advice. Management needs to tell the lawyers that it's their job to help the company get to the right business decision, not to tell the company all the things it can't do. For a company that is so customer-driven, Lexus is really doing itself damage.

Locks are fine if you need them. But there should be a way to disable them just like in ALL comercial GPS systems. I also noticed that the address book for the phone disappears as well as the folder list on the CD player. Come on now. We can't even view a folder list on a CD?? Do Lexus buyers ever have passengers that might be able to use these features without causing the driver to crash? VERY DISAPPOINTED.

utterly frustrating and a very poor reflection on Lexus' attitude towards customer preferences - the reason why I won't buy another Lexus

Lexus is being irresponsible by imposing their will on the consumer. If anything it makes the car more dangerous to have a lockout feature that would force you to slow down or pull off to the side of the road.

give me a break. this is my 6th lexus and now i can't overide this silly feature. i can adjust the radio, temp, sunroof, dvd, but lexus says i can't put in the address for the local wal-mart!

2 problems: The lawyers are protecting Lexus and Toyota by hobbling the car's expensive software system; Lexus and Toyota are marketing without full disclosure.

We have the 2005 RX330 and upgraded the NAV dvd to 6.1 in December... big mistake... I am so missing the override.. My husband & I travel a lot between Mass & Fl (driving) and the passenger always readjusts the nav while we're enroute... not being able to do that now is really a mess for us... Good thing we bought a Garmin hand held for the other vehicle.. we'll be using it now I guess..

This is the most annoying thing out there. I received a portable GPS that I used and loved it so I wanted the same feature in my Lexus!! I am so dissappointed that I spent the extra dollars for something that is useless!! I will tell all my friends about this and discourage anyone who is thinking about buying this feature!!!

2008RX350 with new navigation. Need to find a way to get this to work while driving.

I can rarely use this because the voice recognitin system does not understand me. My passenger can't use it unless I stop. I have to sit in the garage for 5 minutes inputting the address. I should have been warned about this feature.

The inability to use the NAV system when my husband is driving makes me crazy! The voice recognition system stinks. I would like a refund on my NAV system.

I cannot say anything that hasn't already been said...I just feel robbed.

its not right, there should be a choice here,they don't even inform you when your purchasing the vehicle. Of course if lexus wants to disable functions while on drive then at least make the voice recognition better it's third class.. I am very upset.

I much prefer my cheapo Garmin to the Lexus NAV system.

I just bought the car over two weeks ago and already feel like being robed. Compared to the Navigation system on Acura and BMW, which I have personal experience with, the Lexus Navigation seems like a toy. The setup is terrible not to mention the voice command give me an aneurysm each time I use it. And then there is the override. WHY COULDN'T MY PASSENGER USE THE SYSTEM WHEN I AM DRIVING??? That is stupid!!! I would of gotten another car if I knew the Nav suck that much.

I think Lexus should give the option of Nav override to the driver, given that the driver takes full responsibility. They could just do the fine prints at Nav start-up and use an 'agree' button to accept the terms. That's what Garmin does.

I first drove and was considering purchasing a used 2006 GX470 and the salesman told me the 2007 model navigation was so far superior, with better screen and functions and that it was a much better product for me and my business, which is real estate. I listened and instead bought the 2007 GX470 model... and what a total pain this navigation system has been!!! I have tried everything to get it to work while I have a car full of people, which of course means, I have to use the voice activation system. Imagine the embarrasment when I am trying to tell the car where I want to go and in order to get it to understand or hear me I have to speak louder than the passengers, then when I say the state, city, street etc..the system says random and strange things.. which makes everyone in the car stop talking and start laughing! Meanwhile, I am no closer to finding the next address. Now I have to pull over to the side of the road in order to continue the property address search, and even with manual input the system is not user friendly in the least! I can not believe the salesman would 'sell' me this car with this ridiculous system that is nothing short of Archaic! My 2002 BMW 530i has a far superior navigation system, and the world of navigation has come light years since I bought that car 6 Years ago! I feel like I was totally taken advantage of by Lexus! I now have a car I hate using for business because the things I paid extra money for don't work properly. I have no other choice but to sell it, with only 4000K miles on it. What a rip off!!!!

wasted technology

need driver frendly and easy to oprate stoping to set is dangerous in unknown place

I am very disappointed with the ES350 navigation system. I have a much less expensive Garmin Nuvi 660(with a much more up-to-date database) that will do circles around it. Garmin has a disclaimer when the unit powers up. You acknowledge it and move on. Why can't Lexus do the same?

Was told by the dealer that an override was available over the internet. The nav system override should at the very least be available when someone is in the passenger seat. I can't believe how controlling lexus is. I hate the Nav system and the bluetooth. When you use the voice commands, it does not always work, waitng for the system to repeat your command and verify takes so long. We want the Nav override back or at least 3/4 of the price of the Nav back because 3/4 of it is useless when driving.

In Nevada it is dangerous (and sometimes illegal) to stop in a highway if you do not have an emergency.

Another solution would be to enable the Navigation/Phone as an optional setting just like the other customized settings available.

Why can I be trusted to drive a car but not use the electronics provided in the car??? More importantly, why can't my PASSENGER use the nav system while I am driving?!?! Please let me know the steps to receive a rebate! I had a 7 year old nav system from Alpine that was better. I just bought my wife a Garmin Nav system that is better... this new policy is insane.

I was told that the override feature was availble in a software update by the dealership and that all cars come without this, but they are easily changed. "Hennessey Lexus, Atlanta, GA

This feature drives me insane, I would have not bought the car had I knew it had this limitation. I do not need this hassle with a $50,000 car

My wife has a 5 year old Garmin Streetpilot that is more functional than the 2007 Lexus navigation.

I'm putting the purchase of a Lexus I-f on hold.

You can mess with the radio, telephone(to a point), and just about everything else, but you can't look for a restaurant without stopping the damn car. Have had the car a day....love it, except for this.

I was misled by our dealer re- override.. No talking inside the car is next??? "Call Garmin for the 'write' address"

My family also has a 07 Prius - The NAV has GOT TO BE FIXED

I was never told about the Nav when I bought the car. Very upset.

Very poor decision by Lexus. We owned a Lexus RX300 (without NAV) and were very happy with the nex 400H. Happy, that is, until we found the NAV system was basically useless. It is more of a safety hazzard to stop at a red light longer than than necessary (i.e. light goes green) just so you can finish inputting all of the information for the destination.

very weird that just lexus among the other rivals of luxury cars does not allow navigation while driving!

Why is Lexus the most behind on technology? My old Mercedes allowed me to input in stop and go traffic, why won't the Lexus?

need override function to safely make entries by passenger.

This issue could be solved so simply. Lexus could completely remove the limitation on the navigation system simply by having the vehicle purchaser sign a document that stipulates driver use of the navigation system while the vehicle is in motion is dangerous and could lead to accident or death and that the vehicle purchaser understands this and will not hold Lexus Motor Corp or any of its subsidiaries responsible should accident occur as a result of driver use of the navigation system while the vehicle is in motion. I am sure that Lexus legal could produce an iron clad document that would remove all liability from Lexus for driver use of the navigation system. Why the company has not figured this out is ridiculous to me. Anyhow, just my 2 cents worth.

Still waiting for www.coastaletech.com to come up with something for the 2007 RX400h with standard radio and NAV. Garmin 750 is far better.

How much of a warning do you require! it gives that warning message every time you start the car. It should be far more accessible than it is currently.

no override - i would have passed on the option. its worthless and dangerous as now i have to pull over to enter into the nav system. its bs and should have been explained to me.

The navigation system is simply useless! Whats the reason for getting navigation if you can't even use it 90 percent of the time? i wish i never even bought this car and got a acura TL instead since you can use the navigation and drive at the same time. This safety feature is just ridiculous!! Maybe i have a passenger who can type in my destination for me while im driving how bout that? Definitely such a waste of my money for a useless system.. now i know next time i should go for an acura instead of a overpriced lexus..

I NEVER would have got another Lexus had I known the override was gone. I asked the dealer when I bought the car if the override still existed and was told it was. If a passenger is in the car, there is NO reason to disable most of the Nav and phone functions. This will be my last Lexus

i just hate that you cant do many things while on the road. even more annoying when you have a passenger and that person cant change a thing, pretty bad choice by lexus

I couldn't be more disappointed with the crippling of a product and not listening to those using it. I'll definitely recommend people away from any manufacturer that does this.

I found out about this on the test drive and it was very, very close to a deal breaker for me. I really wanted to backup camera and you have to get the Nav system to get that. But it really sours me on Lexus in general. I agree with most of the comments that it is probably less safe or at a minimum it should be activated if someone is in the passenger seat. I don't have time, but I would be delighted if you guys put together a class action law suit.

My passenger should have access to the Navigation and phone system while I am driving. Also, I do not like to have to park my car to change my destination. It is more dangerous for me to look for my cell phone in my purse and dial from my cell phone - I should be able to dial straight from the navigation screen while the car is in motion.

Very unhappy with the size of the car but mostly the navigation and bluetooth phone capabilities. My phone is never clear to others that I speak to so i never use the phone capablilities anymore I opt for a bluetooth ear piece and my navigations was not worth the purchase of the car which Is the main reason why i purchased this car (for voice navigation) It doesn't work. When you want to go to the nearest gas station you don't even have the ability while driving to take a peek at the list of options. The worst navigation system I have ever owned.

I bought my car with the knowledge that the gps system was voice activated to avoid problems with entering data while driving. This does not work at all to any satisfaction in my book. I hate the GPS System. I struggle everytime i try to find an address even when the car is not in motion. There are many times where I have a passenger and we are trying to find a location while on the freeway and cannot pull over to plug in information. I hand my phone over to my child to put directions in my phone gps system. I shouldn't need to have a backup gps system. passengers should be allowed to enter in gps location while I am driving. This would be so much safer than having to resort to looking at a map while driving or trying to input info into a phone etc or having to purchase an external gps system just so that these options are available. We looked into replacing the gps in my lexus less than a year of owning it. This is not an option without having to rewire everything. The GPS System in the Lexus is the worst investment in a high quality car such as a lexus. We are now looking for other options.

It's an annoyance that I can't allow my passenger to search for places and add them to our route while I'm driving. I understand why the driver shouldn't be allowed to mess with the screen while they're driving, but the passenger ought to be able to.

I'm sure Lexus assumes you should use the Voice system but that is really not a very intuitive system. It can take more time trying to say the right thing than just pressing a couple buttons and finding what you want. I would at least like the option to turn off the lockout and assume my own liability for doing so.

Words cannot express how frustrating it is to have a PASSANGER sitting in the front passanger seat with nothing to do . . . and yet they cannot input directions or operate the stupid navigation system because it will not work when the vehicle is in motion. It is crazy. My Honda's navigation system works great and has no such silly motion-shutoff system. I would never have bought the navigation if I'd known it could not be used while the vehicle is in motion. In fact, due to the motion-shutoff, I never use the navigation. This is the most irrating thing I have ever experienced in a car!!! That's how annoying it is. (Ed: That is how I feel too and it is one reason I am continuing the fight for current and future owners.)

I actually asked the salesperson if the navigation could be overriden, and he said that it could. In fact, he told me to go to www.lexusisnotmymother.com and it would tell me how to do it. Of course, that website says it's impossible and pointed me to this website. Go figure!

I just got off the phone with Lexus. I had returned the $500 service credit they sent me and indicated I wanted the same compensation that you received (same issue = same compensation). They flatly refused! If you ever really do set up a booth at a car show, please let me know so I can help! Also, LexusIsNotMyMother t-shirts would be nice. I would gladly wear one at the NY auto show this spring. ( Ed: We are looking at other ways to increase awareness of the issues surrounding the Lexus Navigation system.)

Was not aware of this NAV issue prior to lease. Was hesitant in purchasing the NAV upgrade to begin with. Was NEVER told by the salesman of this major limitation with the NAV. Would not have bought the car had I known. Will be turning the car back in from lease ASAP and will NOT be getting another Toyota product.

i think that the navigation is worthless now considering you cant even use it 80 percent of the time because you are driving. being only 19 i could only afford a IS250 (18 when i bought it) and i wanted the navigation when instead i could have gotten a IS350 base model with no navigation. i feel like i have been completely ripped off for a useless system that doesnt even work while im driving. lexus needs to act on this for any new cars that are coming out because this safety feature makes this navigation useless.. why do mercedez, bmw, and also acura alow you to use the navigation and lexus does not? i wish i could go back in time if i knew about this so i could have made the right choice and got a 350 with no navi cause it would have been the same as my 250 with nav. its useless!

The Lexus Nav system is useless.Not only that you can't set up while driving it has the worst user interface I've seen for sometime.Lexus should fix the issue and provide a free upgrade for the Nav system for a much better user interface.Also the map view is lacking street names.lexus should learn something from live.com for mobile phones , I use it on my $250 cell phone and it bits the Lexus Nav by 10 fold !!! Buy yourself a GRMIN nav unit for $300 and don't spend your energy on the Lexus NAV, its USELESS !!!!

My story is a bit different in that I didn’t buy an ES350 last year (2007) especially because of the NAV override issue. I think that the ES is a really cool car, but it’s a bit stupid that you have to stop to set a new course on the NAV. Instead I just purchased an Acura, and in the long run think it was the best decision! Consumers have a chose in what they buy and for me I exercised the correct option.

It is incredibly annoying to have the phone and nav shut off. The voice recognition is totally useless and does not work.

I rented a Volvo in Europe last week and could change the navigation on the fly -- and did several times. I had pretty much quit using my Lexus navigation because of this problem.

I can't believe they have done this. It was working before and due to a TSB and a non working GPS receiver they upgraded my DVD software without telling me and came back with a system that does not work to its full potential.

I considered BMW750, MB S550 before I purchased my Lexus LS460. I was greatly disappointed when I realized that a $350 Garmin 360 has more functionality and use than my fancy $3000 state of the art POS navigation system. I speak with an accent so speech recognition is out for me. And even when speech recognition works it only covers address search, what about POIs? If Toyota is so worried about possible law suits, I suggest removing engines from their cars, so people do not drive too fast. Or perhaps shut off the engine as soon as driver begins a conversation with a passenger as to avoid distractions... Some dumb a.. Attorney came up with this policy, probably one of those people who come up with ridiculous warnings on condom packages. By the way, my own home address is not even found on those maps, when I asked for an updated map, I was asked to cough up $325!!! As if that system is so great that it\'s worth that much. It only cost $69 to update a Garmin unit. I just paid 74K for this garbage and my car knows better what I should or should not do? I did call Lexus and demand the refund for the NAV system, of course I got nothing. Anyway, I am on the market for another luxury vehicle right now, and only 6 months ago I was certain that both of my new cars would be Lexus -- NO WAY IN HELL, am I buying another Lexus until this is taken care of. Too bad, it\'s a great car otherwise...

This goes along with the inferior blue tooth and satellite radio systems.

I just purchased my 08 IS350 on New years Eve. Wish I would have known about these issues before signing the check. I really could have gotten the same funtionality from installing some X-Mas lights or something on my dashboard. The moving pictures are cool, but useful? I say not. I am very disappointed to have learned that my $3000 navigation unit is about as good as introducing my picture of Pam Anderson to my buddies! Looks great, but sorry guys you really dropped the ball on this one! Garmin Nuvi here I come!

I wish I had done more research and bought the CLS by MB.

The screen lock is so frustrating! Not even my passengers can access it while the car is in motion.

The one feature I considered mandatory was a good functioning Nav system. When I found out there is no override and I cannot use the nav while driving I felt sick. The times I need directions most are when I am driving and need to find the next location I am going to. In LA it is more dangerous to pull over to program a nav than it is to be able to input a destination while driving so I don't agree with the "legal" decision. The voice function is a joke--I tell it "Indian" for Indian food, it displays "Courthouses." Coincidence?

Bad decision by Lexus. Fix the problem or I will sell the car. This is not a threat because I will selll the car.

How can I go about getting a rebate/refund?

The issue of not being able to override the nav system motion lock is a major hassle from day 1. We purchased the car and immediately took a road trip. For 25 miles, we tried to use the nav system while in route. passenger operating the nav system. After 30 mins of struggle, we called the dealer who informed us that there was no possible way to override the system lockout. We might have purchased the vehicle if we had known but we definately would not have spent the big bucks for the onboard nav system. It is a huge pain in the butt.

I would not have bought the navigation system if I had known this. I have been using a Garmin for over 5 years and the lockout is easily overriden. By the way the Garmin has better routeing, has a traffic option, POI directory is more complete and is faster. But the Lexus has nicer graphics.

Very upset that I'm unable to select such things as previous destination from the Nav Menu or select from a list of local restaurants, etc. What a joke. I just spent close to 40K for a car that I have to pull over on the side of the road to use the Navigation system.

My mom has a 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid. The screen override method works on her navigation system, however, if she ever upgrades to a newer nav disc, I fear it may not work anymore. My father had a 2005 Acura TL that he loved at the time because he or a passenger could enter stuff into the navigation system while it was moving. Prior to him buying his new 2008 Lexus GS, I found out how to override the navigation system on my mom's '07 Camry. He was happy about this because the Lexus dealership said his '08 GS had the same nav system as the '07 GS. So we figured that this would be the same one as my mom's '07 Camry nav. Not true! The nav override does not work on '08 or '07 GS's as I have now found proof of on your site. We are not willing to cut any wires or do anything that would void the warranty. My father loves his new Lexus all around except for the navigation issue. The best thing for us would be to have Lexus offer new disc's that reinstate the navigation override. I don't see what the big problem is. I think most people on this forum would gladly even sign a waiver saying they would not hold Toyota/Lexus liable for any accident/damages done to the vehicle while using the nav in motion. Or at least they could have some sort of directional buttons on the steering wheel that work when the car is in motion (The Acura RL has this).

Pulling over the curb and stopping on the road just for entering the address is dangerous and very inconvenient. The option to enter address on the fly is even more distracted and counterproductive. I tried a Garmin NAV on a Hertz rental sedan and see it is so much easier to navigate than the Lexus's thousand dollars NAV system just because of the capability being locked! I was disappointed upon learning this restriction on my very first and most expensive car of my life thus far. I admire your effort and will do what I can to help your cause . Please keep me update on how to override this stupid lock !

Lexus is the only manufacter that doesn't allow the use of the nav and dvd function while the car is in motion. What's the point of having the nav system when you can't input a request without pulling over to the side of the freeway and putting the brake on. It's ridiculous. Lexus need to listen their customers wishes.

Just fix the problem.

It should automatically override if the passanger seat is being used just like the seat belt alarm. I end up using a garmin instead of the very expensive nav that came with the car. Ridiculous.

Makes the whole nav. system worthless

This attorney says the blocks present an even greater danger to drivers, passengers and others. Lexus really screwed the pooch on this one. I tell everyone who'll listen to consider another brand.

I was not told that upgrading to the newest edition would remove my original override feature. I feel like I down graded for $400!

The navigation system is there to help me to find the places. Taking away the functionality of the navigation should not be the choice of the car manufacturer.

Shortly after acquiring my 2007 LX470, I had a call from a hospital in San Luis Obispo, where my son attends college. He had a seizure during class and was transported to the ER by the paramedics. I live 4.5 hours away from SLO and left right away. I did not know where the hospital was, but was comforted by the knowledge that I had the GPS system. I tried tom use the system while on the highway (granted-I was exceeding the speed limit by a significant amount). It would not work. I called Lexus by pressing the button on the steering wheel and it worked, but I was told that I could not use the navigation system while the car was moving. I couldn't believe it. The one time I needed it, when I didn't want to stop for directions, I couldn't. What a huge waste of money. There is little point in having a nav system that requires you to pull over to get directions. I absolutely will not get another Lexus. BTW, my son had brain surgery in the summer and is doing fine. I told the surgeon not to buy a Lexus.

I feel ripped off. Let me use what I paid for.

I find this ability to not able to access the navigation menu while in motion is huge annoyance as even though I have a passenger they should be able to input our new destination. If I had know about this I would have not put this car in my choices. I am very frustrated as it has been already eight months I had to deal with this annoyance and I am thinking about maybe just buying a third-party navigation to use instead.

I won't buy another Lexus or Toyota product because of this. I'll be back to Acura as soon as they release a hybrid. I've driven vehicles with NAV packages for 7 years and I've never been so aggravated as I am now. The more you try to use it, th

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